Jeannine's Gourmet Food Hall at The Shoppes at Westlake Announces It Has Closed

Yesterday, July 4th, at 10:59am via its Facebook page, Jeannine's Gourmet Food Hall at The Shoppes at Westlake Village announced is is now closed and to visit their Santa Barbara locations. jeannines.com

Jeannine's originally opened on Sunday, October 12, 2014, so it didn't quite make it to the three year mark.

Additionally, the Oh! Matsuri Japanese Kitchen co-located at the same location announced that it is "temporarily" closed and is looking for a new location nearby.

Photo credit: J. Stewart

Cafe Topanga Closed, Tara's Himalayan Cuisine Coming Soon to Newbury Park

Update 2020: Tara’s is now Bollywood Spice Indian Cuisine bollywoodspiceusa.com

Update 7/29/17: Well, that was quick! Tara's Himalayan Cuisine has been open now about a week, according to Jonathan Stewart of Jonathan Stewart of Jonathan Stewart Photography. His initial indications are...good food and good service!

Cafe Topanga Pasta & Pizza at 171 N. Reino Road in Newbury Park has closed its doors but a new eatery is coming soon. Tara's Himalayan Cuisine. Tara's will offer up authentic Nepalese, Tibetan and Indian cuisine.

Tara's has locations in Los Angeles (near Culver City) and Artesia. According to its website:

“Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine is about family, yours and ours. Serving authentic Nepalese and Tibetan cuisine, we invite you to experience a true taste of home.

We use mountain grown herbs and spices from Nepal and whenever possible, locally grown vegetables. Our yak is Colorado raised. All of our dishes use the finest ingredients, and are prepared with a light touch. Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine is the dream of Tara Gurung Black. Born in a tiny mountain village in Nepal, she started her training in Nepalese classical and cultural dance at age eight. This inspired Tara to theme the restaurant according to classical and cultural Nepalese tradition.

While performing one day in Los Angeles, she had an overwhelming desire to share her Nepali culture with the people of Los Angeles. That is how and why Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine came to be.”

— tarashimalayancuisine.com/about-us

Stay tuned for updates or check tarashimalayancuisine.com or check the Tara's Ventura County Branch Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thcventura.

So long, Cafe Topanga, and best of luck in your future endeavors.

Baja Fresh Westlake Village Has Closed Its Doors (Re-Opened June 2, 2018)

Update 6/2/18: Well some great news! This Baja Fresh location has re-opened after extensive renovations were made.

The 2nd oldest Baja Fresh location in a chain that was once as many as 300 eateries has closed its doors effective 6/29/17. Located at 30861 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Westlake Village (at Lindero Canyon), this location originally opened in July 1991. The original Newbury Park location on Kimber Drive opened in 1990, then later moved to The Village at Newbury Park, where ultimately it closed its doors on January 10, 2012.

Jennifer W tipped us off on the CVG Facebook Page about this.  The doors are locked, the inside is in a bit of disarray and the phone number is not in service. A phone call to the Thousand Oaks Baja Fresh on Moorpark Road confirmed that the Westlake Village location is closed.

All this said, this was a franchised location of Baja Fresh, so there is an outside possibility of someone else picking it up. We shall see what happens.

Baja Fresh is a local success story, culminating in its acquisition by Wendy's in 2002 for $275 million. The chain grew to roughly 300 locations. But then things went downhill. Wendy's sold the chain for just $31 million in 2006. Baja Fresh and its subsidiary since 2007, La Salsa, were sold again last September for $27 million.

There are two Baja Fresh locations in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi. So next time you're in the United Arab Emirates, grab me a Baja Burrito. I've been a Baja Fresh fan all these years and wish the best for remaining locations in the area.

Natas Pastries Bakery & Cafe Opening This Summer in Thousand Oaks

Another update: Natas Pastries Thousand Oaks closed its doors in January 2020.

Update: Natas Pastries is now open at 2388 Thousand Oaks Boulevard as of early September.

Natas Pastries will be located directly across from the Thousand Oaks Toyota dealership (not that I had to tell you given the reflection in this photo).

