Aroha New Zealand Cuisine to Open in the Coming Months in Westlake Village

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UPDATE: Aroha permanently closed its doors in November 2018 after the devastating Woolsey Fire.

Aroha New Zealand Cuisine opened in September 2014 at 30990 Russell Ranch Road, Suite C in Westlake Village, sharing a parking lot with Lure Fish House and The Counter Burger. 

The restaurant is owned by husband/wife team, chef Gwithyen Thomas and his wife, Justine Thomas, who is blogging about restaurant updates at justinethomasmusic.blogspot.com. What a story...Gwithyen and Justine met and fell in love through his cooking while she and her family were vacationing in New Zealand.

"Aroha" (pronounced Uh-Row-Ha) means love in Maori, the native language of New Zealand. The restaurant is described as classy/casual with a menu that specializes in New Zealand cuisine and draws inspiration from French, Italian, Japanese and Singaporian cuisine. The menu will offer many gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options.

To learn more, visit www.aroharestaurant.com and www.facebook.com/ArohaRestaurant.

Aroha (ˈɑːrɒhə) — love, compassion, or affectionate regard. [Māori]

Aroha is a classy casual restaurant founded by award winning chef, Gwithyen Thomas, and his wife Justine. Gwithyen and Justine met and fell in love through his cooking while she and her family were vacationing in New Zealand.

The menu specializes in New Zealand Cuisine and draws inspiration from French, Italian, Japanese, and Singaporian cuisine. The food is locally sourced and changes seasonally to provide the freshest and highest quality. The menu is allergy friendly with many gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Justine's many food allergies drives their dedication to providing a safe environment for all customers with allergy restrictions.

The opened layout restaurant is designed to provide a relaxing atmosphere for customers looking for a flavorful and beautifully presented meal without a formal setting.

Aroha will be opening in Q3 of 2014

Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery to Open at Former Mermaid Tavern Location in Thousand Oaks

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It was back in May that a CVG Facebook follower tipped us off that the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery was going to be opening a location in Thousand Oaks. When we contacted Tilted Kilt, we were told that the new location would be 1345 Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

SEPTEMBER UPDATE

That was interesting, because The Mermaid Tavern is (or I should now say was) located at that address. Yet there was no mention of this on The Mermaid Tavern's Facebook page...and their website was not operational.

The Mermaid Tavern originally opened on February 4, 2012 in the spot formerly occupied by Roxy's Deli. And I learned a bit more history from Facebook followers that before Roxy's this spot was a Hodel's Country Dining.  But enough of history. Let's look to the future.

Sure enough, The Mermaid Tavern closed its doors several weeks ago and two days ago, a Tilted Kilt Thousand Oaks Facebook page appeared, indicating "Coming Soon."

Now, let's learn a bit more about the Tilted Kilt. According to its Facebook page, "A Celtic themed sports Pub featuring the world famous Tilted Kilt Girls! 'A Cold Beer Never Looked So Good'®" It is a national chain of over 80 pubs, with a casual atmosphere, plenty of flat screen TVs, pub grub and more. Tilted Kilt was named to the Inc. Magazine Top 10 franchises for 2011. Serving up sandwiches, pizza, pub grub like fish and chips and shepherd's pie, burgers, wings and more. Visit www.tiltedkilt.com for more information.

Construction in process at what used to be the Mermaid Tavern in Thousand Oaks.

Rita's Roman Recipes to Open Take-Out Kitchen and Coffee Shop in Agoura Hills on Monday, July 28th

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On Monday, July 28th, Rita's Roman Recipes Take-out Kitchen and Coffee Shop wil open its doors at 28708 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills, in the Yamato/Agoura Fitness center, for breakfasts, lunches and take-out dinners.

Rita’s Gourmet Catering has been doing private catering events since 1989. In the 1990’s Rita’s Gourmet Catering began branching out into school lunch programs serving campuses all over Southern California.  Rita's Roman Recipes was the name created to expand the company's products into farmers' markets in Venice an Atwater Village. But on Monday, for the first time, Rita will open this take-out kitchen and coffee shop here in Agoura Hills.

To learn more, visit www.ritasromanrecipes.com or call 818.216.4848.

New Target Store at The Shoppes at Westlake Village Opened on July 22nd

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If you drive by The Shoppes at Westlake Village you may find cars in the parking lot in front of the new Target. I suspect those may belong to employees in training for the upcoming grand opening on Sunday, July 27th (THIS CHANGED TO 4PM ON TUESDAY, JULY 22ND). The City of Westlake Village has indicated that most other tenants will open just before or after the Target grand opening, including Tilly's, Total Woman Gym and Spa, Hook Burger, In-N-Out (no word yet on specific timing at this point), Jeannine's Market, The Gallery Seafood and Chophouse, Los Agaves, Olio e Limone, Greens Up!, Endless Beauty Supply and Suite Vibes Salon.

Other tenants to include Which Wich® Superior Sandwiches, Bowl of Heaven Acai Bowls, Kirk Jewelers and others. Visit www.shoppesatwestlakevillage.com for more information.

