Little Calf Creamery and Cafe to Open 2nd Conejo Valley Location this September in Westlake Village

Future 2nd location of Little Calf Creamery and Cafe at the Northgate Place in Westlake Village.

Well this was extremely exciting news for local folks on social media this morning - Little Calf Creamery and Cafe announced via its Facebook page that it has signed a lease at the Northgate Plaza in Westlake Village (southwest corner of Westlake and Thousand Oaks Boulevards) to open a second location in the late summer time frame - target date late September. It will be located in the space between Blaze Pizza and The Habit Burger (in the space previously occupied by Famous Dave’s years ago).

The original Little Calf Creamery and Cafe continues to operate at 652 East Janss Road (at Moorpark Road) in the Conejo Valley Plaza. It opened its doors at the former Greenhouse Cafe on October 18, 2015.

Little Calf Creamery and Cafe serves artisan ice cream, sorbets and delicious salads, sandwiches, soups and burgers. Ice cream is made on premises in small batches, with over 15 year-round and seasonal flavors.

Visit www.littlecalfcreamery.com for more info.

Namaste Spiceland Is, or at Least Was, a Hidden Vegetarian Gem in Thousand Oaks

Namaste Spiceland Indian Grocery Store and Vegetarian Indian Cuisine relocated to its new, larger, standalone location this past February at 821 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks (cross street Houston Drive, a block west of the SR23). Take the Rancho offramp from the 101 and turn left on T.O. Blvd.

Namaste Spiceland is no longer a “hidden” gem as it is so clearly visible to the community now compared to its former location in the Palm Plaza. You cannot and should not miss Namaste Spiceland now as they offer such a delicious, nutritious and quite reasonably priced assortment of Indian specialties.

Namaste is an Indian grocery store specializing in vegetarian/vegan items. Quite an interesting assortment of things you would never find at an Albertson’s or Ralph’s!

But the big draw for many, like me, is their fast casual vegetarian Indian cuisine. While I haven’t mastered the names of the items or know what they mean when I attempt to pronounce them, I come prepared to point at the items that I want. Or just ask.

And on the “or just ask” note, on the moderately busy Saturday that I visited, I felt a casual, family-like vibe that was so relaxing. Very nice folks here, more than willing to answer questions with a smile. Adding to that feeling was the fact that after we ordered, we were told we could pay after we ate. Quite a trusting, relaxed feel. So nice to see.

So in any case, there are combo plates that are very much a bargain - ek, do and te3n - which I’m assuming mean 1, 2 and 3. For $7.49, ek includes two vegetable dishes, basmati rice, chapati or puri, pickle, onion and raita. For a dollar more, “do” includes a samosa.

“What’s a samosa?” I asked the girl in line in front of us. Kind of a baked pastry with potato, peas, onion, lentil and other items inside of it. We did try it and it was delicious, along with the other items squash and lentil dish, potatoes, chana and other items. Nice assortment of items. There was so much food on my plate I couldn’t finish it!

A CVG Instagram acquaintance, Nilofer, told me to try the Hot Chai. When I saw the prices, I thought, these must be tiny cups…$1.25 for a small, $2 for a large. How could that be? I pay $4 to $5 for Hot Chai at Starbucks and Coffee Bean. The $2 Hot Chai was basically the deal of the century! Tasted great and easy on the wallet!

Namaste Spiceland is open daily from 10am to 9pm. Visit www.namastespicelandthousandoaks.com or call 805.373.6761.

How cool is this outdoor covered eating area at Namaste Spiceland!

Westlake Brewing & Libations Closed Its Doors This Month

Westlake Brewing & Libations, which opened its small volume brewery in early 2016 at 31111 Via Colinas #200, Westlake Village, announced that it closed its doors this month. This is an unfortunate bit of news as this was one of the first microbreweries operating here in the Conejo Valley.

CRAFT BREWERIES AND TASTING ROOMS IN VENTURA COUNTY

Huarache Xpress at the Simi Valley Town Center

Huarache Xpress opened at east end of the Simi Valley Town Center in March. A huarache (pronounced WAR-A-CHAY) is large, thick, handmade corn tortilla with beans inside, topped with things like onions, lettuce, meat (carne asada, chicken, carnitas, al pastor, chorizo, etc.), cheese, avocado, sour cream and more. Other specialties include quesadilla, burritos, tacos, enchiladas and more.

Visit www.facebook.com/HuaracheXpress or call 805.422.8858.

Surf Boba Opened Last Weekend at the Simi Valley Town Center

Surf Boba opened this past weekend at the Simi Valley Town Center in the former home of Jamba Juice (n the east end of the mall, across from Coconut Crab and California Pizza Kitchen), offering smoothies, frappes, milk teas, blends, wraps, sandwiches, salads and more. Learn more at surfboba.com.

