In the U.K. we'd call the Malibu a greasy spoon, in the U.S. they are diners, and this is a good, old school, example. When I first visited New York in the early 1990s there were many diners, however, they seem to be a vanishing...site on the streets of Manhattan these days.
I went to Malibu for breakfast three times on my recent visit as I was staying across the road at the Hotel Chelsea, I had omelette each time and it was fine; nothing special, but, fine. The service was pleasant, attentive and the food arrived swiftly on my table. My only real issue was that I found it very expensive for what it was; $15.95 for an omelette plus 22% service added. This is pricy for us Brits even without Prime Minister Truss' Kamikaze economic policies. Call me old fashioned, but I feel this type of establishment and this type of food should be better value for money.
I would like to add that I had the absolute pleasure of meeting George on one of my visits to Malibu - George should be Landmarked! He is just simply New York!
And so, to sum up, food pricey but George, priceless.More