Local Buzz covers new businesses, restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
Local Buzz covers new restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
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Mikey's Restaurant is now open at 579 N. Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park (Ralph’s plaza) in the former home of The Nook Restaurant. The website is www.mikeysrestaurantca.com. They also have an Instagram page at @mikeysrestaurant. Currently open for breakfast and lunch - at some point the indicate dinner too.
In light of the passing of Peter Mullin in September 2023, the Mullin Automotive Museum has announced it will close its doors on Saturday, February 10th.
Peter and Merle Mullin founded the Oxnard-based museum in 2010 to educate guests about 20th-century French automotive styling and design by showcasing the finest vehicles, sculptures and artifacts from the most-esteemed French master coachbuilders. The museum boasts nearly 47,000 square feet of exhibit space in an elegantly designed structure, which was previously owned by legendary newspaper publisher Otis Chandler. In addition to its sweeping gallery spaces, the museum includes a roof garden, theater, gift shop and archival storage.
Peter was inspired by Art Deco design and was equally passionate about sharing it with the public. To continue that legacy, four of the collection’s most iconic vehicles have been donated to the Petersen Automotive Museum. The 1937 Talbot-Lago T150 CS “Teardrop,” the 1938 Hispano Suiza H6B Dubonnet Xenia, the 1939 Delahaye 165 and the 1938 Delahaye 145 will now become part of the Petersen Automotive Museum, which Peter helped transform into the globally respected automotive institution it is today as part of a major overhaul a decade ago.
“Sharing these ‘rolling sculptures’ and beautiful art with others was Peter’s truest passion, and the museum helped bring that vision to life,” said Merle Mullin, director of the Mullin Automotive Museum. “We are deeply indebted to our staff, docents, volunteers, visitors and supporters who have dedicated their time and passion over the past 13 years. I hope past and first-time visitors will have a chance to say goodbye before we close.”
The museum will be open on a limited basis through Saturday, Feb. 10. Visit www.mullinautomotivemuseum.com for opening dates and hours.
Five07 opened its second location and brand-new concept at 2955 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks on December 29th.
Inspired by espresso shops one might find in Rome or Venice, the revamped space near the 101 Freeway and Hampshire Road prioritizes a quick and perfect drink every time with a series of standing bars to accompany limited table seating. A slight expansion on the vision from Five07’s flagship store in the Oakbrook Shopping Center, the new space features a menu all its own with more coffee roast selections as well as grab-and-go baked goods, sandwiches and pastries.
“In the same way that our ambition with the Arboles shop is to be the best possible community and creative space, The Boulevard’s Coffee Bar has the ambition of being the same standard of coffee and tea drinks,” co-owner/co-founder Sean Rendineo said. “The type of place that’s a must visit every time one walks, bikes or drives down to T.O. Boulevard.”
Given its proximity to the 101, Five07’s boulevard location will open at 6 a.m. (Monday-Saturday; closed Sundays) to better serve commuters and early risers. Ordering is available online or through the Five07 app to make it easier for guests who want to grab and go.
“The app is a great way to order ahead, as well as to stay apprised of everything Five07 is up to. It’s amazing to be building on the success of the Turkey Day Dash and our current location,” said Kyle Jorrey, Five07’s director of operations.
The expansion is a testament to the success of the family-owned business.
Founded in 2018 by Thousand Oaks natives Sean and Amber Rendineo, Five07 has built a community following through its unwavering commitment to an exceptional coffee and food experience. Most menu items are made with organic and locally-sourced ingredients; the house roast–Coffee for Creatives–is a blend of organic beans from two Ethiopian and Brazilian farms that is roasted in collaboration with Centri Coffee in Ventura.
While the boulevard location is smaller than the shop on Arboles, it will bring the same commitment to quality and community, the owners said.
“We have such a wonderful team; getting to know some of them in a more refined space like this will build upon our efforts to highlight the importance of the ‘third space’ in a thriving society and community,” said Amber Rendineo, co-owner of the organization.
At 2955 T.O. Boulevard, Five07 Director of Coffee Haig Gevorgian will curate a constantly rotating menu of coffee beans highlighting the region’s best roasters. “Five07 Days”–all days ending in 5–will bring new farms and flavors that showcase the amazing variety and complexity of the coffee plant.
