Dong Ting Spring Restaurant Now Open at Thousand Oaks Marketplace

Chinese eatery Dong Ting Spring recently opened at the Walmart Neighborhood Market plaza (officially called the Thousand Oaks Marketplace) at 520 N. Ventu Park Road, next to Jimmy John's and near the soon to be opening Habanero Mexican Grill.

Ding Tong Spring offers what appears to be a delicious assortment of authentic Chinese dishes like Wild Chili Beef, Crispy Chicken with Red Pepper, Walnut Shrimp and many more interesting sounding options. No website to my knowledge. Call them at 805-262-0888.

AMC Theatres Completed Purchase of Carmike Cinemas on December 20, 2016

Muvico Theatre as seen from Tarantula Hill on a cloudy, rainy day in February 2017.

Muvico Theatre as seen from Tarantula Hill on a cloudy, rainy day in February 2017.

Carmike Stockholders approved a merger agreement with AMC Theatres on November 15, 2016 and the merger was completed on December 20, 2016.

Before the merger, Carmike operated 271 theatres with 2,923 screens in 41 states, with a focus on mid-sized communities.

Muvico Theatres was purchased by Carmike in November 2013 but continued to operate our local Muvico Theatre under its original name. Muvico premiered at the Oaks Mall on February 27, 2009. So we are talking three different owners in less than eight years!

No word yet on if AMC will maintain the Muvico brand.

AMC is the largest movie exhibition company in the world, with approximately 636 theatres and 7,623 screens worldwide, including the largest cinema operator in Europe, Odeon Cinemas Group. AMC indicates it has the #1 or #2 market share positions in 21 of the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the United States, including the top three markets (NY, LA, Chicago). AMC, through its Odeon subsidiary, operates in seven European countries and is the No. 1 theatre chain in the UK & Ireland, Italy and Spain.

In a January 30, 2017 press release, AMC previewed preliminary 2016 results of revenue in the $3.2 billion range and net earnings in the range of $112 million to $120 million. It will release complete financial results after the market closes on February 28th.

Teko's Brazilian Grill Now Open at North Ranch Gateway in Westlake Village

UPDATE: Teko’s Brazilian Grill closed in late 2017.

Update 2/5/17: Teko's Brazilian Grill opened a couple of weeks ago. Their phone is 818.532.7710. Their menu includes a salad bar, hot dishes and Churrasco BBQ. The food is priced by the pound; $8.95/lb for the salad bar and/or hot dishes; $10.25/lb for salad bar, hot dishes and Churrasco and $15.95/lb for Churrasco BBQ only. Visit tekosbraziliangrill.com.

Original Post: 11/19/16

Looks like a Teko's Brazilian Grill is planning on opening in the North Ranch Gateway at 30869 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, across the parking lot from the soon to open Dunkin' Donuts and next to Domino's Pizza.

No other information at this point, so stay tuned.

County of Ventura Food Facility Closures in January 2017

The County of Ventura Environmental Health Division (EHD) protects 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 facility closures were noted in January 2017. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

Carniceria Mexicana El Rio, 2651 Vineyard Avenue, Oxnard;

No hot water for hand washing and utensil washing, failure to adhere to a compliance agreement;

Date closed - 01/31/17; No reopen date

El Taco De Mexico, 1590 E. Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 01/30/17; Date reopened - 01/31/17

Nature's Blend, 535 El Roblar Drive, Ojai;

No hot water for hand washing and utensil washing;

Date closed - 01/26/17; No reopen date

Best Western, 1775 Madera Road, Simi Valley;

Bar and Restaurant: No hot water for utensil cleaning or hand washing;
Date closed - 01/23/17; Date reopened - 01/24/17

Elks Lodge, 158 Conejo School Road, Thousand Oaks;

Unsanitary conditions due to leak in kitchen ceiling;

Date closed - 01/20/17; Date reopened - 01/26/17

Pookie's Thai Westlake, 900 Hampshire Road, Westlake Village;

Rodent infestation, sewage overflowing within the facility, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 01/19/17; Date reopened - 01/20/17

La Fuente Restaurant, 107 E. El Roblar Drive, Meiners Oaks;

Cockroach infestation;

Date closed - 01/18/17; Date reopened - 01/23/17

City Buffet, 1600 Ives Avenue, Oxnard;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 01/13/17; Date reopened- 01/17/17

Rice Thai, 387 E. Main Street, Ventura;

Cockroach & rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions, failure to adhere to a compliance agreement;

Date closed - 01/11/17; Date reopened - 01/13/17

El Tenampa, 1325 S. Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard;

No permit to operate, plans not submitted;

Date closed - 01/05/17; Date opened - 01/27/17

Subway, 2121 E. Harbor Blvd, Ventura;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 01/05/17; Date reopened - 01/06/17

Chinaland, 543 S. Ventura Road, Oxnard;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 01/04/17; Date reopened - 01/05/17

Olio e Limone Ristorante and Olio Pizzeria in Westlake Village Shut Their Doors Today

Heard a tip from Ricky K via the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook page tonight that Olio e Limone Ristorante and Olio Pizzeria at The Shoppes at Westlake closed their doors today. This was confirmed by a phone call to the original Olio restaurant in Santa Barbara. These restaurants opened in the summer of 2015.

Learn more about the Santa Barbara Olio eateries at www.olioelimone.com and www.oliopizzeria.com

Taj Express Indian Cuisine Opening Soon to North Ranch Plaza in Westlake Village

UPDATE: Taj Express opened in February 2017 but subsequently closed in the October 2017 time frame. That didn't last long!

Amelia S noted to us via the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page that the former Jinky's Chili Cafe at the North Ranch Plaza, 3825 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Westlake Village, has a sign that says Taj Express Indian Cuisine is coming soon to this location. Located between Jersey Mike's and Dickey's BBQ Pit. Stay tuned.

Westlake Cyclery Has Closed Its Doors

Photo credit: Amelia S. via CVG Facebook Page

Photo credit: Amelia S. via CVG Facebook Page

Westlake Cyclery, located in the North Ranch Mall in Westlake Village, has closed its doors. Here is the message on its Facebook page yesterday: 

"It's with a heavy heart we say Thank You to everyone that has supported us over the last 40 years. Retail has become an ever challenging environment and has taken its toll on us. We have had a blast to the very end. THANK YOU for all the amazing memories!

Sincerely
Westlake Cyclery family and staff"

www.westlakecyclery.com

Parma Pizzeria Napoletana Now Open in Thousand Oaks

Final Update 1/27/17: Parma Pizzeria is in "soft opening" mode effective two days ago, with limited pizza offerings, but expanding for its grand opening in about 10 days. Offering delicious, mouth-watering Detroit-style pizza!

Update 12/30/16: Parma Pizzeria Napoletana indicated on November 18th on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/parmapizzeria that it nearing completion of the pizzeria.

Original Post 6/5/16: There's a "coming soon" sign out at 796 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks for a new eatery, Parma Pizzeria Napoletana

The domain name for Parma Pizzeria Napoletana at parmapizzerianapoletana.com is not functional yet and a Facebook page could not be found. However, a little searching around took me to a May 1, 2016 article in Bass Musician magazine, an interview with bassist Mick Mahan. Mahan has played, toured and recorded with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo since 1994 and has played with countless other artists over the years.

But in that article, when asked what's going on now, Mick indicated in addition to going on a Pat Benatar summer tour, "after many years of research and planning, I'm finally realizing a dream of mine this year and opening a pizzeria called 'Parma Pizzeria Napoletana."

Stay tuned...