805 EATS DINING BLOG
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.
Events listed on the blog are subject to change. Please contact the restaurants to confirm availability and details.
Changing seasons, changing menus
OCT. 3-7
Seen the weather report lately? (Or just looked out the window?) Summer has left the building — and that means chefs are takin’ care of business by making the most of the fall harvest.
Chief among them is Todd Aarons, executive chef at Tierra Sur, the restaurant inside Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard. A veteran of Zuni Cafe in San Francisco and of Savoy in Manhattan, Aarons already is known for his local, seasonal approach to food: Under his guidance, Tierra Sur participates in the Growers Collaborative Program via the Community Alliance with Family Farmers. (Aarons also is known for offering diners such artisanal treats as housemade lamb sausages. But we digress.)
Chef Aarons will again focus on locally grown produce as he creates Farmers’ Tasting Menus every night from Oct. 3-7. The set-price meals, $65 per person, include four courses paired to wines made on the premises. For reservations, call 805-983-1560.
Seen at a Ventura County Wine Trail event this summer: Todd Aarons, executive chef at Tierra Sur restaurant at Herzog Wine Cellars
In remembrance
SEPT. 11
On the 10th anniversary of the shocking terrorist attacks on America, some area restaurants are offering discounts to fire, military and law enforcement personnel to show their appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who were among the first to respond to the crisis — and who continue to do so.
From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Plug Nickel in Westlake Village, all retired and active-duty fire, police and military personnel are invited to dine free when an equal number of meals is purchased. Proof of service is required, and can include an ID card, a photograph in uniform or appearing in uniform at the restaurant (717 Lakefield Road, Suite 1, 805-495-3469).
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Tipsy Goat in Thousand Oaks, “all local firefighters, paramedics and police officers” will receive a $1 discount on draft and well drinks, plus $5 off brunch and 50 percent off any food orders at the Irish pub and restaurant (159 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., 805-494-9996).
Similar discounts are an all-day, every-day occurrence at Stonefire Grill in Thousand Oaks and six additional locations in the Southland. The fast-casual chain owned by Ventura County-based sisters Mary and Maureen Harrigan has a ”Uniform Policy” that grants a 50 percent discount to any military, fire or law enforcement personnel who dine in uniform (3635 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., 805-413-0300).
Safire’s New England Dinners
now through October
Safire American Bistro in Camarillo is bringing lobster to the people. Dinner specials priced from $19 include chilled lobster, stuffed lobster, and whole Maine lobster. Here’s the link to their events page which talks about it.
Fox Sports Grill - Menu News
Fox Sports Grill in Westlake Village has added some new items to its menu of sporty snacks and entrees. The new OMG! Burger weighs in at a hefty 3 lbs. and is served on a giant Kaiser bun with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles and American cheese. It will set you back $28.50. That price is NOT a typo.
Cheaper eats appear at the new happy hours, Monday - Friday from 4-7 p.m. and again from 9 p.m. - closing. All appetizers like the blue cheese chips and the chili are half price. Domestic draft beer and well drinks are $3.50.
Saddle Peak Lodge Happy Hour
Wednesday - Friday, 4-6 p.m.
The patio of Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas is the site of their very unusual Happy Hour. The menu changes weekly, and chef Adam Horton comes up with some unusual and delicious offerings like wild game corndogs for $8 each. You might see chicken liver mousse on grilled bread for $9 or octopus salad with a sweet-hot glaze for $9. Handcrafted cocktails are available for $7.50 each and wines by the glass are half-price. It all happens Wednesday through Friday from 4-6 p.m.
Coast Meal Deals
Coast Restaurant in the Canary Hotel in Santa Barbara has plenty of deals for eating and drinking every night of the week.
