Local Buzz covers new businesses, restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
Local Buzz covers new restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
Post other items directly to the Community Announcements section of the site.
It appears the 6 month old Freshii eatery at The Promenade at Westlake closed within the last week or two. I attempted to eat there several times over the last 6 months but each time I tried, it wasn't open. Hmm. Well at least we have the new Loteria Grill now open and coming soon, the new Cinepolis upscale movie theater!
Visit freshii.com for other Freshii locations in the Los Angeles area.
On April 1st, a CVG Facebook follower filled us in that TGI Fridays at the Janss Marketplace would be closing soon. Since then, others made mention and TGI Fridays employees confirmed the anticipated closure. We were awaiting "official" word from TGI Fridays but yesterday the Ventura County Star reported that TGI Fridays will indeed be closing and in the September time frame, DISH Restaurant will be taking over that space.
No official word yet as to the actual closing date...but it sounds like it will be really soon. The closure of TGI Fridays' Thousand Oaks location leaves us with 2 Ventura County locations - Simi Valley and Oxnard. Visit www.tgifridays.com for more information.
DISH Restaurant has operated for the last 10 years in La Canada (north of Glendale) and this will be its first new location. From its website at dishbreakfastlunchanddinner.com:
People who love a great breakfast restaurant will appreciate the things we do at DISH, like roasting bone-in hams every morning and offering applewood-smoked bacon and hand-crafted sausages. Our apple oatcakes are made with fresh diced green apples, and our cornmeal jonnycakes are made with real corn.
We serve simple family-style food, yet we concentrate on quality. So something as simple as a BLT sandwich can be a pleasant surprise when it’s made with applewood-smoked bacon, carefully toasted whole wheat bread and French fries cut from fresh Kennebec potatoes.
Sounds like a great place to me! They appear to be fairly priced, nominated as a great breakfast place and well received by food critics. Stay tuned.
The Edge Grill in Westlake Village mentioned on its Facebook page today that it will be closing its doors this Friday after it serves its last customers. In this Ventura County Star article referenced by The Edge, owners acknowledged that the restaurant's concept wasn't working and they are seeking new ideas for something that works well with the community.
Located at 30970 Russell Ranch Road, The Edge was opened about a year ago. Prior to that, it was a Fox Sports Grill and originally a Dakota's Steakhouse in May 2007.
What else would work in that location? Hmm, another HOOTERS!? :>
Joking aside, we wish the best for the employees of The Edge and that they quickly find new jobs...perhaps at some of these new restaurants around town.
I've never been to the Simi Valley Hometown Buffet nor will I or you in the future as it has closed its doors. The other Hometown Buffet in Ventura County is located at 1901 Lockwood Street, Oxnard, off of Rose Avenue near Best Buy. Been there a few times. Not something I go outta my way for but they get the job done, inexpensively. And there you have it.
As previously reported, the anticipated demolition of the Wienerschnitzel on Thousand Oaks Boulevard next to Do It Center has taken place. Anyone driving down Thousand Oaks Boulevard near the auto mall will quickly notice the empty space. No hot dogs in sight. Chick-fil-A is anticipated to have a drive-thru location (with a few outdoor tables) here by the summer.
View of the former location of Wienerschnitzel from Thousand Oaks Boulevard
View of the former Wienerschnitzel from the Do It Center parking lot
Yes indeed, we are now Wienerschnitzel-less in Thousand Oaks, though they did mention the possibility of finding another location in town. Looking for a good hot dog? I like Lucky's Dog House at Janss Marketplace.
UPDATE: N'Awlinz Bistro closed this location on 12/21/13 to focus on its new, larger location in downtown Oxnard.
N' Awlinz Bistro opened its doors at the Wendy/Kimber Plaza in Newbury Park in February 2012. They serve contemporary New Orleans French-Creole style food created by chef and co-owner, Marcus Webster and George Pero.
The Wendy/Kimber Plaza, aptly named after the intersection it resides, is a non-descript strip mall that is most famously known as the birthplace of Baja Fresh. Ah, I remember those days fondly in the early 1990s. Baja Fresh has since left Newbury Park but N'Awlinz Bistro will be providing new foodie memories for years to come.
