Local Buzz covers new businesses, restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
Local Buzz covers new restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
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Jennifer Brecker was looking forward to dining at The Natural Cafe in Newbury Park today, only to find that it was closed. And closed it is indeed, about a week or so ago at 1714 Newbury Road, as confirmed by a call to the still open Westlake Village location and as evidenced by its absence from The Natural Cafe website at thenaturalcafe.com/locations. Sorry to see this local eatery closed.
A friend who was enjoying a meal at Cafe Bizou in Agoura Hills informed me that Niroj Kurdish Cuisine in the Reyes Adobe Plaza, 30313 Canwood Street, has closed its doors. A visit to its website and Facebook page confirmed that Niroj served its last kebab on Sunday, July 31st. Niroj opened here in early 2013.
A Thai restaurant will be coming to this space.
Deliteful Low Carb Restaurant and Bar opened to the public on May 23, 2016 but recently closed its doors in late July 2017. This was confirmed by the voice message on the restaurant phone line, not to mention removal of the eatery's Facebook and Instagram pages and elimination from the The Oaks Mall directory.
Melissa F made us aware of the fact that Big Fish Poke at the Westlake Plaza has an eviction notice dated July 11th on its door and is now closed. It was open just over one year.
Beanscene Expresso, an Oak Park mainstay for over two decades at 610 N. Lindero Canyon Road (in the Kids World strip mall), has decided to close its doors at the end of July. Owners stated a number of factors, including the cost of rent, labor, insurance and other items. Many folks will be sad to see them go.
A little over 3 1/2 years ago, the El Pollo Loco previously in the center closed and became a drive-thru Starbucks. I would expect that type of competition, literally 150 yards away, did not help future prospect for Beanscene.
Yesterday, July 4th, at 10:59am via its Facebook page, Jeannine's Gourmet Food Hall at The Shoppes at Westlake Village announced is is now closed and to visit their Santa Barbara locations. jeannines.com
Jeannine's originally opened on Sunday, October 12, 2014, so it didn't quite make it to the three year mark.
Additionally, the Oh! Matsuri Japanese Kitchen co-located at the same location announced that it is "temporarily" closed and is looking for a new location nearby.
Photo credit: J. Stewart
Update 2020: Tara’s is now Bollywood Spice Indian Cuisine bollywoodspiceusa.com
Update 7/29/17: Well, that was quick! Tara's Himalayan Cuisine has been open now about a week, according to Jonathan Stewart of Jonathan Stewart of Jonathan Stewart Photography. His initial indications are...good food and good service!
Cafe Topanga Pasta & Pizza at 171 N. Reino Road in Newbury Park has closed its doors but a new eatery is coming soon. Tara's Himalayan Cuisine. Tara's will offer up authentic Nepalese, Tibetan and Indian cuisine.
Tara's has locations in Los Angeles (near Culver City) and Artesia. According to its website:
“Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine is about family, yours and ours. Serving authentic Nepalese and Tibetan cuisine, we invite you to experience a true taste of home.
We use mountain grown herbs and spices from Nepal and whenever possible, locally grown vegetables. Our yak is Colorado raised. All of our dishes use the finest ingredients, and are prepared with a light touch. Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine is the dream of Tara Gurung Black. Born in a tiny mountain village in Nepal, she started her training in Nepalese classical and cultural dance at age eight. This inspired Tara to theme the restaurant according to classical and cultural Nepalese tradition.
While performing one day in Los Angeles, she had an overwhelming desire to share her Nepali culture with the people of Los Angeles. That is how and why Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine came to be.”
Stay tuned for updates or check tarashimalayancuisine.com or check the Tara's Ventura County Branch Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thcventura.
So long, Cafe Topanga, and best of luck in your future endeavors.
Update 6/2/18: Well some great news! This Baja Fresh location has re-opened after extensive renovations were made.
The 2nd oldest Baja Fresh location in a chain that was once as many as 300 eateries has closed its doors effective 6/29/17. Located at 30861 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Westlake Village (at Lindero Canyon), this location originally opened in July 1991. The original Newbury Park location on Kimber Drive opened in 1990, then later moved to The Village at Newbury Park, where ultimately it closed its doors on January 10, 2012.
Jennifer W tipped us off on the CVG Facebook Page about this. The doors are locked, the inside is in a bit of disarray and the phone number is not in service. A phone call to the Thousand Oaks Baja Fresh on Moorpark Road confirmed that the Westlake Village location is closed.
All this said, this was a franchised location of Baja Fresh, so there is an outside possibility of someone else picking it up. We shall see what happens.
Baja Fresh is a local success story, culminating in its acquisition by Wendy's in 2002 for $275 million. The chain grew to roughly 300 locations. But then things went downhill. Wendy's sold the chain for just $31 million in 2006. Baja Fresh and its subsidiary since 2007, La Salsa, were sold again last September for $27 million.
There are two Baja Fresh locations in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi. So next time you're in the United Arab Emirates, grab me a Baja Burrito. I've been a Baja Fresh fan all these years and wish the best for remaining locations in the area.
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