To check out the new menu, go to www.thefive07.com/blvd-menu.
For more information, visit www.TheFive07.com or follow them on Instagram (@TheFive07).
ABOUT FIVE07
FIVE07 exists to support creativity and community, representing the intersection of civic engagement, art, music, food and drink. The name symbolizes the five steps to creating something of importance–1) inspiration, 2) build-up, 3) resistance, 4) overcoming and 5) collaboration–happening seven days a week.
stella’s in early December 2023
A month ago there was a sign up indicating Stella’s Gourmet Restaurant at 2385 Michael Drive in Newbury Park was undergoing renovations. Today, that sign is gone, and the Stella’s sign has been taken down.
Stella’s opened its doors in 1981. The beloved original owner, Stella Scholle, passed away in November 2013. The eatery changed ownership several times since then.
There’s a new sign in the window indicating Cedro Italian Restaurant is opening soon. Learn more at www.cedrorestaurant.com..
Stella’s in early January 2024.
In a note on its Instagram page, Decker Kitchen announced it is closing its doors at its current location at 3732 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks (Paseo Market Place) after New Year’s Eve service this Sunday. They indicated having a tough time with technical issues in the new location (they relocated here in February 2022). However, they did provide a glimmer of hope “We would say goodbye, but it’s more than likely you will all hear from us again.”
Decker’s original location was at the County Line Shopping Center in Westlake Village, which has been vacant for nearly two years but recently we learned that Lava Kitchen Mediterranean Restaurant is coming soon.
Letter from Copa Comedy Club website at www.copacomedyclub.com
The owner of the Copa Comedy Club (formerly Ventura Harbor Comedy Club), Copa Cubana and 805 Bar & Grilled Cheese announced that its final day of operation was Tuesday, December 19th. www.copacomedyclub.com
The long awaited Crawford’s Social in the Westlake Plaza at 974 South Westlake Blvd (cross street Agoura Road) is today, Saturday, December 16th at 5pm. The bar and lounge will be open for full service at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 19th.
Crawford’s Social is a 15,000 sq ft indoor/outdoor lounge and bar serving shareable California coastal cuisine in a beautiful setting. There are booths amidst illuminated trees, firepits and fountain in the resort-like outdoor patio.
The thoughtfully crafted beverage menu was created and is run by expert-mixologist, 25-year London hospitality veteran Ruairi Gilles. Enjoy world-class cocktails with a local flair, like their house special: The Crawford’s Margarita (tequila, pineapple and habanero) and the Westlake Iced Tea (super premium vodka and tequila, triple sec topped with pink champagne). Wines from top marque California vineyards and selected boutique wineries, along with locally crafted beers, round out the drink menu.
The culinary menu is a celebration of California's diverse and dynamic flavors, where patrons will find an array of shareable dishes and crowd favorites. Opening menu highlights include Sweet & Spicy Shrimp with spicy honey aioli and candied walnuts; Filet Mignon ‘Westlake Sliders’ with maitre’d butter; Smoked Scallops with parsnip puree and caviar; and a hand-torn Caesar Salad with buttered crouton crumble. The concept will also offer a selection of Roman-style pizzas with various toppings and a raw selection crafting up chilled dishes ideal for the area’s consistently balmy weather. Crawford’s Social also offers guests a selection of larger plates, including a roast Half Chicken with lemon buerre blanc; Pan Seared Salmon with squid ink couscous and smoked pea puree; Carnitas-Style Pork Tacos with pineapple-jalapeno pico and tomato jam; and more.
Learn more and see their menus at www.crawfordssocial.com. Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Image from honey & herb INstagram page.
The Waffle Experience in the Conejo Gateway Plaza at 765 Wendy Drive in Newbury Park has announced that it will be re-branding as the Honey & Herb Belgian Waffle House @honeyandherbwaffles on Instagram on Friday, December 22nd. There will be a launch event on Friday, December 22nd from 4-7pm - see bit.ly/HandHEvent or visit their IG page for the link. I'm told the menu will be similar. They are still open in the meantime. This popular eatery originally has garnered a Yelp rating of 4.4 - one of the highest in the Conejo Valley - since opening in June 2021. Their new website is honey-and-herb.com.
Same ownership and staff. Similar menu….with the additional of “regular” Belgian waffles to the menu as well.
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