The Nook Newbury Park Reopening Soon as Mikey's Restaurant (Now Open)

UPDATE: Mikey’s Restaurant is now open.

Mikey's Restaurant is opening soon at 579 N. Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park (Ralph’s plaza) in the former home of The Nook Restaurant. The poster on the window indicates Mikey's will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and several folks have noted the new owners have indicated they will keep the same breakfast/lunch items and crew - while adding dinner service. The website, which is not currently functional, is www.mikeysrestaurant.com.

The Nook opened its doors in September 2019 in what was previously Sooki's Japanese Grill.

Lava Kitchen Mediterranean Restaurant Coming Soon to the County Line Shopping Center in Westlake Village (Soft Opening February 28th)

UPDATE: Soft opening is February 28th lava-kitchen.com

Lava Kitchen Mediterranean Restaurant is coming soon to 4661 Lakeview Canyon Road (at Agoura Road) in the County Line Shopping Center in Westlake Village. This was the former home of Decker Kitchen, which moved last year to a larger location in the Paseo Market Place, 3731 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks.

Disney Character Display House in Simi Valley Has Retired

Every year we cover unique, bright and/or particularly entertaining residential holiday displays. See the current year list at THIS LINK.

One such home has been the fun Disney character display at the corner of Timberlane Ave and Fearing St in Simi Valley. It’s a bit out of the way to get to for Conejo Valley residents, but as you can see from the photos before, it has been worth it.

This year, there’s a sign up on the side of the home that reads “The Disney House Has Retired - Thanks for the Memories.” Sad to see it go after all these years, but it is understandable, as it must have been quite a bit of work over the years. Thank you and all local area residents that go the extra mile to make their residences extra fun for the winter holiday season.

Side view of home at Timberlane and fearing in prior years.

Sign up at home in 2023 Christmas Season

Front of Disney home in 2022

Side of Disney home in December 2022.

California Bun in Moorpark Announces December 18 Soft Opening Date

California Bun announced today that its "soft opening" in the Tuscany Square at 144 Los Angeles Ave, Unit 105 in Moorpark is December 18th. Their menu features an assortment of 15 breakfast, lunch and dinner buns made fresh daily, such as Steak Sunrise, Farm Boy, Veggie Voom, BBQ With Seoul and Chorizo Con Huevo, as well as dessert buns. Learn more at californiabun.com.. They are also accepting pre-soft opening pre-orders from a limited menu starting tomorrow, Friday, December 8th at 3pm for pickup on the 13th and 16th. Supplies will be limited. Follow their IG page @getcaliforniabun for details.

Firehouse Subs Coming to Northgate Plaza in Westlake Village (Opened in May 2024)

Work in process at the future Firehouse Subs in Westlake Village

Got word from an observant friend that a Firehouse Subs is being built in the Northgate Plaza (southwest corner of Westlake and T.O. Blvds - 111 S. Westlake Blvd, #104) in the former Starbucks, between Yogurtland and Sharky's. Firehouse Subs was founded in Jacksonville, FL, in 1994 by former firemen and has grown to over 1,200 locations. The chain was purchased by the parent company of Burger King in 2021. There are locations at the Simi Valley Town Center and in Ventura. Stay tuned. www.firehousesubs.com..

Lucky Strike Moorpark Bowling to Open on Friday, December 8th

Lucky Strike will be opening its new, 40 lane bowling center in the former Dick’s Sporting Goods at 706 E. Los Angeles Ave, Moorpark on Friday, December 8th. The facility will also include a large bar area, food and arcade. More information at luckystrikeent.com/location/lucky-strike-moorpark or call 805-222-3757.