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

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.

Thousand Oaks Police Department Has Launched Scam Hotline for Local Residents

The Thousand Oaks Police Department has launched a scam hotline for its citizens. The hotline telephone number (805) 371-8327 provides information on various current types of scams (telephone, mail, email, text message, etc.) and gives callers the opportunity to leave information on scams they may have been exposed to. The phone line is a recorded informational message available 24 hours a day.

Scams are climbing at an alarming rate, not only in our community, but communities nationwide. The Thousand Oaks Police Department is dedicated to educating the community on current scams and ways to avoid falling victim to them. We have found by educating the community and providing essential information about current scams, the monetary loss from
victims of scams is avoided.

The scam hotline is not for reporting crimes. If you are a victim of a scam that has resulted in a financial loss, please call Ventura County Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (805) 654-9511 to have an officer take a report.

Every year, thousands of people lose money to scams from a few hundred dollars to their whole life savings. In 2016, the Better Business Bureau reported that approximately 40,000 scams were reported, this does not account for the numerous scams not being reported or the monetary losses, which are in the billions of dollars.

For additional information on current scams contact the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov or the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org. To file an internet crime complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at www.ic3.gov.

Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop Opening This Summer at The Commons at Calabasas

Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop, the trendsetting Beverly Hills-based restaurant group that has redefined the health-conscious dining experience, will open its newest location at The Commons at Calabasas this summer. (UPDATE: Now open - November 2017.)

Led by Commander-in-Leaf Jonathan Rollo; Greenleaf embodies a fun Farm-to-Face spirit serving made-to-order cocktails, brunch, lunch and dinner using premium, fresh, locally grown produce.

Greenleaf promotes contemporary clean eating by providing a delicious, affordable, quick-gourmet dining experience in a luxe and charming setting as well as mouth-watering catering and events. 

Learn more at www.greenleafchopshop.com.

Greenleaf will be located in the former home of Johnny Rockets, which closed earlier this year.

Burgerim Now Open in Newbury Park (Now Closed)

Update: Burgerim Newbury Park closed in February 2019.

Update 3/12/17: Burgerim Newbury Park opened on Friday, March 10th.

Posted 11/13/16:

Thanks for the heads up from Christopher N. via Facebook that Burgerim is coming soon to the space previously occupied by Starbucks (that relocated to a drive-thru location across the street in July) in the Ventu Park (Ralphs) Center at 587 N. Ventura Park Road, Suite 587A, Newbury Park

Burgerim's motto is "Always More Than One." According to their website:

At Burgerim, we take 8 ounces of gourmet freshly ground meat, bursting with flavor, and divide it into three mini burgers which are easy to hold and can be customized to suit anyone’s taste. With our “always more than one” approach, customers can choose from a duo, trio, or 16 party box of our 2.8 oz. mini patties.

Each mini burger is yours for the building, declaring your individuality with a statement of your own special flavor and design. With 3 buns, 6 sauces, 11 patties, and 9 unconventional toppings, one Burgerim order can satisfy all of your cravings.

Your mini burgers are built with standard toppings (lettuce, tomato, and onion) on the bottom so they absorb the delicious flavors you’ve chosen. You also have a choice of 9 additional special toppings that will sit above your patty, from classic grilled onion to a sunny side up egg.

Learn more at www.burgerim.com and updates on the Newbury Park location at www.burgerim.com/newbury-park.

New Playground Equipment at Walnut Grove Park in Thousand Oaks

The Conejo Recreation and Park District recently introduced new and improved, raceway-themed playground equipment at Walnut Grove Park, 400 Windtree Avenue, Thousand Oaks.

This 6 acre neighborhood park also has an off-leash dog area, basketball courts a handball court (not many of these around town) and a large grassy area. No restrooms, however. www.crpd.org/parkfac/parks/walnutgrove.asp

WalnutGrovePark2.jpg

Public Hearing To Be Announced for Construction of Car Wash Facility at Nordic Nursery Location in Newbury Park

Sarah R. pointed out via the CVG Facebook Page this weekend that there's a City of Thousand Oaks Public Hearing sign in front of Nordic Nursery, 1313 Newbury Road in Newbury Park. 

