Natas Pastries Bakery & Cafe Opening This Summer in Thousand Oaks

Another update: Natas Pastries Thousand Oaks closed its doors in January 2020.

Update: Natas Pastries is now open at 2388 Thousand Oaks Boulevard as of early September.

Natas Pastries will be located directly across from the Thousand Oaks Toyota dealership (not that I had to tell you given the reflection in this photo).

Natas Pastries will be located directly across from the Thousand Oaks Toyota dealership (not that I had to tell you given the reflection in this photo).

Natas Pastries is a Portuguese bakery and cafe that has operated in Sherman Oaks since 2005. It claims to be the only Portuguese bakery in Los Angeles.

Natas is named after its signature pastry, nata, a crisp puff pastry shell filled with custard. Mmmm!

Well welcome Natas to the Conejo Valley as they plan to open a location at 2388 Thousand Oaks Boulevard (at Pleasant Way, near Harold's House of Omelettes) in the recently closed Pizzeria La Piccola location.

A sampling of some of the menu items includes:

  • Portuguese Sweet Bread French Toast

  • Caramel Crunch Belgian Waffle

  • Chourico e Queijo Sandwich (Grilled Portuguese sausages/Chouricos, grilled onions, tomatoes and melted cheese, served with kettle chips and salad) - I'm sold on this one.

  • Chicken Panini Sandwich

  • Caprese Salad

  • Caldeirada (Seafood stew of sea bass, salmon, cod, shrimp, clams and mussels, served over rice or potatoes)

Learn more at www.nataspastries.com.

Smashburger Thousand Oaks Has Closed Its Doors

Flashback to July 11, 2012: Smashburger opened its doors at the former home of Chuy's at 650 North Moorpark Road.

It just under five years later and Melissa B alerted me yesterday via Twitter, July 2, 2017 that Smashburger Thousand Oaks has closed.

Sure enough, Smashburger Thousand Oaks is closed, joining three other business, all in a row (White Elephant Thai, a massage business and a donut shop).

So Smashburger fans will have to drive to Camarillo or perhaps in the future in Simi Valley, where another Smashburger location is planned for the Mountaingate Plaza.

Prawn & Basil Coming Soon to Thousand Oaks (Closed Fall 2021)

UPDATE: Prawn & Basil will be reopening as Roast & Rice Kitchen at 30990 Russell Ranch Road, Westlake Village in 2022.

Prawn & Basil closed in the fall of 2021 and a new place is coming soon “Phil’s.”

Update: They opened in early August 2017.

I've driven by the sign numerous times while driving down Thousand Oaks Boulevard recently but today finally stopped to document the excitement. The former home of Geppino's Sicilian Kitchen (which closed earlier this year) and Vitello's before that will soon be home to Prawn & Basil

The liquor license sign in the window at 3316 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard (just northwest of Duesenberg Drive) says "Prawn & Basil by Exotic Thai" so there appears to be a connection with another Thai place around town. We shall see. No timing at this point but the sign sure looks good. Stay tuned.

Hatch Café & Market Now Open in Agoura Hills

Hatch Café & Market is now open at 30651 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Agoura Hills. While I have not had the opportunity to see their menu as of yet, their Instagram page gives a little peek, including a Chorizo & Potato Flatbread Benedict, delicious looking cookies and more.  

Chorizo ➕ Potato Flatbread Benedict.🍴🍴🙌🏻🙌🏻 #hatcheatery

A post shared by Hatch Café & Market (@hatcheatery) on

Sushi Haru at The Village at Dos Vientos in Newbury Park Has Closed Its Doors

Update 6/23/17: Sushi Haru has closed its doors. 

sushiharu.JPG

Posted 5/19/16:

Red Coral Sushi at The Village at Dos Vientos Ranch in Newbury Park closed its doors on April 30th, after seven years in business. 

But the good news is that Sushi Haru, Japanese Fusion Restaurant opened June 4, 2016 (according to Brian).

The Park Restaurant and Bar in Oak Park Now Open (Closed in Spring 2021)

Annnnndd another update 5/29/21: The Park is now closed and the space is available for lease.

Update 6/22/17: The Park Restaurant and Bar is now open. www.facebook.com/theparkrestaurantandbar  Specializing in "California's finest foods, wines."

Original Post: 5/5/17

There is a new eatery coming to the former home of On The Thirty (closed last December) and Leila's (closed April 2015) at 706 Lindero Canyon Road, Suite 752 in Oak Park

The notice on the door indicates The Oak Park Restaurant and Bar has filed for a transfer of the license to sell alcoholic beverages at this site.

No further details at this time, so stay tuned.

Go Fish Sushi Bar Opening Again Soon at Simi Valley Town Center

Update 6/20/17: Go Fish Sushi's grand opening was this past Saturday, June 17th.

Originally publish date: 2/25/17

GoFishSushiBar.JPG

We stopped by the Simi Valley Town Center the other day to grab a bite to eat and explore a bit. As we meandered over to the west side of the mall near the Studio Movie Grill and koi pond, we noticed that Go Fish Sushi Bar was under construction adjacent to the theater.

This koi pond is located next to Go Fish Sushi Bar. Koi, don't worry, you're safe.

This koi pond is located next to Go Fish Sushi Bar. Koi, don't worry, you're safe.

Go Fish Sushi Bar was shut down for construction on Friday, August 8, 2014. The specific grand re-opening date has not been announced as of yet but according to a post on its Facebook page, it appears to be in the next month or two.

Julian's Restaurant & Bar Opened Last Month in Old Town Camarillo

UPDATE; Julian's subsequently closed in the latter part of 2017 in late January 2018 re-opened as Que Pasa Mexican Cafe.

Julian's Restaurant & Bar opened last month at 2433 Ventura Boulevard in Old Town Camarillo, in the historic "J.F. Lewis & Sons - 1916" building previously occupied by JJ Brewsky's, The French Bulldog and then, the Old Town Tavern.

Julian's was opened by brothers Jerry and Julio Perez and their uncle Jorge Contreras after closing Verona Trattoria this past February after 20 years in service. This new concept, named after Jorge's late brother, serves gourmet California cuisine.

Entrees on the dinner menu include Steak and Enchilada, Filet Brie, Salmon Mediterranean, Enchiladas Poblanas, pastas and more.

Visit www.juliansrestaurantandbar.com.

The Annex at The Collection at RiverPark

The Annex is a 16,000 sq ft collection of microshops, boutiques and eateries that will be located at the southeast corner of Collection Boulevard and Parkview Court at The Collection at RiverPark.

As of June 2017, shops and eateries to occupy The Annex include:

  • Cherry Hills Market - Retail shop will sell a variety of premium hand crafted home goods.

  • Sueno Jewelry Studio - handmade and custom jewelry

  • Scratch will be opening its first brick and Mortar location here, serving seasonal meats, cheeses and product for breakfast, lunch and dinner. NO LONGER THERE

  • Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters, which originated in Newbury Park, will open a location here.

  • Love Pho Cafe will be opening a location here.

  • Bottle & Pint, yet another Newbury Park original will open its second location here, with crafts beers from around the world.

  • Afters Ice Cream is home of the "milky bun." Handmade ice cream sandwiches on soft, doughnut-like buns.

  • The Blend Superfood Bar will offer smoothies and acai bowls.

Learn more at www.tcrpannex.com.