Christmas Eve 2011

Our Christmas Eve celebration started with Scott and I heading to Malibu. We needed some sunny weather and some good food in our tummies to start our adventure filled weekend. Welcome, Paradise Cove.

Scott ordered the Huevos Rancheros and it was a mound of food. I was a little jealous of his order. I love runny yolks!

This is what Paradise Cove likes to call "Sandwich-In-Soup". Quartered Dungeness crab and shrimp melt on grilled sourdough served on the sides of clam chowder. It is a bit messy but dunking the sandwiches in the soup was delightful. I always get worried when a restaurant claims their chowder is "award winning" but they did not disappoint. Just too much food! 

Our next stop was the Getty Villa. A beautiful stop on our way down to Santa Monica.

My favorite museum piece was "Cupid" - How cute is he?!

Back on the road, cruising the coast.

We made it! Hello Casa Del Mar! We will be calling this room home for a couple days... I loved the bed!

What do you think of our view? Not too shabby right? The Santa Monica Pier in the background!

Since we were on a beach vacation we got in the mood for something tropical - Mai Tai for me and a Gaviotta for Scott.

Cheese please! We are suckers for cheese, fruit and nuts! It was perfect.

After a nap and freshening up we wandered back downstairs for dinner at the hotel restaurant, Catch.

Chestnut Soup with Gingerbread croutons caught our eye and both had it to start. it was the best part of our meal.

Scott ordered the Filet of Beef with parsnip potato puree, rosemary carrots and red wine reduction. He was very underwhelmed. It was one of his least favorite steaks of the year. Oh my!

I ordered the Striped Bass and was also a bit disappointed. The leek fondue was baby food and the chanterelles made me shiver. The crispy skin on the fish was the best part.

The Chocolate Lava Cake was very good - extremely rich but pair nicely with our red wine.

Last but not least was the Roasted Pineapple Upside Down Cake the toasted almond gelato and rum caramel sauce was a real treat.

Totally stuffed we wandered into the lobby and enjoyed a game of Checkers. After Scott beat me, we floated upstairs and drifted to sleep to prepare for our next day of Christmas Vacation.

Reel Inn - Malibu, CA

Sunset Magazine wrote this:

Fish tacos are the Steve McQueen of road food: casual and cool. Surfers were the first to discover them, at snack shacks like Reel Inn. Today, they’re still a fixture on its chalkboard menu: fresh-caught salmon or ahi tuna wrapped in warm corn tortillas with melted cheddar, crisp lettuce, tomato, and salsa.

They claimed that these were the best Fish Tacos that they have tasted. Really? I will be the judge of that!

Order at the counter and find a seat. They just so happened to be out of Crab Cakes that day. Boo.

The White Chowder. Terrible. Tasted just like flour. Way to kick off our meal!

Oysters on the Half Shell for me. Something they really couldn't screw up. Thumbs up.

Zucchini quartered and undercooked. Ah man. We are really on a roll!

Ok these are the Fish Tacos Sunset Magazine raved about. I want to know who writes for Sunset and do their food reviews... Really, I want to know! Are you out there? Are you reading this? This was the worst Fish Taco i have ever had. The fish soggy, and fired over a gas grill so it just tasted like chemicals. The salsa was horrid and the cheese was some nasty version of cheddar. I am so disappointed in Sunset Magazine. I am writing to the editor.

The best part of the Reel Inn was the friendly blonde guy who worked the register. If you want a good Fish Taco go to Beach House Tacos in Ventura or Rosie's At The Beach in Morgan Hill.

Neptune's Net - Malibu, CA

You may recognize this restaurant. it is located right off the Pacific Coast Highway and is the backdrop for movies, television shows and commercials alike. But here's a little tip, keep on driving when you see it.

This place should serve the BEST chowder and the COLDEST beer because of their prime beach location in one of the most trendy parts of California . They didn't do either of those things. I took a big scoop of chowder only to kind a bunch of undercooked potatoes in my mouth. I searched for a piece of clam but couldn't find one. Fail. And, it is not hard to keep beer cold, just pump up your fridge. Aye yi yi. Next!

Geoffery's - Malibu, CA

After the coolest drive down the Pacific Coast Highway - we make a u turn and make our way to Geoffery's a pristine destination over looking the Pacific Ocean. Can you say beautiful?!

A perfect patio setting. Everyone had a remarkable view of the ocean. There was a chill so PROPANE powered heaters provided us with warmth. Good old propane!

Oh, just a nice shot of the menu... Geoffery's was just so cool.

Martinis anyone? Citrus for me, Lemon Drop for him.

Fresh Ahi Tuna Tartar with avocado, scallions, ginger, red onions, wonton crisp and Tobeiko caviar was our starter. It was lovely. The hot chili paste was dynamite! It got the party started!!

I got order envy. Scott ordered the Sea Bass with Pesto Potatoes, Heirloom Tomatoes and Basil Oil. The fish was cooked so perfectly. I was so jealous.

My order the Scallops, I know I have been on this weird kick with them. But, I am done. These were a little chewy but the Risotto made up for it tin fold. Foie Gras Risotto to be exact, with a Star Anise infused Pomegranate Reduction! Wow. Enough said - so delicious all on its own.

Last but not least, Creme Brulee with a surprise layer of chocolate on the bottom. Thin and custardy - not my usual favorite way of preparation but fantastic none the less.

Amazing to no end. Service delightful, ambiance out of this world and food a treat all on its own!