surfrider malibu

If you are planning a trip to Malibu, I definitely recommend checking out The Surfrider Malibu. This boutique hotel is the epitome of chic, oozing with California surf culture, and is situation right on the coast with expansive sea views. As if that’s not reason enough to book your stay, their rooftop restaurant churns out some truly fresh and delicious local-inspired cuisine. The menus are Coastal-Californian with a focus on locally sourced, sustainable and organic produce, and strike a wonderful balance between farmland and sea. The drinks are not to be missed either, and include natural and organic vineyards and distilleries, Ayurvedic tea houses, local coffee roasteries, and a cocktail menu featuring local produce. The vibe here is as if you’re hanging out on the deck of your own Malibu beach house (if only we could all be so lucky), so relax and enjoy a long, leisurely lunch al fresco- no shoes required!

I’ve gotten the opportunity to dine here midday for a post-beach brunch, as well as for a nice dinner out with friends, and each time the food was thoroughly enjoyed, having us planning our return trip soon. I mean, seriously, how picture perfect are these dishes? The Gjusta bakery sourdough with burrata is never a bad way to start the meal, along with the fresh ceviche. I highly suggest ordering any of the fresh fish on the menu- in our case this was a wild caught, local catch of the day served in a balinese curry that was just to die for! And that flat iron steak (from local Santa Carota Ranch) was cooked perfectly and plated beautifully as well. My toddler and I were huge fans of the (gigantic) seasonal cobbler, which featured local blackberries, heirloom apples, coconut crisp & vanilla gelato, and was the perfect ending to our meal :) I’m getting hungry again just writing this, so looks like we need to plan a return trip soon!

qué padre

Mexican food is a fan favorite in our house. While there is some debate as to what style or rendition is best- my husband is from New Mexico, I’m from Texas, and we live in California- we can definitely appreciate a good taco, margarita and some chips & guacamole! From super casual to fine dining, you can really get good Mexican food across the board these days, and I was pumped to try a new spot in our area called Qué Padre. Specializing in street-style tacos, this coastal cantina packs its menu with the freshest of flavors from all over Mexico. There’s a bit of Cali influence thanks to the locally-sourced ingredients, and I have to say I really enjoyed this modern take on all your Mexican favorites. Located in Palisades Village, the atmosphere at Qué Padre is totally chill and laid back, allowing you to sip on some tasty tequilas while dining out in the sun. Totally up my alley! Not to mention it’s adjacent to the grassy, park area so kiddies can play as well.

My boys and I got to enjoy a delicious taco feast soon after the grand opening, and we all left completely satisfied- and perhaps a bit too full! If you like a fun beverage, I definitely recommend browsing the cocktail & drinks menu. So many unique offerings (whether you’re in the mood for an alcoholic beverage or not)- from horchata (spiked or kid-friendly) to aguas frescas to an extensive tequila list to refreshing cocktails and more! I can’t resist a negroni, so tried their tequila version, which was super smooth and totally hit the spot. My hubby went the more traditional route, and was also quite pleased with his spicy margarita. Now, on to the food! Do yourself a favor and order the scallop ceviche, plus the lobster en nogada, camarón, and carnitas tacos. The little details (think mexican coke-braised pork, charred pineapple, jalapeño ash, poached lobster tail, morita black bean purée…) really allow the quality and flavors to shine through. So delish! You can totally taste the difference in the house-made corn tortillas too. And of course, since no meal of mine is complete without dessert, we had to indulge in the Mexican chocolate churros and the tres leches flan. My son & I couldn’t get enough of the chocolate dipping sauce. Heaven! Feel free to click through the photos for more details on each dish, and next time you’re in the Palisades, be sure to swing by Qué Padre for a taco.

real coconut kitchen

I love that there are so many fresh, healthy and flavorful eats in my area of Los Angeles. You can find tasty yet nourishing food almost anywhere you go, and that truly just makes my heart sing. Real Coconut Kitchen is a plant-focused, 100% gluten, grain, and dairy free restaurant serving up vibrant food in a chic Malibu setting. Their recipes truly define what it means to be a conscious kitchen- doing good for both your body and the world as a whole. Real Coconut sources organic produce, pasture-raised eggs and chicken, and wild-caught seafood from local farms and fisherman, and this quality commitment really shines through in every dish.

I’ve gotten to dine at Real Coconut Kitchen on a number of occasions now- from a quick smoothie & baked good to several lavish lunches on the outdoor patio, I’ve sampled quite a bit of the menu at this point, and there are many standouts. The fish tacos are light and crispy, with a zesty jalapeno radish salsa, served on housemade coconut flour tortillas. Seasonal salads are always a hit- can’t go wrong with nourishing veggies in my book! My bestie Rachel of Rachel Mcconn Wellness got us hooked on their Fried Chicken Bites (and even created her own version at home!)- the coconut buttermilk and grain-free plantain batter are anything but traditional, but super delicious all the same. I’m a big fan of their smoothies and shakes- from the Deep Green health infusion to indulgent-tasting Mint Choco Chip (sweetened with dates!), there’s something for everyone. My son thoroughly enjoyed his vegan blueberry lemon donut as well!

Besides the stellar food, another impressive aspect of The Real Coconut family is their focus on conscious food innovation. Their menus focus on low impact and nutrient dense hero crops: coconut, cassava, plantain, hemp, and marine phytoplankton to name a few. I love that they proudly support local & international farmers and agricultural programs, recognizing the impact each ingredient choice can make along the way. In addition, they continually strive to minimize their environmental impact, through reducing food waste, recycling and composting programs, repurposing cooking oil for biodiesel, and using low to no plastic, whenever possible. Talk about impressive! They also have a Market, where they sell some of their packaged items like plantain flour bread, cassava flour bagels, coconut yogurt, coconut flour tortilla chips, and more, so you can stock up your pantry at home as well! PS- the original Real Coconut Kitchen location is in Tulum. Perhaps a Mexico trip is in order soon?!

real coconut kitchen food

lighthouse

I'm all about a seasonal menu with tons of healthy, fresh food- even better if it's got a slightly Mediterranean vibe! Lighthouse is all those things and more, with a focus on sustainability and local produce! I was excited to stop in for brunch with some girlfriends recently, and I love the laid back feeling of home you get from the moment you walk in. The whole place gets tons of light from the huge windows, and there's plenty of outdoor seating as well, which I'm sure makes the perfect spot for brunch or happy hour come summer. We started with their signature freshly baked challah bread with housemade tahini and pickles. There's not much better than fresh baked bread, except when it's slathered in rich and creamy tahini. We chose an assortment of entrees, and I loved all the bright colors involved! From vegetable salads to grilled chicken bowls to chilaquiles to ceviche, there's certainly something for everyone! I really want to try the charred eggplant bowl with green coconut rice and tahini as it sounds totally up my alley, and I think my husband would be all about the duck pita with calabrian chili! Guess we will just have to head back soon :) Make sure to click through the photos for more details on our delish meal!