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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SunLife Organics is now open at The Commons at Calabasas.
SunLife Organics offers organic juices, smoothies, signature superfood drinks, coffee, snacks, supplements, and frozen yogurt, brews Intelligentsia coffee and servse Malibu's only organic frozen yogurt with toppings like chocolate covered goji berries. For more information visit www.sunlifeorganicsmalibu.com.
This doesn't look too appetizing yet but soon this location will be serving up custom-made pizzas, burritos and yogurt for voracious shoppers at the Camarillo Premium Outlets.No word on specific timing at this point, but construction is underway in the parking lot of The Promenade section on the north side of the Camarillo Premium Outlets for a new Chipotle Mexican Grill, previously mentioned PizzaRev "Craft Your Own" Pizza and Yogurtland. I would suspect the target date is in the Fall 2014 time frame.
Chipotle currently has other locations in Newbury Park, Oxnard, Ventura (2), Westlake Village, Simi Valley, Malibu and Santa Barbara (2).
Yogurtland has locations in Westlake Village, Oxnard, Ventura, Simi Valley and Santa Barbara.
Muse Harbor Publishing launches tour for "Everything Ever After: Confessions of a Family Man" - a book based on Michael Picarella’s Southern California-based syndicated family columns.
On Saturday, June 14th, Muse Harbor will host a family fun event to launch their new illustrated humor book, "Everything Ever After: Confessions of a Family Man" by popular columnist Michael Picarella, at Conejo Valley Botanic Garden's Kids' Adventure Garden at 400 West Gainsborough Road, Thousand Oaks from 3-6 p.m. This is a special Saturday public opening of the Kids' Adventure Garden, which is normally only open on Sundays.
Picarella offers witty and often laugh-aloud funny stories about marriage, fatherhood, family and suburban community life in his book.
Picarella will entertain attendees with hilarious and poignant fatherhood excerpts from his book at 4:00 p.m. and will sign copies. Food and refreshments will be provided.
The next stop on the author's book tour is on Tuesday, July 8th, where Picarella will be appearing at another fun book signing event at Mrs. Figs' Bookworm, 93 East Daily Drive in Camarillo from 5-7 p.m. Visit www.mrsfigs.com.
Author Picarella (aka Suburb Man) is an award-winning writer and National Society of Newspaper Columnists member. Since 2006, he has written his column “Family Men Don’t Wear Name Brands,” for The Acorn Newspapers in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. His other column, "Picarella Family Report" for The Signal Newspaper for over two years.
Picarella’s refreshingly clean humor stands out from other humorists in an age where families are often depicted as wisecracking and argumentative. His fans call him “a welcome throwback, a voice out of time.” Writer/Director Gregory Poppin (ESPY Show Awards, My Crazy Life) says, “Michael’s sharp wit collides with the stark reality of trying to be a Cosby husband and father in a ‘Pulp Fiction’ world. I read about his misadventures with pity, until I realized, oh... that’s my life, too.”
"Everything Ever After" is also available online on museharbor.com and M
Thanks to a tip from Anastasia via the CVG Facebook page, then a review of the Elephant Bar Facebook page, followed by confirmation by this Santa Clarita Valley Signal article, we've learned that the Elephant Bar Global Grill/Wok Kitchen in Simi Valley (as well as locations in Northridge, Valencia and Burbank) will be closing this Thursday.
The Simi Valley Elephant Bar is (soon to be was) located at 1825 Madera Road.
Elephant Bar was founded in 1980 and has locations in nine states. The closure appears to be part of an effort to close down underperforming locations.
UPDATE 10/29/14: Last week, N'Awlinz 805 Grill opened at Centennial Plaza, the former home of N'Awlinz Bistro. Same cajun style food with some menu and concept changes1
I was shocked to see the news on the N'Awlinz Bistro Facebook page today: "We regretfully announce that Sunday, June 8th will be the last day of service for NAWLINZ Bistro and will remain closed until further notice. We thank you for your patronage over the last 8 months and hope to see you soon in one of our future endeavors. Please feel free to leave your comments. -Chef Marcus Webster."
N'Awlinz Bistro first opened its doors here in the Conejo Valley in Newbury Park location in February 2012, then closed its doors there in December 2013 to focus its efforts on its Oxnard location, which opened to the public in September 2013. The Newbury Park location on Kimber Drive now serves as a catering-only location. Note: Please invite me to your event if you plan to use N'Awlinz Bistro as your caterer. YUM!
To contact Chef Webster and his team regarding catering, visit nawlinzbistro.com or call 805.499.7400 or 805.368.5677 or chefmarcus@nawlinzbistro.com.
The County of Ventura Environmental Health Division protect 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 closures were noted in May 2014. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.
Spinnaker Steak & Seafood, 1583 Spinnaker Dr. #109, Ventura;
Unsanitary conditions, inadequate refrigeration;
Date closed - 05/28/14; Date reopened - 05/29/14
New Asia Market, 3823 Saviers Road, Oxnard;
Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 05/23/14; Date reopened - 05/24/14
Neighborhood Market, 602 N. 12th Street, Santa Paula
(meat section only)
602 N. 12 Street, Santa Paula;
Inoperable warewashing sink as a result of clogged drain lines;
Date closed - 05/21/14; Date reopened - 05/22/14
Baja Bay Surf & Taco, 1567 Spinnaker Dr., #104, Ventura;
No hot water available for utensil washing or hand washing;
Date closed - 05/15/14; Date reopened - 05/16/14
Las Delicias Taqueria, 2611 E. Thompson Blvd #101, Ventura;
No hot water available for utensil washing or hand washing;
Date closed - 05/12/14; Date reopened - 05/13/14;
El Sancho Loco, 2271 Michael Drive, Newbury Park;
Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 05/08/14; Date reopened - 05/09/14
OMG Hot Dogs, mobile food facility - license plate # 4KW4537;
No water available for washing of hands, operating beyond the limitations of the permit;
Date closed - 05/01/14; Date reopened - 05/01/14
Las Sirenas Bar & Grill, 2091 N. Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard;
Serious and repeated violations of the Health and Safety Code;
Date closed - 05/01/14; Date reopened - 05/02/14
Well Caltrans must have been contacted because the new sign gives us no reason to laugh any longer. Agoura Hills is back! At least for the next 4 exits.
