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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

HiHo Cheeseburger to Open on Friday, April 24th, at The Commons at Calabasas

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HiHo Cheeseburger, the only burger restaurant exclusively serving 100% grass-fed and grass-finished Wagyu beef, is set to open this Friday, April 24th, at The Commons at Calabasas.

HiHo’s Wagyu comes exclusively from New Zealand’s First Light Farms, selected for its exceptional flavor, nutritional profile, and regenerative farming practices. Naturally lower in saturated fat and higher in Omega-3s, vitamins, and antioxidants, the beef is non-GMO, certified humane, free of antibiotics and raised without mRNA vaccines.

Burgers are served on an artisanal bun custom-made for HiHo by a local baker. The fries are hand-cut, using only three ingredients: potatoes, oil, and salt. In addition, the Calabasas location will offer house-made desserts like Banana Cream Pie N’ a Go-Cup, as well as milkshakes made from scratch using just six clean ingredients. The menu will also feature fried chicken favorites created in collaboration with James Beard Award-winning Willie Mae’s Scotch House.

HiHo will share a space with Cheesesteaks by Matū (opening at a later date), which offers an elevated take on the cheesesteak. Each restaurant will feature its own walk-up ordering window, with a casual, open-air layout and shared seating.

Learn more at www.hiho.la. Hours 11:30am to 10pm daily.

Froyo & Fido to Open Friday, April 10 in the Wood Ranch Area of Simi Valley

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Froyo & Fido is opening its doors at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 10th, in the Wood Ranch Shopping Center, 599B Country Club Drive in Simi Valley, next to the Starbucks.

Froyo & Fido will offer frozen yogurt and dog accessories in a fun, community setting.

Learn more at https://froyoandfido.com or on Instagram at @froyo_and_fido

Yār on the Lake Opening this Spring at The Landing in Westlake Village (UPDATE: April 14th)

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UPDATE: Yar on the Lake announced they will be opening for dinner service on Tuesday, April 14th. More info at yaronthelake.com.

Zin Bistro Americana at The Landing at Westlake Lake in Westlake Village announced on Tuesday that it is currently undergoing renovations through March in preparation for reopening this spring as Yār on the Lake.

The word yār is Persian for friend. “Rooted in Persian hospitality. Inspired by Mediterranean gathering. Built for connection.

More details TBA soon. www.zinwestlake.com