Sweetfin Poke at The Promenade at Westlake in Thousand Oaks Opens June 2nd

UPDATE: Grand opening is Friday, June 2nd. www.facebook.com/events/3462835693994721

Photo Credit: Elyse H

Sweetfin Poke is "coming soon" to The Promenade at Westlake to the space between Barnes & Noble and Brighton. " Sweetfin is a healthful, California-inspired poke and plant-based bowl concept that uses local produce, sustainable fish and innovative ingredients. Their entire chef-driven menu is gluten-free and all of their menu items are made in-house from scratch daily." Other locations throughout Los Angeles, including one on Topanga Canyon Blvd in Woodland Hills. www.sweetfin.com

Nectar of the Dogs Wine to Open First Tasting Room in Simi Valley on Saturday, January 14th

Nectar of the Dogs Wine is the first wine tasting room to open in the city of Simi Valley. It will open beginning Saturday, Jan. 14 at 1 p.m., with a grand opening celebration scheduled the weekend of March 18-19.

The Nectar of the Dogs Wine tasting room will feature a rotating tasting menu highlighting the most current portfolio of wine. Guests can choose from a wide selection of wines sourced from boutique wineries from the Central Coast up to Sonoma County including single vineyard varietals and unique blends. In addition to tastings, visitors can purchase wine by the glass or bottle, as well as scented candles and apparel.

The location will be a meeting place for wine club members to enjoy special events and pickup parties, and serve as an event space for themed nights, private parties and more. The rustic industrial styled tasting room will give guests a place to raise their glass in honor of rescue dogs and learn about adoptable pets available from local rescue partners all while sipping on bright wines in a warm, intimate environment.

The tasting room is located at 791 Chambers Lane, Suite 110 in Simi Valley and will be open to the public from 1 - 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Hours may vary seasonally so visitors are encouraged to check the website or Instagram for the latest updates. Please note - due to restrictions, at this time dogs are not allowed in the tasting room.

Follow along on Instagram for all the latest news and events @nectarofthedogswine. To learn more visit www.nectarofthedogswine.com.

About Nectar of the Dogs Wine

Nectar of the Dogs Wine is a Simi Valley-based, woman-owned boutique wine company collaborating with small producing wineries in California to bottle premium, easy-drinking wines all in the name of dog rescue. The company donates a portion of all bottle wine sales to various local non-profit dog rescue organizations. The company believes that every dog deserves the chance to live a happy, love-filled life and have made a commitment to give back to those helping to make that happen. To date, Nectar of the Dogs Wine has donated to Angel Hanz for the Homeless, Ventura County Animal Services, Pasadena Humane, SoiDog USA, spcaLA and many more. For information visit www.nectarofthedogswine.com and follow along on Instagram @nectarofthedogswine.

Freda's Pizza & Woodfired Kitchen is Now Open in Westlake Village

What a lucky find on this rainy New Year’s Eve! We just happened to be in the North Ranch Plaza at lunchtime today, Saturday, December 31, 2022, when I noticed there was a small sign on the door of Freda’s Pizza & Woodfired Kitchen. Upon closer inspection, the side said “Welcome to our soft opening - we are currently offering a limited menu.”

So OF COURSE we immediately walked in to be one of the first lucky folks to enjoy this delicious pizza. Freda’s serves NY style and brick oven pizzas and also offers it by the slice, which was my preference today. We tried the Cheese, Margherita and a pizza topped with Short Ribs and BBQ sauce, all of which tickled our taste buds. I was particularly impressed with the crust - it crunch, but not burnt, and not soggy whatsoever. It was perfect.

Learn more at www.fredaswoodfiredkitchen.com.

Served by the slice!

Pizza Twist is Now Open in the Conejo Gateway Plaza in Newbury Park

UPDATE 6/6/23: Pizza Twist Newbury Park is now open.

