Hugo's Restaurant to Open at Whizin's Center in Agoura Hills this August

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Originally posted 6/8/11: Hugo’s, the popular family restaurant with the highly eclectic menu, will open its third full-service location in Agoura Hills on SEPTEMBER 26th!

The new Hugo’s will be located in the revitalized Whizin’s Center just off the 101 Freeway.  It will be 4200 square feet with 120 seats.

The opening marks a return of sorts for co-owner Tom Kaplan, who attended high school in Agoura before its growth into a sizable Los Angeles exoburb.

Tom’s father, Terry, opened the first Hugo’s in West Hollywood 30 years ago, turning his prime butcher shop into a breakfast spot for the local residents, many of whom were Hollywood big shots who would have their morning “Power Breakfasts” there.  It was not uncommon to see the likes of George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg hanging out over a cup of coffee and strategizing their next big movie.

Hugo’s has evolved from veal to vegan and now sports a menu that includes not only one of the best Burgers in town, but a vast array of vegan and vegetarian options and a commitment to what Tom calls, “our Stealthy Healthy menu.” Mustard and ketchup are gluten-free as is most of the menu and special attention is paid to food allergies and to creating delicious vegan alternatives to traditional fare.

Hugo’s Pasta Mama, originally designed as a breakfast item featuring pasta, eggs and Italian seasonings, is so popular it has been featured “The Best Thing I Ever Ate,” and Hugo’s is at the top of many Best Breakfast lists.

“The idea behind Hugo’s,” says Tom, who lives on the street behind the Studio City restaurant, “is to introduce a lot more people to health food without them even knowing or thinking about it.”

Hugo’s Restaurants has locations in West Hollywood and Studio City and operates Hugo’s Tacos in Atwater Village and Studio City.  The company is owned and operated by Tom and Emily Kaplan, Richard and Leslie Brenner and Bill Kohne.

For more information on Hugo’s, visit www.hugosrestaurant.com and go to http://twitter.com/HugosRestaurant and www.facebook.com/hugosrestaurant

Looks Like Ranch Hand BBQ is Relocating to Another Newbury Park Location

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Since this original post on July 17th I've spoken with several people who say they can't live without their tri tip and ribs. They opened on September 1st. We've been there and my kids love it. Popular place already!

Ranch Hand BBQ currently is located at 3321-B Kimber Drive in Newbury Park. However, there's a brand spanking new Ranch Hand BBQ sign up next door to Tutti Frutti at 1015 Broadbeck Drive. Given these two locations are only 1.5 miles apart, one might presume that Ranch Hand BBQ will soon be moving to this new location.  I believe my wife and kids have eaten at Ranch Hand before and I heard no complaints. And that is all.

Visit http://ranch-hand-bbq.com/ or call 805.375.4252 to learn more about Ranch Hand BBQ.

Will Hooters Hurt Home Prices in Thousand Oaks? CBS News Covers The Story!

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Several hundred Thousand Oaks residents have written City Hall regarding the proposed Hooters at Janss Marketplace.  There are allegations that Hooters will impact the value of homes in Thousand Oaks in this interview.

CVG has done a survey of residents regarding the proposed Hooters. With 285 responses in, approximately 30% of residents are no go on Hooters, 55% for Hooters and the remaining 15% for the most part could give a hoot.

As a result of all this Hooters hubbub, the City will be holding a hearing to address these concerns. Stay tuned.

Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria La Cucina di Venti Signs Lease at Paraiso Town Center

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Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria La Cucina di Venti Signs Lease at Paraiso Town Center
First New Tenant for Newbury Park Shopping Center Under New Ownership

La Cucina di Venti, a full-service version of the popular Pizzeria Venti “sliceria,” will open its newest restaurant at the Paraiso Town Center, a 50,000 square-foot lifestyle center in the Dos Vientos master planned community of Thousand Oaks, announced Peter Cohen, president of Paradise Capital Group.

“La Cucina di Venti is the evolution of Pizzeria Venti, a successful, small casual quick-service Trattoria-style restaurant with locations throughout the United States,” said Operations Partner Matthew Seerden.  “La Cucina di Venti builds upon that authentic Italian pizza-by-the-slice tradition ‘known as Pizza al taglio’ in Italy, to include table service dining in a family atmosphere with a menu featuring homemade Italian specialties and American favorites such as burgers and steaks,” said Seerden.

