Casa Escobedo Opened Last Month in Agoura Hills

Update: Casa Escobedo closed sometime in the Fall of 2016. Well that didn't last long! 

Casa Escobedo opened last month in the former home of The Rabbit Hole Cafe at 30615 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Unit H in Agoura Hills. This is a family-owned restaurant serving up traditional Mexican food like burritos, tacos, enchiladas, carne asada, chilaquiles, fajitas, tostadas, tortas and more.

Oh yah...and I see they serve tamales (shredded chicken, jalapeno and cheese and sweet tamal) on weekends only, as well as menudo for the more hard-core.  No website or Facebook page at this point but you can call them at 818.889.1103. Open 9am to 9pm daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Freebirds World Burrito Has Closed Its Agoura Hills Location

Photo from Freebirds

We have learned from Tony S via the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page that Freebirds World Burrito in Agoura Hills has closed its doors. It follows the footsteps of Freebirds World Burrito locations in Ventura and Simi Valley that closed over a year ago. All three locations opened in 2011.

If you are still having cravings for Freebirds, the closest location is now in Granada Hills.

Rabbit Hole Cafe in Agoura HIlls Closed on November 25, 2015

I went to the Rabbit Hole Cafe in Agoura Hills last September but was surprised to hear from Laura Y via the CVG Facebook Page today that the Rabbit Hole Cafe announced on November 10th last year that after four years they would be closing their doors on November 25th.

The owners also announced that they recently launched Rabbit Hole Foods, a line of vegan and gluten-free items. They hope to make these food, sauces and frozen items available via the Web and distributors as well as at community and catering events.

rabbitholefoods.com

El Pollo Loco in Agoura Hills Celebrates Grand Re-Opening on Thursday, December 3rd

The El Pollo Loco at 5050 Kanan Road (at Roadside Drive), Agoura Hills has been closed for over a year after an electrical fire caused severe damage to the building.  But the location is re-opening on Thursday, December 3rd and will be celebrating with a ribbon cutting ceremony and fundraiser from 4:30pm to 9pm, when 100% of sales will be donated to the Los Angeles County Fire Department - Emergency Operations.

Updates at www.facebook.com/ElPolloLocoAgouraHills.

2015 Fit 4 The Cause Miracle of Movement Gala on September 19th Was a Smashing Success

Fit 4 The Cause, a local non-profit that combines social media-fueled flash mobs with fitness education and philanthropic giving, received its 501(c)(3) status a year ago just 90 days after filing with the IRS. 

Founded by PR expert and ACE certified Fitness Pro Cindy Rakowitz, Fit 4 The Cause continued pushing the limits over the last 12 months, culminating in a packed house at the its inaugural Miracle of Movement Gala at the Sheraton Agoura Hills.

Cindy Rakowitz along with "The Duo" - Honoree Sourena Vasseghi and Chris Stevenson

What a great event!  Led by Fox Sport Radio talk show host Tomm Looney, this gala was entertaining and inspirational.

The theme of the night was "Smashing Obstacles." Honorees celebrated for smashing personal obstacles were Lisa Roub, who received the 2015 Advocacy Award and Sourena Vasseghi, recipient of the 2015 Inspiration Award.

Roub learned in April 2014 that she had breast cancer at the age of 40. After much research she opted to have a bilateral mastectomy. After the surgery, she was told that the cancer spread to her lymph nodes and would necessitate four rounds of chemotherapy. The thought of losing her hair was now a concern. But she discovered a new treatment, Penguin Cold Caps, that prevents hair loss by freezing the scalp to 40 degrees below zero on chemo days, protecting the follicles and minimizing hair loss. Roub has been cancer-free for nearly a year. She was honored for sharing her experiences with others in need of support and advice. 

Miracle of Movement Gala Honorees, Sourena Vasseghi and Lisa Roub

Vasseghi is an award-winning author and inspirational speaker who suffers from severe cerebral palsy. Although he has limited motor skills and a significant speech impediment, he is an award-winning author and inspirational speaker. But since he can't really speak to an audience, he has partnered with "interpreter" Chris Stevenson of Stevenson Fitness in Oak Park. The duo had us both laughing and crying as they took us through some of the challenges Vasseghi faces in life and how we all can learn from them. Vasseghi is an Agoura Hills resident and is married with two kids. You have to meet this guy. Learn more at sourenav.com.

We also enjoyed a conversation with NFL linebacker Brady Poppinga at the Gala. Poppinga shared thoughts on commitment and returning from injury over the course of his career. After playing at BYU, he was drafted in 2005 by the Green Bay Packers, where he played six years, then the St. Louis Rams and Dallas Cowboys. 