As indicated earlier this year, the owners of Sesame Inn in Newbury Park have opened another restaurant, Sesame Garden Chinese Cuisine, in the Camarillo Plaza, located at 1775 E Daily Drive, Suite G. This space is next to Hobby People to the right and Revolution Surf and Cafe India on the other side. Their phone is 805.
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, an innovator in the upscale casual dining sector known for its from-scratch kitchens and community-focused philanthropy, will be setting down roots in Oxnard with its Grand Opening at The Collection in Oxnard on Thursday, June 12th.
This will be the second outpost of the family-run restaurant in Ventura County, which also houses a sister restaurant at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks.
To commemorate its arrival in Oxnard, Lazy Dog will host a pre-opening fundraiser with proceeds from its invite-only mock-run events in the days leading up to the Grand Opening benefiting the Oxnard Scholars After School Program. The non-profit organization was founded to align with California's After School Education and Safety's (ASES) grant program to use after school programs to close the achievement gap by providing children with opportunities to develop skills, competency, and efficacy in an environment that values children and a love of learning. Through the programming at Oxnard Scholars, students are able to participate in after school activities that expand their regular learning day, including trips to UCLA, an Impression Art Gala Event and Family Math & Literacy Nights. The organization serves 17 elementary schools and 3 intermediate schools in the Oxnard School District, providing support to more than 2,000 children a day.
After the restaurant officially opens on Thursday, June 12th at 5 p.m., families, dog-owners and craft beer aficionados can enjoy an al fresco meal on the pooch-friendly patio, a brew at the bar during Happy Hour or a leisurely meal with friends. Executive Chef Gabe Caliendo's menu seamlessly blends modern, globally-inspired flavors with comforting and craveable classics. All dishes, from the Spicy Moroccan Chicken and Cous Cous to the restaurant's new summertime favorite Ceviche Tostadas to the soulful Baja California Burger and Black and Bleu Pizza are thoughtfully composed in Lazy Dog's from-scratch kitchen with fresh, whole ingredients.
For diners looking to lighten up for the warmer months ahead, Chef Caliendo's wholesome “Nutritious & Delicious” menu offers selections like the newly unveiled Chimichurri Mahi Mahi, Lemon Caper Pasta and Ahi Nicoise Salad that each clock in at 650 calories or less. Kids will also be at home with “The Puppy Dog Menu” with options including the signature Build-Your-Own Pizza and healthful snacks like Steamed Edamame and Sliced Apples to round out their meal. To finish on a sweet note, families and friends will delight in the restaurant's shareable desserts, including the insta-favorite homemade Butter Cake and Strawberry Cheesecake Jar - a perfect complement to the summer season.
On the weekends, locals can catch sporting events on one of the nine flat screen TVs outfitting the bar and patio, while enjoying brunch sweets and savories including the Wild Blueberry Pancakes & Maple Bacon Butter, and Country Chicken & Biscuit, thoughtfully composed with crispy fried chicken, scratch-made chicken sausage, two sunny side up eggs, and a housemade buttermilk biscuit. Daytime libations include Lazy Dog's housemade Hair of the Dog Bloody Mary and Sangria Samplers, along with Mimosas and Bellinis.
Equal attention is paid to Lazy Dog's full beverage program that includes unique and approachable specialty cocktails like their Seasonal Peaches & Moonshine Mason Jar, "Straight Up Martinis" like the Cucumber & Mint, and "Clean Cocktails" that feature low calorie offerings made with all natural ingredients like the Coconut Mojito. A wide selection of craft beers including suds from local breweries Tap it Brewing in San Luis Obispo, Barrelworks in Buellton, Surf Brewery in Ventura, and Telegraph Brewing in Santa Barbara reflect Simms' and home-brewer Chef Caliendo's shared passion for craft beer. The restaurant's expansive bar will be equipped with 30 beers on tap, including a signature IPA, Hefeweizen and Pale Ale brewed in collaboration with LA favorite Golden Road Brewing, as well as approximately 20 hand-selected beers by the bottle.
The design of the 7,833 square-foot restaurant, built from the ground-up to recall the aesthetic of the Rocky Mountains where the Simms spend part of every year, invites guests in with warm accents like cozy fireplaces and a chandelier crafted from Aspen logs. The generous use of real ledge stone, and fabric- and leather-lined booths and chairs featuring rich hues of chocolate and rust further accentuate the welcoming, lodge-like atmosphere that inspired the restaurant's founding in 2003.
The adjacent 2,147 square-foot patio offers ample seating and fire pits where dogs can cozy up with their owners and enjoy bites from a "Dog Menu" featuring wholesome brown rice and grilled chicken breast or hamburger.
The restaurant, which has generated 200 jobs for locals in the area, is located at 498 Town Center Drive, Oxnard at The Collection at RiverPark (you can't miss it...quite visible from the 101 Freeway!).
Hours will be 11 am – 12 am, Monday – Saturday and 10 am – 12 am on Sundays. Brunch will be available until 2 pm on weekends and Happy Hour will be from 3 pm – 6 pm, Monday – Friday and again from 9 pm until 12 am, Sunday – Thursday. For locations and more information, visit www.lazydogrestaurants.com.
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
