CPK ASAP at The Promenade at Westlake is Closed; "Lemonade" Coming Soon

Update 11/12/12: Lemonade opened TODAY! Pretty neat place that lives up to the description below. More will be posted soon.

Original Post: 6/1/12: A surprised CVG Facebook follower filled me in today that the CPK ASAP at The Promenade at Westlake was closed! I was equally surprised and disappointed because this was a frequent quick-stop place for me and my kids. Sure enough, according to a voice message, CPK closed its doors last Sunday, May 27th.  BUMMER!

Then I found out that another new restaurant is coming to The Promenade sometime soon: Lemonade.

Lemonade offers seasonal, Southern California comfort foods. According to the Lemonade website:

The concept is best described as Seasonal Southern California Comfort Food in a fast-casual cafeteria setting. A comfortable place where locals and visitors enjoy a rotating daily spread of deliciousness: from ruggedly roasted Brussels sprouts to grain salads from around the world to stewed short ribs falling off the bone. Our dishes stress simple preparations with global taste, and are a perfect fit for today’s on-the-go lifestyle and perceptive palate.

Lemonade caters to people looking for a quick lunch or a healthy “grab and go” dinner for the family. The cafés have an emphasis on convenience and affordability, while serving the same fresh, high-quality, and innovative modern cuisine that the brand has become known for.

The food at Lemonade is as creative and diverse as the city’s inhabitants. Our marketplace salads, unique sandwiches, and slow-simmered stews taste as though every culture stirred a bit into the pot. For example, the skirt steak with grilled onions and piquillo peppers with its smoky depth, ping-pongs perfectly with our snappy salad of Chinese long beans, pluot plums, and scallion vinaigrette.

Currently there are Lemonade locations in 6 Los Angeles locations (Downtown, MOCA, Beverly, Venice, Brentwood and USC) and Pasadena, with 3 additional planned openings in Manhattan Beach, Thousand Oaks (Westlake Village) and LAX (Terminal 5).

I checked out one of their menus and it looks pretty reasonably priced, healthful and quite interesting, such as these $5.50 to $6 "Land and Sea" options at the Pasadena Lemonade.

Citrus poached salmon filet

Char Siu chicken lettuce cups

Avocado salmon louie

Seared ahi tuna, crushed orange-ginger ponzu

Curry chicken salad

Buttermilk chicken breast

Tomato, mozzarella and basil stack

Stay tuned...

New "Raw Bar" at Lobby Lounge at Four Seasons Westlake Village on Friday Nights

Lobby Lounge Gets Crackin’ with a New Raw Bar on Friday Nights at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. Chefs shuck and serve fresh oysters, shrimp, king crab legs and more on a Pacific-to-platter style menu.

Chefs serve fresh seafood from the center of the Lobby Lounge, where heaping presentations of west and east coast oysters, jumbo white prawns, ceviche and king crab claws chill atop shaved ice. Guests can take a front row seat at the Raw Bar itself to oversee the chefs’ shucking abilities. The Raw Bar menu is also available from any seat in the restaurant.

The Raw Bar menu lets guests pick and choose from a la carte options, such as their choice of a half dozen or dozen oysters such as Kumamoto, Fanny Bay, or Malpeques. A ceviche duo teams a spicy Peruvian pink snapper variation with a halibut and rock shrimp ceviche verde. Jumbo white prawns and Alaskan king crab legs are available by the pound or half-pound. Can’t decide? Choose a combination platter from the “I Want it All” section of the restaurant menu.

The Raw Bar is offered exclusively on Friday nights from 5:30 to 9:30 pm in Westlake Village. The Lobby Lounge dinner menu is available in addition to the Raw Bar selections. Reservations are recommended by calling 818.575.3000.

Will the City of Camarillo be Seeing Its First Vietnamese Restaurant? (Actually 2nd!)

Update 11/8/12: Grand opening of Basil & Mint Vietnamese Pho Restaurant is Saturday, November 10th. Free soft drinks that day! Call 805.482.9993 for more information. Hours are 10:30 am to 9pm.

Update 10/9/12: Looks like we will soon be seeing the Basil & Mint Vietnamese Cafe at 350 North Lantana Street in Camarillo. This sign was seen there today.

Originally posted 7/18/12:

Quick Update: Reader Jason has pointed out that this would not be the "first" Vietnamese restaurant in Camarillo as there is Love Phò N' Mor in the Smart and Final Plaza in Camarillo at 341 Arneil Road. Their phone is 805.484.1881. Good stuff! (NOTE: I've subsequently been to Love Pho N' Mor numerous times and love it!)

Hmm, we shall see. But from the looks of this Public Notice of Application to Sell Alcoholic Beverages at 350 North Lantana Street in Camarillo (same plaza as Cronies, Peking Inn, Bobbies, Jersey Mikes) there appears to be a distinct possibility. I am not aware of any other Vietnamese restaurants in Camarillo proper.

The name on the notice is Basil & Mint Vietnamese Cafe. Already sounds pretty good to me.  Their license to sell on-site beer and wine is pending. Let's hope they are successful and open a new restaurant in this space previously occupied for many, many years by The Crab House, which closed its doors in 2009, followed for a short stint by Chevere.

The Stonehaus Coffeehouse and Wine Tasting Room at the Westlake Village Inn to Open Late Summer

Update 10/31/12: The Stonehaus opened on Thursday, November 1st.