The new 4,299 square-foot restaurant at Paraiso Town Center also will include a full service bar, alfresco dining, corporate catering and delivery service.   The first La Cucina di Venti opened in Mountain View, CA in 2007 and is the highest grossing location

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DQ Grill & Chill Coming to Camarillo Premium Outlets in Late May

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DQ Grill & Chill is now open!

ORIGINALLY POSTED IN MARCH: According to the Camarillo Premium Outlet website, a new DQ (Dairy Queen) Grill & Chill restaurant is opening May 29th (est). What is a DQ Grill & Chill? I dunno...never been to one...but here's what the DQ website says about them:

The DQ Grill & Chill® restaurant is our flagship concept, offering a total program that includes the full line of our famous DQ treats and a fresh food menu designed to excite and satisfy guests. These restaurants strike the perfect balance between yesterday and today, featuring on-trend food favorites while preserving our legendary DQ treat heritage. The interior décor is warm, welcoming and stylish – easily differentiating your establishment from the typical quick-service restaurant.

They also have a Facebook page up and running, with the latest (and only) status update so far dated January 30th "opening at camarillo premium outlet very soon."

The location of this DQ Grill & Chill is at the very back of the Fashion Court section of the outlets, behind the main outlets, in what I believe used to be where TCBY used to be located.

There are other Dairy Queens and Orange Julius places around the county, but this will be the first DQ Grill & Chill in town. I'm sure we'll hear more real soon!

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken is Coming to Moorpark

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I was passing through Moorpark today driving east on Los Angeles Avenue when I noticed a new Popeyes® Louisiana Chicken to the right of me. I was able to snap this quick shot as I sped by. While I'm personally not a big fried chicken fan, the rest of my family is. That's not to say that I won't eat some if it appears in my kitchen. This would make it the 5th Popeyes location within and in close proximity to Ventura County, with other locations in Westlake Village (on the cusp of Ventura County), Simi Valley and 2 in Oxnard. Find the specifics at http://popeyes.com/locator.php.

This Popeyes is located in the vicinity of Los Angeles Avenue near Spring Road.

And on a related note, I'm a stickler for appropriate use of apostrophes, and thus when I see the name Popeyes without the apostrophe gives me an unsettling feeling. Maybe I just have a mild case of OCD. Hmm. Hope my wife doesn't read this.

In any case, I've always made the mental assumption that this chain but of course is named after the famous cartoon character. But I looked at the menu and noticed spinach is nowhere to be found. Curious, I read about the chain's history on its website and discovered that it was named after Gene Hackman's character, James "Popeye" Doyle, in The French Connection.

Amazing how much you can learn from a quick drive through Moorpark. Just wish Popeyes would consider adding an apostrophe to their name.

Qdoba Opening Soon at Janss Marketplace Thousand Oaks - Get a Free Burrito! (UPDATE: Grand Opening is July 11th)

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Update from Qdoba June 21st:

The grand opening is scheduled for Monday, July 11th. We have some great events scheduled for that week.

We will be at the Janss July 4th celebration serving 3 cheese queso nachos on the rooftop.

On Wednesday July 13th we will have a special from 6pm to close of $5 meal deals for folks who come out to the summer concert series at Janss.

Friday, July 15th 98.7FM will be doing a live radio remote from 12 to 2pm at our location.

Saturday, July 16th we have live DJ's spinning from 11 to 3 and we will have custom t-shirts being printed on site celebrating the grand opening that you can win.

Finally, Sunday, July 17th is kids day. All kids eat free with an adult entree purchase and we will have free face painting for the kids from 12 to 3pm!

For all the details make sure to "like" us at www.facebook.com/qdobasocal

Qdoba Mexican Grill is opening soon at the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks. Don't know the specific date, but if you want a free burrito there, be one of the first 450 people to sign up for Qdoba Rewards at that location and receive a coupon for a free burrito. I did! Visit www.450freeburritos.com for details.