Yet another new local eatery coming in the new year. Pizza Twist will be located in the Conejo Gateway Plaza at 711 Wendy Drive in Newbury Park. Pizza Twist makes pizzas that you’ve probably never tasted before, with fresh cut vegetables, dough that’s made daily and fresh ingredients. Pizza Twist offers a variety of pizzas that include Traditional Pizzas, Twist Fusion Pizzas, Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken and Curry Chicken. They also offer Gluten Free (Cauliflower Crust) & Vegan Options, along with wings, pastas, breadsticks, calzones & lots more. Learn more at www.chicagospizzatwist.com

Board & Brew Coming Soon to The Shoppes at Westlake Village (Soft Opening May 12th)

UPDATE: Soft opening of Board & Brew Westlake Village was May 12, 2023

As mentioned in September, "Board & Brew" will be coming soon to The Shoppes at Westlake Village, serving specialty sandwiches and craft beer. It will be located in the former Pick Up Stix location across from Guitar Center. boardandbrew.com

Timing TBA.

UPDATE: We’ve heard the May time frame.

Progress Slow But Steady at the Former Corrigan's Steak House in Thousand Oaks

UPDATE 4/16/24: Signs are up at the remodeled building - “Old Oaks Steakhouse.” No specific timing at this point, but stay tuned.

Corrigan’s Steakhouse was originally opened in 1982 by Tom Corrigan, the son of legendary stuntman/actor Ray “Crash” Corrigan. Crash Corrigan passed away on August 10, 1976. Tom Corrigan passed away on March 14, 2018.

Corrigan’s Steakhouse, located at 556 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, closed its doors later that year in 2018 and it changed ownership. Since then, over the last four years, there has been slow, and more recently very steady, progress in the remodeling of the site.

Rumor has it that the new place will also be a steakhouse, with a cigar room in the back. “Old Oaks Steakhouse” is one name that has mentioned as a possibility. We shall see.

Corrigan’s Steak House did not originate at this location. Its roots were in the Park Oaks Shopping Center at Janss and Moorpark Roads in Thousand Oaks. It relocated to Thousand Oaks Blvd at Long Ct in 1990. This location has a bit of history in it, so it is good to see, as you can tell in the photos below, that some of that history has been retained.

House of Orlando Italian Restaurant operated here from 1960 to 1977. It subsequently became Le Normandie French Restaurant for awhile. Then in 1990 it became Corrigan’s.

Here is a view of Hosue of Orlando Italian Restaurant at 556 East Thousand Oaks Blvd during the 1966 Conejo Valley Days parade. (Photo from the Thousand Oaks Library Conejo Through the Lens Collection.)

Corrigan’s Steak House in 2018, before it closed.

A view from the side - Corrigan’s Steak House - Seafood, Burgers & Chili

A view of the inside of Corrigan’s after it closed.

Side view while undergoing reconstruction in October 2021

Progress continuing in December 2021

April 2022

Christmas Eve 2022

RED O Restaurant Taste of Mexico Coming Soon to The Promenade at Westlake in Thousand Oaks

As noted when The Grill on The Alley at The Promenade at Westlake closed its doors on October 29th, the future occupant of that space will be RED O Restaurant - Taste of Mexico.

With locations in Newport Beach, La Jolla and Santa Monica, RED O serves Mexican cuisine such as enchiladas, tacos, tortas, fajitas, fish and other specialties in a beautiful setting. www.redorestaurant.com

Timing TBA.

Schatzi Smoothies Opening January 7, 2023 at Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills

Photo Credit: Kira K (@natureveggiegirl via Instagram)

Schatzi Smoothies is opening on January 7, 2023 at the Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills. Schatzi, located a few doors down from Carrara Pastries, will offer smoothies, juice, cookies and coffee. For updates, visit schatzijuice.com.

Currying Flavors Now Open at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks (Now Closed)

That didn’t last long. They’re now closed.

Currying Flavors opened recently in the food court at The Oaks mall, offering fast casual Indian cuisine.  Currying Flavors previously operated from August 2019 to November 2020 on Canwood Street in Agoura Hills. Worth a try if you are at The Oaks. No website at this time.