THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Charlie's

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Charlie's Restaurant Review:

Longtime Malibu resident Charlie DiLorenzo took over the former Allegria space and modernized it into a hip spot well populated with locals and celebrities, who have limited dining options in their seaside city. Charlie's dynamic personality is reflected in the warm dining room, decorated with a hand-blown chandelier and leopard print chairs from Dolce & Gabbana. Start with crab cakes, coconut crusted skewered shrimp, or warm spinach salad with asparagus tips and peas seasoned with a bacon Cabernet dressing. Appetizers also include soups, individual pizzas, and pastas, which can be followed by fish or steak, both served with seasonal baby vegetables. Other entrées include beef paillard, Berkshire Kurobata pork tenderloin or canard confit. The desserts are always a surprise since they change nightly, such as coconut sherbet served in the shell, and "blackout" chocolate cake. There is nothing inventive about the cuisine, but the relaxed, friendly and elegant atmosphere will keep people coming. Sommelier Caitlin Stansbury likes to present her wines by the glass selection, and is currently reworking the wine by the bottle list. There are also a variety of craft brews available on draft and by the bottle.