Before I drove out with my friend Vero from the Valley into Malibu, the only image I had in my mind of the place was that shot of the beach they use to separate the scenes in Two and a Half Men.
It was just one of those week day nights in LA. My work had been challenging that day, and I was tired and stressed. Vero wanted to show me around, but I told her I would much rather go to a cool place to have a drink by the sea. The prospect of driving around for hours just to go sightseeing seemed like the last thing I wanted to do that night; so, she told me she would take me to Moonshadows.
Along the beautiful dusking coastline drive, she explained that Moonshadows was a very popular place with celebrities, and that Mel Gibson had recently been taken out of there stark drunk. Then she told me the names of people who lived in the vicinity, but I honestly can´t remember; though I seem to recall the list consisted mostly of stars who had been big in the eighties and now, not so much.
When we arrived at the place, you couldn´t tell much from outside. The moon was congenially shining over the blue neon MOONSHADOWS sign and it was a beautiful Spring night in LA, with an agreeable temperature and a gentle breeze blowing from the Pacific.
When we went in, I realized what all the fuss was about: the restaurant´s outdoor area was perched up directly over the ocean. It was one of those places where you just feel exhilarated and happy to be alive and to be able to take in all that beauty.
We had one of the loveliest conversations of all my LA stay, lying down on those comfy beds in front of the ocean. There are few things that can sell me on a restaurant more than being served food in bed and sea views; so, Moonshadows had it all.
The service was excellent, and so was the French Viognier we had. I am just crazy about Viognier; before that night, I had only tried Uruguayan Viognier, and I have to say the Les Acanthes was a pleasant surprise. In any case, I strongly recommend the Uruguayan Stagnari Viognier to anyone who can get a hold of it!
I also had some of the best squid rings I have had in my life, second only to some morceaux of heaven I tried in Formentera (a neighboring island to Ibiza, Spain) last year, when I took a break after my film shoot in Finland.
The full menu and wine list are available on the Moonshadows restaurant´s webpage.
I didn´t see any stars while I was there, except those shining in the beautiful Malibu skies. We didn´t really care; that place makes you feel like a star yourself. One of those places you are sure to return to.
