There’s a new dining hot spot on PCH near La Costa and it’s bound to satisfy the appetites of hungry eaters everywhere. It’s had many incarnations over the years, from Georgio Baldi, to Lino’s, to Terra and most recently Mission.
Today it’s been freshly unveiled as Tavern 1 Grill & Tap House. The Tavern represents a lot of things to locals and visitors alike.
For some, it’s kick-back casual dining and the best darned barbeque you’re going to find; for others, it’s stellar salads, superb entrees on the weekend, just about the only place you can dig into a soft melt-in-your-mouth huevos rancherosfor breakfast. Or, try the Point Dume benedict or Zuma omelet with loads of veggies, avocado and cheese.
While several places serve up the traditional 11:30 Sunday brunch, Tavern won’t keep you or your Sunday paper waiting. They open promptly at 9 a.m.
There have been some modern upgrades, but thankfully for old-timers, the place won’t be completely unrecognizable. They did retain the classic Malibu tile floors as well as the famous Malibu Potteries fountain and fireplace.
As someone who has been dining in this spot since the 1990s, it feels familiar, but with a twist.
As you enter, you’ll see the writing on the wall. “Good people drink good beer,” says one. Other adornments include mirror and distressed metal spelling out “TAVERN ONE” and “PCH MALIBU.”
The bustling bar will get you in the mood for good food, with oldies like Al Green and Roy Orbison playing on the overhead speakers. But, just like its sister restaurant over the hill, the great draw here is the down-home grub. Bring your appetite, as this place specializes in first class barbecue, beef, prime rib, tri-tip, sandwiches and salads.
Outstanding menu items include the shroom burger with mushrooms, caramelized onions and garlic aioli and are done to perfection. You’ll find pulled pork and brisket, but non-meat eaters can relax as there are plenty of choices for you too. Try the signature chopped salad or quinoa lentil salad with orange vinaigrette. With the veggie burger, you won’t miss the juicy fresh-off-the-grill flavor. There’s also a power salmon salad with kale, blueberries, toasted sunflowers seeds, dried cranberries and of course a grilled veggie wrap. What could be more Malibu?
Getting hungry? Entrees include rib eye steak, barbecue brisket, lemon herb chicken and a blackened salmon plate. For sides, you can take your pick from a healthy green salad to mac ‘n cheese, sweet potato fries or a loaded baked potato.
To wash it all down, there is no shortage of choices from Fat Tire to Stella on tap. Just like its sister restaurant in Agoura Hills, this place prides itself on brew.
The overall dining experience makes it easy to see why owner Marco Gonzalez grew up in his family restaurant biz, got wind of a secret barbeque sauce and before you know it was opening his own restaurant picking up praise and winning awards along the way. His business partner Tony Cowley adds a bit of industry panache having worked on many notable films and television productions. Together, they seemed to have created a tangy recipe for success but whether its breakfast, lunch or dinner, I suppose it could be argued that just like the beer here, “good people eat good food.”
TAVERN 1 GRILL & TAP HOUSE PCH — MALIBU
21337 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
310.456.8000
Daily 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.