*Please note that the Malibu Pier restaurant has recently changed owners. The Devil no longer recommends the restaurant, although the view is breathtaking.

Now that we live next door to Malibu we cruised up the coast at sunset.

The top was down, the ocean was awash with a golden glow and a cocktail was calling our name.

We headed for Taverna Tony and then I remembered reading about a new restaurant on the Malibu Pier.

A free parking spot beckoned…decision made. We parked almost directly in front of the pier entrance and headed in.

Wow, Alice’s Restaurant, a relic for decades on the state owned pier, had a face life courtesy of Bradley Ogden’s Restaurant Group.

For those not familiar with the Ogden Empire, he has a stronghold in the San Francisco Bay area. We actually hung at Marin County’s Lark Creek Inn (now Lark Creek Tavern) almost every Friday night for over a decade.

We cozied up to the bar at Lark Creek and were tended to by exceptional bartenders, indulged in Chopin martinis, bar salmon and butterscotch pudding.

Malibu Pier Restaurant & Bar was like seeing an old friend. The setting is stellar. You are right down the road from the ultra hip and happening Nobu with a premiere view of the Pacific, complete with the sound of breaking waves without the pseudo cool vibe and overpriced sushi.

The restaurant has been tastefully renovated and the bar has kept much of the actual essence of Alice’s. I remember taking many rock bands to Alice’s for a daylight experience after coaxing them out of bed and away from watching soaps…pre-golf obsession.

Malibu Pier Restaurant & Bar, situated atop the historic, and recently renovated Malibu Pier is helmed by Executive Chef Jason Fullilove. Featuring classic American seafood fare that showcases California’s finest produce, the restauant sources local, sustainable, seasonal ingredients.

Chef Fullilove attended The Culinary Institure of America in NY, served as chef at the Ritz-Carlton in St. Thomas and graduated to head chef at Los Angeles’ Campanile  and LACMA.

We were greeted by Dustin, a vivacious, well informed server who is a fabulous front man, elaborating upon all the virtues of dining at Malibu Pier…we loved his enthusiasm. Previously, he spent an extended period of time at Los Angeles’ Geisha House.

We started with a fabulous 2012 Hartford Court pinot noir from the Russian River…smooth, velvety, great finish ($72/bottle). A new label to add to the growing list.

The uni deviled eggs ($18) were a must.

I never had such a delicious deviled egg…that are not your grandmother’s go to appetizer. The white of the California farm egg (albumen) was thick and believe it or not, flavorful. The yolk tasty and firm and the sweet, creamy uni drapped over the egg was scrumptious.

I love that they have a relationship with the female diver who scoops up the sea urchin in the fertile waters of Santa Barbara and delivers them directly to the restaurant.

Since the heirloom tomato season is nearing the end we chose the heirloom tomato salad with marscapone, fig vincotto and herb infused olive oil ($14)…refreshing and delicious.

The Wild King salmon dish ($28) was one of the best I have ever had…seriously and the delicata squash puree with carrots and purple yams were prepared perfectly…crunchy, fresh. I wanted more.

The menu changes daily and the staff and chef are passionate about their establishment.

We chatted with Tiffany Bosch, the brand spanking new manager who has a personality to match Dustin’s. She has been with the Ogden Group for a while and moved up to Malibu from their downtown USC restaurant, Moreton Fig. She graciously treated us to Lark Creek cuvee which was a perfect finish to the meal.

Wait, lo and behold, they had Bradley’s trademark salted butterscotch pudding with whipped cream and shave chocolate ($7) on the dessert menu…that brought back pleasurable memories. The pudding is just like your mother used to whip up. Rich, thick, not to sweet.

The ever changing menu also features some trademark dishes such as the intriguing prawn corn dogs ($14/22) and the lobster roll ($23). Rumor has it the hamburger is delish and let us not forget Paella Tuesday ($25).

Malibu Pier is a fabulous brunch and lunch spot, as well.

After consuming a wonderful meal we strolled to the end of the pier, listening to the breaking waves and taking in the colorful Santa Monica ferris wheel all lite up and glistening in the distance.

A perfect night. Treat yourself to a great meal in an ideal setting with lovely people. You will feel as if you just indulged in a mini-vacation.

Malibu Pier 23000 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, California. Open Monday-Friday 11:30am-9:30pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 10am-9:30pm. Limited street parking. Parking lot available. Reservations on OpenTable.