Monday: half off select bottles of wine and the Fix a Flat deal where you design your flatbread for $10 each
Tuesday: wine and appetizer specials for $5-$7 each
Wednesday: Briney Bubbles special–a trio of oysters with a glass of champagne for $18
Thursday: $2 tacos all day long
Friday: Off the Hook seafood dinner; 3 courses fresh from the fishing boats for $30
Saturday: Slow Food farmer’s market dinner for $30; happy hour from 2 p.m. to midnight
Sunday: Happy Hour all day, free parking, and brunch for only $24
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.
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.
Free Bacon Freak Cookbook with Order
until April 28th
There’s only one more day to get a free Bacon Freak, Bacon is Meat Candy, Cookbook with orders of $20 or more at BaconFreak.com. In case you couldn’t tell, BaconFreak.com is the source for all things bacon including flavored bacon, bacon pancakes, bacon greeting cards, and bacon jerky.
To get your free book, type “Give me my cookbook” in the comments section of your order at checkout.
Free Cupcakes to Little Sports Stars
month of April
For a few more days, children 12 and under get free cupcakes from SusieCakes Bakery in Calabasas when they appear in the bakery wearing their team uniform. Founder Susan Sarich says, “I hope this is something both little sports stars and parents alike can look forward to as a fun, rewarding, post-game activity.”
Monday Night Suppers at Artisan
On Monday nights brothers Chris and Mike Kobayashi serve family-style suppers at their modern American restaurant, Artisan, in Paso Robles. These meals have three courses and cost only $38 per person. Each Monday meal showcases a different farmer and each week a vintner or craft brewer will be on hand to pour spirits to anyone wanting to imbibe. The alcohol is offered at an additional price.
For the month of March the farms and wineries/brewers being showcased are as follows:
March 1st: Thomas Hill Organics (duck leg confit with green garlic, crispy pork belly with greens); Aaron Wines & Peachy Canyon Winery
March 8th: Pier 46 Seafood Market (fish & chips, prawn and lobster pot pie); Firestone Brewing Co. beers
March 15th: Rinconada Dairy; Ranchero Cellars and J Dusi Wines
March 22nd: Dos Pasos Ranch; Anglim Winery & Ecluse Wines
March 29th: Peacock Family Farm; Four Vines Winery
Artisan, 1401 Park Street, Paso Robles, 805-237-8084
New Dining Options at Hampton’s
Hampton’s in the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village has some new dining options available. For a real dining deal, there’s the Taste of Hampton’s: a three-course meal (app, entree, dessert) prepared by the Chef de Cuisine Richard Hoffman (pictured above on the right) for only $45 plus tax and tip.
Spa dishes have been added to Hampton’s menu for those looking to reign in calories and saturated fats. You’ll also see new spa dishes on the Lobby Lounge and Onyx menus.
Hampton’s, 2 Dole Drive, Westlake Village, 818-575-3000
www.fourseasons.com/westlakevillage/dining.html
Cafe Provencal MT$30 Dinners
Monday and Tuesday nights
Cafe Provencal is offering a 3-course meal plus one glass of wine for $30 every Monday and Tuesday night. Each course will have multiple choices and changes weekly. One recent dinner consisted of shrimp Caesar salad, braised short ribs with mashed potatoes, and chocolate mousse. Just ask for the MT$30 dinner.
Cafe Provencal, 2310 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 805-496-7121
Happy Hour at Bogie’s
Bogie’s nightclub celebrates happy hour Monday - Friday from 5-7 p.m. Premium drinks are $7; draft beer is $5; and house wine is $4 per glass. All menu items except entrees are half-price.
Each night of the week features different musical styles or sports viewing. Tuesdays feature ballroom dance music with no cover charge.
Bogie’s at Westlake Village Inn, 32001 Agoura Road, Westlake Village, 818-889-2394
Half-Price Wines at Wood Ranch
Every Tuesday, all day, all wines at Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill are half their listed price.
“We wanted to thank our guests for the support they’ve shown us and to make sure that everyone could experience what we think is a great, affordable wine list,” said Eric Anders, co-founder of the restaurant group in a press release.
The half-price Tuesday deal applies to wines by the bottle and the glass at all Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill locations.
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