Grand Opening of Public School 805 in Westlake Village is Monday, June 17th

As we heard a month ago, Public School 805 is opening at The Promenade at Westlake on Monday, June 17th. The restaurant/bar built from the ground up adjacent to The Grill on the Alley (same ownership) features craft beer and a chef-driven menu by Thousand Oaks native, Executive Chef Phil Kastel. I got a sneak pre-opening peek!

Very comfortable setting and a nice covered outdoor area. The decor is contemporary with touches of "old school" throughout.

Nice looking inside area looking towards the bar...you can see textbooks and a globe in the decor. (Photo provided by PS805)Looking up from our booth I saw a wall decorated with 25 old baseball gloves. Now that's old school!My wife was impressed that she was able to order both gluten and dairy free straight off the menu. We shared the Pan Seared Salmon with Cauliflower Couscous and the Pearled Farro and Brussel Salad. They were both delicious to both my wife, the self-proclaimed "Foodie" and myself. I don't eat cauliflower and brussels sprouts often but these were so good I'd dine on them anytime.

Yes I will eat cauliflower if served this way, with pan seared salmon at Public School 805Can't believe how much I enjoyed brussels sprouts in this pearled farro and brussel salad!

My wife didn't share the appetizer with me, mainly because I was off blabbering with a few people. It was the Heirloom Tomato Stack with ruby red grapefruit, balsamic reduction, basil and fire roasted pecans. She loved it and "could eat it every day."

But I got her back. Well, not really, though, as she said she was too full to share the Lemon Meringue pictured below. This was a fantastic finale that left a great taste in my mouth for the next hour. It was so good that I didn't even polish off the beer in front of me.

Other featured menu items include Dragoons Irish Stout Short Ribs, Colorado Lamb Burger, and Roasted Poblano with Quinoa. There's also Scrimshaw Fish and Chips, Chorizo and Shrimp Campanelle and woodfired pizzas among other items. On tap are craft beers from the U.S. and around the world. 24 on tap (16 rotating taps) and bottles and cans. Full bar with wine and cocktails also available.

Full lunch and dinner menus with most items in the $10 to $10 range, plus some great "Recess" (Happy Hour) specials for $4-$6 in the bar area from 4-7PM on weeknights. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.

I get the feeling that this place will be very popular. Has a great look and feel. High quality, yet casual. My wife of course wants to come back...with her friends! :) Learn more at www.publicschool805.com.

3rd Annual Conejo Valley Restaurant Week Planned for April 21-25, 2013

Conejo Valley Restaurant Week is back for a 3rd helping this year from April 21st to 25th! Participing restaurants in the Conejo Valley and adjacent cities will offer special prix fixe (that means "fixed price" to English as Only Language types like me), 2 course lunch (NEW this year) and/or 3-course dinner menus to hungry people like you and me!

Meals will be offered at a minimum of 30% off the regular menu price. Gotta love that!

Lunch: two for $10; $10 and $15 pricing. Dinner: two for $15; and $15, $25 and $35 (tax, beverages and gratuity are not included). Participating restaurants include fast-casual and fine dining establishments.

Visit a favorite restaurant, try a new one or dine out every night of the week with family and friends. Prices do not include beverages, tax and tip. Visit www.conejorestaurantweek.com for more details and links to restaurant websites. The list will grow as we get closer to the dates of the event.

Several new local restaurants are participating, including Paul Martin's, Cinepolis, Burgerwerkz, DISH and Mulberry Street Pizzeria.

Bon appetit! (That means...ENJOY YOUR MEAL!)

Restaurants interested in participating can contact Danielle Borja at the Chamber: 805.370.0035 or dborja@conejochamber.org.

Authentic New York Pizza at Greco's New York Pizzeria in Thousand Oaks

That's what the wife says! She had never actually been to Greco's New York Pizzeria, located in the food court section of Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks, until today. While I slave here over a hot keyboard, she's out entertaining the kids on winter break. My wife is a self-proclaimed "foodie" and is very picky about what she eats. She's also a full-blooded Italian who spent summers in New York as a kid.

Last summer she raved about the pizza in New York. Today she raved about the authentic New York style pizza at Greco's. She was so excited about the taste and authenticity of this pizza that she emailed me this picture. That is quite a large pizza. I just hope she doesn't eat the entire thing on her own! The kids and their friends are apparently helping out.

This is a 28 inch Greco's pizza, allegedly (and I believe it) larger than 3 large pizzas!

I was unable to find a website for Greco's but they can be reached at 805.777.7271.

5th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival Announces Top Tamales in 2012

The 5th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival took place on a wet Saturday, December 1, 2012. This year's overall, and now two-time winner is BG's Cafe, 428 South A Street, Oxnard. If you're looking for a great tamale, BG's apparently is where it's at! Visit their website at www.bgscafe.com or call 805.487.0700. They are open 7 days a week.

BG's Cafe has been in business for over 40 years. Originally founded by Bill and Gloria Stuart (hmm, their initials are B and G, I wonder if that's a coincidence) in 1971 and was sold to Jose and Veronica Rodriguez in 2004, who have expanded the menu and added catering services.

Top 3 savory and sweet tamales at the event as determined by a panel of hungry judges:

Savory Tamale:

• First Place; Frias Catering of Oxnard
• Second Place; El Taco De Mexico of Ventura
• Third Place; Panaderia La Mexicana Bakery of Oxnard

Sweet Tamale:

• First Place; BG's Coffee Shop and Deli (aka BG's Cafe) of Downtown Oxnard
• Second Place; Sugarbeets Restaurant & Bar of Downtown Oxnard
• Third Place; Me Gusta Gourmet Tamales of Pacoima

This year's tamale tasting judges included: Hon. Steven Hintz, Ventura County Treasurer/Tax Collector, Catherine Hintz, Wife of Hon. Steven Hintz, Hon. Mark Lunn, Ventura County Clerk/Recorder,, Hon. Fred Bysshe, Ventura County Superior Court, Joe Mulrooney, Treasurer of Ventura County Deputy Sheriffs Association, John Ragan, ARC of Ventura County, Chef Gerard Turbush, Chef Paul Tavakoli, Nakita DiGuardi, Toni Valdez, Board Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ventura County, Chef Henry Patey of the Oxnard College Culinary Arts Program and Terrel Harrison, Director of Oxnard Police Activities League.

Stay tuned for next year's 6th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival at www.oxnardtamalefest.com or by following their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/oxnardtamalefestival.

Proceeds from the Oxnard Tamale Festival supports local non-profits and recreation projects that benefit local youth. Community grants have supplemented programs for at-risk youth, veterans, prevention of homelessness, cancer research, food pantries, recreation centers and mentally disabled individuals. Past recipients have included Oxnard City Corps, Oxnard Police Activities League, Food Share of Ventura County, ARC of Ventura County, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts Troop #228, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Santa Clara Church, American Cancer Society, and Oxnard College Veterans Club.