N' Awlinz Bistro Opening in Newbury Park this Month!

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UPDATE: N'Awlinz Bistro, which originally opened it doors in Newbury Park in February 2012, announced it closed its doors on 12/21/13 to focus on its new location in Oxnard.

Now this sounds good! A bN'Awlinz Bistro, which originally opened it doors in Newbury Park in February 2012, announced it closed its doors on 12/21/13 to focus on its new location in Oxnard.rand new restaurant is in the works at the Wendy Kimber Plaza in Newbury Park. N' Awlinz Bistro will serve contemporary New Orleans French-Creole style cooking created by chef and owner, Marcus Webster. 

Check out their menu at www.nawlinzbistro.com. Fried catfish, Po' Boys, Bourbon Street Seafood Jambalaya (oooh, my wife will love this), Seafood Gumbo, Blackened Red Snapper and more. This sounds like some mighty fine Cajun cooking. I can't wait.

Their address is 3321-C Kimber Drive, Newbury Park. Call 805.499.7400 for more information.

Mermaid Tavern is Coming to the Old Roxy's Deli Location in Thousand Oaks

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The Mermaid Tavern opened on Saturday, February 4th!

The Mermaid Tavern's website is www.mermaidtavernandrestaurant.com.

Mermaid Tavern (Previously Roxy's Deli), 1345 E Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks

 

Update 10/20/11: A "sign" of things to come. I see a mermaid.

Originally posted 8/2/11: Thanks to an observant CVG Facebook page follower and dart thrower extraordinaire (and by the way, check out the Ventura County Dart Association if you're so inclined), I've learned the name of what will soon occupy the vacated Roxy's Deli space: Mermaid Tavern

Beer is definitely recession-proof it seems, with numerous breweries popping up all over town, including Ladyface Alehouse in Agoura, The Tipsy Goat in Thousand Oaks, Brendan's Pub in Camarillo and soon The Lab Brewing Company in Agoura, possibly a Hooters in Thousand Oaks and now, Mermaid Tavern.

I've confirmed that Mermaid Tavern is shown on the CB Richard Ellis brochure for the Northstar Plaza, where subject tavern shall be located.

Stay tuned. Two Beers or Not Two Beers? That is the Question! The address of the soon-to-be Mermaid Cafe is 1345 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks.

Chick-fil-A is Anticipated on Thousand Oaks Boulevard Sometime in 2012

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Update: On 2/9/12, the T.O. Acorn reported the following:

  1. Yes indeed, Weinerschnitzel will be demolished and the new Chick-fil-A should be up and running in 5 months.
  2. Chick-fil-A is interested in opening a 2nd T.O. location at the vacated El Torito at 449 N. Moorpark Road that would have indoor seating and a small kids' play area.
  3. Weinerschnitzel is interested in finding another location in Thousand Oaks.

It's all good! Wow, those Chick-fil-A locations would be all of 4 miles apart!

Way back in December 2010 there was discussion about a Chick-fil-A in Thousand Oaks to be considered for the existing Weinerschnitzel location at 3771 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

The revised plan submitted to the city for the 2,200 sq ft site was a drive-thru with only outdoor seating as the parcel size will not accommodate interior dining space.

Well in September 2011 the city approved this plan and it now is only a matter of time before Chick-fil-A graces Thousand Oaks Boulevard with its presence. The

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Jake's Wayback Burgers is Coming to Newbury Park in 2012

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The old switcharoo...Jake's Wayback Burgers ended up opening a location in VENTURA in early April 2013. More info at THIS LINK.

Update 1/4/12: No updates...hmmm...it has been a year since this posting and still no mention of a local Jake's Wayback Burgers anywhere in the Conejo Valley, let alone Califorrnia. www.waybackburgers.com/locations

Originally reported 1/11/12:

On Monday the Ventura County Star reported that Jake's Wayback Burgers will be opening a Newbury Park location "in two to four months."

Jake's opened its first location in Delaware in 1991 and has expanded to 42 location in 12 states, none of which is anywhere close to California. However, QSR Magazine announced on December 31st that Jake's is expanding this year by franchising into a handful of new states, including 2 locations in Oregon and as well as the Newbury Park location.

Since I don't get out much to the east coast, I've never been to Jake's. Here's what they say on their Facebook page:

Jake's Wayback Burgers serves the best burgers under the bun, hand pattied from 100% fresh, never frozen ground beef and grilled to order. Jake's Wayback offers amazing shakes that are made from real milk and ice cream, served in a frosty metal shaker. Jake's Wayback has also added new items to our menu, such as marinated grilled chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers, turkey burgers, and house-made chips, as well as the famous Burger and Shake of the Month.

Sounds pretty good to me! Seems like a new burger joint is popping up every other month (Tommy's in Ventura, Umami Burger in Thousand Oaks, Red Robin in Thousand Oaks, Five Guys in Thousand Oaks, Sliders in Simi Valley...the list goes on) but hey, everyone likes a good burger, beef, veggie or otherwise.

Location to be announced at a later date...visit waybackburgers.com for more information.

Olive Garden and Red Lobster Soon to Open at The Oaks Mall

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Update 1/9/12: Yes, Olive Garden Thousand Oaks is opening for dinner service at 4pm today. The first week and a portion of the 2nd week they'll only be open for dinner service, then they will soon thereafter they will announce their standard 11am lunch service. Their phone is 805/777-1744.

