Color Mi Vino: Paint, Wine, Fun Opening Later This Summer in Simi Valley

Color Mi Vino: Paint, Wine, Fun is joining the latest big trend...painting with a glass of wine. They are looking to open in the coming months, with a target date in September, at 2955 B-2 Cochran St, Simi Valley (Sycamore Square Shopping Center).

Under the guidance of a trained artist, enjoy painting your masterpiece with a glass of wine, beer or non-alcoholic beverage. All supplies will be provided and no experience is required. You will be guided every step of the way.

For updates, visit colormivino.com.

iThai Restaurant Coming Soon to Former Home of Zzyzx Cafe in Camarillo

There's a sign up at the former home of Zzyzx Cafe at 33 N. Lewis Road in Camarillo indicated iThai Restaurant will be opening soon. No other information at this point so stay tuned.

Follow-up: Turns out iThai opened within a few days of this post. www.ithaicamarillo.com

Pitfire Artisan Pizza Slated to Open on August 2nd at Westlake Plaza in Westlake Village

Update 7/18/15: Pitfire announces it is opening in Westlake Village on Sunday, August 2nd. www.pitfirepizza.com/westlake-village  Additionally, 100% of proceeds on August 2nd will be donated to affordable housing charity Many Mansions. 

Pitfire Pizza is on the cusp of opening at the Westlake Plaza, 980 South Westlake Boulevard, Pitfire serves rustic, fire singed pizzas and handcrafted cuisine from simple, fresh ingredients. In addition to artisanal pizzas, Pitfire serves up pastas, salads, panini and more. This will be Pitfire's 9th location. Learn more at www.pitfirepizza.com.

Sharky's Woodfired Mexican Grill Anticipated to Open This July at Janss Marketplace

Sharky's Woodfired Mexican Grill opened its new location at the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks on Monday, July 27th.  805.371.7978.

Beer and wine available at this location.

Sharky's is located at the former home of Qdoba, which closed its doors in June 2013. This space is adjacent to the interactive fountain and Buca di Beppo, and across the parking lot from Hooters.

There are other local Ventura County and adjacent area Sharky's locations in Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Simi Valley, Ventura, Calabasas and most recently (December 2012), in Camarillo. Visit www.sharkys.com for more information.

VC Star Reports Vitello's Trattoria in Thousand Oaks to Close This Sunday

The Ventura County Star reported at www.vcstar.com/business/vitellos-trattoria-enters-final-days-of-business-at-thousand-oaks-location yesterday that Vitello's Trattoria in Thousand Oaks will be closing after dinner service this coming Sunday, July 26th.  The restaurant came to the end of its five year lease but opted not to extend the lease, though the owner indicated they may seek a new location. www.vitellostrattoria.com

Posted by Vitello's Trattoria on Thursday, April 11, 2013

Sabra Fish Grill is Now Open at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard

UPDATE: Sabra closed its doors in late 2017.

Update 7/22/15: Sabra Fish Grill is now open at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard. Fast-casual seafood dining.

Original Post: 4/24/14: Yet another new restaurant is coming to The Collection at RiverPark! Sabra Fish Grill. Sabra will offer a wide selection of fresh fish, prepared fast at affordable prices and superb quality. Specific opening date not known yet but anticipated for sometime in 2014 now 2015.

Sabra will join Famous Dave's, Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Gandolfo's NY Deli, Gen Korean BBQ House, Kabuki Japanese Restaurant, Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, Panera Bread, Starbucks, Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana and Yard House. Additional eateries to open at The Collection in 2014 include Larsen's Grill, Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, Maria's Pronto, Toby Keith's Bar & Grill* and Ben & Jerry's.

*Toby Keith's closed in the spring of 2015. It had opened on May 2014.

Sports Authority at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks Looks to Open July 31st

There's a sign outside the Sports Authority storefront at the Janss Marketplace, 145 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, that indicates the store will be opening on Friday, July 31st.

This will be the fourth Sports Authority Store in the Ventura County/Conejo Valley area. Others stores in Westlake Village, Camarillo and Ventura.

Learn more at ca.thousandoaks.sportsauthority.com/sporting-goods-thousand-oaks-729.html

Ribbon Cutting for Phase I of Rotary Dreamcatcher Playground in Thousand Oaks Took Place Today

Working with the Conejo Recreation and Park District, the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks Sunrise has been working to raise $500,000 by 2016 to expand and refurbish the existing special needs playground at Old Meadows Park in Thousand Oaks. The Therapeutic Recreation Unit of CRPD provides special programs for residents with disabilities and is located at the park. The playground, available to special needs and all children, has been named the Rotary Dreamcatcher Playground.

Today the ribbon cutting for the $300,000 Phase I of the project took place. Phase I expands the size of the playground and contains mat surfacing, rolling turf hills, large shaded areas, tree log swings, seagull swings, harmony chimes, hammocks, pod seats, picnic tables and many other cool features.

Phase I was possible due to the tremendous fundraising efforts of the Rotary, CRPD and Play Conejo and with generous grants from the Tull Family Foundation, County of Ventura, Farmer’s Insurance, City of Thousand Oaks, the TO Rotary Club and the Rotary Foundation, Kenrose Kitchen Foundation, Verizon, CBC Federal Credit Union, and Harrison Industries.

Old Meadows Park is located at 1600 Marview Drive, Thousand Oaks, off of Erbes Road.

Phase I is done but the fundraising continues! Visit www.rotarydreamcatcher.org to learn more and to support the effort.

Al Mulino Eatalian Bakery & Bar Opening Soon in Thousand Oaks

Al Mulino Eatalian Bakery & Bar is anticipated to open next week (UPDATE: Doors are open today, Friday, July 24th) in the Paseo Marketplace at 3709 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks (in the former home of Bellavino Wine Bar).

The restaurant is owned by a group of friends, all from Italy, who have moved to the United States in recent years. The decided to open a restaurant that specialized in authentic Italian cuisine, including bakery items. freshly made pasta, fresh baked bread, Naples style pizza, gelato and other specialties.

The windmill, "mulino" in Italian,  grounds the grain into flour, the essential ingredient of bread, pasta and pizza.

Al Mulino will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and will have broad selection of freshly made pastries and cakes as well as authentic Italian gelato.

To learn more and find out about their grand opening date, follow Al Mulino's Facebook page and website at www.almulino.net.