Natas Pastries Bakery & Cafe Opening This Summer in Thousand Oaks

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Another update: Natas Pastries Thousand Oaks closed its doors in January 2020.

Update: Natas Pastries is now open at 2388 Thousand Oaks Boulevard as of early September.

Natas Pastries will be located directly across from the Thousand Oaks Toyota dealership (not that I had to tell you given the reflection in this photo).

Natas Pastries will be located directly across from the Thousand Oaks Toyota dealership (not that I had to tell you given the reflection in this photo).

Natas Pastries is a Portuguese bakery and cafe that has operated in Sherman Oaks since 2005. It claims to be the only Portuguese bakery in Los Angeles.

Natas is named after its signature pastry, nata, a crisp puff pastry shell filled with custard. Mmmm!

Well welcome Natas to the Conejo Valley as they plan to open a location at 2388 Thousand Oaks Boulevard (at Pleasant Way, near Harold's House of Omelettes) in the recently closed Pizzeria La Piccola location.

A sampling of some of the menu items includes:

  • Portuguese Sweet Bread French Toast

  • Caramel Crunch Belgian Waffle

  • Chourico e Queijo Sandwich (Grilled Portuguese sausages/Chouricos, grilled onions, tomatoes and melted cheese, served with kettle chips and salad) - I'm sold on this one.

  • Chicken Panini Sandwich

  • Caprese Salad

  • Caldeirada (Seafood stew of sea bass, salmon, cod, shrimp, clams and mussels, served over rice or potatoes)

Learn more at www.nataspastries.com.

Smashburger Thousand Oaks Has Closed Its Doors

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Flashback to July 11, 2012: Smashburger opened its doors at the former home of Chuy's at 650 North Moorpark Road.

It just under five years later and Melissa B alerted me yesterday via Twitter, July 2, 2017 that Smashburger Thousand Oaks has closed.

Sure enough, Smashburger Thousand Oaks is closed, joining three other business, all in a row (White Elephant Thai, a massage business and a donut shop).

So Smashburger fans will have to drive to Camarillo or perhaps in the future in Simi Valley, where another Smashburger location is planned for the Mountaingate Plaza.

White Elephant Thai Cuisine in Thousand Oaks Closed After Ten Years in Business

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In a visit yesterday to the soon-to-be-owned-by-Amazon.com Whole Foods Market on Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks, we noticed a sign on the door of White Elephant Thai Cuisine. The sign said "Thank you for being with us for 10 years. We will be looking for opportunities to re-open."

And the nearby J&J Doughnuts (previously Stan's Doughnuts) was also vacant. Smashburger is still there though!

Sushi Haru at The Village at Dos Vientos in Newbury Park Has Closed Its Doors

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Update 6/23/17: Sushi Haru has closed its doors. 

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Posted 5/19/16:

Red Coral Sushi at The Village at Dos Vientos Ranch in Newbury Park closed its doors on April 30th, after seven years in business. 

But the good news is that Sushi Haru, Japanese Fusion Restaurant opened June 4, 2016 (according to Brian).

Julian's Restaurant & Bar Opened Last Month in Old Town Camarillo

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UPDATE; Julian's subsequently closed in the latter part of 2017 in late January 2018 re-opened as Que Pasa Mexican Cafe.

Julian's Restaurant & Bar opened last month at 2433 Ventura Boulevard in Old Town Camarillo, in the historic "J.F. Lewis & Sons - 1916" building previously occupied by JJ Brewsky's, The French Bulldog and then, the Old Town Tavern.

Julian's was opened by brothers Jerry and Julio Perez and their uncle Jorge Contreras after closing Verona Trattoria this past February after 20 years in service. This new concept, named after Jorge's late brother, serves gourmet California cuisine.

Entrees on the dinner menu include Steak and Enchilada, Filet Brie, Salmon Mediterranean, Enchiladas Poblanas, pastas and more.

Visit www.juliansrestaurantandbar.com.

Shawarma Eatery Coming to Former Home of L & L Hawaiian Barbecue at Janss Marketplace

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L & L Hawaiian Barbecue at Janss Marketplace closed its doors in April. But there's a new Mediterranean eatery coming to town. This was confirmed by Amelia A. via the CVG Facebook Page and Kira K. via email with this notice that Shawarma King appears to be the new tenant coming to this space. Stay tuned. (UPDATE: The new eatery will be called AZ Grill.)

Loteria Grill at The Promenade at Westlake Closed Its Doors Last Month

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We received a heads up from Laurie W. via the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page that Loteria Grill at The Promenade at Westlake has closed its doors. A call to the Hollywood Loteria location confirmed that the Westlake location is indeed closed last month (though the location is still listed on both the Loteria and The Promenade websites.

Loteria Grill opened its doors on April 19, 2012. Perhaps the eatery had a five year lease it opted not to renew. 

It was May 2011 when we first noticed that the prior occupant of that space, La Salsa, had closed its doors and Loteria was coming soon.

Now let's see what's next for this spot. Sorry to hear about this news.