M Cafe at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu is the best date spot, hidden gem ever!

We've been to a beautiful wedding at Calamigos Ranch but weren't aware that they had a restaurant and bar that opened earlier this year.  Napper and I had the most romantic and different dinner there last night!  The setting is like an enchanted garden-- up Kanan Dume Road in Malibu, you find yourself in the midst of the Santa Monica Mountains with nothing in sight but the mountains, eucalyptus trees, a pond with fluffy white ducks,  and twinkling lanterns, fire torches and chandeliers strung from trees outside to illuminate the dining areas and pool tables on the lawn.  We got there before sunset and had a glass of wine from a local Malibu winemaker (Saddlerock Pinot Noir) and walked the grounds-- over a little footbridge to a tiny island in the middle of the pond and watched a few children feed and chase the ducks (although perfect for a romantic dinner, M Cafe is also ideal for a family dinner with kids-- just request one of the tables on the lawn or one of the cabanas also on the lawn so kids can play and run around and you won't worry about disturbing romance on the deck of the restaurant which is set up and away from the lawn area).

After exploring the area, we sat on the deck for a dinner of fried Ipswitch clams, Lazy Lobster and linguini with wild mushrooms.  Oh and apple pie!  The clams and the pie were sinful and delicious and our main courses were good not amazing-- the Lazy Lobster was made with tons of meaty lobster chunks, but it is sort of prepared as a mini cassarole and presented rather sadly in a little bowl.  We'd advise skipping it and getting the lobster roll sandwich instead.  The service here is also incredibly friendly--  because we had to wait (only 5 or so minutes) for our waitress when we first sat down, she comped us our wine for the evening!  Above and beyond.

If you want to make an excursion out of visiting, why not come out earlier and do a wine tasting at the neighboring Malibu Winery before dinner or after lunch?  They are open seven days a week until 6pm. We loved the Pinot Noir which is light and smooth and the Petite Sirah which was spicy and complex....

M Cafe is open Thursday through Sunday for lunch and dinner and Sunday brunch, which looks delicious-- might be a repeat visit in our near future....