Grand Opening of Dog Haus Thousand Oaks Set for Saturday, February 21st

Dog Haus, the celebrated Los Angeles-based concept known for its gourmet hot dogs, sausages, burgers, and one-of-a-kind creations, will be opening its fifth franchise location in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, February 21st.

As part of Dog Haus' introduction to the community, guests will be able to swing by from 11 am to 10 pm on Saturday, February 21st to enjoy a free Haus Dog from a selection of Dog Haus classic all-beef skinless dog offerings, all served up on grilled King's Hawaiian Rolls. Options will include fan favorites like the Sooo Cali with arugula, tomato, crispy onions, spicy basil aioli and avocado; the Downtown featuring a smoked bacon wrapped dog topped with caramelized onions, roasted bell peppers, mayo, mustard, and ketchup; or The Cowboy with white American cheese, smoked bacon, bbq sauce, and crispy onions.

To pair with their dogs, diners can order fare from Dog Haus' full menu, which is rounded out with gourmet sausages, burgers, corn dogs, sides, and the debut of the Mötley Bleu 2.0 burger complete with soy-racha onions, bleu sriracha sauce, white American cheese, bacon, lettuce, and tomato.  Other Haus items include The Fonz that partners a spicy Italian sausage with pastrami and melted mozzarella; while the Das Brat features a bratwurst with caramelized onions, sauerkraut, white American cheese, and whole grain mustard aioli. Haus Burgers run the gamut from the trademarked The Freiburger® with white American cheese, a fried egg, haus slaw, fries and mayo; to the Holy Aioli with white American cheese, caramelized onions, smoked bacon, and garlic aioli.  

Dog Haus Downtown Dog

Lighter eaters and kids can indulge in smaller-sized portions – the Dog slider is made with an all-beef mini dog, haus-made cheese sauce, shredded cheddar and bacon; the Burger slider has just the right amount of caramelized onions, white American cheese, and mayo; while the Corn Dog slider features an all-beef mini dog dipped in haus-made root beer batter. Equal attention is paid to the quality-driven sides, like Chili Cheese Tots or fresh-cut, twice-fried Fries with haus-made cheese sauce, cheddar, haus chili, and diced onions; beer-battered Onion Rings; and Sweet Potato Fries. Our premium desserts including shakes & malts, cookies are a must have to end on a sweet note.

To complement the main offerings, diners will be able to select from wine and a thoughtful list of beers available on tap as well as canned, upon opening.  The restaurant will boast craft drafts with a heavy emphasis on local breweries, such as Ladyface Ale Companie going by the pint. Those who opt for a canned beer can enjoy options like Moose Drool Brown Ale, Pabst Blue Ribbon and The Dudes Kolshtal Eddy all served up in Dog Haus koozies – a

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Maria's Italian Kitchen Opened at The Collection at RiverPark Last Weekend (Closed April 2020)

UPDATE APRIL 2020: This Maria’s location closed its doors in April 2020.

Well finally it has happened...Maria's Italian Kitchen at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard opened last weekend. We have been waiting for this since The Collection made the original announcement in August 2013. It is located on Seaglass Way, directly across the street from REI and next to GEN Korean BBQ House. "Real Italian Food by Real Italian Women" - a family run Napolitano style Italian fare. Learn more at www.mariasitaliankitchen.com or call 805.988.3300.

 

 

Pieology Opening 2nd Conejo Valley Pizzeria in Westlake Village

Update 2/4/15: According to folks at the Thousand Oaks location, the new Westlake Village location is anticipated to open on Monday, February 16th.

Posted 9/26/14: Pieology is opening a second pizzeria in the Conejo Valley, at the former ZPizza location, 5776 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. The indicate it will open in December. The first Conejo Valley Pieology opened in Thousand Oaks in August 2013. Learn more about Pieology at www.pieology.com.

On a recent visit to Pieology Thousand Oaks I customized my pie with sausage, meatballs and olives.

"Make your own" pizza is all the rage these days and is the fastest growing food concept since frozen yogurt it seems:

The Collection at RiverPark Announces Sweet Shop It'Sugar to Open in 2015

Recently The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard announced that trendy sweets shop It'Sugar will be opening there sometime this year. Founded in 2006, this speciality candy and gift retailer has grown to over 70 locations worldwide, including local stores at Universal Citywalk, Venice Beach, Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and Pasadena.

Offering novelty candy, gummy candy, suckers, chocolate, mints and gum, nostalgic candy, bulk candy, Asian candies, Jelly Belly, "Perfect Size" and Oversize candies, novelties, wearables, plush items, branded items featuring SNL, Frozen, Grumpy Cat, Disney and much more. Visit www.itsugar.com for more information.

 

 

County of Ventura Food Facility Closures November 2014 to January 2015

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 in August through October. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

January 2015


Guido's Pizza and Pasta, 1877 Royal Avenue, Simi Valley;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 01/27/15; Date reopened - No reopen date

Chuy's, 311 Carmen Drive, Camarillo;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 01/27/15; Date reopened - 01/28/15

Wendy's, 2010 N. Rose Avenue, Oxnard;

No toilet facilities available for employees;

Date closed - 01/20/15; Date reopened - 01/20/15

Azu, 457 E. Ojai Avenue, Ojai;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 01/14/15; Date reopened - 01/15/15

Guido's Pizza and Pasta, 1877 Royal Avenue, Simi Valley;

Rodent infestation, cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 01/12/15; Date reopened - 01/13/15

Marie Callender's, 1295 S. Victoria Avenue, Vent

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NOM Tequila Grill Opened Last Fall at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach

NOM Tequila Grill opened last November at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach in the former home of C Street Restaurant. NOM features authentic Mexican fare from various regions south of the border, including favorite dishes from Guadalajara, Puebla, Jalisco, Oaxaca, Yucatan and central Mexico. Ingredients are farm fresh and locally sourced.

NOM is short for Norma Oficial Mexicana and is a stamp of authenticity for 100% Mexican agave tequila. The restaurant incorporates tequila into many of its dishes. It offers mixed cocktails and 17 different kinds of tequila from the bar. The ambiance is friendly yet casually upscale.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach, 450 East Harbor Blvd., Ventura. Learn more at nomtequilagrill.com or by calling 805-652-5151.

Tifa Chocolate & Gelato Opened Today at The Shoppes at Westlake Village

Update January 26, 2015: Tifa Westlake at 30760 Russell Ranch Road, Suite A, Westlake Village is now open to the public!

Originally posted July 30, 2014:

Tifa Chocolate & Gelato will be opening a location at The Shoppes at Westlake Village. Tifa serves up gelato, handmade chocolates, artisan chocolate bars, European drinking chocolate and espresso drinks at its current location at Whizin Market Square, 28888 Roadside Drive in Agoura Hills. That would make these locations about four miles apart, which is fine by me when chocolate is involved!

Watch for updates here or at shoppesatwestlakevillage.com.

Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que in Thousand Oaks Recently Closed its Doors

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page follower Kimberlea A pointed out tonight that, according to her hubby, the Thousand Oaks location of Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que (3980 Thousand Oaks Boulevard) recently closed its doors. This was confirmed by a phone call to the Simi Valley Town Center location, not to mention that lack of any mention of the Thousand Oaks location on the Famous Dave's website at www.famousdaves.com.

Those who enjoy their BBQ can still enjoy it at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard and the Simi Valley Town Center. UPDATE: I take that back…both of these locations have since closed and the nearest Famous Dave’s locations to Thousand Oaks are in Irvine and Rancho Cucamonga.