Update 1/1/12: Caught what must have been 50 Olive Garden employees waiting in line to get into the restaurant today in what I suspect was a new year's training session. Restaurant to open on Monday, January 9th. I've been told 4pm from a friend of someone who works there. Oddly still no mention on Olive Garden website as of 1/8/12. Guess they're keeping it a secret :>

Update 12/12/11: The time is here. Red Lobster is open for dinner Monday, December 12th through Sunday, December 18

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Umami Burger to Open New Locations in Thousand Oaks and Oakland in 2012

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Here is the official press release regarding a new Umami Burger location at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks mentioned here on Wednesday night.

Umami Restaurant Group, creators of Umami Burger, named “Burger of the Year” by GQ magazine, today announced plans for two new Umami Burger locations in Oakland and Thousand Oaks by the end of 2012.

“When we look for new locations, we look for great neighborhoods,” said Adam Fleischman founder and owner of Umami Restaurant Group.  “Since we opened our first location on La Brea, we’ve had requests to come to Oakland, which is a great food community. In Southern California, Thousand Oaks was a logical next step for us.”

The Oakland location will be the second Umami Burger in the Bay Area, located at 2100 Franklin in Downtown Oakland. Umami Burger Thousand Oaks will be inside The Lakes at Thousand Oaks. Both restaurants will be approximately 100 seats.

Announcement of the two new locations comes just after opening Umami Burger in Hermosa Beach and 800 Degrees Pizza in Westwood. Umami Restaurant Group has previously announced plans to open locations in Laguna Beach, The Grove and downtown Los Angeles a

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Umami Burger is Coming to The Lakes at Thousand Oaks

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Today we sadly learned that another local deli in Thousand Oaks closed its doors.

But the good news is that a brand new restaurant is coming soon to The Lakes!!! Something completely different!

Update 3/23/12: No update on timing of Umami opening at The Lakes. Stay tuned though...

Umami Burger is coming to The Lakes! Umami (I think it is pronounced "Eww Mommy") according to their website "is a Japanese word describing the pleasant and savory taste imparted by glutamate, a type of amino acid, and ribonucleotides that occur naturally in foods. Umami as a taste is subtle but it blends with other tastes well to expand your experience while eating."

While eating glutamate and ribonucleotides doesn't sound particularly appetizing, this Umami Burger has received rave reviews, including this December 2010 "Burger of the Year" article in GQ Magazine. In that article, the author notes the savory umami sauce is the "fifth taste," after the basics of sweet, sour, bitter and salty.

Obviously I have not eaten a Umami Burger but I'm looking forward to trying one! Currently Umami Burger has locations in Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, La Brea, Los Feliz, Studio City and San Francisco. Welcome to Ventura County, Umami Burger!

Check out the menu and you will find some interesting items, including a dozen or so Japanese inspired burgers, side dishes and draft beer. I see a truffle burger with truffle cheese and truffle glaze. OK my mouth is watering now. I also see turkey, ahi tuna and veggie burger options on the menu for those not inclined to eat red meat. Check out the Studio City menu here.

Giada De Laurentiis, of Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate, likes Umami Burger in Hollywood for their unique burger combinations. Heck, I'll eat anything Giada tells me to eat!!

No information on opening date at this time. Read more about Umami Burger at www.umamiburger.com.

2 New Freebirds World Burritos Opening in Agoura Hills and Simi Valley in December

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Freebirds World Burrito is opening has opened two new local locations at 29125 Canwood St, Agoura Hills (Shoppes at Oak Creek - you can see it off the 101 freeway) and at 2490 Sycamore Drive, Simi Valley (Sycamore Square).

Freebirds opened it first Ventura County location in Ventura back in June 2011.

More information about the grand openings at freebirds.com/locations/. I suspect there will be some grand opening events announced, so stay tuned.

FREEBIRDS is about awesome burritos and freedom of choice.   As guests join the queue, they are partnered with a team member, known as a "Roller," who helps them choose from four sizes of burrito made from four possible flavors of tortilla then hand-rolled with the guest's personal selection from more than forty freshly prepared ingredients including grass fed beef, hormone-free chicken, or all natural pork carnitas topped with hand-cut veggies and hot peppers plus house made salsas, queso and guacamole to create their perfect burrito.  Burritos range in size from the generously-sized Hybird starting at $5.29 to the legendary Super Monster which can weigh in at seven pounds. 

Each FREEBIRDS restaurant features the concept's signature Statue of Liberty – affectionately known as 'Libby' – riding a custom-built motorcycle while breaking through the Freedom Wall. Libby was designed to serve as a reminder that each of us can break through walls and truly change the world.  The restaurant has a free-spirited ambience with a rockin' soundtrack, reminiscent of a late-'60s rock 'n' roll roadhouse.

Original Tommy's Coming Soon to Ventura

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Update 12/15/11: Tommy's opened today at 5663 Valentine Road, Ventura! Open 24 hours a day. Facebook page


Early Sept Update: Tommy's indicated in late August that the Ventura location will open "at the end of this year or sooner."

These burgers must have a kick as evidenced by the legs on this sign!Originally posted in mid-July: Original Tommy's will soon be opening in Ventura, off the Victoria Avenue 101 exit on Valentine Road. This will be the 2nd Original Tommy's location in Ventura County...the other one is at 1290 Madera Road in Simi Valley.

The ORIGINAL Tommy's opened on May 15, 1946 in Downtown Los Angeles. I remember going there as a kid. Always felt like a special treat.

Visit Facebook page at www.facebook.com/OriginalTommys.