Two thumbs up to all of the great sponsors for this event that made it happen, with a shout-out to Champion Level sponsors Edison International, Humana/Brian Sullivan and the Law Offices of Friedman & Bartoumian.

The team from Champion Level sponsor, Law Offices of Friedman & Bartoumian 

Water Wings Swim School Opening Soon at the Agoura Hills Town Center

Water Wings Swim School is opening very soon at the Agoura Hills Town Center, 30135 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, directly across from Future Track Running Center.  Nearly four years ago, this was Terri's Cafe.  FOLLOW-UP: They opened in August!

Water Wings is a year round swim school founded in 2003 with locations in Las Vegas and Northridge...and soon, Agoura Hills. I was shocked when I discovered this today. Quite a massive, heated pool completely full of water. Water wings provides private and group lessons to children and adults of all ages, starting at 3 months.

For more information, visit www.waterwingsswimschool.com or visit the Water Wings Agoura Hills Facebook page at www.facebook.com/waterwingsah. They are also currently hiring for this new location.

Simply Fish Grill in Agoura Opened in April

Update: Simply Fish Grill closed in January 2019. Its new tenant will be the Cuckoo Rooster, serving up hot fried chicken and wings.

Simply Fish Grill at 5653 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills a few months ago. It is located next to the Italia Deli. Serves up fresh fish including salmon, mahi mahi, tilapia, mussels and more. No website or phone number handy but their Facebook page is www.facebook.com/pages/Simply-Fish-Grill-Casual-Eatery/984214264936127.

Twisted Oak Tavern Gastropub and Brewery in Agoura Hills

Twisted Oak Tavern is a new Agoura Hills gastropub and brewery that offers guests a fresh twist on the classic tavern concept

Jointly conceived by managing partner Jeff Walker and partner and head brewmaster Roger Bott, the tavern features creative California cuisine made almost entirely from scratch using locally-sourced ingredients; a broad selection of popular domestic, imported, and craft beer to accompany the tavern’s in-house brews produced on site under The LAB Brewing Company brand; a robust wine list highlighted by award-winning vintages from prominent regional wineries; and one-of-a-kind, artisan cocktails made with fresh, locally-grown citrus juices, premium spirits, and house-made ginger beer, tonic water, and cold-brewed coffee on nitrogen.

Designed by Executive Chef Jon Peloso, Twisted Oak Tavern’s menu offers an original, inspired, and highly-innovative array of flavorful starters, salads, sandwiches, flatbreads, burgers, vegetables, entrées, and desserts — nearly all prepared from scratch using fresh, locally-produced, farm-to-table seasonal ingredients.

With over 20 years of professional experience in the culinary arts, Chef Peloso oversees a scratch kitchen in which most menu items and their various components are created on the premises from the ground up:  from tangy dipping sauces, salad dressings, sandwich spreads, and aiolis, and baked-daily tortillas and flatbreads, to the house-ground burgers fashioned from a blend of Angus chuck, short ribs, and pancetta and the tavern’s delectable desserts.

Located just off the 101 Freeway at 30105 Agoura Road in Agoura Hills (just east of Reyes Adobe), Twisted Oak Tavern is open seven days a week, including most holidays, for lunch, happy hour, dinner, and late-night dining and cocktails. For more information, please visit www.twistedoaktavern.pub.

The Lab in Agoura Hills to Be Re-Opened as Twisted Oak Tavern in Late January

Update 1/26/15: Twisted Oak Tavern has been open this week with a "sneak peak" menu until its full menu is introduced sometime next month!

The Lab Brewing Company in Agoura Hills announced on December 20th that it was temporarily closing its doors for a remodel, new design and concept. Recently the owners announced that the name of their new gastropub and in-house brewery is the Twisted Oak Tavern.

They are anticipating a late January grand re-opening date and have posted photos on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TwistedOakTavern. They have relocated their beer tanks to a more visible location, installed 100 year barn wood on the walls and are replacing the booths.

Owners are calling the Twisted Oak Tavern a "fresh twist on a classic tavern. 30 beers on tap featuring our in-house brewery: LAB Brewing Co, cold brew coffee on-nitro and craft cocktails served with elevated pub cuisine."

The grand opening is indeed coming soon...they announced that blues singer and guitarist Preston Smith will lead off the live music schedule on Friday, February 6th at 10pm.

Located at 30105 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills in the Agoura Hills Town Center, across the street from the Sheraton. Visit www.twistedoaktavern.pub or follow their Facebook page for updates.

The Lab originally opened on 11/1/11 after owners decided to change the previous concept...MOZ Buddha Lounge, which was closed on 5/14/11. Neat to see owners willing to change it up every few years to keep its customers on their toes!