Chocolate Savvy Opened at the Simi Valley Town Center This Past Monday

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Chocolate Savvy - cakes, cupcakes and more - opened this past Monday, July 7th, at the Simi Valley Town Center, next to Wetzel's Pretzels. Looks great to me! The store can be reached at 805.582.1030.

California Kabob Kitchen Opened Last Week in Moorpark

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After posting an update on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page about a couple anticipated new Mediterrean eateries in Thousand Oaks, Joey C. informed us that California Kabob Kitchen opened last week in the Starbucks shopping center at 537 New Los Angeles Avenue (at Spring Road) in Moorpark. She also indicated the kabobs are fresh, the Persian stews are amazing and they sell falafel, hummus and other great stuff. <pause> (Sorry, just had to wipe slobber from the keyboard.)

No website from what I can tell but check out their Facebook page or call 805.530.3828 for more information. So far nothing but 5 star Yelp reviews, so they must be doing something right!

Hummus Brothers Greek Grill to Open Soon at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks

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A new eatery is coming soon to The Oaks Mall food court in the spot previously occupied by Sbarro. Hummus Brothers Greek Grill is anticipated to open in mid-July.

The Thousand Oaks Sbarro was closed along with 16 other California locations as part of 182 closures nationwide earlier this year according to the Orange County Register. There's still a Sbarro location at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura.

Back to Hummus Brothers...visit their Facebook page for updates at www.facebook.com/hummusbros.

Dog Haus to Open Location in Former Denny's Spot in Thousand Oaks

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Update 1/3/15: Still in "Coming Soon" status but I'm sure it'll be worth the wait :) www.doghaus.com/locations/california/thousand-oaks-thousand-oaks-blvd.html

Update 7/6/14: Dog Haus Thousand Oaks has its own Facebook page at www.facebook.com/doghausthousandoaks for updates on grand opening date.

Originally posted 4/18/14: The Thousand Oaks Denny's at 50 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard closed its doors way back in August 2012. Dog Haus "The Absolute Würst - Gourmet Hot Dog, Burger, and Sausages" is slated to open here.  Dog Haus has three locations in the Pasadena/Alhambra are but has plans for rapid growth through franchising. Their menu includes special all-beef skinless hot dogs, gourmet sausages and freshly ground angus beef burgers.

Their menu, available at doghaus.com, includes such unique and delicious sounding choices as the "Sooo Cali" Dog (arugula, tomato, crispy onions, spicy basil aioli and avocado) and the "Scott Baioli" (carmelized onions, smoked bacon, onion rings, BBQ sauce and garlic aioli).

Additional Tenants at the "Shoppes at Westlake Village" Highlighted

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Update July 5, 2014:

Additional tenants since the last update include Which Wich® Superior Sandwiches, Bowl of Heaven Acai Bowls, Kirk Jewelers, The Gallery (a gourmet restaurant specializing in fresh seafood, chops and oysters) and Figueroa Mountain Brewing as well as a Sports Clips. Target is planning to open on Sunday, July 27th.

Posted March 14, 2014:

A few months ago we noted that the 240,000 sq ft Shoppes at Westlake Village development would be home to a new Target store, In N Out Burger and Total Woman Gym & Spa in the summer of 2014.

Since then, a number of new tenants have been named for this brand new property at www.shoppesatwestlakevillage.com. Here goes:

Olio e Limone Ristorante (meaning "oil and lemon" in Italian) serves "simply sophisticated" Italian cuisine in an inviting atmosphere with European hospitality. They have been operated in Santa Barbara for nearly 15 years and their second location will be right here at the Shoppes. Learn more at www.olioelimone.com.

Next door to Olio e Limone will be Olio Pizzeria, a casual concept emphasizing simple, delicious everyday artisanal Italian food with a contemporary twist. Enjoy boutique salumi and formaggi, authentic pizza and regional wines, Italian beers and signature cocktails.

All Tressed Up BlowDry and Beauty Bar is an express luxury service salon where you can sit at a luxurious blowdry bar, sip champagne or surf on complimentary iPads while undergoing your beauty makeovers. More at getalltressedup.com.

Jeannine's Gourmet Food Hall is joining the Shoppes with its one-of-a-kind pastries and nutritious, wholesome food. Jeannine's has three locations in Santa Barbara - in Montecito, Downtown and Uptown. Family owned for 30 years! Learn more at jeannines.com. (Update: Jeannine's opened in mid-October)

BCBC Nail Spa will also be opening at the Shoppes, offering superior nail service in a relaxing atmosphere.

Hook Burger will be opening a new location at the Shoppes too! Founded by the folks with 35 years of burger experience with The Habit. Hook burgers are humanely raised, 100% USDA lean beef and chicken is fresh and hormone and antibiotic free. You can try Hook now in its Oxnard location. Learn more at hookburger.com. (Update: Hook Burger opened in early October 2014)

Last but not least for now, Tilly's, which specialized in action sports clothing, shoes and accessories, is opening a new location at the Shoppes. www.tillys.com

Learn more about the Shoppes at Westlake Village at www.shoppesatwestlakevillage.com.