Welcome to the "805 Eats" dining blog where we'll keep you up-to-date on restaurant and food happenings in the 805. To send tips and comments, email edit@805Living.com.

Home-Brewing Workshop

from noon Saturday, June 5th to 5 p.m., Sunday, June 6th

The Orella Stewardship Institute has partnered with Loa Tree eco-lifestyle company to put on a beer brewing workshop the first weekend in June.  The workshop takes place at Orella Ranch in Gaviota where participants can camp overnight (but you must bring your own tent and sleeping bag).

The brewing workshop teaches how to build a home-brewing system and how to brew beer in it.  All meals and snacks are included during the weekend.  The price is $200 per person.

For more details on the workshop, visit the Facebook Page about it.  To reserve a spot, email roots@loatree.com or call David Fortson at Loa Tree, 805-450-2357.

The Plug Nickel honors service men and women

Sunday, May 30th, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

In honor of Memorial Day, all active-duty or veteran service men and women eat free at The Plug Nickel restaurant by Catering Celebrations on Sunday for brunch.   Offer is limited to one service member per paying customer.   Proof of military service is needed and can include an I.D. card or a picture of the vet in uniform.

Taste & Buy at Jonathan’s

Thursday, May 27th, 6-9 p.m.

There’s a tasting party at Jonathan’s in Ventura tonight.  For $10 you can taste wines from the cellar and buy  bottles at wholesale prices.

Thai Festival Dinner

Saturday, May 29th, 5 p.m.

The waterfall lawn of the Four Seasons Westlake Village will be full of Thai dancers and musicians on Saturday  night.   Chef Srichan Pitak from the Thai Cooking School at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai will create a buffet dinner of traditional Thai cuisine.  The price is $50 for adults; $25 for children.  Beverages are additional. Call 818-575-3000 for reservations.

If you can’t make the festival dinner, Chef Pitak will be cooking Thai dishes for dinner at Onyx May 26-30.

Half-Price Wine at Saddle Peak Lodge

Thursday and Friday nights

Every bottle of wine from the extensive cellar of Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas (419 Cold Canyon Road) will be sold at half-price on Thursday and Friday nights.  Wow.  That includes cuvees from small producers and big French Champagnes.  Call 818-222-3888 for reservations.

Starry Night at Four Seasons Biltmore

Wednesday, May 26th, 8 p.m.

The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore in Santa Barbara in conjunction with the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is bringing in members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit for a night of educational stargazing.  Telescopes will be set up on the Monte Vista lawn for viewing the moon, planets, and constellations.  Appetizers, beer and wine will also be on hand.  The price is $25 for adults.  Children are free with a paying adult.  Call 805-565-8291 for reservations.

Romios Pizza & Pasta Closing

Paul Lesser, owner of Romio’s Pizza & Pasta in Thousand Oaks sent an email to customers detailing the sale of his restaurant.  The space at 3316 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. is being turned in to Vitello’s Trattoria by another owner.  Romio’s will stay open until the deal is finalized which should happen sometime in June.  Go in now for a last taste of Romio’s unusual salads and pizzas.

Wine Dinner at Melting Pot

Thursday, May 27th, 6 p.m.

The Melting Pot fondue restaurant in Thousand Oaks is stirring up a wine dinner featuring Joel Gott wines.  The 4-course meal begins (Wisconsin cheese trio) and ends (dark chocolate turtle) with fondue.  In between are a strawberry almond salad, and a chicken and duck breast.  The price is $45.   Call 805-370-8802 for reservations.

Free Lunch in Westwood

Thursday, May 20th, beginning at 11:30 a.m.

It’s a bit of a ways to go, but Blvd 16 in the Hotel Palomar LA-Westwood is giving away free sandwiches (with chips and a beverage) to the first 100 people through the door on Thursday.  Chef Simon Dolinky wants to familiarize folks with his new lunch menu.  On it are not only healthful gourmet sandwiches for $10 each (like the ones he’s giving away), but also upscale salads with either kobe beef or albacore tuna.  Valet parking is complimentary during lunch service.

