Terra Restaurant

Please note that there is another set of reviews under ""Terra"" for Malibu. The reviewer who called the owner ""horrific"" does not line up with my experience in the least. We have lived in Malibu 2 years, and have gone to Terra more than any other restaurant. Under both the previous and the current ownership, the ambience of the restaurant is welcoming. The people who work there like to be there - a topic I have discussed with them several times. They agree. It is a special place. As far as getting reprimanded or fired for talking to customers, nope. I have never seen more interaction between customers and waitstaff than at Terra. This restaurant is a special cozy jewel. I can't account for the incident related by helensupanich, but I have been to Terra many times, and have never seen anything close to this kind of incident. The food is very good, slightly more expensive than I wish, but I am a Chicago boy living in Malibu. Charlotte is the restaurant manager, and she helps make the place work well. I keep thinking we should try other places in the area, and occasionally we do, but we more often simply gravitate back to Terra. I have also had several business meals there, to the satisfaction of all. more

We witnessed David, the owner of Terra, forcefully shove an employee across the length of the dining room for speaking to customers while on the job (the customers were us, by the way). The employee was fired literally on the spot. I have absolutely never been so horrified by the behavior of an overseer at a restaurant in my entire life. Please do not support this restaurant and its ""owner"", a drunk and incompetent man named David. He is absolutely not fit to work in any sort of public setting, much less a restaurant, where guests are supposed to feel welcome and comfortable. We felt the polar opposite of this warmth. Please, please do not ever go to Terra and support such insanity. We will certainly never be back. more

Terra is a great find for a wonderful, intimate dinner in Malibu. My friends and I have gone into Terra on a few nights for their incredible beet salad with duck confit. Other great menu items include traditional oysters on the half shell and an outstanding filet mignon. The rest of the menu looked spectacular but I can only write about what my friends and I have enjoyed (yum!). The dining room at Terra has recently been decorated with gorgeous paintings and little nuances that have made the room more inviting and comfortable while the food remains top notch ? THIS IS WHAT MALIBU IS ALL ABOUT! I would and have recommended Terra to my friends (and even strangers on the street). I think Terra is worth the drive for an intimate dinner. The staff has always been accommodating, the food is consistently delicious and well-plated while the atmosphere is comfortable and inviting. Two big thumbs up! Pros: consistent high quality food & service Cons: it can be hard to make a same day res more

Terra is a great find for a wonderful, intimate dinner in Malibu. My friends and I have gone into Terra on a few nights for their incredible beet salad with duck confit. Other great menu items include traditional oysters on the half shell and an outstanding filet mignon. The rest of the menu looked spectacular but I can only write about what my friends and I have enjoyed (yum!). The dining room at Terra has recently been decorated with gorgeous paintings and little nuances that have made the room more inviting and comfortable while the food remains top notch – THIS IS WHAT MALIBU IS ALL ABOUT! I would and have recommended Terra to my friends (and even strangers on the street). I think Terra is worth the drive for an intimate dinner. The staff has always been accommodating, the food is consistently delicious and well-plated while the atmosphere is comfortable and inviting. Two big thumbs up! Pros: consistent high quality food & service Cons: it can be hard to make a same day res more

The WORST experience I have EVER had at a restaurant and we live in Malibu and have been excited to try this place. If you have a problem with anything, they say its your fault, no apologies. First I had to send the martini back (after waiting at least 10 mins for it) because it had lemon pieces floating in it (obviously the shaker or the glass wasn't clean) It did not go unnoticed that the bartender had a total problem with this, total macho idiot trying to glare at me. Then the pasta came undercooked and oversalted (I understand al dente) and because I said to the server that I wasn't that happy with it, I get the slimy nerdy manager come to my table and say that they have never had a problem ever with a customer and then insinuate that it was us with the problem. As I followed him into the bar area, I saw him talking to other customers about our table. That really was the last straw, when I tried to explain it was our first experience there and initially that we were excited to try their restaurant, he literally walked away from our table while I was still talking. I mean honestly, who does that?? It was so childish that we just stood up and said we were leaving but not without tipping the waitstaff. I have worked in the service industry for leading hotels of the world and worked as a bartender for 12 years in NYC, I am just completely in shock that you can get treated this way EVER, WOW..what a horrible experience!!!! more

Terra never disappoints! They have house special menu items, and seasonal ones which sometimes feature home-grown produce and microgreens. How cool is that?? Speaking of cool, the place is owned by a couple, one in the kitchen and one among the diners; I have seen them every time I've been there, and really respect involved owners. The dining room feels like a living room and the patio and bar are casual and cool. The food is awesome, and Drew makes a mean cocktail. It's relaxed enough for a dinner with your parents, and versatile enough for a romantic five-course date. Pros: delicious food, friendly, knowledgeable staff, easy self-parking Cons: I can't choose what order because it's all so good! more

Terra never disappoints! They have house special menu items, and seasonal ones which sometimes feature home-grown produce and microgreens. How cool is that?? Speaking of cool, the place is owned by a couple, one in the kitchen and one among the diners; I have seen them every time I've been there, and really respect involved owners. The dining room feels like a living room and the patio and bar are casual and cool. The food is awesome, and Drew makes a mean cocktail. It's relaxed enough for a dinner with your parents, and versatile enough for a romantic five-course date. Pros: delicious food, friendly, knowledgeable staff, easy self-parking Cons: I can't choose what order because it's all so good! more

Lino's restaurant is not only private and comfortable, with an enclosed patio and beautiful fireplace, but the food is fantastic. It has a full bar and outdoor seating on the patio with couches and small tables. The owner, Lino, takes the time to speak with each table. The restuarant is also the perfect place to spot the occassional celebrity (Mel Gibson was there on our visit). I've been there three times and every meal has been wonderful. The food is a little pricey, but it is definitely worth the cost. more

I have never had a better restaurant experience. The owner Lino took my reservation and when we got there, he greated us like old friends. If your looking for a romantic spot, this is it. You can sit in the restaurant (request to be near the fireplace) but we chose to sit out on the patio, where they have cool couches and a gorgeous fountain, because we wanted to be outside. The food is excellent. You must have the crousstini, so flavorful. Everything sounded so incredible on the menu that we both had the pasta specials - delicious. And the dessert, even better. We had cheesecake and mouthwatering vanilla gelato. You won't be disappointed. Pros: Cozy, Romantic, Fireplace more