M Cafe at Calamigos

Our 2-year wedding anniversary was last week, so, like last year, we went back to Calamigos -- our wedding venue -- to take a walk and remember.

During last year's visit we discovered the grass field where we took most of our portraits was now a lake with paddle boats and waterfalls.

This year, we stumbled on M(alibu) Cafe at Calamigos Ranch. The outdoor venue is only open Thursday through Sunday, but it's a unique and really creative little eatery.

Housed in the middle of the Ranch, the Cafe offers an al fresco lunch by the lake, with a candlelit patio, cocktails, and live music. During our lunch, there was a nice bluegrass band playing. Bluegrass isn't normally my thing, but for this outdoor venue, it worked.

Guests have their choice of sitting in one of the private cabanas, in the field near the lake, or up on the patio by the bar. We opted for the (shaded) patio.

We really enjoyed our lunch there. So we'll definitely be back -- but for dinner. Seeing the ranch at night with the tea lights and live music should be very cool indeed.