MOD Pizza to Open Simi Valley Location in June Time Frame

Update: MOD Pizza Simi Valley opened in the Fall of 2015.

MOD Pizza is gearing up for opening its second location in Ventura County, at 2941 Cochran Street in Simi Valley in the Sycamore Square Shopping Center. Current anticipated opening date is this June. MOD "Made on Demand" Pizza opened its first VC location in Newbury Park last October. For updates on the Simi Valley MOD, visit modpizza.com/locations/simi-valley.

MOD’s individual artisan-style pizzas are made on demand, using organic fresh-pressed dough and signature sauces. Guests can create their own pizzas and salads, using any combination of 30 featured toppings, or they can choose from a menu of MOD classics. Pizzas and salads are the same price regardless of the number of toppings. Pizzas are hand-cooked in an 800 degree oven in less than 3 minutes and salads are hand-tossed in front of the customer. MOD also serves local draft beers, wine, handspun milkshakes, and house-made lemonades and iced teas. www.modpizza.com

"Make your own" pizzas are definitely the latest rage around town. Other players include Pieology (2 locations in the Conejo Valley), PizzaRev (Oxnard, Camarillo), Urban Pizza (Westlake Village) and Pitfire Pizza (soon to open in Westlake Village).

Leila's Restaurant in Oak Park to Close Its Doors on Sunday, April 26th

Leila's Restaurant in Oak Park announced on the 19th that it will be open through dinner on Saturday, April 25th, then will be closing its doors. Leila's "sister" restaurant, Pearl District, opened in Westlake Village late last December. Thanks to Karen G for the heads up via the CVG Facebook page.

New salmon dish!!! Sardinian couscous, roasted heirloom carrots, romesco, cucumber raita, sumac. Yumm!! #oakpark #bestrestaurantslosangeles #lafoodie #foodiela #foodporn #conejovalley #westlakevillage #thousandoaks #salmon #yum

A photo posted by @leilasrestaurant on Mar 6, 2015 at 3:52pm PST

Nico's Cafe also closed in that same location at the northeast corner of Lindero and Kanan roads a few weeks ago. Nico’s opened its doors in May 2006. But more recently, Margarita's Mexican Grill opened in the former home of Cigale Cafe in that same retail corner.

Letty's Mexican Restaurant in Newbury Park Closes Its Doors

Letty's Mexican Restaurant at 2454 Hillcrest Drive in Newbury Park appears to have closed its doors, based on the writing on the door "Closed for Good - Sorry." Letty's has operated at this location for over 20 years. Best of luck to its staff. Thanks for the heads up from Mindy N via the CVG Facebook page.

Pinot's Palette is Opening in Westlake Village on Thursday, May 7th

Sorry to report that Pinot's Palette closed its doors in last August 2017.

Update 4/18/15: Pinot's Palette plans to open to the public with its first class on Thursday, May 7th. Visit www.pinotspalette.com/westlakevillage to sign up!

Originally posted 1/31/15:

Pinot's Palette is coming soon to Westlake Village at 2879 Agoura Road (at Village Glen). Pinot's Palette is an upscale studio where adults can "Paint. Drink. Have Fun." Enjoy a night out with your friends, enjoy a glass of wine or beer, and be an artist for the night. No art experience is required. Sip away and in two to three hours create a work of art.

Specific opening date will be announced at a later date. Check www.pinotspalette.com/WestlakeVillage or www.facebook.com/PinotsPaletteWestlakeVillage for updates.

Grand Opening of Barone's The Pizzeria Express in Westlake Village on April 20th (NOW CLOSED)

Update Feb 2020: Barone’s Westlake Village has closed its doors.

Update 4/18/15: Barone's The Pizzeria Express will premiere on Monday, April 20th at 30990 Russell Ranch Road, Westlake Village. Visit www.facebook.com/baronespizzeria for additional updates. Barone's introduced the first pizza to Los Angeles in 1945.

Original Post: December 26, 2014:

That's what the sign says at 30990 Russell Ranch Road, Westlake Village, in the former home of 9021Pho (that moved to The Lakes at Thousand Oaks) and the extraordinarily short-lived Kora Bistro and Sushi Bar, directly adjacent to The Counter Burger.

Barone's has a location in Woodland Hills and that serves up rectangular shaped "gourmet pizzas made from the healthiest ingredients and dough made from the finest flour available, fresh salads, hearty pastas, hot sandwiches and delicious deserts that will finish any meal." See more at baronespizzeria.com.

The Gallery Restaurant at The Shoppes at Westlake is Now Open

Update 4/17/15: The Gallery Restaurant has announced that it is now open.

Over the last 12 months, The Shoppes at Westlake on Russell Ranch Road off of Lindero Canyon Road has been moving right along, with the opening of the Target store in July, followed by Total Woman Gym, Jeannine's Gourmet Food Hall, Hook Burger, Greens Up, In-N-Out Burger and others in 2014.

Among others opening at The Shoppes in 2015, The Gallery Seafood and Chophouse Restaurant is coming soon. The Gallery will feature fresh seafood, chops, oysters, innovative cocktails and more in 3,180 sq ft plus and additional 540 sq ft of outdoor seating areas.

The Gallery is located on the west side of The Shoppes, a few doors away from Hook Burger.

Other eateries anticipated to open soon at The Shoppes include Pick Up Stix (opened late March 2015), Olio e Limone Ristorante, Olio Pizzeria, Los Agaves Restaurant, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.’s Westlake Village taproom, Which Wich and TIFA Chocolate and Gelato (opened late January).

Other retail stores opening this year at The Shoppes include Tilly's, Guitar Center, Sports Clips and others.

Visit shoppesatwestlakevillage.com for more information.

Margaritas Mexican Grill Now Open at Lindero Canyon and Kanan in Oak Park

Margaritas Mexican Grill is now open at 702 Lindero Canyon Road (northeast corner at Kanan), Suite 704, Oak Park (former home of Cigale Cafe).

Margaritas 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.

Thanks for the heads up, Pria P via the CVG Facebook page!

Most Ventura County Area Coco's and Carrows Locations Closed Last Week

UPDATE: Coco’s Simi Valley at 698 E. Los Angeles Ave closed in September 2022. No more Coco’s in Ventura County. The closest Coco’s is now in Mission Hills.

According to Nation's Restaurant News, the new owners of Coco's Bakery and Carrows has closed approximately half of the eateries' locations that were deemed to be underperforming. CVG Facebook readers noted this too and we have confirmed that the following Ventura County locations have been closed:

• Coco's: Camarillo and Ventura (as well as the neighboring location at 4895 Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas)

• Carrows: Oxnard and Ojai

That leaves us with a single Carrows in Ventura and a single Coco's in Simi Valley.

(Carrows in Ventura closed in mid-2019.)

The Counter Burger Westlake Village Closed Its Doors This Week

The Counter Burger had perhaps my favorite veggie burger in town.

The Counter Burger in Westlake Village unexpectedly closed its doors earlier this week. The eatery opened in April 2009. Sorry to see it go! One of my family's favorite local burger places. The closest Counter Burger locations to the Conejo Valley are now in Studio City and Santa Monica www.thecounterburger.com/locations.