With Baja-inspired flavors, the beloved restaurateur celebrates a vibrant January opening along Pacific Coast Highway
“I’m baaaacccck!” An excited Nando Silvestri exclaimed to this reporter when I stopped to take a picture of the sign for his newest eatery, Prima Cantina & Tacos. “I look forward to serving everyone in Malibu again!”
“Hola Malibu!” the sign declares. “Prima Cantina & Tacos will see you in January.”
Silvestri’s restaurant of the same name in Santa Monica is going strong and, remarkably, he was able to re-open Prima Cantina in Pacific Palisades just in time for Cinco de Mayo, even though the establishment had burned in January.
Malibu’s Prima Cantina opened on Jan. 8 to the delight of many locals. Silvestri welcomed a full house for the soft opening.
Prima Cantina is a reflection of the spirit and essence of Baja California, Silvestri explains. An experienced restaurateur, he has operated restaurants in Malibu, Southern California, and Texas for more than 30 years, beginning with Spumoni in Westwood back in the day.
“Baja is a diverse region both in culture and geography, which inspires our cooking,” the restaurant’s website informs. “Our menu blends elements of a deep culinary heritage in mainland Mexico with the lighter, ocean-inspired, unique coastal cooking of the Baja Peninsula, fused with the natural, produce-driven approach of California cuisine.”
The new eatery has taken over the space where Tramontos Bistro and JUJU Asian Kitchen operated before the fire. As one enters the venue, they notice that where there once was a meeting room in the back, there is now a bar, adding both ambience and enjoyable space to the restaurant.
Mindful of the physical and mental pain that Malibu has endured since the Palisades Fire, Silvestri and his team first hosted approximately 40 firefighters and sheriffs on Jan. 7 so as to give thanks to our first responders.
Tasting the flavors
When The Malibu Times arrived for the public soft opening on Jan. 8, the place was hopping, and there was not a table to be had. If one is going to go to a restaurant opening, who better to tag along with than Malibu’s Kerry Clasby, operator of Sterling Farms in Malibu, a mecca for organic and biodynamic farming? Clasby, who is known as the “Intuitive Forager” and who supplies organic food to area restaurants and to farmers markets, knows a thing or two about cuisine.
After perusing the ample menu featuring carne asada and lobster tacos, shrimp ceviche, street corn esquites, and a full array of fajitas and main dishes, we ordered the enchiladas and two lobster tacos. For libations, Clasby enjoyed a signature margarita, and this journalist had a virgin Paloma — a delicious concoction of grapefruit and lime juices.
“The margarita is superb — very full of flavors!” Clasby declared. “The food tastes fresh and full of herbs!”
Silvestri welcomes residents to stop by the venue, located at 22235 Pacific Coast Highway, and to enjoy dining in, savor seasonal specials, and participate in all the excitement at the Fiesta Hours when there are discounted food and drink items.
At Prima Cantina, one indulges in delicious Baja Mexican cuisine, savoring the flavors, including the smoky dried chilis. Most importantly, on a cold, wintery, windy Malibu January evening, not only was the food delicious and the drinks satiating, the very best part of the evening was to infuse oneself in the wonderful, spirited crowd, leading many to realize that the spirit of Malibu is reviving.