The sign announces a TBA public hearing on a proposed application to allow encroachment within the protected zones of on-site oak trees and the removal of two off-site oak trees in conjunction with the construction of a drive-thru car wash facility.

Well that's a bummer. Nordic Nursery has operated in the Conejo Valley since 1979. www.nordicnursery.com

County of Ventura Food Facility Closures in February 2017

The County of Ventura Environmental Health Division (EHD) protects public health and the environment by ensuring conformance with State laws and County ordinances pertaining to food protection, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, individual sewage disposal systems, land use, medical waste, ocean water quality monitoring, recreational health, solid waste, underground fuel tanks and vector control.

The EHD publishes food facility closures at www.ventura.org/rma/envhealth/community-services/consumer-food/closures.html.

The following facility closures were noted in February 2017. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

El Asadero, 920 N. Ventura Avenue, Ventura;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 02/27/27; No reopen date

Century Theater, 555 E. Main St., Ventura;

No approved restrooms available;

Date closed -02/21/17; Date reopened - 02/22/17

Ay Chi Hua Hua, 1145 W. Ventura St., Fillmore;

Serious and repeated violations, failure to adhere to a compliance agreement;

Date closed - 02/21/17; Date reopened - 02/22/17

Greco's New York Pizzeria, 249 N. Moorpark Road, #D, Thousand Oaks;

Utensil washing sink not available due to inoperable plumbing;

Date closed - 02/14/17; Date reopened - 02/15/17

Panaderia Las Palmas, 2155 E Channel Islands Blvd., Oxnard;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 02/14/17; Date reopened - 02/15/17

Gandolfo's NY Deli, 2790 Seaglass Way, Oxnard;

Operating without a valid permit;

Date closed - 02/13/17; Permit issued to new owner - 02/14/17

El Pollo Norteno, 1290 S. Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 02/09/17; Date reopened - 02/10/17

Sunset Terrace Restaurant & Lounge (Bar only), 235 N Moorpark Rd., Thousand Oaks;
Inoperable plumbing;
Date closed - 02/08/17; Date reopened - 02/10/17

Kitchen Village, 520 N. Ventu Park Road, #150, Newbury Park;

Unsanitary conditions due to a leaking roof;

Date closed - 02/08/17; Date reopened - 02/09/17

Mariscos Cancun, 1074 Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 02/07/17; Date reopened - 02/09/17

Roma Italian Deli, 2247 Michael Drive, #51, Newbury Park;

Unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 02/06/17; Date reopened - 02/07/17

Limon & Sal, 598 E. Main Street, Ventura

(Upstairs bar and independently operated food area only);

Remodeled without approval, removal of essential equipment;

Date closed - 02/01/17; Date reopened 02/03/17

Gonzales Market, 1335 W Gonzales Rd., Oxnard;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 02/01/17; Date reopened - 02/03/17

Fillmore High School Cafeteria, 555 Central Avenue, Fillmore;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed -02/01/17; Date reopened - 02/02/17

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza Grand Opening of Oxnard Location on Friday, March 3rd

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza has announced that it will be opening its new location at 301 W. Esplanade Drive in Oxnard at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 3rd. This 3,400 square foot location is located in the Esplanade Shopping Center.

To celebrate the grand opening, the restaurant will be offering FREE build-your-own artisanal pizzas on March 3rd from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. to anyone who follows Blaze Pizza on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Founded in Irvine in 2012, Blaze offers custom-built pizzas, freshly made salads, blood orange lemonade, s'more pies and more.

Signature pizzas or create your own pizzas are about $8.

Restaurants make their own dough from scratch using a recipe developed by critically-acclaimed Executive Chef Bradford Kent (the “Pizza Whisperer”), which requires a 24-hour fermentation period to produce his signature light-as-air, crisp crust. Almost all of the pizza and salad ingredients are free of artificial flavors, colors, preservatives and fillers and for pizza fans with specific dietary needs, Blaze Pizza offers gluten-free dough and vegan cheese. The new Oxnard restaurant will also feature a selection of wine and draft beer.

Founded by Elise and Rick Wetzel (co-founder of Wetzel’s Pretzels), the concept is backed by investors including LeBron James, Maria Shriver, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Boston Red Sox co-owner Tom Werner and movie producer John Davis. For more information visit blazepizza.com and facebook.com/blazepizza