Bowlero to Open 32,000 Square Foot Bowling Center at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard

UPDATE Feb 2021: The Collection at RiverPark recently announced that the new Bowlero will be opening in Fall 2022.

Bowlero has signed a long-term lease and will be building a 32,000 square foot bowling alley and entertainment center at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard.

Slated to open in late 2020, Bowlero will feature signature blacklight bowling lanes, laneside lounge seating, video walls a giant arcade and a menu that includes upscale food and beverage offerings.

Bowlero Corp operates 42 bowling centers throughout California under the Bowlero, Bowlmor, and AMF brands, including Bowlero Woodland Hills that opened in March 2016. Visit BowleroCorp.com for more information.

This is great news for Ventura County, which currently has bowling alleys in Ventura, Camarillo and Simi Valley. What a fantastic addition to The Collection! Interestingly, this is only about a mile away from the former Wagon Wheel Bowl on the other side of the 101 that closed in May 2015 to make way for a housing development.

Little Calf Creamery and Cafe's 2nd Conejo Valley Location in Westlake Village Now Open

UPDATE 1/11/20: Little Calf Creamery and Cafe’s 2nd location at the Northgate Plaza in Westlake Village (southwest corner of Westlake and Thousand Oaks Boulevards) opened yesterday. www.facebook.com/Littlecalfcreamery This location is a scoop shop only. It does not have the full menu that the original location has.

Future 2nd location of Little Calf Creamery and Cafe at the Northgate Place in Westlake Village.

Originally posted 6/22/19:

Well this was extremely exciting news for local folks on social media this morning - Little Calf Creamery and Cafe announced via its Facebook page that it has signed a lease at the Northgate Plaza in Westlake Village (southwest corner of Westlake and Thousand Oaks Boulevards) to open a second location in the late summer time frame - target date late September. It will be located in the space between Blaze Pizza and The Habit Burger (in the space previously occupied by Famous Dave’s years ago).

The original Little Calf Creamery and Cafe continues to operate at 652 East Janss Road (at Moorpark Road) in the Conejo Valley Plaza. It opened its doors at the former Greenhouse Cafe on October 18, 2015.

Little Calf Creamery and Cafe serves artisan ice cream, sorbets and delicious salads, sandwiches, soups and burgers. Ice cream is made on premises in small batches, with over 15 year-round and seasonal flavors.

Visit www.littlecalfcreamery.com for more info.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Camarillo is Opening on Monday, February 3rd

It has been 22 months since we first announced that the Camarillo Planning Commission approved construction of a 10,486 sq ft Cracker Barrel eatery in the Promenade section of the Camarillo Premium Outlets, making it the first Cracker Barrel ever to reside in Ventura County. Five months later, the city anticipated a Spring 2019 grand opening.

Well, here we are in January 2020 and, at long last, the official sign is up on the side of the building that says Cracker Barrel is opening on February 3rd, a Monday. Expect some long lines that day!

More updates on the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Facebook page at www.facebook.com/crackerbarrel.camarillo. Address is 560 East Ventura Boulevard.

First Phase of Waterfront Mixed-Use Development Portside Ventura Harbor Completed

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First phase of the Largest Waterfront Mixed-Use Development of its Kind on West Coast Completed

Portside Ventura Harbor begins leasing first 56 of the 270 apartment homes

Developers of Portside Ventura Harbor, the largest mixed-used waterfront development of its kind on the West Coast, have released the first 56 apartment homes for lease. The culmination of nearly two decades of planning, at buildout in April 2020, the 27-acre Portside Ventura Harbor fronting Ventura Harbor and the Pacific Ocean will feature 270 apartment homes, 30 live/work units and 22,000 square feet of community serving retail.

Portside Ventura Harbor distinguishes itself from most other mixed-use developments by adhering to the new urbanism principles that are behind the successful communities of Seaside, FL and Santana Row near San Jose, CA. This ultimately helped the Portside Ventura Harbor project gain approval from the California Coastal Commission. Often referred to as “villages,” new urbanist projects place an emphasis on low-impact development with walkable streets, housing, public spaces and shopping all in close proximity to one another.

