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Local Buzz covers new restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
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Some temporary Hooters signage on display at the future Hooters of Thousand Oaks today. The inside of the place still appears to need a lot of work but I'm sure we'll be hearing more about the opening date at www.janssmarketplace.net. Hooters hiring fair this coming weekend.
UPDATE: N'Awlinz Bistro closed this location on 12/21/13 to focus on its new, larger location in downtown Oxnard.
N' Awlinz Bistro opened its doors at the Wendy/Kimber Plaza in Newbury Park in February 2012. They serve contemporary New Orleans French-Creole style food created by chef and co-owner, Marcus Webster and George Pero.
The Wendy/Kimber Plaza, aptly named after the intersection it resides, is a non-descript strip mall that is most famously known as the birthplace of Baja Fresh. Ah, I remember those days fondly in the early 1990s. Baja Fresh has since left Newbury Park but N'Awlinz Bistro will be providing new foodie memories for years to come.
They serve Po'Boyz, gumbo, sliders, jambalaya and other cajun specialties. We ordered tri-tip sliders, shrimp po'boyz, gumbo, catfish and side orders of zydeco slaw and homemade potato chips. I tried a bit of everything and over-ate. It was really good. Food like this you don't find many places around here. Loved the gumbo, the blackened catfish smothered in Bourbon Street etouffee, the crunchy thick-cut potato chips, the braised shrimp po'boy as well as the fried shrimp po'boy. Didn't get around to tasting the kids' tri tip sliders as they were quite territorial about them.
The Po'Boyz were really tasty as they were made with a nice, tasty cajun sauce with some cole slaw inside. The bread was quite nice too. This was a welcome change from someone who dines on fast food sub type sandwiches on a regular basis. These had some originality going for them. My teen enjoyed his po'boy too and he really raved about the gumbo. (Stop by and I bet they'll give you a sample taste!)
N'Awlinz Bistro is located at 3321 C Kimber Drive in a small spot where Jetway Gourmet used to be, with 2 small tables to dine at and a couple off tables outside. (We ordered take out.) But the good news is that they are expanding and in the next several months will have indoor dining for 24 tables.
I've received unsolicited feedback about this restaurant several times. People are raving about it. N'Awlinz Bistro is something new, unique and high quality. We met Chef Marcus Webster and he aims to please.
See their menu at www.nawlinzbistro.com or call 805.499.7400. Their current hours of operation is Monday to Saturday, 11am to 8pm.
JJ Brewsky's in Old Town Camarillo is currently in renovation to re-open as The French Bulldog Bistro & Lounge next weekend! Specifically, the new owner indicates they will be opening on Thursday, March 15th and reservations are currently being taken via email. (See The French Bulldog Facebook page for details.) The French Bulldog is a gastro-tavern serving a new selection of martinis, specialty drinks, beers and food by Chef Gael Lecolley! Their website is www.thefrenchbulldogbistro.com and phone is (same as JJ's) 805.482.5249. Should be fun to check it out!
Anyone else noticing the clear trend in gastro pubs and taverns around town!? Brendan's Pub in Camarillo and more recently in Agoura Hills, The Tipsy Goat and The Mermaid Tavern in Thousand Oaks, Ladyface Alehouse and The Lab Brewing Company in Agoura, the new Cronies location in Newbury Park (also in Simi, Ventura and Camarillo), The Kitchen in Downtown Oxnard and more. Bottom line: Beer is recession-proof!
Update 1/31/12: Brendan's has announced via Twitter they are opening the Agoura location on March 5th!
Originally posted 1/27/12:
For the 12 of you who aren't aware, Brendan's Irish Pub and Restaurant is a wildly successful, authentic Irish pub located in Camarillo at the old Sizzler building on Daily Drive. They opened their doors on January 15, 2011 and have been doing extraordinarily well. Beer like you won't believe poured with an authentic Irish touch and a kitchen that dishes out outstanding food like scrumptious corned beef sliders, shephard's pie and fish and chips. Mouth watering. I can tell you that first-hand.
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.
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.
Update: On 2/9/12, the T.O. Acorn reported the following:
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
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.
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