Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers Chime In On Favorite Items at Urbane Cafe

Today, the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page hosted its 36th day in a row of daily gift card drawings at local eateries. We’ve been raising funds from local residents and businesses and using these funds to purchase gift cards and gift certificates. In turn, we’ve been giving free publicity in the form of a drawing each day, rewarding one lucky participant the gift card. It’s been a lot of fun and we plan to continue these drawings as long as we continue to receive donations.

Donations can be made via credit card at bit.ly/CVGFund or via PayPal at paypal.me/ConejoValleyGuide.

(We’ve covered quite a number of eateries so far, including Country Harvest, Grabbagreen, Little Calf Creamery, Prawn and Basil, Parma Pizza, P&L Burger, El Sancho Loco, Hatch Cafe, Coaches Ice Cream, Tifa Chocolate & Gelato, Made in Italy, Pedals & Pints, Toppers Pizza, The Latigo Kid, Vegan Thyme, Thousand Oaks Fish & Chips, Five 07 Coffee Bar, Mouthful Eatery, Los Agaves, Side Street Cafe, Twisted Oak Tavern, Joi Cafe, Cafe Sapientia, Jack’s Donuts, Tabu Shabu, Holdren’s Steak House, Chocolatine, Q Sushi, Newberry Candy, Snapper Jacks, Novo Cafe, D’Amore’s Pizza, Pacific Fresh Grill, Bandits BBQ, Carrara Pastries, Historia Bakery, Boney Mountain Pizza Co., Los Dos Amigos and Urbane Cafe.)

Tom Holt opened the first Urbane Cafe in 2003 in Ventura and this popular fast casual eatery has since grown to 19 locations. Urbane Cafe Thousand Oaks opened in April 2015. There are also local locations in Agoura Hills, Camarillo, Simi Valley and Oxnard. Their menu includes freshly made, sandwiches, salads, bowls and soups. Their freshly-baked focaccia bread is a standout! Learn more at urbanecafe.com.

Here the Urbane Cafe menu items that received the most attention from CVG fans:

• Cranberry Brie Sandwich received quite a bit of love!

• Lots of support for the Farmers Market Salad

• Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwich sounded good to many

• Meat lovers would like to sink their teeth into the Chimchurri Steak Sandwich

• Pesto and Sundried Tomato sandwich is loved by many

• The Santa Maria BBQ Sandwich has a lot of supporters

• The So Cal Sandwich is quite popular

• The Californian Sandwich - very popular with our vegetarian friends

• Other items receiving mentions include Cilantro Chicken Salad, Cilantro Torta, UC Banh Mi, Turkey Club Sandwich, the Ahi Salad (a favorite of mine, along with the Cranberry Brie), Bella Portobello Sandwich, Protein Salad, Fiesta Bowl and others.

Jessica remarked “GET THE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES! Your life will never be the same.” Others echoed her sentiment. Keep that in mind as you perhaps go on a run to pre-burn some calories!

What Is Your Favorite Topper's Pizza? Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers Do Tell

Since mid-July,, we’ve been raising funds from Conejo Valley Guide social media followers and using proceeds raised to purchase gift cards at local Conejo Valley area eateries (that in turn were suggested by CVG Facebook Page followers). As of August 4h, we have raised over $2,000 from 113 individuals and organizations. If every social media follower gave a $1, we’d have well over $40,000 earmarked for local business!

To give to this fund, and every $1 helps, donate via credit card at bit.ly/CVG Fund or via Paypal at paypal.me/ConejoValleyGuide.

So a few days ago we asked CVG Facebook followers to enter the drawing by reviewing the Topper’s Pizza Place menu at www.topperspizzaplace.com/menu and choose their pizza of choice. We decided to compile the results of these responses below.

• BBQ Chicken Pizza - mentioned 33 times

• Cheese Pizza - mentioned 14 times

• Chicken Ranch Dijon Pizza - mentioned 12 times

• Vegetarian Combination Pizza - mentioned 35 times

• Combo Pizza - mentioned 14 times

• Hawaiian Heat Pizza - mentioned 24 times

• Carnitas Chipotle Pizza - mentioned 16 times

• Pepperoni Pizza - mentioned 39 times

• Canadian Bacon and Pineapple Pizza - mentioned 4 times

• Sausage and Black Olive Pizza

• Spicy Garlic Italian Pizza - mentioned 9 times

• Meatinator Pizza - mentioned 7 times

• BCT Pizza (Bacon, Chicken, Tomatoes) - mentioned 3 times

• Meatball Pizza - mentioned 3 times

• Creamy Garlic Chicken - mentioned 12 times

• Italian Sausage Pizza - mentioned 2 times

• Canadian Bacon and Mushroom

• Jalapeno Combo Pizzas (with Mushroom, Pineapple, etc.) - mentioned 2 times

• Hot Honey Pizza - mentioned 15 times

• Buffalo Chicken Pizza - mentioned 3 times

• Sausage Combos with Olives, Onion and Mushrooms - mentioned 4 times

• Pineapple Pizza - mentioned 5 times

• Chicken and Bacon

• Chorizo Pizza

• Pepperoni Combos (with Bacon Bits , Olives, Pineapple, Sausage, Mushroom, Chorizo or Jalapeno) - mentioned 35 times

