New Eateries Anticipated at the Westlake Plaza in Westlake Village

The Westlake Plaza, located at 980 South Westlake Boulevard, between Townsgate and Agoura Roads, has been in the public eye quite a bit recently as a result of tree removals.

According to the City of Thousand Oaks, permits are in place for Regency Center to:

• Allow exterior renovations, parking, and landscaping changes;

• Allow the pruning of 36 trees, encroachment into the protected zone of 40 oak trees, and the removal of 26 oak trees;

• Allow the pruning of 26 and removal of 9 landmark trees, and encroachment into the protected zone of 35 landmark trees; and

• Allow a 900 SF addition to an existing building and the construction of two new buildings for a total of 9000 SF

City Council an Regency Centers are in process of addressing public concerns about the tree removals and working to improve public outreach. Permitting documents are located at ci.thousand-oaks.ca.us/government/depts/community/westlake_plaza_regency_centers/default.asp and local newspaper are closely following the situation.

But let's talk about the new restaurants planned for the plaza. Right now, this 281,000 sq ft plaza is anchored by major tenants, Sprouts Farmers Market, Vons and Gelsons and is accompanied by a variety of eateries and businesses, including Natural Cafe, Galleto, Tuscany, Fins, East Coast Bagel, Sweet Arleen's, The Sea Casa, Jamba Juice, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Starbucks and Tomodachi Sushi, not to mention CVS, several banks and more.

What else is in store? Among other thngs, Pitfire Pizza, Mendocino Farms Sandwich Market, Pressed Juicery and Le Pain Quotidien.

Mendocino Farms is slated to occupy the space previously occupied by Jack's Deli that closed November 2011.

The old Jack's Deli for you local nostalgia fans. Mendocino Farms Sandwich Shop is slated to open its 9th location at this spot.For updates, Westlake Plaza regularly posts new information on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WestlakePlazaAndCenter.

The French Bulldog in Camarillo Closed on April 14th But to Re-Open with "New Look and Concept" on May 2nd

Update February 2015: Old Town Tavern closed the last weekend of January. Here's a comment from the eatery on its Facebook page "we lost our lease and moving to moorpark with a new concept called Kraftap stay tuned!"

Update 5/4/14: Old Town Tavern Camarillo is now open for business.

Today (4/17/14), The French Bulldog Bistro & Lounge announced on its Facebook page that it closed its doors this past Monday, April 14th, but will "be re-opening with a new look and concept on May 2nd." No other details at this point but the indicate the new concept will appeal to a wider audience.

The former The French Bulldog is located at 2433 Ventura Boulevard in Old Town Camarillo. It originally opened in March 2012. Prior to that, JJ Brewsky's was at this historic location.

There's a sign on the door that indicates "The Old Town Tavern" is coming soon. Stay tuned...

On a historic note, this building was established in 1916 by Joseph F. Lewis & Sons, making it nearly 100 years old! The building originally housed a department store, confectionery store, barber shop, the Farmers Bank of Camarillo and the Knob Hill Garage.

Pizza Hut Opened in Agoura Hills at Former Home of Golden Spoon Last Year

This is not recent news but hey, we need to keep track of this important stuff...the former home of Golden Spoon Agoura Hills at 5891 Kanan Road was re-opened as a Pizza Hut I believe sometime late last year. Golden Spoon had closed its doors on January 1, 2013. Yes, not very exciting news, but hey, you may be craving a pizza someday and will thank me for this. (818) 991-7508 www.PizzaHut.com

Free Woodchips at the Thousand Oaks Library! Thank You Very Mulch!

Conejo Valley residents looking for some woodchips for your gardening needs might find some in the parking lot of the Thousand Oaks Library. There is a 10 minute "Woodchip Loading Zone" on the southwest side of the library, adjacent to the Goebel Senior Center.

The Grill Restaurant & Bar in Camarillo Closed Last Week

The Grill Restaurant & Bar, formerly known as California Grill, in the Las Posas Plaza at 67 Daily Drive in Camarillo for over two decades, has an eviction notice on its window dated April 25th. Sorry to see you go, The Grill, and best of luck to your staff.

Blue Table Wine & Cheese Bar in Agoura Hills Grand Opening Party on May 10th

Although Blue Table Wine & Cheese Bar, located at Whizins Center in Agoura Hills, officially opened last November, the owners have decided to finally host an official Grand Opening Party on Saturday, May 10, 2014 from 5PM to 10PM. There will be free samples from over 15 wineries, free food, live music and much more.

Blue Table is a European style cafe with sidewalk seating, communal tables, local art and an eclectic atmosphere. Food is prepared in-house with fresh local seasonal produce.  Blue Table also offers culinary treats on it shelvess, from imported pastas and sauces to dressings and preserves. They also offer corporate catering, wine and cheese parties and all other special occasions.

Whizins Center is located at 28912 Roadside Drive in Agoura Hills. Visit www.bluetable.net or www.facebook.com/wineandcheesebar to learn more. Or call 818.587.2583.

The Painted Cabernet Opened at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard on 4/11/14 (Closed in 2024)

UPDATE: This business closed in early 2024.

We walked by The Painted Cabernet last Saturday afternoon and the place was packed with woman enjoying wine and painting!The Painted Cabernet opened at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard on April 11th. Painted Cabernet offers guests an opportunity to show off their artistic side under the watchful eyes of a trained instructor, while having a glass of wine in the process, offering an upscale urban studio, in a friendly, hip and creative environment for an evening on the town, a bachelorette party, a bit of “me” time or an out-of-the-ordinary date night.

The classes are a stress-free group setting where an artist instructor will guide you step-by-step replicating the featured painting, while giving you the time to sip a little wine, visit with your neighbor, listen to some great music and have a fun night out. Guests will be sure to go home with a painting that is uniquely their own.

Painted Cabernet also is available for private events, perfect for bridal showers, birthday parties, baby showers, corporate events, church groups and more.

An online calendar is up at paintedcabernet.com and reservations can be made by calling 805-963-9979.