Romano's Macaroni Grill in Thousand Oaks at The Promenade at Westlake is Closed

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook follower Caren S. alerted us today to the fact that the Thousand Oaks location of Romano's Macaroni Grill has closed its doors. A sign is up indicating that a new restaurant will be coming soon, in the space located across from Paul Martin's American Grill that opened in December 2012.

There are other Macaroni Grill locations at the Simi Valley Town Center and in Ventura.

The Promenade has been through many changes in recent years, including the opening of the luxury Cinepolis Cinemas in September 2012, opening of Lemonade at the old CPK ASAP in November 2012, opening of the new Loteria Grill in the former La Salsa in April 2012, opening of the new Public School 805 in June 2013, the aforementioned Paul Martin's and the Sprinkles Cupcakes slated to open sometime this Fall.

La Cucina di Venti at The Village at Dos Vientos Closed Its Doors Tonight

Tonight, Sunday, September 8, 2013, La Cucina di Venti closed its doors to the public for the last time at its Newbury Park location at The Village at Dos Vientos. It opened on December 12, 2011.

Mari Monti Pizza with wild caught salmon and fresh arugula

Dayne's Chicago Beef and Dawgs Looks to Open in Thousand Oaks This Spring

Final Update 9/5/13: Dayne's Chicago Beef & Dawgs opened on August 24th at 2951 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks! Visit www.dayneschicagobeef.com or call 805.906.0888 to learn more.

In other news, Garage Dogs, which opened down the street on Thousand Oaks Boulevard on April 23, 2012, recently closed, though a sign on their door indicates they will be seeking a new location. That's too bad as I know several friends frequented Garage Dogs quite often.

Update 7/14/13: Dayne's is still working on a grand opening date. Follow www.facebook.com/DaynesChicagoBeef for updates.

Updated 3/25 (original post 3/7): Dayne's Chicago Beef and Dawgs indicates its grand opening will take place on Memorial Day weekend on its Facebook page.

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page follower Lauren T pointed out this new eatery coming "soon Spring 2013" to Thousand Oaks. The soon-to-be Dayne's Chicago Beef and Dawgs will be located at 2951 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, adjacent to my wife's favorite Chocolatine, in the space previously occupied by Channel Islands Scuba (which for some time now has been located down the street at 3200 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard).

Dayne's website at www.dayneschicagobeef.com looks to be work in progress at this point but based on what's in there at this point it looks like they will be serving up "authentic Italian beef sandwiches." Stay tuned...

Boney Mountain Coffee at The Village at Dos Vientos in Newbury Park is Now BeanoVino

UPDATE: BeanoVino has announced it will be closing at the end of January 2020.

Last month, the Boney Mountain Coffee Co. at The Village at Dos Vientos Ranch in Newbury Park came under new ownership and was renamed BeanoVino. BeanoVino currently serves up Intelligentsia Coffee as well as a variety of reasonably priced breakfast and lunch items. They are open 6 a.m. to 6p.m Sunday through Thursday and until 8 p.m. on Saturday/Sunday. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating is available.

Visit the BeanoVino Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/BeanoVino/700069103352261 or call 805.375.2326 for more information. Menu at this link.

Los Agaves Mexican Grill Recently Closed and Reopened as Portofino Italian Bistro

UPDATE 2/10/14: Los Agaves subsequently opened again at this location but in February 2014 closed their doors again.

As posted to the Portofino Italian Bistro Facebook Page (page subsequently removed) on June 29th, the owner of Los Agaves Restaurant and Grill decided to transform the restaurant into the Portofino Italian Bistro.

"Using the freshest ingredients, the best qualified professional staff under supervision of Chef Ricardo, it is a new destination for all the Italian Food Lovers....Seasonal menus, catering, private parties, etc. The restaurant offers a full license bar, extensive wine list, a calendar of events with coming up, Dinner and Guitar, 5 Course Wine Pairing Dinners, and more....We invite you to join us for Lunch or Dinner or just for a drink and appetizers."

Sounds interesting! The new Portofino Italian Bistro is located at 2350 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks, smack dab in between Donut Depot and Rhineland Deli (good sandwiches there!), right across the street from The Lakes at Thousand Oaks. Their phone number is 805.777.7532.

