Geoffrey's — Restaurant in Malibu

What an amazing place! We visited Geoffrey's to celebrate my wife’s 51st birthday, and the views and food were FANTASTIC! We did have a little hiccup when we were seated at our table, which I’ll go into detail about so management can address it as they see fit.

We arrived for our reservation at 6 pm sharp and were greeted by the valet parking, which was A+. The valet who parked my car mentioned his dad was from Mexico City, and we had a very pleasant conversation—great guy, though I can't remember his name. The valet crew also helped my wife walk down the ramp because she was wearing heels. Then, we were greeted by the hostess, who were nice and friendly and wished my wife a happy birthday—another A+. We were then shown to our table, which had an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean. We were thrilled that although our group was 9 people, they were able to get us this awesome view.

This is where it got a little rocky. Our server, Ray, spoke Spanish, which I love because I enjoy interacting with fellow Spanish speakers. I myself was once a dishwasher many years ago and climbed my way to management. When Ray came to take our order, I felt he was a little cold and dry with us. My daughter, who used to be a waiter, mentioned the stereotype about certain races not tipping well, but I don’t believe that theory and want to think that wasn't the reason. As a Mexican myself, I always tip according to the service I receive and have no problem tipping 25% for excellent service.

Ray took our drink orders, and I ordered a few appetizers. Not even 10 minutes had passed when Ray came back asking if we were ready to order. We weren’t, but I ordered a beer and told him we would be ready shortly. He left and came back 5 minutes later with my beer, whispering that we needed to order food because there was a two-hour maximum seating time. This made me feel rushed and bad, especially considering I was prepared to pay over a $1000 for our dinner (I ended up paying $1,203 for our dinner, including a $130 tip.)

I told him I was aware of the policy and that he was being unreasonable in rushing us since we had just barely sat down. I asked what would happen if we went over 10 or 15 minutes past the two hours, and he replied that the manager would come to tell us to leave. I told him we weren’t ready to order and I would take my chances with been told to get up and leave if my two hours were up, and and that this was no way to treat a paying customer. I also mentioned that it was sad and upsetting that, coming from the same country (Mexico), he was treating me with such disrespect. After that interaction, to his credit, Ray recovered nicely, became very pleasant, helpful, and attentive, and kept apologizing for his initial behavior. I hold no grudges; I accepted his apology, and we had an awesome time.

This review is mainly for management. You have done a great job of informing customers about your two-hour maximum seating policy, which makes perfect sense. However, you have done a terrible job training your waiters on how to address this policy, especially when we had barely sat down and got our drinks. We are not at Chili’s or Burger King, and I am paying a premium for my dinner, so I expect premium service.

Lastly, it is very inconvenient to just put a note at the bottom of the check that due to an increase in salaries, you are charging an extra 4%. This is not my business, and I don’t see why I have to pay for your employees. It just makes no sense, but you do it because you can. That said, Ray recovered nicely and made sure the rest of our evening...

We been regular guests at this restaurant for over 16 years and drive all the way from the Valley to enjoy Malibu ocean views and comfortable dining at this restaurant for atmosphere of the surroundings and that’s always been the reason why we are here, but customers service and food , that’s the most what needs to be improved here…

Last visit was disappointing more than usual . Marcy, the waiter was rude, arrogant and obnoxious. She made insulting comment , like you are too bossy , since we asked few requests with table seating location and then we ask to put heater warm, she jacked up to full blown both of them and disappeared, when came back she said, well I want you to guys find out how hot it is yourself, instead of adjusting accordingly.

Food this time was just ok. Menu has not changed much for decades and for a most -expensively unjustified…

Second waiter , the Hispanic Fella Mr. Garcia-Rodriguez was nicer, but tried to kick up prices on final bill to the roof, without even mentioning prior the cost of it ( so we can decide we want to pay or skip it) We had an appetizer, corn soup , which was just ok honestly , to simple , not much seasoning , seafood and fish. Prices are honestly higher than in Beverly Hills. For quality of how was delish, would not recommend. Besides ordering a dessert , we asked if any little cookie or side cup of coffee biscuits may available( you know like in Italian restaurants they put next to coffee or tea cup, as complimentary little treat), the answer was @not really”, but then our waiter brought little hard , old tasting thing 2 inches and we hoped it would be definitely at no cost. ( or no more than 0.50 c ,could not process more then half bite, was way to old and hard , without discussing and at the end were charged $2, seriously? That’s beyond unreasonable for regular returned guests. Besides $9 was added , without even asking to fire 🔥 victims? Excuse us, but there is no fire at this restaurant and by law should not be even added, what a scam.

Had to talk to Chris , the manager, whose comment was , nothing is free. Nice and professional one!

Please train your employees to tell all costs upfront, not just bring bill close to $300 without even drinks . I would change the manager and employees there too. Putting 3 stars, but for insult meant leaning towards to 2 stars. We love food and fine dining a lot , as well travel all over the world to experience upscale dining, but never met rude waiters. No wonder at her age she is still hassling , as a waiter. Hope you guys get better and improve your legendary spot to...

We came here for my birthday dinner on 11/2 and it was a disappointing experience. We’ve been to Geoffrey’s before and it has always been pleasant however the service, our waiter, the food - was awful.

We couldn’t tell if the waiter was new, if they were short staffed and threw him on the line, but he seemed frazzled and not customer oriented.

We were sat outside in a corner with limited view. The tables in front of us emptied around 7:30 pm and we asked our waiter if we could switch tables. His response was that he would need to check with the hostess as there may be other reservations (as if we didn’t have a reservation and just sat down 5 min prior).

We ordered our food and opted to order a variety of appetizers instead of getting a main dish. The waiter seemed to have an issue with that and stated that’s too many plates for the table. He then proceeded to take the fake plant that was placed on the table to make room. We picked up on the sign that he wasn’t planning on asking if we could move tables.

Our appetizers came and below is what we ordered and the feedback:

-Caesar Salad (bland, no flavor, croutons looked like they came from a store bought bag of croutons).

-Ahi Tuna Tartar - huge chunks of ahi tuna, no flavor, bland, nothing mixed in to add flavor.

-Jumbo Coconut Shrimp - the shrimp skewers themselves weren’t bad. The sauce it came with had a moth ball taste. The chutney on the bottom of the skewers didn’t go with the coconut shrimp.

-Sautéed Lump Crab Cakes - they had a fishy taste. No flavor, bland.

-Hamachi (not listed online menu) - this was the only appetizer with some flavor that we enjoyed.

-Mango Martini - gross

We were never moved tables, not even an acknowledgement from the waiter that he asked. The tables stayed empty till about 8:30 when a couple occupied one of the tables.

He never acknowledged that it was my birthday.

We had to ask for plates. We had to ask for silverware and napkins.

The family that came and sat at the table next to us as we were getting ready to leave complained about the horrible service they had received since arriving. It was his wife’s birthday as well.

Overall horrible birthday dinner. Could’ve gone some place else for fraction of the price, enjoyed our food and received better service.

Also, if you provide horrible service and circle the tip percentages at 25-30% when you deserve $0, you should be ashamed...