Cafe Topanga Closed, Tara's Himalayan Cuisine Coming Soon to Newbury Park

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Update 2020: Tara’s is now Bollywood Spice Indian Cuisine bollywoodspiceusa.com

Update 7/29/17: Well, that was quick! Tara's Himalayan Cuisine has been open now about a week, according to Jonathan Stewart of Jonathan Stewart of Jonathan Stewart Photography. His initial indications are...good food and good service!

Cafe Topanga Pasta & Pizza at 171 N. Reino Road in Newbury Park has closed its doors but a new eatery is coming soon. Tara's Himalayan Cuisine. Tara's will offer up authentic Nepalese, Tibetan and Indian cuisine.

Tara's has locations in Los Angeles (near Culver City) and Artesia. According to its website:

“Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine is about family, yours and ours. Serving authentic Nepalese and Tibetan cuisine, we invite you to experience a true taste of home.

We use mountain grown herbs and spices from Nepal and whenever possible, locally grown vegetables. Our yak is Colorado raised. All of our dishes use the finest ingredients, and are prepared with a light touch. Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine is the dream of Tara Gurung Black. Born in a tiny mountain village in Nepal, she started her training in Nepalese classical and cultural dance at age eight. This inspired Tara to theme the restaurant according to classical and cultural Nepalese tradition.

While performing one day in Los Angeles, she had an overwhelming desire to share her Nepali culture with the people of Los Angeles. That is how and why Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine came to be.”
— tarashimalayancuisine.com/about-us

Stay tuned for updates or check tarashimalayancuisine.com or check the Tara's Ventura County Branch Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thcventura.

So long, Cafe Topanga, and best of luck in your future endeavors.

So long, Cafe Topanga, and best of luck in your future endeavors.

Natas Pastries Bakery & Cafe Opening This Summer in Thousand Oaks

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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

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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)

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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

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

Originally publish date: 2/25/17

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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

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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.