Update 9/24/12: The Stonehaus will be opening "in just a few weeks time"

The beautiful Westlake Village Inn will soon be opening a new Tuscan-style coffeehouse and wine tasting room, The Stonehaus. The 2800 square foot stand-alone location, with a 760 square foot. private tasting room, is nestled within the Inn’s own vineyard and is expected to open sometime in September. In fact, they are currently accepting applications for baristas, wine stewards and other staff at www.westlakevillageinn.com/index.php/employment.

According to a press release from the Inn, The Stonehaus will be a "unique vibrant morning coffee house with the aroma of freshly baked croissants, breads and our privately labeled roasted coffees filling the air. As the morning transitions into late afternoon, the interior takes on a European winery feel that will be complimented with exterior brushed limestone pathways and patios. The warmth of an exterior stone fireplace and wood burning pizza oven will complement the authenticity of the experience. You will be able to sip our private label wine and enjoy the sound of our lime stone patio fountain or sit in the shade of ancient oak tree taking in the backdrop of our waterfall. The grounds will be landscaped with pathways that will meander through the vineyards and play host to weddings or special events."

Sounds pretty nice! For updates, visit www.the-stonehaus.com.

International Organic Treats Recently Opened at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks

January 2014 Update: International Organic Treats is no more. Their phone number is no longer in service and The Lakes customer service has no information about them. I'm not terribly surprised as I never saw any customers in there. :(

International Organic Treats has been open several months now at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks, in the space previously occupied by Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, next to California Pizza Kitchen. They offer organic coffee and teas, pastries, paninis, crepes, gourmet hot dogs, organic ice cream and more! Contact them at 805.449.0051.

Akio's Sushi Thousand Oaks Has Been Sold and is Now Called Crazy King Kong Sushi

Akio's Sushi, a Thousand Oaks favorite for decades located at Janss Marketplace, was recently sold and is now called Crazy King Kong Sushi. Yes, that's the name.

Their phone number is 805.496.7106. We've known for awhile that Akio Takahashi was in process of selling the restaurant. Best wishes to the new owners!

As of today, 10/18/12, there appears to be some 50% off coupons posted on Crazy King Kong Sushi's Yelp listing at www.yelp.com/biz/crazy-king-kong-sushi-thousand-oaks. Check it out!

Village Burgers Coming to Thousand Oaks

Update July 2013: Village Burgers has closed. That didn't last long. It is now Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant.

Update 10/17/12: Conejo Valley foodie Scott B indicates Village Burgers is now open. Their phone is 805.379.8858.

Originally posted 7/19/12: In the space previously occupied by Yozen Frogurt at 2416 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, there is a large sign that says "Coming Soon! Village Burgers." Location is just west of Harold's House of Omelettes, which has been a Thousand Oaks fixture since 1961, three years prior to incorporation of Thousand Oaks as a city!

Yes, another burger joint coming to Thousand Oaks, following in the footsteps of Smashburger, Umami Burger, and Red Robin. No word yet on the menu and opening date. But stay tuned....and let us know if you hear anything!

16-Screen Century Theatres to Open at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard on Oct 26

In case you hadn't already noticed, there's a big new shopping center being built on the northeast side of the 101 freeway in Oxnard, between the Oxnard and Vineyard exits, called The Collection at RiverPark.

If you're a Target fan, the center already features a 150,000 sq ft state-of-the-art Target store that opened over a year ago in July 2011. I've been there with the kids and I can honestly say this is the nicest, coolest looking Target store I've ever been to. There's also covered parking, which kind of nice.

Shea Properties continues construction of The Collection at RiverPark and has announced a number of great new additions to our local shopping and dining scene!  Here's what is coming:

Century Theatres will be opening a brand new 16 screen location on Friday, October 26th (just in time for Halloween)! Two of the screens will use their new XD (Extreme Digital) technology that features a larger screen, up to 38' × 70' and improvements in audio and digital projection.

In November 2012, they plan to open Kabuki Japanese Restaurant, Panera Bread, Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Color Me Mine (do it yourself pottery painting studio) and Massage Envy Spa.

In the spring of 2013 they anticipate the opening of REI Store, (outdoor gear and clothing), a Whole Foods Market and a Starbucks.

For more information and updates, visit shoppingthecollection.com.

Brendan's Irish Pub to Open Newbury Park Location This Summer

UPDATE 1/2/20: Brendan’s announced today that it has closed its doors.

Brendan's Newbury Park opened on 10/8/12. You will be impressed. Authentic Irish decor, 2 pool tables, 3 dartboards, lots of tables, booths, beverages and good food. The Temple Bar section of Dublin is featured on the wall art below. Hard not to like this place! Visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/brendansnewbury.

Update 8/27/12: No specific date indicated by Brendan's but it seems we're really close to the grand opening.

Originally posted 4/8/12: The popular Brendan's Irish Pub & Restaurant has announced that it will be opening a third location this summer in Newbury Park where Eric's Restaurant currently resides (495 N. Ventu Park Road at the Palm Garden Hotel). The grand opening is anticipated in the latter part of summer 2012 (Brendan's implies July is a realistic time frame in a recent Facebook post).

Wow! I'm impressed at Brendan's growth! Brendan's Newbury Park will be located just 9 miles from the Camarillo location and 9 miles from the Agoura Hills location.

Visit the Brendan's Newbury Park Facebook page at www.facebook.com/brendansnewbury for updates.

Beer continues to be on a growth spurt in Ventura County.

Eric's will continue to be open for dinner and drinks in the meantime! Call the hotel at 805.716.4200 or Eric's directly at 805.716.4100.