They serve Po'Boyz, gumbo, sliders, jambalaya and other cajun specialties. We ordered tri-tip sliders, shrimp po'boyz, gumbo, catfish and side orders of zydeco slaw and homemade potato chips. I tried a bit of everything and over-ate. It was really good. Food like this you don't find many places around here. Loved the gumbo, the blackened catfish smothered in Bourbon Street etouffee, the crunchy thick-cut potato chips, the braised shrimp po'boy as well as the fried shrimp po'boy. Didn't get around to tasting the kids' tri tip sliders as they were quite territorial about them.
The Po'Boyz were really tasty as they were made with a nice, tasty cajun sauce with some cole slaw inside. The bread was quite nice too. This was a welcome change from someone who dines on fast food sub type sandwiches on a regular basis. These had some originality going for them. My teen enjoyed his po'boy too and he really raved about the gumbo. (Stop by and I bet they'll give you a sample taste!)
N'Awlinz Bistro is located at 3321 C Kimber Drive in a small spot where Jetway Gourmet used to be, with 2 small tables to dine at and a couple off tables outside. (We ordered take out.) But the good news is that they are expanding and in the next several months will have indoor dining for 24 tables.
I've received unsolicited feedback about this restaurant several times. People are raving about it. N'Awlinz Bistro is something new, unique and high quality. We met Chef Marcus Webster and he aims to please.
See their menu at www.nawlinzbistro.com or call 805.499.7400. Their current hours of operation is Monday to Saturday, 11am to 8pm.
JJ Brewsky's in Old Town Camarillo is currently in renovation to re-open as The French Bulldog Bistro & Lounge next weekend! Specifically, the new owner indicates they will be opening on Thursday, March 15th and reservations are currently being taken via email. (See The French Bulldog Facebook page for details.) The French Bulldog is a gastro-tavern serving a new selection of martinis, specialty drinks, beers and food by Chef Gael Lecolley! Their website is www.thefrenchbulldogbistro.com and phone is (same as JJ's) 805.482.5249. Should be fun to check it out!
Anyone else noticing the clear trend in gastro pubs and taverns around town!? Brendan's Pub in Camarillo and more recently in Agoura Hills, The Tipsy Goat and The Mermaid Tavern in Thousand Oaks, Ladyface Alehouse and The Lab Brewing Company in Agoura, the new Cronies location in Newbury Park (also in Simi, Ventura and Camarillo), The Kitchen in Downtown Oxnard and more. Bottom line: Beer is recession-proof!
In an email to its customers today, the owner of Cafe Provencal announced he will be shutting the restaurant's doors this Sunday, March 4th. Cafe Provencal has served French cuisine in the Thousand Oaks area for 16 years. It is located in the Select Conejo Plaza next to The Lakes and Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. It is always sad to hear of a local business closing and we wish the best to owner Serge Bonnet in his future ventures. www.cafeprovencal.biz 805.496.7121
A snippet from the email:
Dear Friend and customers,
This is one of the most painful moments of my life, but as you know there is always sunshine after a storm and rain.....
This week is the last week!
The restaurant will be closing on Sunday March 4th for good.....
Despite all the faith and prayers, time has come to say bye bye...
***
I invite you to come for lunch and dinner one last time.
I can always usea little bit more of your support to go through the final bills and also to make sure I get your email info if I don't already have it.
***
We will have a farewell "goodbye" nights on
Friday and Saturday after 9p.m.
Join us for drinks, laughter, music and desserts....
It was only about a month ago I could have sworn I stopped by Johnny Rockets with the kids at The Oaks mall. I've rarely seen it crowded in there so I could always count on grabbing table there. But someone mentioned the location had been closed on the CVG Facebook wall today and, sure enough, it is as if it never existed. Phone number disconnected, not on the Johnny Rockets website, no mention on The Oaks website, nada. So we stopped by today and indeed...the place is boarded up.
The unspectacular view of where Johnny Rockets used to reside at The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks.
Well, there's always the other local Johnny Rockets locations at the Camarillo Premium Outlets, Agoura Hills (near the movie theaters) and Calabasas Commons.
For those of you who react to this closure with a "Oh my! Yet ANOTHER restaurant closure in Thousand Oaks!!" - well keep in mind that there's plenty of new places that have opened or plan to open as you can see here in the Conejo Valley Guide "Local Buzz" blog. And there's been quite a pull towards the east end of The Oaks of late with all the new(er) restaurants...Lazy Dog Cafe, Red Robin, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, not to mention the Muvico Theater...which probably did not bode well for my JRs.
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
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