• Canadian Bacon Combos (with Red Onion, Chorizo, or Jalapeno) - mentioned 5 times

• Green Pepper and Tomato, Green Pepper and Mushrooms - mentioned 3 times

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers Chime In On Favorite Dishes at Country Harvest in Newbury Park

With the latest Stay at Home Order shutting down inside service at local eateries in the Conejo Valley and throughout Ventura/LA Counties once again, we decided to take it upon ourselves to do a little something that would help promote local eateries and have a bit of fun.

Since mid-July,, we’ve been raising funds from Conejo Valley Guide social media followers and using proceeds raised to purchase gift cards at local Conejo Valley area eateries (that in turn were suggested by CVG Facebook Page followers). As of August 1st, we have raised over $1,900 from 113 individuals and organizations. If every social media follower gave a $1, we’d have well over $40,000 earmarked for local business!

To give to this fund, and every $1 helps, donate via credit card at bit.ly/CVG Fund or via Paypal at paypal.me/ConejoValleyGuide.

Our first gift card drawing was on July 22nd, for a $50 gift card at Country Harvest, 3345 Kimber Drive, Newbury Park. We asked folks to pick an item from Country Harvest’s menu to enter the drawing. Here’s a compilation of the responses for some food for thought (in no particular order):

• Fresh Garden Pita with Grilled Chicken and Avocado added

• Liver and Onions

• Chicken Marsala

• Eggs Benedict - mentioned 11 times (including Seafood Benedict, Bacon & Avocado Benedict, California Benedict)

• Steak Sandwich

• Cobb Salad - mentioned twice

• Turkey Dinner

• Breakfast Burrito - mentioned 8 times

• Belgium Waffles with Strawberries - mentioned 6 times

• Wahoo Fish Salad - mentioned twice

• Lemon Chicken Avocado Sandwich

• Chicken and Waffles - mentioned twice

• Meatloaf - mentioned twice

• Fish & Chips - mentioned 5 times

• Fried Chicken - mentioned twice

• Caesar Salad

• Shrimp Scampi- mentioned twice

• Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry - mentioned twice

• Country Fried Steak and Eggs - mentioned 7 times

• Steak and Eggs

• Hot Pastrami on Rye

• Country Skillet Breakfast - mentioned 4 times

• Tri Tip Sandwich or Dinner - mentioned twice

• Jumbo Shrimp Salad

• French Toast Platter - mentioned 3 times

• Burger and Curly Fries or Zucchini Fries - mentioned twice

• Pancakes, Bacon and Sausage - mentioned 7 times (including, banana, blueberry, walnut and granola)

• Chicken Waldorf Salad

• Cheesecake

• French Dip Sandwich - mentioned twice

• Philly Cheesesteak

• Club Sandwich - mentioned 3 times

• Country Biscuit Breakfast - mentioned 4 times

• Tuna or Turkey Melt with Avocado - mentioned twice

• Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

• Pot Roast - mentioned twice

• Patty Melt - mentioned twice

• Croissant Breakfast Sandwich - mentioned 3 times

• Strawberry Shortcake

• Chicken Salad Pita

• Blackened Salmon Caesar

• Bacon Swiss Burger

• Corned Beef Hash Breakfast - mentioned twice

• Avocado Toast - mentioned 3 times

• BBQ Chicken Wrap

• Health Nut Sandwich

• Garden Burger Platter

• Quiche

• Taco Salad

• Cilantro Chicken Salad

• Ham Steak Breakfast

As of August 1st, we have given away gift cards 11 days in a row on the CVG Facebook Page and this will continue until we have spent all funds raised. At this point, it will be at least another two or three weeks of drawings! Having some fun with this!

Learn more about Country Harvest, which has operated in Newbury Park since May 27, 2002, at www.countryharvest.restaurant or call 805.375.4598.

Compilation of Restaurants Offering Take-Out and Delivery Service in Ventura County During the COVID-19 Emergency

Many of you have asked for a compilation of local area eateries that are open during the coronavirus Stay Well at Home order for either takeout or delivery. We have compiled a list of links to such eateries that have been compiled by local cities.

We’ve highlighted a number of open eateries in the Conejo Valley on the CVG Instagram page at www.instagram.com/conejovalleyguide - if you scroll down you’ll find many of them.

