INDUSTRY INSIGHT: 
CHARLIE’S
A Sleek Malibu Cut House
By Alyson Dutch
Charlie's Malibu
22821 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265
310.456.3132
www.charliesmalibu.com
Malibu is home to only a handful of restaurants, many of which enjoy more longevity than most of LA’s trendy eateries. As the locals lament the passing of recently departed Allegria, a sleek, modern steak house has moved in - the brainchild of an equally sleek restauratrice named, of course, Charlie. On the PCH hillside just south (well, it’s really west) of the historical Malibu Pier, Charlie’s sexy interiors glow from behind the large windows and from between exotic wood slats. A splash of persimmon orange color behind the curvaceous “C” of the exterior sign signals the passing Bentleys, Porsches, and Aston Martins to pull over for a glass of wine from the Enomatic wine system, plumped with 25 French wines and local Malibu vineyard choices. The refined interiors were created by Chimera Interiors and feature Dolce & Gabbana and Phillip Stark leopard print chairs and a centerpiece water drop crystal and polished steel chandelier centerpiece. The shelving around the banquets holds magnums of Dominus and elegant Japo-Suessian driftwood; bunched flower arrangements are pin lit from above.
While Charlie has shared her hospitality prowess in Los Angeles for restaurants such as the Sunset Plaza’s Café Med and fabled Bice, she’s been a Malibu denizen for more than 19 years. Her inspiration to create something in her hometown came from her frustration in not being able to find a good baked potato anywhere in Malibu. As such, she built a relationship with the long-standing chef at Guido’s in Malibu, Eleano Camboni, who decided to join her as a partner in the venture. Together, Charlie and Eleano have created a beautiful menu that focuses on prime steaks, fresh seafood, and pastas. The Carpaccio on baby rocket arugula, topped in shaved parmesan with dribbles of white truffle oil is incredibly fresh; a squeeze of lemon on each bite makes it a perfect food. Eleano’s passion for food, and particularly food history, gives a lot of meaning to the menu that would thrill any foodie who cares to look beyond the simple deliciousness of the stilton cheese walnut sauce on a grilled bone-in Waygu kobe steak. The portions at Charlie’s are super human. The pastas are simple and satiating; the classic roasted veal mirepoix Bolognese tops the list. One of the special steaks includes a Chateaubriand Benedict with poached egg, spinach, and béarnaise. The side-sauce assortment makes choosing difficult; house barbeque, course grain mustard, bourbon peppercorn, creamy porcini, mushroom roasted garlic, demi glace, classic béarnaise, port wine, and crispy sage can all dress your cut of choice.
All in all, Charlie’s is an elegantly casual respite in LA’s oceanside hamlet of Malibu. The tow head-headed and Ugg boot-footed families of Malibu and local celebrities still descend upon this place like a neighborhood haunt and bring a wonderful warmth to the restaurant. And Charlie herself can be found there every night holding court as if she was simply hosting yet another fabulous dinner party at her home.
Charlie’s serves lunch from 11 – 2:30 p.m. daily. Dinner is from 5-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5-11 Friday and Saturday.
