Fogo de Chão Thousand Oaks to Open on Monday, October 16th

Fogo de Chão, the internationally-renowned restaurant from Brazil that allows guests to make culinary discoveries at every turn, opens its newest restaurant on Monday, October 16, located at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks.

As part of their introduction to the Thousand Oaks community, Fogo will donate a portion of its first week of sales to Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank, which provides food to hundreds of families every month battling food insecurities. The Thousand Oaks restaurant marks the brand’s ninth Los Angeles Metro location with an upcoming restaurant in Brea set to open later this year.

Designed in partnership with architecture and design agency Innovation & Design in Architecture, the new restaurant features an expansive dining room centered around an open churrasco grill where guests can dine while watching gaucho chefs demonstrate the Culinary Art of Churrasco as they butcher, prepare and grill different cuts of protein over an open flame. The Thousand Oaks restaurant also showcases an outdoor dining patio, soaring wine cases, a white Carrara marble Market Table, dry-aged meat lockers for in-house aging, a lively indoor Bar Fogo area ideal for all-day happy hour and private dining spaces available for guests to reserve for any occasion.

The Thousand Oaks team is led by General Manager Sevenir Girardi, who started his career with Fogo 16 years ago as a server in Brazil. During his tenure with Fogo, Sevenir has held various leadership positions including Assistant General Manager and General Manager of the Beverly Hills restaurant. Sevenir and his team look forward to becoming part of the Thousand Oaks community and providing over 100 local jobs for talented individuals committed to delivering an exceptional experience to all guests.

Fire-roasted meats are the core of Fogo’s experience and include guest favorites such as Bone-In Ribeye, Lamb Chops and the house specialty, Picanha, the prime part of the top sirloin. Fogo Thousand Oaks offers a range of menu selections and prices to fit guests’ needs for lunch and dinner, including:

  • Full Churrasco Experience – The signature prix-fixe menu selection that includes all premium and classic cuts, plus the fresh and seasonal Market Table & Feijoada Bar and authentic Brazilian side dishes.

  • Indulgent Cuts – Guests can enhance their experience with a 20 oz. Wagyu New York Strip that is carved tableside on a Himalayan salt block to complement the cut’s intense marbling and buttery texture. A decadent, dry-aged 32 oz. Long Bone Tomahawk Ribeye or 24 oz. Wagyu Ribeye is also available to order for the table.

In addition to these options, the menu also includes the following:

  • Weekday Lunch – Includes the seasonal Market Table & Feijoada Bar, plus family-style service of Brazilian side dishes for $18 per person. Guests may choose to add a single cut of fire-roasted meat or have the Full Churrasco Experience.

  • Weekend Brazilian Brunch – Includes the Full Churrasco Experience combined with Brazilian-inspired brunch items like Braised Beef Rib Hash and made-to-order waffle and omelet stations.

  • All-Day Happy Hour - Guests can enjoy $10 Brazilian-inspired cocktails, $8 glasses of South American wines, and $5 Beer all-day every day, in the dining room, patio and bar.

  • Bar Fogo – The Thousand Oaks bar offers an elevated experience with a warm, timeless design and dedicated bar staff designed to allow guests to linger while enjoying smaller, shareable plates like a Picanha Burger or Lobster & Shrimp Tacos.

  • Inclusive Menu Options — Guests can discover options for all dietary tribes from vegan to pescatarian and more. These nutrient-dense dishes include entrée alternatives to the Churrasco experience like Chilean Sea Bass, Seared Tofu & Black Bean Pasta and Cauliflower Steak, or indulgent appetizer options like jumbo shrimp cocktail and Seafood Tower.

  • Fogo To-Go & Catering — Bring the Fogo experience home with individual churrasco entrees, à la carte offerings, full-service catered events with on-site grilling and ready-to-eat or ready-to-grill options.

  • Group and Private Dining — Whether celebrating a special birthday or hosting a corporate meeting, the Thousand Oaks location has a dedicated sales manager and offers customizable menus, beautiful private and semi-private dining spaces and complimentary A/V equipment.

A dining experience for all ages, children six and under enjoy complimentary dining at Fogo Thousand Oaks, and ages seven to twelve dine at half-price for the Full Churrasco Experience.