SpireWorks Modern Döner in Westlake Village Has Closed Its Doors

Nessa M gave us the heads up viia the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook page that SpireWorks Modern Döner at the Westlake Plaza in Westlake Village has closed its doors. SpireWorks opened in July 2018.

Prior occupants of this space next to La Pain Quotidien have included Big Fish Poke and Ice Cream Lab since March 2015.

What’s next? We shall see.

Westlake Village Trolley to Run Fri/Sat Nights From May 24, 2019 through Labor Day Weekend

The Westlake Village Trolley is back in service. The free Trolley returns on Friday, May 24, 2019 and will operate on Friday and Saturday nights through Labor Day weekend. The Trolley begins its run at Westlake Village City Hall at 3:00 pm and concludes each night at 10:00 pm. With stops at all major retail centers, including the Shoppes at Westlake Village, hotels, and neighborhoods, the Village Trolley is a great way to get around town.

Free, live entertainment on board the Trolley from 6-8pm only enhances the experience!

Riding the Village Trolley is easy. Simply hop on at one of 16 stops and hop off whenever you want. The Trolley is outfitted with a GPS locator device allowing riders to use their smartphone to track the trolley’s progress. The Trolley is not just transportation; it is a mobile City event perfect for residents and visitors of all ages. Check the City website for the up-to-date entertainment schedule. The Village Trolley is the smart and safe way to get to your favorite restaurant, park, or City special event. The Trolley rolls to Berniece Bennett Park for the three concerts in the park and the movie night this summer.

For more information, including locations of all Trolley stops, visit www.wlv.org/villagetrolley.

25th Anniversary Ventura Music Festival Lineup Announced for July 2019

VENTURA MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES SILVER ANNIVERSARY LINEUP

25th Annual Festival to Feature World-Class Artists, including The Summit: Manhattan Transfer meets Take 6, Ranky Tanky, Calidore String Quartet and more this summer

Each year, the Ventura Music Festival fills venues across the city with top-tier music for two weekends of multi-genre music, dance performances and world-class culture. This summer, the festival is returning with a lineup that promises to be bigger and better than ever. Headlined by the one and only The Summit: Manhattan Transfer meets Take 6 with support by world class acts such as classical guitar virtuoso Christopher Parkening with extraordinary baritone Jubilant Sykes, the thrilling Rastrelli Cello Quartet and many others, the festival has something for every musical taste.

In the hands of renowned conductor and Ventura Music Festival Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta, the 2019 musical lineup consists of:

7/12: Festival headliners and acclaimed vocal groups are The Summit: The Manhattan Transfer meets Take 6 as the renowned groups join forces to wow audiences at the Oxnard PACC

7/13: Celebrated guitarist Christopher Parkening joins renowned baritone Jubilant Sykes in a recital ranging from classical and jazz to American spirituals at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center

7/14: Calidore String Quartet brings “synergistic brilliance and ferocious commitment” to the Ventura College Performing Arts Center

7/19: Youth jazz pianist star-on-the-rise and “brightest light” Joey Alexander at the Ventura College Performing Arts center

7/20: Ranky Tanky brings Gullah culture and “soulful honey for the ears” through a prism of African, gospel and R&B music at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center

7/21: Rastrelli Cello Quartet’s “simply infectious” musical sizzle at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center

Additionally, the festival will host a “Tea & Trumpets” at the Ventura Pierpont Inn, where guests will enjoy a four-course English tea with the Festival Brass Quintet’s hallmark wit, humor and fanfare on 7/11, as well as a free public concert with high octane Latin guitar ensemble Incendio at Mission Park in Ventura on 7/18. For times, updates and more details in the coming months, follow the festival on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The 25th annual Ventura Music Festival will take place on July 11-14 and July 18-21, 2019 at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center, located at 4700 Loma Vista Road, Ventura unless otherwise noted above. Tickets will range in price from $25-$50 (special student rates excepted) and will be available for purchase in April.

For more information please visit www.venturamusicfestival.org or call (805) 648-3146.

For those who can’t wait until July, VMF’s silver anniversary celebration is starting sooner than ever: lauded piano duo Anderson & Roe played at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center on February 9th. On May 10th, Lithuanian “rock stars of chamber music” NICO (New Ideas Chamber Orchestra) will be lighting up the VCPAC’s stage. Tickets for both events are on-sale now.

ABOUT VENTURA MUSIC FESTIVAL:
Since 1994, the mission of the Ventura Music Festival has been to bring world-class music to the community, foster audience-artist relationships, and enhance the joy of music through diverse programs for all ages. VMF seeks to create an inclusive, welcoming environment in which people both see and hear themselves reflected in the music.