Kabab Plus Opened Today in Thousand Oaks

Update 2/27/17: Kabab Plus opened today at 50 East Thousand Oaks Blvd, #2 (between Dog Haus and Urbane Cafe). Visit their Facebook page or call 805.495.1000 for more information.

Originally posted 10/9/16:

Kabab Plus sign is up; photobombed by a Shave It van!

Thanks once again for the heads up to Amelia S. via the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page for this one. Kabab Plus is "coming soon" to the space between Dog Haus and Urbane Cafe at 50 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard (but visible from Moorpark Road) in Thousand Oaks.

What once was a Denny's restaurant will now be three restaurants. The Kabab Plus sign indicates kababs, wraps, salads and pizzas. Looking forward to trying it out. Stay tuned.

Fire Island Grill Opening Agoura Hills Location in April 2017

Update: Now open.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Lalo.

Jonathan L. pointed out the fact that Fire Island Grill is coming soon to Agoura Hills at the former Freebirds location at The Shops at Oak Creek, 29125 Canwood Street.

Fire Island Grill offers Caribbean and Hawaiian style cuisine in a fast/casual atmosphere. The menu includes rice bowls, sandwiches, salads and island platters. Agoura Hills will join existing locations in Palmdale and Simi Valley.

Learn more at www.fireislandgrill.com.

Sign Says Golden Panda Buffet Coming Soon at former Elephant Bar Location in Simi Valley

Update 2/24/17: Opening date coming soon.

Posted 9/16/16:

The Elephant Bar Restaurant in Simi Valley (1825 Madera Road, next to the Best Western Posada Royale Hotel & Suites) closed its doors in June 2014. If the sign shown above is correct, the future occupant will be the Golden Panda Buffet. I'd be willing to bet this new eatery will serve Chinese food. Just a hunch. More updates when available.

Arby's Opened Simi Valley Location Today

Arby's opened its new location at 1408 East Los Angeles Avenue in Simi Valley this morning. This location comes equipped with a drive-thru. 

This is the former home of Del Taco.

Other Arby's locations in Thousand Oaks and Ventura.

More at locations.arbys.com/us/ca/simi-valley/1408-east-los-angeles-ave-.html.

About Arby's: Arby roots go back to Boardman, Ohio in 1964, when founders, Leroy and Forrest Raffel opened a sandwich shop serving hot, freshly sliced roast beef sandwiches.

Where did the name Arby's come from? It came from the initials of Raffel Brothers.

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Opened Two Weeks Ago at Universal Citywalk

Yes, we do cover goings on outside of the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County from time to time when we think it is of particular interest. 

About three weeks ago, I met friends from out of town at Universal Citywalk, a no brainer choice for touristy fun. Citywalk is 30 miles from Thousand Oaks. 

I noticed at the far east end of the Citywalk that Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville was looking close to opening soon. I was right. It opened a week later. Open for lunch, dinner and late night entertainment.

Learn more at www.margaritavillehollywoodca.com.

Habanero Mexican Grill Now Open in Thousand Oaks

Habanero Mexican Grill now open at the Thousand Oaks Marketplace, 520 N. Ventu Park Road, near Walmart Neighborhood Market in Thousand Oaks (Newbury Park adjacent).

No website or Facebook page as of yet but I have heard from several folks that really enjoyed it. More updates at a later date. 

Menu includes a full selection of Mexican entrees, including enchiladas, tacos, carnitas, chile relleno, soups, salads, appetizers and more. The "Habanero Style Mac and Cheese" sounds pretty good.

Dong Ting Spring Restaurant Now Open at Thousand Oaks Marketplace

Chinese eatery Dong Ting Spring recently opened at the Walmart Neighborhood Market plaza (officially called the Thousand Oaks Marketplace) at 520 N. Ventu Park Road, next to Jimmy John's and near the soon to be opening Habanero Mexican Grill.

Ding Tong Spring offers what appears to be a delicious assortment of authentic Chinese dishes like Wild Chili Beef, Crispy Chicken with Red Pepper, Walnut Shrimp and many more interesting sounding options. No website to my knowledge. Call them at 805-262-0888.

AMC Theatres Completed Purchase of Carmike Cinemas on December 20, 2016

Muvico Theatre as seen from Tarantula Hill on a cloudy, rainy day in February 2017.

Carmike Stockholders approved a merger agreement with AMC Theatres on November 15, 2016 and the merger was completed on December 20, 2016.

Before the merger, Carmike operated 271 theatres with 2,923 screens in 41 states, with a focus on mid-sized communities.

Muvico Theatres was purchased by Carmike in November 2013 but continued to operate our local Muvico Theatre under its original name. Muvico premiered at the Oaks Mall on February 27, 2009. So we are talking three different owners in less than eight years!

No word yet on if AMC will maintain the Muvico brand.

AMC is the largest movie exhibition company in the world, with approximately 636 theatres and 7,623 screens worldwide, including the largest cinema operator in Europe, Odeon Cinemas Group. AMC indicates it has the #1 or #2 market share positions in 21 of the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the United States, including the top three markets (NY, LA, Chicago). AMC, through its Odeon subsidiary, operates in seven European countries and is the No. 1 theatre chain in the UK & Ireland, Italy and Spain.

In a January 30, 2017 press release, AMC previewed preliminary 2016 results of revenue in the $3.2 billion range and net earnings in the range of $112 million to $120 million. It will release complete financial results after the market closes on February 28th.

Teko's Brazilian Grill Now Open at North Ranch Gateway in Westlake Village

UPDATE: Teko’s Brazilian Grill closed in late 2017.

Update 2/5/17: Teko's Brazilian Grill opened a couple of weeks ago. Their phone is 818.532.7710. Their menu includes a salad bar, hot dishes and Churrasco BBQ. The food is priced by the pound; $8.95/lb for the salad bar and/or hot dishes; $10.25/lb for salad bar, hot dishes and Churrasco and $15.95/lb for Churrasco BBQ only. Visit tekosbraziliangrill.com.

Original Post: 11/19/16

Looks like a Teko's Brazilian Grill is planning on opening in the North Ranch Gateway at 30869 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, across the parking lot from the soon to open Dunkin' Donuts and next to Domino's Pizza.

No other information at this point, so stay tuned.