HANNA CHU & ANELA HOLCK
A & E Editor & Photo Editor
Does something smell fishy and romantic? We think so, and it smells gosh-darn good at the Malibu Seafood.
Located just north of Pepperdine on Pacific Coast Highway, this small joint will satiate big appetites.
There is a wide range of seafood options available on a menu that take up most of the wall space in the diner that is only slightly larger than the size of a handicapped bathroom stall. It’s cozy, and the friendly welcome of the staff and crabs and lobsters (all alive and moving) will ease any first-date tensions.
Be sure to check out the “Today’s Special” chalkboard as you first walk in to save some cash (or credit). The special for our date was the Mahi Mahi fish sandwich with a choice of one side for $9.95. The sandwiches come packed with lettuce and onions served on sourdough bread with a lemon slice on the side. Hold the sandwich tight or it’ll be all over the place, which is not the way to woo your crush.
The best option on the menu is the clam chowder, perfect for the unusually chilly windy days we’ve been having. The price ranges from $2.95 for an 8 ounce cup to $9.25 for a 32 ounce bowl. The best deal is served in a bread bowl for $6.95.
If you don’t like seafood, this isn’t the place for you, unless you are a fan of the only two non-seafood options on the menu: chicken sandwich or chicken tenders. They taste like your classic chicken meals but are served with tartar sauce.
For a seriously cheap date, order off the kids’ menu with a cup of water (tap); it is not prohibited. It’s only $3.75 for anything off this menu, so go ahead splurge. Real men order two kids’ meals. Plus, Pepperdine students get a 10 percent discount. Score.
After ordering, guests have the pleasure of waiting outside to stare at the natural scenic beauty of the Malibu beachscape. You might even catch a glimpse of a porpoise swimming by. Or maybe it was a rock. Or maybe just a surfer. Details are difficult to discern, but the view is gorgeous while you wait for your food next to the outdoor pick-up window.
Also next to the pick-up window there are three signs that warrant particular attention, all of which pertain to your health and wealth. They read: “The reason we don’t open for breakfast is we’re out catching lunch;” “Watch for cars;” and “No smoking.”
The wait is brief, and there are two seating areas. The larger patio, with about 20 picnic table and almost completely enclosed, is perfect for most weather conditions, while the smaller one is suitable only for a sunny day.
Beware of the parking situation. Although there appears to be plenty of parking, looks can be deceiving. Most of the parking is for the hiking trail and requires a fee of $3. Escape the outrageous parking ticket for failing to pay the fee by avoiding the hiking trail’s parking lot. Instead park along the road or in one of the few spots closest to the restaurant.
Although you might be tempted to use the “seafood diet” joke to charm your date, think twice before opening your mouth wide and saying to that special someone, “See? Food!” After all, you just ate fish, and your breath is likely to expose that truth. So bring along a pack of breath mints if you plan on a goodnight kiss after this date.
01-26-2006
