County of Ventura Food Facility Closures April Through September 2013

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The County of Ventura Environmental Health Division protect public health and the environment by ensuring conformance with State laws and County ordinances pertaining to food protection, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, individual sewage disposal systems, land use, medical waste, ocean water quality monitoring, recreational health, solid waste, underground fuel tanks and vector control.

The EHD publishes food facility closures at www.ventura.org/rma/envhealth/community-services/consumer-food/closures.html.

The following closures were noted for the period April 2013 through September 2013. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

SEPTEMBER 2013

Siesta Market, 1372 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks;

No hot water available for hand washing or utensil washing;

Date closed - 09/30/13; No reopen date

Saffron Indian Cuisine 579 N. Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 09/25/13; Date reopened - 09/26/13

Szechuwan Garden, 484 Los Angeles Avenue, #124, Moorpark;

Rodent infestation, sewage overflowing within the facility,

unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 09/23/13; Date reopened - 09/25/13

7-Eleven Food Store, #24324B, 1970 Sequoia Avenue, #1, Simi Valley;

Sewage overflowing within the facility, no method to wash and sanitize utensils, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 09/23/13; Date reopened - 09/23/13

Donut Delite, 1464 Madera Road, #A, Simi Valley;

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Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at Tifa Chocolate and Gelato in Agoura Hills

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My wife used to rave over the gelato at Tifa Chocolate and Gelato in Agoura Hills when it was located near Ladyface Alehouse and Islands. She still raves about Tifa after its move in May 2013 to a new, larger location at Whizin Market Square, 28888 Roadside Drive in Agoura Hills.

On a recent foray to Paramount Ranch with the kids, I stopped by Tifa afterwards for a treat. You will see the Tifa store sign facing the 101 Freeway. Park either on Roadside Drive or in the Whizin's Square. Access Tifa on the Whizin's Square parking lot sign (it will be obvious when you get there).

As you walk in the door, here is what you greeted by:

They have some great gelato flavors as well as a selection of coffee, tea and expresso drinks. Plenty of indoor tables. Kind of a neat coffeehouse flair to the place. Right across the parking lot is The Canyon Club, making Tifa a perfect pre or post concert hangout.

I would have posted pictures of the gelato, but was too busy salivating and didn't want to ruin the camera with slobber. The kids and I (or is it me and the kids, I dunno), enjoyed the following flavors in our most recent visit: Cookies & Cream, Dark Chocolate, Mint Chip, Lemon Cookie, Salted Caramel and Lemon Sorbeto. My youngest is a big lemon fan.

Visit www.tifachocolate.com for more information or call 818.879.0685.

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

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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!

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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

Sidecar Restaurant in Ventura to Close Its Doors After 10 Years on Tuesday, May 14th

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Acclaimed Ventura Restaurant is Going Out With A Roar During Its Final Months Of Business March-May 14, 2013

Sidecar Restaurant is honoring its departure with a new lunch and dinner menu, Easter and Mother’s Day brunch reservations

The 1910 Pullman railway car that houses Sidecar Restaurant is blowing its whistle to announce its closing due to the end of their ten-year lease.  “Although the circumstances are less than ideal; we did our best to renegotiate our lease,” says Executive Chef and Owner, Tim Kilcoyne. “However, we are not disheartened and instead, we are commemorating Sidecar’s decade of success with two new menus, as well as Easter and Mother’s Day Brunch.”   The Sidecar will close its doors after the popular, and final, Grilled Cheese & Jazz Night, on Tuesday, May 14th.

New Lunch Menu (Tuesday-Friday: 11:30a.m.-2p.m.)

True to Chef Tim’s simple, seasonal and fresh culinary style, while keeping local favorites in mind, midday menu offerings include: Fried Chicken Sandwich with Tabasco aioli, blue cheese slaw, and pickles; Sidecar Burger and Fries with California grass fed beef, lettuce, pepper marmalade, burger sauce, on a brioche bun; Fish Tacos with cabbage, avocado crema, cotija cheese and lime; or Olive Oil Poached Salmon Nicoise with anchovy, potato, red onion, beets, capers, olives, egg, and a red wine vinaigrette. 

New Dinner Menu (Wednesday-Sunday: 5p.m. - Close)

If you have a preference for gourmet pastoral fare, you will enjoy the market-driven and favorites-inspired dinner menu.  Featuring mouthwa

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County of Ventura Food Facility Closures January Through Mid-March 2013

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The County of Ventura Environmental Health Division protect public health and the environment by ensuring conformance with State laws and County ordinances pertaining to food protection, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, individual sewage disposal systems, land use, medical waste, ocean water quality monitoring, recreational health, solid waste, underground fuel tanks and vector control.

The EHD publishes food facility closures at www.ventura.org/rma/envhealth/community-services/consumer-food/closures.html.

The following closures were noted for the period January 1, 2013 through March 15, 2013. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

MARCH 2013

Ameci Pizza & Pasta, 1941 N. Rose Ave. #660, Oxnard;
Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 03/14/13; Date reopened - 03/15/13

7-Eleven, 2099 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura;
No water for hand washing, utensil & equipment cleaning, & employee toilets due to water main break;
Date closed - 03/13/13; Date reopened - 03/14/13

Los Tacos Locos, 1854 Cochran Street, Simi Valley;
No hot water for utensil and equipment cleaning or hand washing;
Date closed - 03/13/13; Date reopened - 03/13/13

Adar Chevron, 983 E. Harvard Blvd., Santa Paula;
No hot water for utensil and equipment cleanin

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County of Ventura Food Facility Closures During Months of November, December 2012

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The County of Ventura Environmental Health Division protect public health and the environment by ensuring conformance with State laws and County ordinances pertaining to food protection, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, individual sewage disposal systems, land use, medical waste, ocean water quality monitoring, recreational health, solid waste, underground fuel tanks and vector control.

The EHD publishes food facility closures at www.ventura.org/rma/envhealth/community-services/consumer-food/closures.html.

The following closures were noted for the months of November and December 2012. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

DECEMBER 2012

Angel Donuts, 320 E. Harvard Blvd., Santa Paula;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/20/12, Date reopened - 12/21/12

Akrey's Tavern, 1228 Newbury Rd., Newbury Park;

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

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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.