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.

Stone Ground Breads Opening

Stone Ground Breads in Agoura Hills is opening a second location at The Shops at Oak Creek which houses Trader Joe’s, Jinky’s, and The Olive Vineyard.  The bakery is aiming for a Spring opening.

Battle of the Barrel Outcome

The Battle of the Barrel between Ladyface Ale Companie in Agoura Hills and Malibu Family Wines has been settled.  I’ll let Ladyface’s spokeswoman Robyn Britton give you the results in her own words:

“Thanks to our great friends at Malibu Family Wines and to everyone who voted in the first, but surely not the last, Battle of the Barrel. The Finale on the Ladyface patio featured a strong turnout of both the wine afficionados and our own Beer Brigade, the talented 12 string guitars of Cale, lots of last minute campaigning and, though the tally was close, the awarding of the Golden Barrel to Ladyface. Had we lost, we would have been forced to drink a certain pale light ale with lime but luckily, it fell to Tami Semler and Derek Baugh of MFW to drink two-buck-chuck over ice.”

Ojai Pixie Tangerines

now through May

Ojai Pixie tangerines are now in season.  If you haven’t had these juicy little jewels, do yourself a favor and pick up a crate.  You can find them at farmers’ markets and some grocery stores like Bristol Farms, Gelson’s, Trader Joe’s, Ralph’s, and Whole Foods.  Here’s a full list.  Failing that, you can mail order them directly from a couple of growers:  Tangerine Man and Friends Ranches.  For more information on these local tangerines, visit the Ojai Pixie Growers Association website.

Monday Night Supper at Artisan

Monday, March 28th

The Monday Night Suppers series at Artisan restaurant in Paso Robles bring farmers and vintners together with diners for family-style meals.  On Monday night, the farmer will be a fishmonger:  Eric Gonzales from Pier 46 Seafood.  And the vintner will be a brewmaster:  Matt Brynildson from Firestone Brewing Company.  The food has a Japanese bent for the night, beginning with izakaya (pub food that pairs well with beer).  The main course is plates of kobe beef, and miso black cod, and lantern scallops with crispy rice cakes.  Dessert is adzuki bean ice cream with chocolate spring rolls.  The price for food is $38.  To have three Firestone beers paired with the food, it’s an additional $16.  For reservations, call 805-237-8084.

Onyx and Red Cross Donations

now until Friday, April 1st

Onyx restaurant serving modern Asian cuisine and sushi in the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village wants to help the Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims.  For every diner that comes to the restaurant between now and April 1st, Onyx will donate $1 to the Red Cross.  Guests who wish to make an additional donation can have it added to their bill.  Onyx is open Monday through Thursday from 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Battle of the Barrel

Saturday, March 26-Tuesday, March 29

Ladyface Ale Companie in Agoura Hills faces off against Malibu Family Wines beginning this weekend.  How did this battle come about?  Here is Ladyface’s explanation: “The folks at Malibu Family Wines love our beer and we love their wine. We even worked with Malibu’s vintners to create Ladyface Cuvee, a blend of Malibu’s Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah varietals, served exclusively at Ladyface.  It was all very friendly until someone suggested putting Ladyface beer in Malibu Family Wines’ barrels.  Ladyface decided that La Trappistine Belgian dubbel would be aged in a Semler Syrah French oak barrel with fifty pounds of fresh Syrah grapes from the Semlers’ Malibu Estate.”

And now that La Trappistine ale can be tasted alongside the 2008 Semler Syrah at both establishments.  Ballots will be taken (no limit) to decide which is better—the Syrah-laced ale or the Syrah wine—through Tuesday at 4 p.m.  On Tuesday, March 29th from 4-6 p.m., votes will be counted and a winner announced at Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie during the Battle of the Barrel Finale party.  Tickets to the Finale party, which include samples and an amuse bouche, cost $10.  Attendees must be 21 and over.

Wine Dinner at Padri

Thursday, March 24th, 7:30 p.m.

Padri Restaurant & Martini Bar in Agoura Hills will be pouring the “Super Tuscan” Tenuta Tignanello from Piero Antinori with an angus filet during its wine dinner on Thursday night.  In all five courses of food like farro soup, sweet-potato gnocchi, and a blackberry flambee will be served along with five Antinori wines like Chardonnay, Cabernet, and Vinsanto.  The price is $125.  Call 818-865-3700 for reservations.