For more information, visit fogodechao.com.

Juice & Boba Now Open at the University Shopping Center in Thousand Oaks

UPDATE: Grand opening is Saturday, January 27, 2024.

Rachel L sent over this photo of a new place called Juice & Boba coming soon to the space previously occupied by Subway in the University Shopping Center at 425 East Avenida de los Arboles. Can't say for sure, but I'm to take a wild guess that they will serve fresh juices and boba drinks when they open.

IHOP Coming Soon to Former Coco's Location in Simi Valley

Christie O sent over this pic showing IHOP is coming soon to the former Coco's at 698 E. Los Angeles Avenue in Simi Valley in the Stater Brothers shopping center. No word on timing. IHOP Simi Valley will be joining local area locations in Newbury Park, Fillmore and Agoura Hills. The nearest Coco's at this point is in Mission Hills.

Fogo De Chao at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks to Open on Monday, October 16, 2023

work in process 10 days ago at the new Fogo De Chao Thousand Oaks

The date has been set for the grand opening of Fogo De Chao at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks - Monday, October 16, 2023. This date coincides with the extended due date of your 2022 federal and state tax returns, in case you haven't gotten around to that yet. fogodechao.com

Presto Pasta Newbury Park Has Closed Its Doors After 15 Years Serving the Community

Today on the Presto Pasta Facebook Page:

Presto family and friends: It was a difficult decision, but yesterday, Sunday, October 1st, was the final day of service at our Newbury Park restaurant. The last three-and-a-half years have been very challenging for restaurants, and local, family-owned institutions like Presto Pasta face even steeper odds.

Nick Miana, owner of the Newbury Park location, and Jeff and Ken Schuberg, Presto Pasta's founders, are extraordinarily grateful for an amazing 15 years serving our neighbors in the Conejo Valley. We've had the privilege of creating countless meals for your families, catering for many of our wonderful local businesses, and hosting hundreds of fundraisers for our community's sports teams, schools, and nonprofits. And finally, there are no words to adequately thank the past and present members of our Newbury Park team for their talent and efforts over the years.”

The good news is that they are still open in Camarillo, Simi Valley, Ventura and 3 other locations outside of Ventura County. www.prestopasta.com

Daiso Westlake Village Opened at the North Ranch Mall in Westlake Village on September 30th

Daiso, the renowned global retail chain offering a wide range of affordable and unique products, is thrilled to announce the grand opening at North Ranch Mall in Westlake Village, California on September 30th.

The new Daiso store at North Ranch Mall encompasses 5,290 square feet. With its extensive range of products spanning various categories, including Japanese inspired home decor, stationery, food, and more, Daiso has become synonymous with accessible and innovative offerings. Daisy currently operates 104 units in 7 states with more states opening in 2024.

On both Saturday, September 30th and Sunday, October 1st, the first 100 customers to shop at the North Ranch Mall location and make a minimum purchase of $30 will receive a free goodie bag and a plushie.

The store is open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m to 8 p.m.

www.facebook.com/daisousaofficial

Founder and Director of the Mullin Automotive Museum, Peter Mullin, Passed Away on September 18th

Peter Mullin, businessman, passionate car collector and renowned philanthropist, passed away on Monday, Sept. 18. He was 82. Peter was the founder of Mullin Consulting and the founder and director of the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard. Peter was also a founding board member and former board chair at the Petersen Automotive Museum. The Mullin Automotive Museum, a crown jewel of Ventura County, will continue to share his passion with the world. The museum is an homage to French culture, automobiles, architecture, visual arts and design, furniture, lighting and sculpture of the Art Deco period that Peter felt was the apex of industrial and fine arts design. The museum is open to the public Fri/Sat from 10am to 3pm. www.mullinautomotivemuseum.com

La Cereza Cafe and Bakery Soft Opening on Friday, September 22nd

The soft opening of La Cereza Cafe and Bakery is this Friday, September 22nd at 10am at 280 Thousand Oaks Boulevard (near Tarantula Hill Brewing Co) but if you're nearby before then they may be open if you'd like to sample their offerings. They will be serving fresh baked pastries, bagels, empanadas and more. Sign and menu to come soon. Follow their IG page at www.instagram.com/la.cereza.cafe.