Islands Restaurant "Gets It" When it Comes to Kids

I've had an Islands "Gremmie menu for surfers 12 and under" on my desk for 2 months as a reminder I wanted to write about this place.  Note that I had to look up what "Gremmie" is and according to Urban Dictionary means a "young or inexperienced surfer, especially one whose behavior is objectionable." The latter part of that definition aptly describes my 4 year old.

But I digress. We never go wrong at Islands. We being me and da boyz. The kids absolutely love the food at Islands and I appreciate the fact that it is priced right.  As of February 2010 most kids' meals are $4.99 (including hamburger, grilled cheese, quesadilla, hot dog and mac & cheese). The crispy chicken tenders are $5.99.

Each kids meal comes with a drink and fries. But the fries can be substituted with carrots AND applesauce, which I think is OUTSTANDING that they offer up this healthy alternative!  If the kids want fries, they share some of mine...the serving is HUGE!

To top that off, they offer up a $1.29 "jr. sundae" with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream and a cherry.  Once again, Islands NAILS it because not only the price is right, but the serving portion is right!  Not too much, which I think is great.

Even the kids menu activities are perfect for the kids. My 7 year old enjoys the puzzles and word search games while the 4 year old busys himself smashing and gnashing his crayons the menu (and intermittently on the table).

Other than the great, cold, refreshing draft beer and the decent margaritas, I've tried and thoroughly enjoyed Islands' burgers (tried the Hawaiian burger with pineapple, terriyaki sauce and swiss and it was delish), definitely the excellent fries and the bottomless tortilla soup. I tried the fish tacos once and for whatever reason didn't like those as much (probably because while my head told me order the fish, my gut was telling me to go with the burger...note to self...go with the GUT).

There are currently 3 Islands in Ventura County:

Newbury Park, 935 Broadbeck Drive (Near Home Depot/Target) (805.498.7481)

Agoura Hills, 29271 Agoura Road (at Kanan) (818.879.8550)

Simi Valley, 1212 Simi Town Center Way (805.577.0693).

Visit the Islands website at www.islandsrestaurants.com for more information and a menu.

The Natural Cafe - Newbury Park and Westlake Village

Several years ago I worked in downtown Ventura, where at least two times each week I would dine at The Natural Cafe on Main Street.  I could always count on healthy food that tasted good there.  This is no longer The Natural Cafe.

Then I changed jobs and worked in Westlake Village, where, lo and behold, there is another The Natural Cafe at 968 South Westlake Boulevard in the strip mall between Townsgate and Agoura Road.  I dined there periodically also.  Different crowd for sure than the more bohemian feeling Ventura location but the food is always consistent.  Phone is 805.449.0099.

The newest local The Natural Cafe is in Newbury Park at 1714 Newbury Road (805.498.0493) above Road Runner Sports.  I have been there a number of times and have not been disappointed.  The soups are always great and boy, if you want to feel like you are putting Premium Unleaded into your body, ya gotta go there!  Healthy stuff.  And tasty.  My kids don't seem to like the food there though.  Must be too healthy for their young chicken nugget leaning taste buds.  Recently I met a friend there and we both thoroughly enjoyed  the grilled cheese sandwiches and cream of asparagus soup at lunch.  Surprisingly good rendition of a basic grilled cheese sandwich.

An update (8/8/10): I visited TNC yesterday with a friend and ordered the daily special...a BBQ chicken salad with red pepper soup and bread. My friend ordered a sandwich. We both noted that everything was outstanding. The huge piece of bread was so moist and delicious it was almost like eating cake, the soup had an excellent taste and the salad was tasty to the last bite. These guys really NAIL making healthy food that TASTES GOOD!

Visit www.thenaturalcafe.com for a menu, more locations and other info.  Other local locations include 840 New Los Angeles Avenue, #A-2, Moorpark (805,.522.2016) and 2667 Tapo Canyon Road, Unit G, Simi Valley (805.527.2272).