From Frozen Yogurt to Burgers to the "Best Chinese Food" in Thousand Oaks (Golden Dragon)

Originally posted 7/23/13. Update 8/13/13: The Best Chinese Food's actual name is Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant. I like that because I was born in the Year of the Dragon. Thanks for the heads up again, Melissa W.

"Best Chinese Food" is what the sign says at 2416 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks. Thanks to the eagle eyes of CVG Facebook follower Lauren T. of Thousand Oaks, we've learned that Village Burgers, which opened its doors last fall in the former home of Yozen Frogurt Express) is closed and that some time next month, "Best Chinese Food" is coming to our little town of Thousand Oaks.

What is not clear to me just yet is, will the new restaurant literally be called Best Chinese Food or is that just a teaser for the possibly to be announced new Chinese food restaurant that will be opening here. Well the smaller sign on the door shown below gives no clues (though I do like the small letter o's).

But wait, maybe it does. It does not say "Best Chinese Food" - just "Chinese Food." So maybe it will be called something else. Who knows. Well someone knows. But it ain't me. Yet. But one thing I do know is that I love Chinese food. And since this place will be situated across the street from the Toyota dealership, I might have to bring my car in for servicing, once the Best Chinese Food, Good Chinese Food or simply, Chinese Food, is open for business.

And Village Burgers, we are sorry to see you go. Although I never did get around to trying you out, I had intended to. At some point. But I'll have to cross that thought off the bucket list. That is all.

Golden Spoon Location on Ave de los Arboles in Thousand Oaks Recently Closed

A tip by local resident Melissa W. of Thousand Oaks led me to a vacated Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt location that was previously located at Oakbrook Plaza, 2000 Avenida de los Arboles in Thousand Oaks. A call to the other Thousand Oaks location on Moorpark Road confirmed the closure and that the Moorpark Road location is indeed still open. This marks the 3rd local Golden Spoon location to close in 2013, leaving two remaining in Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley. Visit www.goldenspoon.com for more information.

Agoura Hills Diner Opened in Early December 2012 and Closed in Summer 2013

UPDATE 7/5/13: Hmm, the picture below says it all. The space previously occupied by Johnny Rockets and briefly occupied by the Agoura Hills Diner from December 2012 to I believe sometime in the last month is now vacant. Hmm, this is located next door to Agoura Hills Dance Center. Dancers eat healthy.  Maybe this is a good spot for a health food place!

ORIGINALLY POSTED 1/5/13: Johnny Rockets in Agoura closed on December 3rd but within a week the same crew opened up a new restaurant in its place called Agoura Hills Diner at 5015 Cornell Street. Taking a look at their website at agourahillsdiner.com, they serve up hamburgers, sandwiches and hot dogs, salads, brunch, kids meals, hand-made milk shakes, floats and freezes and more. Their 1/3 pound hamburgers are made with "100% Fresh Natural Beef," fresh, never frozen. Fries are cooked with 100% trans fat free fryer oil. Open 7 days a week at 11 a.m. Call 818.735.0513 for more information.

Vivoli Cafe & Trattoria in Westlake Village is Closed; Looks Like Veggie Grill is Coming

Vivoli Cafe & Trattoria at 3825 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Westllake Village, is closed. The owner of the chain indicated on the Vivoli website that due to a partnership dissolution he had to close the restaurant and others. But he does indicate he is looking to re-open at some time and place in the future.

Look carefully at the photo and you'll see a notice on the window. The notice is from North Ranch Properties, landlord of the property, indicating 1) improvements/alterations are being made to the property that they are not responsible for and 2) The Veggie Grill, Inc. is leasing the property.

So it appears we will be getting a Veggie Grill here! This should make some people happy! According to a recent press release, "Veggie Grill’s menu features a satisfying and energizing variety of hot sandwiches and burgers, entrée salads, homestyle plates, daily soups and housemade desserts made from hearty “veggie-proteins” and wholesome ingredients. With 16* locations in California, Oregon and Washington, Veggie Grill renders the impossible possible: 100-percent plant-based food that is convenient, affordable and craveable."

* Now 19 locations, with the closest one in Encino.

Visit www.veggiegrill.com to learn more about Veggie Grill.