Duke's Malibu - Malibu

You don't know what you got 'til it's gone. Arizona houses the majestic Grand Canyon, North Carolina boasts the Blue Ridge Parkway, Alaska doesn't deny Denali. California had Malibu. A safe-haven for celebs, a bounty of breathtaking beauty of cliffs that jut out over the edge of the world, views of oceans that illuminate every sunset. If there were a single restaurant to define Malibu, it would be Duke's. Loved by most, enjoyed by all. Affordable pricing and an approachable all-American menu, Duke's stands strong, and after recent events, I hope it continues to help this community come together. 

A friend had been itching to visit this place, and I'm glad I went along. Maybe he knew we should experience this place while it stood, to get a fleeting taste Malibu while we can. It was so much fun sipping a beer from the tap at their bar, and there's nothing like watching the waves crash on the rocks in the darkness. 

The food is undoubtedly quality, and they serve all your favorites. The Shrimp Cocktail is a classic, and it turns out to be my favorite thing on the menu. These jumbo monsters are as tender and juicy as they get.

Lilikoi Ceviche is a cool customer. Tender fish stewing in its own citrus juices, a plethora of accent veggies, a splash of spice from the fierce fresno chli.

The Banana Leaf Steamed Island Fish & Shrimp is a fun concept. They really do know how to cook their shrimp.

The thing is, they make a stink about their seafood, but maybe their calling is the steak. This Kona Coffee Crusted New York looks like just a steak n' potatoes, and it is, but the quality does persist.

It may be a while before we get another taste of Malibu. My in-laws lost everything in the fire, and rebuilding from the ground up will take all the strength we have left. But Malibu is strong, and Malibu is resilient. Malibu is so much more than a collection of cliff-side mansion and celebrity dwellings as the media would have us believe. It won't be an easy recovery, but if anyone can do it, Malibu can.