Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Camarillo is Opening on Monday, February 3rd

It has been 22 months since we first announced that the Camarillo Planning Commission approved construction of a 10,486 sq ft Cracker Barrel eatery in the Promenade section of the Camarillo Premium Outlets, making it the first Cracker Barrel ever to reside in Ventura County. Five months later, the city anticipated a Spring 2019 grand opening.

Well, here we are in January 2020 and, at long last, the official sign is up on the side of the building that says Cracker Barrel is opening on February 3rd, a Monday. Expect some long lines that day!

More updates on the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Facebook page at www.facebook.com/crackerbarrel.camarillo. Address is 560 East Ventura Boulevard.

The Irish Pub at The Palm Garden Hotel in Thousand Oaks (Newbury Park) is Now Open

Brendan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant closed its doors in Camarillo and Newbury Park last week as previously posted.

But the good news is that the Palm Garden Hotel has acquired the onsite restaurant and has already reopened it, initially as “The Irish Pub at the Palm Garden Hotel.” It has a limited menu, with some items carried over from Brendan’s.

The Irish Pub at the Palm Garden Hotel will be open limited hours of 4-9PM Monday through Thursday and 4-10PM Friday/Saturday (closed Sunday) until they close for renovations at a future TBA date.

The hotel is developing a new concept for the location.

Brendan’s gift cards will be honored at this temporary restaurant for food and non-alcoholic beverages until February 15th.

More information at www.palmgardenhotel.com/catering-and-dining-copy-20191219143551.htm or by calling 805.716.4200.

Sage Vegan Bistro Opening Soon at Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills (NOW OPEN)

UPDATE 5/28/20: Sage Plant Based Bistro & Brewery now open!

Sage Vegan Bistro will be opening soon in the former Hugo’s location at Whizin Market Square, 5046 Cornell Drive, Agoura Hills. With locations in Echo Park, West LA and Old Town Pasadena, Sage is a plant-based bistro serving vegan breakfast, lunch and dinner. www.sageveganbistro.com

The Yard Thai Cuisine Now Open in Agoura Hills

Conejo Valley Guide Instagram Page follower Kay H let us know that The Yard Thai Cuisine opened a few days ago in the Agoura Hills City Mall at 5889 Kanan Road. The food photos on their Facebook page look delicious. Full range of Thai specialties - soups, salads, noodles, noodle soups, stir fried dishes, curries, grilled items and more.

Porta Via Calabasas Now Open at The Commons at Calabasas

UPDATE 9/15/20: NOW OPEN

Porta Via California Bistro Bar looks to be opening sometime in 2020 at The Commons at Calabasas, based on the prominent signage shown above. It will be located in the space formerly (and quite briefly) occupied by Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop and prior to that, Johnny Rockets.

Porta Via describes itself as a neighborhood restaurant with a world-class feel, offering hand-picked produce, wild caught seafood and all-natural meats delivered daily.

Porta Via operates other locations in Beverly Hills and Pacific Palisades for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Here is a sampling of menu items at portaviarestaurants.com:

Breakfast: Omelettes, scrambles, juice bar and smoothies and more.

Lunch and Dinner: Pastas, grilled specialties, sandwiches and sides.

There’s also a weekend brunch from 9am to 11:30am on Saturday and 9am to 3pm on Sunday.

Stay tuned.

MidiCi The Neopolitan Pizza Company Opened in Downtown Ventura This Month

MidiCi The Neopolitan Pizza Company opened earlier this month at 512 East Main Street, Ventura (formerly occupied by Tipps Thai).

This new eatery features a variety of Neopolitan style pizzas, salads, small/shared plates , wood-fired calzone, pasta, desserts and more. mymidici.com

Thanks for the heads up, Keith R!

Denny's Opened New Location on Telegraph Road in Ventura a Few Months Ago

A rare moment indeed. A brand spanking new Denny’s recently opened in Ventura at 4095 Telegraph Road (cross street Ashwood) in what was previously a Coco’s that closed in Aprll 2015.

It’s not often that an older restaurant opens a new location like this. Kudos to Denny’s. www.dennys.com

About Denny’s (why not):

Harold Butler and Richard Jezak opened a donut stand in Lakewood, California in 1953 and called it Danny’s Donuts. Butler’s stated promise was “To serve the best cup of coffee, make the best donuts, give the best service, offer the best value and stay open 24 hours a day.”

After Jezak’s departure from the now 6-store chain, Butler created and changed the concept a year later from a donut shop to a coffee shop with store #8. Danny’s Donuts is renamed Danny’s Coffee Shops and changes its operation to 24 hours in 1956.

In 1956, Butler changed the name to Denny’s Coffee Shops to avoid confusion with Coffee Dan’s in Los Angeles. Denny’s Coffee Shops became Denny’s in 1961.

The “Grand Slam” was introduced in Atlanta in 1977 in homage to Hank Aaron.

Today there are over 1,700 locations worldwide.

Amores Tequila Looks to Open in Agoura Hills at Former Brendan's Irish Pub (Opened in Spring 2020)

UPDATE: Amores Tequila Grill and Bar opened in April 2020.

There’s a Public Notice of Application for Ownership Change up on the window of the former Brendan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant at 30315 Canwood Street, Agoura Hills that indicate Amores Tequila, LLC looks to be the new occupant.

No other information at this point, so stay tuned.

Tifa Chocolate & Gelato is Opening Yet Another Location - Oakbrook Plaza in Thousand Oaks

Ani S. pointed out via the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page messaging that Tifa Chocolate & Gelato is building out a new location in the Oakbrook Plaza, 1730 Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks, next to the Lash Lounge.

Tifa is on quite a roll! With existing locations in Agoura Hills, Westlake Village and Camarillo, it now is in process of opening additional locations in Calabasas and Thousand Oaks. tifachocolateandgelato.com