Chicago's Finest Restaurant Deep Dish Pizza Opened in Ventura in December

Chicago's Finest Restaurant "Home of the Original Deep Dish Pizza" opened at 1780 S Victoria Ave, Suite C, in Ventura (Ralphs Shopping Center) last month, serving up authentic Chicago style deep dish pizza, thin crust pizza, Chicago style hot dogs, sandwiches and more. CVG Facebook page follower Jennifer U. is a fan and said that one large, delicious deep dish pizza fed her entire family of five and three others! Visit www.chicagosfinestrestaurants.com for more information.

Petra Mediterranean Cuisine Opening Soon in Westlake Village (Opened 2015; Closed 2019)

UPDATE: Petra opened in the spring of 2015 and subsequently closed sometime in early 2019.

We were driving in the Melting Pot/Stonefire Grill strip mall and I looked up and saw something new - Petra Mediterranean Cuisine at 3731 E Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks in the large eatery previously vacated by Fiamme Restaurant two years ago.

According to their website at www.finediningwestlakevillageca.com, they are opening soon: "We've based our interior space on the famous temple of Petra, creating a variety of spaces suitable for large parties and private dining. A banquet hall is available for particularly sizable groups or business meetings. Whether dining in a group or with intimate partners, you'll enjoy our exemplary Mediterranean cuisine surrounded by splendid, authentic decor."

The Ranch in Westlake Village Closes Its Doors

A CVG Facebook page tip led us to this empty The Ranch eatery at 30843 E Thousand Oaks Blvd, Westlake Village. This seemed quite sudden in that there was a post to their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheRanchCateringCo on December 28th and the message came to us just 6 days later. The Ranch has (or had) a solid 4 star Yelp rating and was well known for tasty burgers made with homemade buns. I would agree with that assessment based on my own positive experience there.

Zzyzx Café in Camarillo Announces it Will Be Closing Its Doors on January 26th

Zzyzx Café announced yesterday that the Camarillo based eatery will be closing its doors after its lease ends on Monday, January 26th. If you haven't been to Zzyzx before, you still have time to enjoy breakfast and lunch from their unique menu a few more weeks.

The owner is looking to do some re-branding and open a new location at some point. Those potentially interested can contact him directly. Check the Zzyzx Facebook page at www.facebook.com/zzyzxcafe.

Karma Baker Opened in Westlake Village in October

On a recent visit with the kids to the only remaining Lamppost Pizza in the Conejo Valley, I noticed the Karma Baker sign at 1145 Lindero Canyon Road in Westlake Village, in the Pavilions Plaza at the southwest corner of Lindero and Kanan.

Karma Baker offers organic, vegan, dairy-free, egg-free and gluten-free baked goods, including carrot cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes, cookies, muffins, tarts, seasonal pies and more.

Owner Celine Ikeler has a passion for baking vegan, gluten-free with her own flour blend that, unlike most store brands, does not include beans, nuts or soy. She has partnered with vegan ultra-endurance athlete, best-seller and motivational speaker Rich Roll and his wife Julie in establishing this bakery.

Bakery hours are 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Although their website at www.karmabaker.com indicates "by appointment" on weekends, their Facebook page indicates 9am to 2pm on Saturdays.

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Cigale Cafe in Oak Park Closed in October; Margarita's Mexican Grill Coming in 2015

The owner of Cigale Cafe at 704 Lindero Canyon Road (at Kanan) announced in October that this French eatery would be closing its doors after a successful five year run. This was sad to hear as its 4 1/2 star Yelp ratings indicate it was enjoyed by many.

Coming soon to this location will be Margarita's Mexican Grill, which recently posted mock-ups of restaurant signage on its Facebook page. Margarita's is targeting a January/February launch at its new Oak Park location. There's a sign on the front door indicating they are looking to hire experience staff on Mondays through Wednesdays from 1-5pm.

Margarita's is a family-owned eatery that opened its Santa Clarita location in 1998, where it offers breakfast, brunch, buffets, authentic Mexican food, seafood, vegan/vegetarian specialties and more. Visit www.margaritasmexgrill.com.

Adolfo Grill to Open in Camarillo in November

Adolfo Grill and The Daily Bar (formerly The Grill Restaurant & Bar (previously California Grill) recently opened at the Las Posas Plaza at 67 East Daily Drive, Camarillo.

Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. I see items like paella, filet mignon, braised beef short ribs, five cheese herb crusted mac and cheese, grilled ravioli and other great sounding items on their menu.

Visit www.adolfogrill.com for more information.

Community Marketplace Indoor Swap Meet Opened in Moorpark in October

Effective September 3, 2015, the Community Marketplace Indoor Swap Meet in Moorpark is closed. 

The Community Marketplace Indoor Swap Meet opened in Moorpark on Halloween. Housed in a 253,500 sq ft building, it is the largest venue of its kind in the local area. Currently (as of December 2014) there are 80 vendors selling items ranging from plants, furniture, clothing, shoes, vintage items, jewelry, lots of handmade items, electronics and much more, as well as a home improvement area where you can find local service providers.

Community Marketplace is a "permanent" indoor mall open year round on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. This December it is also open weekdays through Christmas Eve. Operators are looking to bring in three gourmet food trucks in the future.

Located at 709 Science Drive in Moorpark, near the junction of the 23 and 118. From Thousand Oaks, take the 23 north to New Los Angeles Avenue and turn left. Then turn right on Science Drive.

Learn more at www.shopcommunitymarketplace.com.

Lovi's Delicatessen Slated to Open at Former Home of Red Robin in Calabasas in December

The former home of the Calabasas Red Robin at 24005 Calabasas Road in Calabasas is slated to become Lovi's Delicatessen, Bakery, Restaurant and Baron Monday, December 15, 2014. The Lovi family has decades of experience in the restaurant business, including The Country Deli in Chatsworth, Agoura's Famous Deli and most recent Pickles Deli in Newbury Park (I'm a fan). For updates, visit lovisdeli.com.