Kristy's, located off of PCH in Malibu, is a quaint brunch spot that's tucked away in the cliffs above Zuma Beach. My friend and I chose it because it was halfway between Santa Barbara and Long Beach, our respective towns of residence. The view, as many California beachside restaurants can boast, is simply breathtaking. When my companion and I visited Kristy's last weekend, it was a rainy December day, which only meant that the scenery was a different degree of stunning. On sunny days, the glass-walled patio would be a wise choice, but we opted for the coveted spot during the fall and winter months: nestled up next to the free-standing vintage fireplace. Greeted by the friendly staff after parking in the private parking lot comprised of plenty of terraced, two-to-a-cubby individual parking spaces, we were seated right away.
The decor was a pleasant mix of modern and vintage that somehow went together perfectly. The salt and pepper on the table were kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper in an open dish with two wells and a demitasse spoon. Our server directed our attention to the unique "Tabanero" sauce (a fiery, flavorful blend of Tabasco and habanero sauces) on the table beside the salt and pepper. My companion and I each ordered house water (we were also offered sparkling or still bottled water) and Kristy's signature brunch beverage, a POGmosa ($9). This delightful concoction is a combination of cava wine with passion orange guava juice from Maui. My friend also got a cup of Illy coffee ($4), which was excellent, as always. When our drinks came, we were ready to order!
My friend ordered the Benedict of the Day ($19), which comes with their stellar rosemary potatoes and a lovely fruit and muffin plate (containing a blackberry muffin that was made in-house that morning, slices of pear, strawberries, and pineapple). I went traditional, with the Classic Breakfast ($15). I got two eggs any style (in my case, scrambled egg whites), the brightly-flavored and perfectly seasoned rosemary potatoes, bacon (the other two options are ham steak or sausage), and the pretty, delicious fruit and muffin plate. It was the perfect amount of food, and the Tabanero added just the right amount of heat and flavor to our dishes. The only flaw that either one of us could find in our tasty, satisfying brunch was that the Eggs Benedict were overcooked, the yolks' consistency being more hard-boiled than poached, though the flavor was impeccable. The prices are a bit on the high side for young professionals and college students, but are completely reasonable considering the high quality of the ingredients and the freshness, flavor, and obvious care that goes into each part of every dish.
On the way out, we noticed the flowers that lined the stone trail leading us back to our cars in the parking lot. The sweet, colorful garden was peppered with wooden signs that displayed lines of poetry and quotes from famous authors. It was a fitting end to a lovely meal with a poetry of bright flavors, and I will definitely be visiting again soon!