City of Moorpark: www.moorparkca.gov/910/COVID-19-Restaurant-Guide

Greater Conejo Valley Chamber list at THIS LINK

Agoura takeout and delivery at www.conejochamber.org/restaurants---agoura-hills

Thousand Oaks takeout and delivery at www.conejochamber.org/restaurants

Westlake Village takeout and delivery at www.conejochamber.org/restaurants

City of Agoura Hills list at www.ci.agoura-hills.ca.us/novel-coronavirus-information/restaurant-information

Camarillo: www.cityofcamarillo.org/business/covid-19_open_for_business_list.php

Simi Valley Chamber list at www.simivalleychamber.org/restaurants.html

Ventura Chamber of Commerce list at venturachamber.com/restaurants-open-and-offering-to-go-and-delivery

Oxnard Chamber of Commerce list at www.oxnardchamber.org/covid-19-food-delivery-and-takeout.html

Santa Paula Chamber list at santapaulachamber.net/2020/03/20/santa-paula-restaurant-information

Local Food Delivery Services:

www.doordash.com

www.grubhub.com

www.ubereats.com

Barone's Pizza of Westlake Village is Moving to Its Thousand Oaks Location Effective February 18th

Barone’s Pizza of Westlake announced today that its last day at its Westlake Village location is this coming Monday, February 17th but delicious Barone’s pizzas and other specialties will continue being served up at its newer Thousand Oaks location in the Northstar Plaza, 1321 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

Barone’s Westlake has been in operation since April 20, 2015 for a nearly five year run at this location across from Lure Fish House.

That said…Barone’s indicate in a comment on the CVG Instagram post at www.instagram.com/p/B8mZrlIgiqH/ that it has a new Westlake Village location and is working towards a late spring opening.

Tifa Chocolate & Gelato Now Open in Calabasas

The Calabasas Tifa Chocolate & Gelato opened this week at 23655 Calabasas Road, across the street from The Commons at Calabasas. The gelato looked and tasted fantastic today! tifachocolateandgelato.com/calabasas-ca

Hatch Cafe & Market in Agoura Hills - Named Agoura Hills 2019 Business of the Year

Hatch Cafe & Market is a neighborhood eatery project serving rustic California fare from Restaurateur Mark LaValle and his wife Stylist Jordan. This popular eatery, which opened in mid-2017, recently received the honor of City of Agoura Hills 2019 Business of the year.

The masterwork of LaValle, Hatch Cafe & Market serves as a community dining destination and is a welcoming addition to Agoura Hills. The family owned shop offers a carefully curated breakfast and lunch menu, a wide variety of artisan products.

The space--which features a chalkboard menu, communal dining table and gallery walls filled with autre china plates and vintage mirrors--is designed around comfort, representing the family’s commitment to offering a gourmet dining experience with ease. The market shelves, curated by Lane, are stocked with local favorites including SQIRL, Ojai Olive Oil Company, Jacobson Salts, as well as limited-edition custom designed aprons, napkins and tablecloths. Completely customizable gift baskets for all occasions are available year round.

Everything served at Hatch is made on site, using the best quality ingredients and farmers-market produce. The cafe turns out a range of items including gourmet salads, creative sandwiches and wraps, gluten and grain free selections, modern egg dishes, and delightful options for kids. The menu changes regularly with the seasons, so that guests can enjoy local favorites year round including Gluten Free Green Tea Pancakes with matcha maple syrup, the House Chopped Salad with spicy crispy chickpeas, Isla’s Fried Chicken Sandwich with a chili-ponzu slaw and of course house made Organic Lemonade. In addition, many of the baked goods and dessert recipes come directly from Jordan’s personal recipe book.

Perfect for a day at the beach or concert in the park, Hatch also offers curated picnic baskets stocked to the brim with everything needed for the perfect meal-on-the-go. And with a variety of catering services, ranging from daily office orders to private on and off site parties and events, Hatch Cafe & Market stands behind its mission of bringing family and friends together, one meal at a time.

Located at 30651 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Agoura Hills at the northeast corner of Thousand Oaks Blvd and Lake Lindero Drive.

Visit www.hatcheatery.com or call 818.575.9000 to learn more.

Hours: Open 7 days a week from 8am-3pm

Instagram: @hatcheatery

Mimi's Cafe Rebrands Itself as Mimi's Bistro & Bakery

Ani S. pointed it out via a CVG Facebook Page message that Mimi’s Cafe appears to have a new name, “Mimi’s Bistro & Bakery.”

She’s right.

Two months ago, Mimi’s parent company, Le Duff America, Inc., announced the change to strengthen the 41 year-old eatery’s connection with France.

Along with the new name, Mimi's is launching a Bites + Beverages menu with new Mimi's House Wine, made specifically for the brand from Bordeaux, France, cocktails and appetizers. The new House Red and House White Wine will be available for $6 per glass and $22 per bottle, accompanied by classic cocktails like the French 75, a fun twist on the classic, the French Mule and a martini selection. Appetizers on the menu include: Hummus & Crudités, Brochette Trio and Flatbreads.

Mimi’s has 77 locations in 16 states, including local Ventura County locations at 3375 E. Main Street, Ventura and 400 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks.

Probably not a bad time for a pivot for local Mimi’s locations, sporting 2 1/2 star and 3 star aggregate reviews at the Ventura and Thousand Oaks locations, respectively.

Learn more at www.mimisbistroandbakery.com.