Louis Gossett, Jr. at ChocolateBox Cafe

Saturday, May 15th, 7-10 p.m.

The ChocolateBox Cafe in the Malibu Lumber Yard will be showing the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman” tonight at 7 p.m.  Before the film, actor Louis Gossett, Jr. will be there signing copies of his new memoir An Actor and a Gentleman. Admission is free.  Tables will be set aside for ChocolateBox Cafe customers.

Tuscan Wine Dinner

Sunday, May 16th, 6:30 p.m.

Tuscany il Ristorante in Westlake Village (968 S. Westlake Blvd.) is hosting winemaker Lorenzo Mottola of Antinori Wines on Sunday night for a winemaker dinner.   The five-course meal includes starters like an heirloom tomato salad paired with Antinori’s Tignanello and a  wild boar pasta with Guado al Tasso wine. The main course is an oak-grilled steak and jumbo prawn paired with a Brunello  Di Montalcino Pian Delle Vigne.  The price is $140.  Call 805-495-2768 for reservations.

Australian Wine Dinner

Friday, May 14th, 7:30 p.m.

The charming wine shop in downtown Calabasas (23538 Calabasas Road), Bernard’s Wine Gallery, is serving a “Down Under Experience” 5-course dinner paired with wines on Friday night at their communal table in the back room.  Prawns on the barbie, bangers and mash, Australian lamb chops, steak pie, and Lamington (sponge cake dipped in chocolate and dusted with coconut) are on the menu along with a Verdelho, a few Shirazes, and a Muscata wine.  The price is $195.  Call 818-224-5662 for reservations.

If you can’t make this dinner, check the website for upcoming Connoisseurs of Wine dinners which happen monthly.  Wine tastings take place at the shop every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 4-8 p.m.

Mother’s Day Dining

Sunday, May 9th

Westlake Village Inn is setting out a buffet brunch in the Provence room from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Sunday.  Carving, seafood, and dessert stations are complimented by made-to-order omelettes and waffles.  The price is $43 for adults, $17 for children 6-12, free for kids 5 and under.

Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas has a 3-course prix-fixe menu on Sunday from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.  Choices on the menu include quiche with gruyere and sausage, eggs Benedict with applewood-smoked bacon, and macerated strawberries with sweet cream.  The price is $50.

Cafe Provencal in Thousand Oaks is serving an all-day 4-course menu from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. on the 9th.  Appetizer choices include smoked salmon in a potato pancake or a goat-cheese salad.  Next comes asparagus soup and entree choices like New York steak or duck confit.  Dessert is chocolate cheesecake or a mocha cream cup.  The price is $40 which includes a mimosa.

The Plug Nickel in Westlake Village will lay out a buffet brunch from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.  Sit inside or out while dining on seafood, omelettes, waffles, salads, pastries and desserts.  The price for adults is $30, children 5-12 are $12.50, kids under 5 are free.

Spark Woodfire Grill in Simi Valley has a Champagne Brunch for Mother’s Day and every Sunday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  The buffet includes peel-and-eat shrimp, eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy, salads, fruit, desserts, and more.  The price which includes Champagne or a mimosa for adults is $19, kids 6-12 years old are $9, children 5 and under are free.

71 Palm in Ventura is serving brunch from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and dinner from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m.  The regular menu will be available along with special dishes like spinach and gruyere crepes, and prime rib with horseradish cream.

Jonathan’s at Pierano’s in Ventura will have an acoustic guitarist and violinist playing at brunch which will be served from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.  A 3-course prix-fixe menu will be served with choices like Portugese crab bisque, heart-shaped ravioli, and tiramisu.  The price is $35.  A special kids menu will be available for $10.

Fleming’s Steak House in Woodland Hills has a 3-course prix-fixe meal for Mother’s Day from 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.  Choices include fruit salad, berry-stuffed French toast, and walnut turtle pie.  The price is $30.  The regular menu will also be available.  All moms will receive a $25 gift card for use on a future visit.

All Panera Bread locations, including the Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley locations, will be giving away mini strawberry scones to the first 100 customers to mention “mom” on May 9th.  The giveaway ends at 2 p.m. at the latest.