Sabores Peruvian Cafe Now Open in Old Town Camarillo

UPDATE: Sabores Cafe closed its doors sometime in the late 2015 time frame.

Posted 4/18/14:

Sabores Peruvian Cafe is open in Old Town Camarillo at 2145 Ventura Boulevard, in the former home of the Panini Place, near the Mongolian BBQ. Sabores' menu features sandwiches, "cebiches" (the national dish of Peru), salads, "causas" (traditional appetizers of mashed yellow potato with aji amarillo and other Peruvian spices), Peruvian style desserts and more. Sounds pretty darn good to me! Visit www.saborescafe.com for more information or call 805.484.6529.

Garbanzo Healthy Kitchen Recently Opened in Ventura and Subsequently Closed

Update 12/31/14: Garbanzo Healthy Kitchen became Laffa Mediterranean Grill in August and since then appears to have closed in the latter part of the year.

March 30, 2014: Social media does work in many ways, including, of course, getting the word out. For example, yesterday, I noticed a new Twitter follower, Garbanzo Healthy Kitchen.

Being the curious type, that prompted me to check out the Garbanzo Healthy Kitchen website at garbanzotogo.com to check out what they offer. Located at 1780 S Victoria Ave. Suite D, Ventura in what I believe used to be Giovanni's Pizza, in the suite next to Fatburger, Garbanzo offers a $7.25 "Create Your Plate" meal with one entree, one side, two salads and pita bread. Entrees on the menu include meatballs, falafel, shawarma, schnitzel, spicy chicken, pesto chicken, stuffed eggplant and stuffed mini bell peppers. I also see hummus, tahini, babaganoush and other Mediterranean type salads.

Sounds pretty good to me as I'm a big fan of this type of food! One of these days I'll make it over there. Garbanzo Healthy Kitchen is open 7 days a week and their phone is 805.654.7044.

Steve's un-Original Pizza Opened at MB2 Raceway Newbury Park in January

Steve's un-Original Pizza opened in the MB2 Raceway facility at 1475 Lawrence Drive, Newbury Park back in January. I've heard nothing but great things so far about their thin crust pizza. Hours vary but generally the same time frame that MB2 is open. Cash only. Check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stevesunoriginal or call 805.498.7499 for more information.

Allison I. of Newbury Park provided this image of, in her words, "the best pizza around!"

Boar Dough Tasting Room Opened in Agoura Hills in February

Boar Dough Tasting Room recently opened at 5015 Cornell Road, Unit G, Agoura Hills, in the former home of Johnny Rockets, across from the Regency Theaters.

Boar Dough offers local & international wines, beers and ciders, flatbreads, local charcuterie (cooked cold meats) and cheeses, seasonal local produce, hand made sodas, gelato and chocolate from Tifa, gourmet coffee and teas, and more. Wine/beer/soda classes and speciality cooking classes are also offered.

Currently open Wednesday through Sunday. Visit www.boardoughtastingroom.com or call 818.889.2387.

Mama's Hummus Coming Soon to Conejo Gateway Plaza in Newbury Park

Update 2/19/14: Mama's Hummus is opening tomorrow, Thursday, February 20th according to a post on its Facebook page.

Update 2/4/14: Mama's Hummus indicates on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mamashummus that it is "coming soon in February." Authentic Lebanese food with fresh, hand-picked ingredients. And they have a nice new sign up facing Wendy Drive.

Originally posted 12/25/13:

There's a new "coming soon" sign up and it sounds pretty good to me! Mama's Hummus will be opening "soon" at the Conejo Gateway Plaza, 779 N. Wendy Drive, Newbury Park, in the space adjacent to Tomodachi Sushi.  The sign on the door says kabobs, shawarma and falafel....authentic Mediterranean cuisine. www.mamashummus.com

The mere mention of hummus reminds me of the famous Mordecai and Rigby of The Regular Show, who appreciate the deliciousness of hummus.

Akash Cuisine of India Opened in Thousand Oaks in Late January

Update 8/25/18: Akash Cuisine recently closed its doors.

A tip from Ed G via the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook page led me to the newly opened Akash Cuisine of India at 2130 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks at the Select Plaza, adjacent to The Lakes at Thousand Oaks. This is the space previously occupied by Cafe Provencal that closed its doors in March 2012. The sign indicates they specialize in Bangladeshi and Indian food. No website. Call 805.379.4849.

Hmm, in searching for what Akash means, I discovered it is a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile defense system in India. Yikes! In Hinduisum, Akasha, or Akash, means the basis and essence of all things in the material world. That sounds better. All righty then. In any case, I'm hungry for some good Indian food!

The Local Table Opening at The Village at Dos Vientos Ranch in Newbury Park on Saturday, February 1st (CLOSED IN AUGUST 2023)

UPDATE 8/5/23: The Local Table had a great 10 year run but announced it was closing effective 8/6/23. A new eatery, Gema, subsequently opened in its place.

Update 2/4/14: The Local Table indicated via Facebook that there was a minor delay in alcohol permits that moved the grand opening from the 1st to TODAY, February 4th at 4pm.

Original post 1/13/14:

TOP CHEF FINALIST, CHEF DANIELLE KEENE & CHEF ROB BRACALIELLO JOIN THE TEAM FOR THE GRAND OPENING OF NEWBURY PARK'S NEW RESTAURANT, THE LOCAL TABLE!

