805 Living Dining Blog: Angie Eats
Welcome to the 805 Living Dining Blog where our Dining Editor, Angela Pettera, keeps you up to date on restaurant happenings in the 805. To send her your tips and comments, email angela@805living.com. Happy eating!
Events listed on the blog are subject to change. Please contact the restaurants to confirm availability and details.
New Year’s Eve at Cass Winery
Thursday, December 31st, 6 p.m. - past midnight
Cass Winery in Paso Robles is throwing a huge party to benefit His Healing Hands East Africa Medical Ministry. The night begins with a wine reception followed by a piano concert from Marek Zebrowski. An East-African-themed dinner will be served along with Cass wines. Then there’s dancing to live music from the band Mighty Croon Dogs. A live auction will also be on offer. Tickets are $100.
Cass Winery, 7350 Linne Road, Paso Robles, 805-239-1730
New Year’s Eve at Charline’s
Thursday, December 31st, 8 p.m. - after midnight
A dance party for grown folks is happening here on New Year’s Eve. DJ Flexx will spin tunes, Champagne will be poured at midnight, and party favors will be passed out. Menu specials like gumbo, collard-green quesadillas, smokey mac & cheese balls, and Oreo bread pudding will be available for purchase. The cover charge is $15.
Charline’s, 546 E. Main St., Ventura, 805-652-2255
New Year’s Eve at Safire
Thursday, December 31st, seatings 5 p.m. - 11 p.m
Safire keeps its doors open well past midnight tonight to ring in the new year. Order menu specials like miso-broiled black cod, white pizza with shaved black truffles, and stuffed Maine lobster. Mark Castrillon will sing and play the guitar.
Safire American Bistro, 4850 Santa Rosa Road, Camarillo, 805-389-1227
New Year’s Eve at Bogie’s
Thursday, December 31st, 8 p.m.
“A Night in Monte Carlo” is the theme of Bogie’s party at Westlake Village Inn. Guests 21 and over will be treated to live music by Sandbox and spun music from two different DJ’s. Vegas-style gaming tables will be set up all night. Drinks and appetizers can be ordered at an additional charge. Tickets are $50.
Bogie’s at Westlake Village Inn, 32001 Agoura Road, Westlake Village, 818-889-2394
New Year’s Eve at The Melting Pot
Thursday, December 31st, 4 p.m. - midnight
The Melting Pot’s catch phrase for New Year’s Eve is “That was then, This is ‘10.” The four-course dinner this night includes cheese fondue, a salad, a main course fondue platter, and chocolate fondue for dessert. The price is $65. Each guest will receive a glass of Champagne or sparkling apple cider for toasting.
The Melting Pot, 3685 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 805-370-8802
Christmas Treats from SusieCakes
SusieCakes Bakery in Calabasas has plenty of last-minute treats you can pick up for your Christmas celebrations. There are fully decorated gingerbread houses, a chocolate log cake, egg-nog cheesecake, cupcakes, and sugar cookies.
SusieCakes will be open on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SusieCakes,23653 Calabasas Road, Calabasas, 818-591-2223
Christmas Eve at Meadowlark Inn
overnight December 24th and 25th
The Meadowlark Inn in Solvang is offering an eating and sleeping special for Christmas. Stay overnight on the 24th and 25th, have breakfast the following mornings, and Christmas Eve dinner at Mirabelle Restaurant a few blocks away. The whole package costs between $350 - $575 (depending on room type) for two people.
Meadowlark Inn, 2644 Mission Drive, Solvang, 800-344-9792.
Christmas Eve at The Sidecar
Thursday, December 24th, 5-9 p.m.
Chef Tim Kilcoyne is offering a three-course menu for this holiday celebration. It begins with a roasted beet salad or crispy pork belly or braised onion soup. The main course is your choice of lamb shank, scallops, filet mignon, quail or vegetable stew. The night ends with a Buche de Noel (Christmas log) or an apple crisp. The price is $45.
The Sidecar Restaurant, 3029 E. Main St., Ventura, 805-653-7433
Christmas Eve at Cafe Provencal
Thursday, December 24th, 5 - 10 p.m.
Chef Serge Bonnet has created a four-course meal for tonight. It begins with a shrimp and vegetable appetizer and then moves to a corn and clam chowder. The main course is either prime rib with a port wine sauce or a baramundi filet with a vegetable souffle. For dessert, he’s made a Christmas log. The price is $40.
Cafe Provencal, 2310 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 805-496-7121
Christmas Eve at 71 Palm
Thursday, December 24th, 5 - 10 p.m.
Chef Didier Poirier is cooking up 3 special appetizers, 4 dinner entrees, and 2 desserts tonight ranging in price from $10-$36. There’s macadamia-crusted abalone, duck a l’orange, a grilled venison chop, prime rib, and chocolate lava cake.
71 Palm, 71 N. Palm St., Ventura, 805-653-7222
Christmas Eve at Artisan
Thursday, December 24th, 3-8 p.m.
Chef Chris Kobayashi has created a four-course meal for Christmas Eve that offers three to five choices per course. Some of the dishes include a crab claw cocktail, duck leg confit with chestnut spaetzle, oxtail and onion soup, pancetta-wrapped quail, veal shanks with saffron risotto, and lamb chops with flageolet beans and aligot potatoes. Dessert could be a buche de noel (chocolate Christmas log), pecan pie, or tangerine cheesecake. The price is $69. Add wine to each course for an additional $25.
Artisan, 1401 Park St., Paso Robles, 805237-8084
Teddy Bear Teas
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 3:30-5 p.m.
Have tea with your child in the Lobby Lounge of the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village to get in the spirit of the holidays. Kids have their own tea menu of sandwiches and cookies. Adults get a strong cuppa, tea sandwiches, scones, and tiny desserts. Bring a teddy bear with you (or any toy valued at $15 or above) and your child (aged 12 and under) has tea for free. Otherwise, the price is $21 per child. Adults cost $35.
While you’re there, have a look at the Gingerbread Village baked and built by pastry chef David Laufer.
Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, 2 Dole Drive, Westlake Village, 818-575-3000
www.fourseasons.com/westlakevillage/dining.html
Give Some, Get Some
Restaurant Gift Certificates
Giving the joy of dining for Christmas is always fun. This year, restaurants are sweetening the pot when it comes to purchasing gift certificates. When you buy a present for someone else, you’ll get a little back in return.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (6373 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, 818-346-1005) will give you a gift certificate worth $20 when you purchase $100 in gc’s. Buy gift cards online or in person.
Safire American Bistro (4850 Santa Rosa Road, Camarillo, 805-389-1227) is offering a 20% kickback. For every $100 certificate you buy, you get a $20 bonus certificate for yourself.
Wine Buying Event at Jonathan’s
Thursday, Dec. 10th, 6-9 p.m.
Jonathan’s at Pierano’s is throwing its annual Taste and Buy wine event. Bottles of wine will be sold at wholesale prices, some for $10 per bottle. The best part: you’ll be able to taste before you buy.
By the way, Jonathan’s is open for dinner on Christmas Eve.
Jonathan’s at Pierano’s, 204 E. Main St., Ventura, 805-648-4853