VC Star Reports the Thousand Oaks Denny's Closed Its Doors Today

Well it first came to my attention from CVG Facebook friend Steve C. of Newbury Park this afternoon, then confirmed by this VC Star article...effective this morning, the Thousand Oaks Denny's, located at the corner of Moorpark Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard near the 101 freeway, closed today.

Best wishes to former Denny's employees in finding new jobs. There are a number of new restaurants that will soon be opening their doors in town, including DISH, Paul Martin's, Village Burgers, Lure Fish House and Lemonade!

According to the VC Star article, the new owner plans to split the property into three spaces, possibly to include 2 smaller restaurants. We shall see.

The property was originally built in 1973 and includes a 4,084 sq ft building on a 30,927 sq ft lot, according to an online listing on Loopnet. The asking price of this property was $2.9 million.

Well, while we're sad, kind of, to see the loss of this Denny's, there's still another Denny's in the Conejo Valley, in Newbury Park. No worries...don't need to completely give up your local Grand Slam just yet!

From Burrito to Boo! Retail on Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks This Fall

As CVG readers know, the Thousand Oaks El Torito on Moorpark Road served its last burrito on Tuesday, January 24th. Later it was announced that Chick-fil-A may be considering the vacant spot smack dab between Hooters on one side and Five Guys on the other. But...in the meantime...this fall something seasonal is coming to this spot at Moorpark Road.

And in memory to the prior occupant of this space. We miss your margaritas, El Torito!

Char Fasl in Agoura Hills Changed Hands and Became Maral Cuisine in June 2012

A @ConejoJoe Twitter follower asked about Char Fasl House of Kabob at 5843 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills. Simple enough...Char Fasl changed ownership a few months ago and it is now called Maral Cuisine House of Kabob. According to their website at www.maralcuisine.com:

"Fresh healthy food, attentive Persian hospitality and friendly atmosphere.The kabobs include fresh chicken, beef & salmon, which are marinated in a saffron sauce, and cooked on an open broiler. Traditional khoresh dishes (stews) capture the authenticity and slow cooked flavor of Persian Cuisine. Appetizers, salads and rice with the most unique and authentic flavor of Persian cuisine Saffron which enhances the flavor and aroma of all other ingredients used in Persian cuisine. Persian ice-cream, baklava, zoolbia bamieh and tea."

I don't know about you, but this is making me extremely hungry! But WAIT! Check out their website! They have photos of most of their dishes that look great, like these salmon, whitefish, trout and shrimp kabobs.

Their phone number is 818.889.9495.

Paul Martin's American Grill Coming to The Promenade at Westlake

“Eat organic. Believe in sustainable. Buy local. Love fresh.” is the mantra of Paul Martin’s®. This top California restaurant is the long-nurtured dream of restaurateurs Brian Bennett and Paul Fleming.

The restaurant opened its first location in Roseville, California in late 2007 and has expanded to El Segundo and Irvine. Now they are branching out to The Promenade at Westlake here in Westlake Village! "Coming Soon" at this point! So stay tuned.

Paul Martin's will be located at what previously was Chili's that closed its doors in November 2011.

More from the Paul Martin's website at paulmartinsamericanbistro.com:

At the heart of all great food is fresh, local, peak of the season ingredients. Paul Martin’s^® aims to take diners back to the farm with meat raised in a humane and wholesome way, locally sourced organic produce, the best of both wild and farmed fish, artisan cheeses and cured meats from small local purveyors. Brian and Paul spent more than a year handpicking the sources for Paul Martin’s^® menu. The thorough search produced 40 partnerships with thoughtful, local farmstead producers, 80 percent of whom are located in Northern California and with the opening of El Segundo they have developed a great network of local southern California producers as well.

As much as possible, that’s what Paul Martin’s^® aims to deliver, and at accessible prices, with plates priced mostly between $10 and $22. The menu promises such mouthwatering dishes as: Cedar Planked Salmon baked with shallots and bacon, sautéed spinach and crimini mushroom jus; brick chicken from Pitman Family Farms with mashed potatoes and fresh herb jus; and braised lamb shank from nearby Solano County with white beans, artichokes and cipollini onions. The rich and varied menu also encourages sampling and sharing, with an assortment of small plates, a seafood platter with the freshest oysters, shrimp and crab; and over 50 wines offered by the glass.

The restaurant’s focus on local, sustainable and organic extends to the bar, which features seasonal fruit-infused vodkas made in house, an interesting array of local craft beers and a wine list that offers more than 80 bottles of mostly California wines.

Custom Melt Opened in Moorpark in May

In the space previous occupied by Chronic Tacos at 6593 Collins Drive, Suite D in Moorpark (near Moorpark College, making this a nice destination for those visiting the Moorpark College Teaching Zoo), a new eatery called Custom Melt opened in late May 2012.

I like it from the looks of their website as they have 10 different tasty sounding melts on their menu, including a crispy mac and cheese melt, 4 Cheese, Cuban Reuben, Green-Go, Italian Melt, Meat Ball, Smokey Blue, Tuna Twist, Veggie and PB&J. Other interesting sounding offerings includes chili cheese fries, Herbs & Garlic Yucca Fries, Sweet Jalapeño Potato Puffs and other side dishes. They also serve draft beer as well as wine.

Visit www.custommelt.com or call 805.531.1025 to see/hear for yourself.