Created around a large public plaza, Portside Ventura Harbor residents can walk or bike to the community’s town center, 22,000 square feet of retail, pool, spa, tennis court, and pet park. To encourage enjoyment of the waterfront by the community, the developers also dedicated two acres for a public park as well as a new pedestrian promenade bordering the harbor.

The Mission Colonial architecture of Portside Ventura Harbor was designed by Togawa Smith Martin, Inc. with a very low-density ratio of 11 units per acre. All of Portside Ventura Harbor’s studio, one-, two-, three-bedroom apartment homes and live/work units averaging over 1,000 square feet – with 10 percent of the units set aside for low- and moderate-income earners — face the street to activate the sidewalks.

Portside Ventura Harbor also includes the first new marina in Ventura Harbor in more than 30 years. The Marina will feature 104 boat slips to accommodate vessels up to 80 feet, as well as a 90-foot public paddleboard dock.

The developers have engaged family-owned E&S Ring Management Corporation to oversee residential leasing and the Ventura County office of CBRE the retail leasing.

Learn more at portsideventuraharbor.com.

The Irish Pub at The Palm Garden Hotel in Thousand Oaks (Newbury Park) is Now Open

Brendan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant closed its doors in Camarillo and Newbury Park last week as previously posted.

But the good news is that the Palm Garden Hotel has acquired the onsite restaurant and has already reopened it, initially as “The Irish Pub at the Palm Garden Hotel.” It has a limited menu, with some items carried over from Brendan’s.

The Irish Pub at the Palm Garden Hotel will be open limited hours of 4-9PM Monday through Thursday and 4-10PM Friday/Saturday (closed Sunday) until they close for renovations at a future TBA date.

The hotel is developing a new concept for the location.

Brendan’s gift cards will be honored at this temporary restaurant for food and non-alcoholic beverages until February 15th.

More information at www.palmgardenhotel.com/catering-and-dining-copy-20191219143551.htm or by calling 805.716.4200.

Sage Vegan Bistro Opening Soon at Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills (NOW OPEN)

UPDATE 5/28/20: Sage Plant Based Bistro & Brewery now open!

Sage Vegan Bistro will be opening soon in the former Hugo’s location at Whizin Market Square, 5046 Cornell Drive, Agoura Hills. With locations in Echo Park, West LA and Old Town Pasadena, Sage is a plant-based bistro serving vegan breakfast, lunch and dinner. www.sageveganbistro.com

The Yard Thai Cuisine Now Open in Agoura Hills

Conejo Valley Guide Instagram Page follower Kay H let us know that The Yard Thai Cuisine opened a few days ago in the Agoura Hills City Mall at 5889 Kanan Road. The food photos on their Facebook page look delicious. Full range of Thai specialties - soups, salads, noodles, noodle soups, stir fried dishes, curries, grilled items and more.

Umami Burger at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks Served Its Last Savory Burger Last Night

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The Lakes at Thousand Oaks wasted no time removing most traces of Umami Burger day after closing.

As reported via Instagram yesterday afternoon, Umami Burger at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks closed its doors at the close of business last night, Saturday, January 4, 2020. They originally opened here on May 3, 2012 for a nearly eight year run.

I for one was a fan of Umami Burger but the jury seems a bit mixed on this local eatery. Yes, the burgers were a bit on the pricey side for fans of In N Out Burger, The Habit Burger and Five Guys (all of which I also enjoy) but pricing aside, I always enjoyed them. I also tried my very first Impossible Burger here at Umami Burger back in June 2017.

I visited Umami Burger yesterday and enjoyed my last burger at the bar around 2pm. There was one family at a table inside and another group outside. Kind of a lonely farewell. So long, Umami Burger, and best of luck to your entire staff in securing new jobs.

My final Umami burger. Looked better in person.

Natas Pastries Thousand Oaks Has Closed Its Doors

Natas Pastries on Thousand Oaks Boulevard has closed its doors. This Portuguese bakery and eatery opened in September 2017. The owner will be focusing energy on her original Sherman Oaks location, which has been in operation for 14 years.

The Thousand Oaks location opened in July 2017 at 2388 Thousand Oaks Boulevard.