Natas Pastries is a Portuguese bakery and cafe that has operated in Sherman Oaks since 2005. It claims to be the only Portuguese bakery in Los Angeles.

Natas is named after its signature pastry, nata, a crisp puff pastry shell filled with custard. Mmmm!

Well welcome Natas to the Conejo Valley as they plan to open a location at 2388 Thousand Oaks Boulevard (at Pleasant Way, near Harold's House of Omelettes) in the recently closed Pizzeria La Piccola location.

A sampling of some of the menu items includes:

• Portuguese Sweet Bread French Toast

• Caramel Crunch Belgian Waffle

• Chourico e Queijo Sandwich (Grilled Portuguese sausages/Chouricos, grilled onions, tomatoes and melted cheese, served with kettle chips and salad) - I'm sold on this one.

• Chicken Panini Sandwich

• Caprese Salad

• Caldeirada (Seafood stew of sea bass, salmon, cod, shrimp, clams and mussels, served over rice or potatoes)

Learn more at www.nataspastries.com.

Good morning, we're open regular hours today and tomorrow, July 4th, open until 3pm @nataspastries #LArestaurants #instafood #mydayla #laeats #losangeleseats #latimesfood #eateria #eaterla #laweekly #la #laposts #foodbeast #foodporn #foodpics #picoftheday #instadaily #instapic #nataspastries #brunch #hotspots #local #localisbetter #studiocity #shermanoaks #lafoodies #discoverLA #foodandwine #yummy #desserts

A post shared by Natas Pastries (@nataspastries) on Jul 3, 2017 at 9:21am PDT

Smashburger Thousand Oaks Has Closed Its Doors

Flashback to July 11, 2012: Smashburger opened its doors at the former home of Chuy's at 650 North Moorpark Road.

It just under five years later and Melissa B alerted me yesterday via Twitter, July 2, 2017 that Smashburger Thousand Oaks has closed.

Sure enough, Smashburger Thousand Oaks is closed, joining three other business, all in a row (White Elephant Thai, a massage business and a donut shop).

So Smashburger fans will have to drive to Camarillo or perhaps in the future in Simi Valley, where another Smashburger location is planned for the Mountaingate Plaza.

White Elephant Thai Cuisine in Thousand Oaks Closed After Ten Years in Business

In a visit yesterday to the soon-to-be-owned-by-Amazon.com Whole Foods Market on Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks, we noticed a sign on the door of White Elephant Thai Cuisine. The sign said "Thank you for being with us for 10 years. We will be looking for opportunities to re-open."

And the nearby J&J Doughnuts (previously Stan's Doughnuts) was also vacant. Smashburger is still there though!

Sushi Haru at The Village at Dos Vientos in Newbury Park Has Closed Its Doors

Update 6/23/17: Sushi Haru has closed its doors. 

Posted 5/19/16:

Red Coral Sushi at The Village at Dos Vientos Ranch in Newbury Park closed its doors on April 30th, after seven years in business. 

But the good news is that Sushi Haru, Japanese Fusion Restaurant opened June 4, 2016 (according to Brian).

Julian's Restaurant & Bar Opened Last Month in Old Town Camarillo

UPDATE; Julian's subsequently closed in the latter part of 2017 in late January 2018 re-opened as Que Pasa Mexican Cafe.

Julian's Restaurant & Bar opened last month at 2433 Ventura Boulevard in Old Town Camarillo, in the historic "J.F. Lewis & Sons - 1916" building previously occupied by JJ Brewsky's, The French Bulldog and then, the Old Town Tavern.

Julian's was opened by brothers Jerry and Julio Perez and their uncle Jorge Contreras after closing Verona Trattoria this past February after 20 years in service. This new concept, named after Jorge's late brother, serves gourmet California cuisine.

Entrees on the dinner menu include Steak and Enchilada, Filet Brie, Salmon Mediterranean, Enchiladas Poblanas, pastas and more.

Visit www.juliansrestaurantandbar.com.