Dickey's Barbecue Pit "Coming Soon" to North Ranch Mall in Westlake Village

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Update 5/4/15: There's a Dickey's Westlake Facebook page to track progress at www.facebook.com/DickeysBBQPitWestlakeVillage.

Update 11/5/14: Progress...but no new news as of 12/31/14.

Originally posted 6/28/14:

Thanks to tip from Rebecca P of Agoura Hills, we enjoyed a free ice cream cone at the new Haagen Dazs Scoop Shop at North Ranch Plaza, 3825 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Westlake Village and we also learned that a new Dickey's Barbecue Pit will be "coming soon" to the 2,100 sq ft storefront (previously North Ranch Cleaner, which has relocated to a new location) adjacent to Haagen Dazs and Western Bagel. Specific timing not known at this time.

This will be the third Ventura County area location of Dickey's, which opened its first location in Ventura in February 2013 and second location in Simi Valley on January 1, 2014.

Travis Dickey opened the first Dickey's Barbecue Pit in Dallas, Texas in 1941. His sons Roland and T.O. took over in 1967 and they expanded in North Texas and started franchising in 1994.

According to its website, "Today, every location smokes all of their meats on-site at the restaurant the same way it was done in 1941. Dickey's serves up beef brisket, pulled pork, ham, polish sausage, turkey breast and chicken, with an extensive array of home-style sides from jalapeño beans to macaroni and cheese. Buttery rolls are served with every meal along with the complimentary ice cream and dill pickles. And just like always, kids eat free on Sunday."

Yes indeed. Kids Eat Free on Sundays and free soft serve ice cream when you eat there, next door to Haagen Dazs. Similarly, the Ventura Dickey's is located next to a Dippin' Dots retail location and the Simi Valley Dickey's is located near a Cold Stone Creamery.

CSU Channel Islands Graduate Gary Cushing to Receive Distinguished Alumnus Award

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A Camarillo civic and business leader who earned his college degree at 55 will once again don a cap and gown at the CSU Channel Islands (CI) commencement ceremony.

On May 16, Camarillo Chamber of Commerce CEO and CI graduate Gary Cushing, now 60, will accept CI's Distinguished Alumnus Award for his success and generosity in a number of different arenas.

"Gary is the definition of the CI Way," said Tania Garcia, Director of Development, Alumni Relations. "He gives back to the community on a regular basis. He is on so many different boards I can't even name them all. He is the community go-to guy because everyone knows they can trust him, and no matter how busy he is, he gets the job done."

CI gives the award to an alumnus who has had success in his or her career field, is active in the community and contributes time, talent and other resources back to CI.

Cushing says receiving this award is "very special" to him, adding that he does all he can to promote CI because he believes it provides an opportunity for a higher education for a population that wouldn't otherwise be able to pursue a degree.

Cushing offers himself as a perfect example.

His life was going well at age 52. He had worked his way up through the restaurant ranks—starting as a teen busboy in Burbank—to become the owner of three Marie Callender's restaurants in Ventura County and one in Santa Barbara. He still owns the restaurant in Camarillo, which opened in 1989.

He had a wonderful wife, eight children and 13 grandchil

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MOD Pizza to Open Simi Valley Location in June Time Frame

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Update: MOD Pizza Simi Valley opened in the Fall of 2015.

MOD Pizza is gearing up for opening its second location in Ventura County, at 2941 Cochran Street in Simi Valley in the Sycamore Square Shopping Center. Current anticipated opening date is this June. MOD "Made on Demand" Pizza opened its first VC location in Newbury Park last October. For updates on the Simi Valley MOD, visit modpizza.com/locations/simi-valley.

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MOD’s individual artisan-style pizzas are made on demand, using organic fresh-pressed dough and signature sauces. Guests can create their own pizzas and salads, using any combination of 30 featured toppings, or they can choose from a menu of MOD classics. Pizzas and salads are the same price regardless of the number of toppings. Pizzas are hand-cooked in an 800 degree oven in less than 3 minutes and salads are hand-tossed in front of the customer. MOD also serves local draft beers, wine, handspun milkshakes, and house-made lemonades and iced teas. www.modpizza.com

"Make your own" pizzas are definitely the latest rage around town. Other players include Pieology (2 locations in the Conejo Valley), PizzaRev (Oxnard, Camarillo), Urban Pizza (Westlake Village) and Pitfire Pizza (soon to open in Westlake Village).

Leila's Restaurant in Oak Park to Close Its Doors on Sunday, April 26th

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Leila's Restaurant in Oak Park announced on the 19th that it will be open through dinner on Saturday, April 25th, then will be closing its doors. Leila's "sister" restaurant, Pearl District, opened in Westlake Village late last December. Thanks to Karen G for the heads up via the CVG Facebook page.

 

 

Nico's Cafe also closed in that same location at the northeast corner of Lindero and Kanan roads a few weeks ago. But more recently, Margarita's Mexican Grill opened in the former home of Cigale Cafe in that same retail corner.

Pinot's Palette is Opening in Westlake Village on Thursday, May 7th

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Sorry to report that Pinot's Palette closed its doors in last August 2017.

Update 4/18/15: Pinot's Palette plans to open to the public with its first class on Thursday, May 7th. Visit www.pinotspalette.com/westlakevillage to sign up!

Originally posted 1/31/15:

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Pinot's Palette is coming soon to Westlake Village at 2879 Agoura Road (at Village Glen). Pinot's Palette is an upscale studio where adults can "Paint. Drink. Have Fun." Enjoy a night out with your friends, enjoy a glass of wine or beer, and be an artist for the night. No art experience is required. Sip away and in two to three hours create a work of art.

Specific opening date will be announced at a later date. Check www.pinotspalette.com/WestlakeVillage or www.facebook.com/PinotsPaletteWestlakeVillage for updates.

Grand Opening of Barone's The Pizzeria Express in Westlake Village on April 20th (NOW CLOSED)

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Update Feb 2020: Barone’s Westlake Village has closed its doors.

Update 4/18/15: Barone's The Pizzeria Express will premiere on Monday, April 20th at 30990 Russell Ranch Road, Westlake Village. Visit www.facebook.com/baronespizzeria for additional updates. Barone's introduced the first pizza to Los Angeles in 1945.

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Original Post: December 26, 2014:

That's what the sign says at 30990 Russell Ranch Road, Westlake Village, in the former home of 9021Pho (that moved to The Lakes at Thousand Oaks) and the extraordinarily short-lived Kora Bistro and Sushi Bar, directly adjacent to The Counter Burger.

Barone's has a location in Woodland Hills and that serves up rectangular shaped "gourmet pizzas made from the healthiest ingredients and dough made from the finest flour available, fresh salads, hearty pastas, hot sandwiches and delicious deserts that will finish any meal." See more at baronespizzeria.com.