Yard House in the Works in Thousand Oaks

A new Yard House location is moving through the City review process in Thousand Oaks. Located across the parking lot from Dave & Buster’s and Nordstrom Rack, the proposal would demolish the existing two‑story office building at The Collection at Janss (Hillcrest & Wilbur) and replace it with a new restaurant featuring outdoor dining, a beer garden, and updated parking. The permit was filed May 19 and is currently under review.

This would be the second Ventura County Yard House location; the first opened at The Collection at RiverPark in July 2013.www.yardhouse.com

As mentioned last fall, the City is also reviewing a separate proposal for a 1,025 sq. ft. Dutch Bros Coffee drive‑through on a 0.9‑acre pad at the corner of Hillcrest Drive and Conejo Blvd., on the same property.

The site plan also shows a future K9 Resorts Luxury Hotel on the upper level. We’ll stay tuned for future pupdates.

Sweets Cafe & Bakery in Thousand Oaks Opening Soon

Sweets Cafe & Bakery will be opening soon at 2444 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks (adjacent to Bo’s House of Omelettes).

The cafe will be offering freshly baked pastries and handcrafted desserts, specialty coffee, and more. Follow them on Instagram at www.instagram.com/sweetscafeandbakery.

Signs Are Back Up at Salsa & Beer Mexican Grill & Bar Restaurant in Calabasas

The Salsa & Beer Mexican Grill “coming soon” signs were up in December 2020 but were subsequently taken down, Finally, 5 1/2 years later, there are new signs up as of today at 4895 Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas. at the former Coco’s location visible from the 101 south.

With locations in North Hollywood and Van Nuys/Lake Balboa, Salsa & Beer offers authentic Mexican food from the town of Jerez, located in the Mexican state of Zacatecas.

The menu includes traditional Mexican combination plates, fajitas, sizzling spicy Molcajete dishes, Spicy Zacatecas Carnitas, Tampiquena Chicken, Carne Asada Encebollada Charbroiled Steak, their “famous” tortas and much more.

Timing of restaurant opening TBA.

More info at www.salsaandbeertogo.com.

Wok Haus Modern Chinese Kitchen Coming Soon to Thousand Oaks

Wok House Modern Chinese Kitchen is coming soon to the former Color Oaks Chinese eatery in the North Oaks Center at 1032 E. Avenida De Los Arboles in Thousand Oaks. Updates on Instagram at @wokhaus_chinesekitchen 

Chinese eateries in the Conejo Valley compiled at THIS LINK.

La Gita Kitchen and Focacceria Coming to County Line Shopping Center in Westlake Village

La Gita Kitchen and Focacceria is coming to the County Line Shopping Center at 4619 Lakeview Canyon Road in Westlake Village, taking over the former StretchCoast space. The takeout and catering kitchen will offer freshly baked focaccia, sandwiches, salads, and charbroiled chicken, with wine and beer available for offsite consumption following City Council approval on April 22.

La Gita is co-owned by local resident Kyle Lopez, who worked at Stonefire Grill from 2008 to 2020 and served as its Chief Operating Officer. His mother and co‑owner, Mary Harrigan, co‑founded Stonefire Grill in 2000. Stonefire was sold in 2016, and now the family is bringing this promising new takeout concept to Westlake Village. Kyle indicated that La Gita is targeting a late‑2026 grand opening.

Mochinut Coming Soon to Ventu Park Center in Newbury Park

Mochinut is coming soon to the Ventu Park Shopping Center (anchored by Ralph's) at the southwest corner of Ventu Park Road and Hillcrest Drive in Newbury Park. Mochinut offers mochi donuts, which have a chewy texture and are made with rice flour. They also offer crispy Korean rice corn dogs and drinks such as smoothies, coffee and matcha. www.mochinut.com

Local donut shops and bakeries throughout the Conejo Valley are compiled at THIS LINK.

Stephen's Grill Opening at the Camarillo Town Center on Sunday, May 3rd

UPDATE: They announced their grand opening will take place on Sunday, May 3rd at 9 a.m. They will be serving brunch from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and their lunch and dinner menu until 9pm. Regular business hours are Monday -Thursday 11 a.m. -10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.. Brunch is only available on Sunday. Happy hour daily 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Stephen's Grill is opening a 2nd location this spring at the former Souplantation in the Camarillo Town Center at 375 W. Ventura Blvd. Stephen's specializes in Greek and Mediterranean specialties, soups, souvlaki, entrees, hot sandwiches, deli sandwiches, and more. Their market in Ventura offers high quality products from Greece. Visit their Ventura location at 2632 E. Main Street and learn more at stephensmarketandgrill.com.

Simi Valley Brewing Company Opening Soon in Simi Valley

Simi Valley Brewing Company is looking towards opening in the coming months at 20 W. Cochran Street in Simi Valley (cross street Madera; directly across from Costco and Chili's).

This is the former Marie Callender's location that back in 2018 was slated to become Mad Era Brewing Co but did not make it to the finish line. Current ownership is determined to make this happen.

For updates, visit their website at www.simivalleybc.com or follow them on social media.

For local craft breweries and taprooms in Ventura County and surrounding areas, visit THIS LINK.

Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers Thousand Oaks Opening Soon

As originally announced last summer, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers will be opening a new location soon at the former Amy’s (and prior to that, Mimi’s Cafe) at 400 N. Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks (cross street Wilbur). Learn more at www.raisingcanes.com.