Since opening Malibu Farm’s flagship restaurant nearly a decade ago, Swedish-born chef Helene Henderson and her husband, actor-director John Stockwell, have forged a thriving culinary brand combining farm-to-table cuisine and what they describe as “SoCal joie de vivre.”
Today, their portfolio includes locations in Newport Beach, Hawaii, New York, Tokyo, and soon, San Diego, at Seaport Village.
Marking the duo’s largest investment to date, Malibu Farm’s multimillion-dollar renovation within the bayfront attraction is nearing completion and is on track to open by late August.
The 14,000-square-foot waterfront project will give way to an indoor-outdoor upper-level offering all-day dining. Downstairs will be primarily reserved for larger parties and private dining experiences, in addition to a spacious ocean-facing patio and a ground-floor café concept.
The partnership between Malibu Farm and the Port of San Diego was initially announced in October of 2020 and nearly three years later, a new wave of restaurant operators is set to arrive along with it at Seaport Village.
The Malibu Farm team has enlisted award-winning design firm Bells + Whistles to bring their space to life. Co-founders Barbara Rourke and Jason St. John have a 20-year track record in design and are known for their work with Animae and Jeune et Jolie in San Diego, Providence in Los Angeles and Somewhere in Dubai.
Malibu Farm’s top-to-bottom renovation will include capacity for more than 400 guests, 3,500 square feet of outdoor dining space, a 60-seat lagoon-adjacent private dining room, 1,200 square feet of interior seating, an 800-square-foot ice cream shop and espresso bar and a 400-square-foot retail shop.
With the goal of channeling modern farmhouse influences and Scandinavian minimalism, Bells + Whistles has relied on materials such as natural woods, handcrafted Moroccan zellige tile and woven textiles in a nod to Malibu Farm’s laidback, coastal aesthetic.
Details about the culinary and beverage programs will be released as the opening draws closer. The owners are set to include daily brunch and dinner service and a seasonal cocktail program.
Malibu Farm’s summertime debut in Seaport Village will coincide with that of Grantville’s Crack Taco Shop, as well as a new Mike Hess Brewing tasting room. Shorebird, a coastal-inspired concept by Wild Thyme Restaurant Group, is expected to follow.
Famed seafood restaurant Gladstone’s and Cork & Batter, an elevated bungalow-themed sports bar, are expected to open in 2024.
