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July 9, 2008
Something's Fishy at Gladstone's in Malibu
In a scathing review published today in the LA Times, restaurant critic Leslie Brenner takes on a seafood institution known mostly for it's foil animal-shaped doggie bags and it's Pacific Ocean views, and tries to figure out why Gladstone's in Malibu has earned the title of Southern California's top-grossing restaurant. At what is ostensibly a commercialized mini-chain offering very standard seafood fare (and, in the opinion of Brenner's server on one visit, even some sub-standard fare) you'll get "huge portions of bad food at astoundingly high prices." And while the customers seem to be happily conned, the establishment is laughing its way to the bank. But Brenner isn't laughing; she rates the place "poor" and gives the impression something is fishy with Gladstone's rampant popularity...and it isn't the clam chowder.
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My favorite part was when the waiter said - don't get the crab cakes.
If you are willing to drive to Gladstones for food, drive a little further to Neptune's Net...there you can get some better food, great price, and watch the sunset...
Malibu views at Ventura County prices.
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yup. Gladstones = ripoff.
Try...Froggy's Fish Market OR the Reel Inn, both on Topanga. Fresh fish, good prices, no bullshit.
Nevermind that I went on disastrous second dates at both places. HAHAHAHAH I am soooo fun.
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When it comes to food the majority can't tell great from crap. Pasadena's Cameron's Seafood Market and Restaurant is a great place if you're inland.
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I drove by this place a million times to and from school and never stopped. Their prices are off the wall and I never understood why so many people were always there. Then I realized that tourists are gullible.
I'll second the Reel Inn endorsement. That place is great. $7 fish and chips on wednesdays is key.
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Three words: Location, Location, Location.
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When I was a section editor at my college paper, we ran a positive review of Gladstone's in our roundup of "romantic Valentine's Day restaurants." And by college standards, I guess it was. Still, I was a little surprised when I finally went for the first time a few months ago to discover it was basically a burger joint that serves fish instead of burgers.
But come on, what's not to love about a doggie bag shaped like a dolphin?