Join us for the Grand Opening of The Local Table, 360 Via Las Brisas, No. 110, Newbury Park on February 1st, 2014!

The Local Table, Newbury Park's newest restaurant, was generated from the idea that great food and hospitality in an ideal and serene location can flourish with hard work, dedication and attention to detail. Our talented Chef Danielle Keene, a Top Chef: Just Desserts finalist and Chef Rob Bracaliello get top billing at The Local Table with their ardor and unique talents for baking and cooking. The Local Table's location serves Newbury Park, Moorpark, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Ventura and other nearby communities.

For Danielle, making gourmet desserts and ice cream has been a passion, a career and a tradition. She grew up in a dessert loving home where her grandma decorated cakes and her mother made chocolate chip root beer floats and oatmeal cookies. "There's something special about dessert," Danielle says. "At any point, on any day, dessert can put a smile on your face. No matter what age you are, it can make you feel like a kid again."

Chef Rob brings a family friendly atmosphere with fresh local fare and a California twist.His cuisine is rooted in fresh, family style cuisine. He took an early interest in food, watching his mother and grandmother prepare meals for the family utilizing ingredients from local waters, woods and farms. Growing up in a rural farm community in New Jersey, Rob's appreciation for fresh food became ingrained.His family has an active farm and understands the benefits of ethically raising animals and sustainable farming.

For more information about The Local Table and the Grand Opening, visit www.thelocaltablenp.com or visit www.facebook.com/thelocaltablenp.

Discovery Ventura Opened Last Month with Bar, Bowling, Pool, Great Food and More

DISCOVERY VENTURA CLOSED IN 2020

Last month, Discovery Ventura opened its doors at 1888 E. Thompson Boulevard, Ventura at the former home of the Ventura Bowling Center that closed its doors in December 2012.The facility has been beautifully renovated as a restaurant and lounge, accompanied by a nine-lane bowling alley, several pool tables and shuffleboards.

The boys and I stopped by Discovery Ventura this past Sunday to try out the bowling. It was just before lunchtime and the bar area was well occupied with folks socializing and enjoying Sunday morning NFL on the too-numerous-to-count flat screen TVs.

It was not crowded when we got there so we were able to quickly get situated. Bowling lanes are first come, first serve and cost $15 per hour (plus shoe rentals). As a novice that bowls perhaps twice a year, I was reminded once again that bowling shoes run large. My kids and I took 2 to 3 iterations apiece to get the best fit, but the hostess was patient with us.

The boys were able to find lighter bowling balls (6 to 8 lbs) and the hostess was able to meet our request for "bumpers" to pop up during the kids' turns as we bowled away. After my first roll I did a double take, as after 8 pins fell down, ALL of the pins were lifted up by strings. Quickly thereafter down plopped the two remaining pins. Traditionalists may not be thrilled with this more efficient "StringPin" technology but for a "boutique" non-league bowling alley like this I don't think it will be an issue with most social bowlers. See video below for a close-up of the StringPin action.

The lanes were full sized, though a bit cramped lengthwise and the little black dots used to position your starting point are pretty close to where the tables were. But we managed and had a great time. The boys were hungry and one had the Four Cheese Pizza ($10.95) and the other tried the BBQ Bacon Burger ($11.95), which came with fries. They both remarked how delicious the food was...so much so that my burger eater wouldn't even give me a sample taste. It certainly smelled good. My Caprese Salad ($9.95) was also excellent. And the family a few lanes down dining on Chicken Wings ($10.95) and Nachos ($9.95) remarked that they were both outstanding.

I asked the hostess how they would describe Discovery Ventura...is it a bowling alley, a nightclub, a restaurant, or ? There wasn't a clear answer as it is really all of the above. On its Facebook page it is described as "Simplistic and repurposing best describe the theme throughout the development of the California-lifestyle project. All are welcome to enjoy the laid-back, fun, and easy entertainment with 9 lanes of bowling, a locally-sourced restaurant with delectable California-cuisine, crafted cocktails, and the region’s largest and most fun private event facilities." Having been there, I would agree with that assessment.

Learn more at www.discoveryventura.com or call 805.856.BOWL (2695).

Tizzy Yogurt Cafe Recently Opened in Thousand Oaks

UPDATE Dec 2014: Tizzy has announced that it has closed both of its locations - Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks :(

After posting an update about eateries that have opened and closed during the last half of 2013, Danielle M told us about Tizzy Yogurt Cafe at 1404 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks at what used to be Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt. Tizzy opened in the mid-December time frame.

According to the Tizzy Yogurt Cafe Facebook page, the previous owners left the Golden Spoon franchise* and under the same management, changed the decor, menu and experience to become a cafe that serves shakes, smoothies, homemade waffles, homemade oatmeal and illy expresso and cafe, as well as frozen yogurt.

More information at www.facebook.com/pages/Tizzy-Yogurt-Cafe/616860551710287.

In related news, the Simi Valley Golden Spoon has also been changed over to become a Tizzy Yogurt Cafe. No website or Facebook as of yet but their phone number is 805.579.1133. They open around lunchtime.

* This was the last Golden Spoon location in the Conejo Valley. Newbury Park and Agoura locations closed in January 2013. The other Thousand Oaks location closed in summer 2013.