Fins: The clear choice for seafood. One of the
best-managed restaurants in the area. Innovative food, excellent services
and jazz on the weekends. On Westlake Blvd and in a house in Calabasas.
Gino’s: Operated by
an unauthorized escapee from Italian Cinema, this matchbox near the 23
freeway on T.O. Blvd is a great casual choice for real thin crust pizza from
Naples (That is where it was born.) Not gourmet but basic and lusty and
satisfying. Owner provides entertainment but doesn’t know it.
Kaminari: In the
new era of fake sushi bars with fake chefs, this Westlake gem stands out as
an example of true authenticity. Three sushi masters were trained for years
in Japan. (It takes 10 years). The fish is pristine. The room transports you
to Tokyo rather than Simi Valley with servers that actually understand
Japanese food.
La Cupola: Lots of
money spent of attractive Oak Park restaurant and outdoor fountained patio.
Prices are remarkable for portions and selection. Sunday Brunch in temperate
weather is a great value and lots of fun.
Lakeview Gardens:
Family run restaurant next to art movie
house in Westlake. Perhaps one of the busiest restaurants in the County for
good reason. Consistent food at fair prices served by some of the best
Chinese waiters in California.
Landing
(The):The Lakeside location in Westlake is only
understandable appeal. Sushi bar has no authentic sushi master. Dining room
is dark and depressing. Outside seating is uncomfortable. With exception of
salads, most supposedly exotic sounding food does not come close to what is
promised by the menu. Service is amateur and management is unfriendly.
It’s amazing.
Le
Café: Dining room with three
personalities is coming into it’s own with the innovative cooking of a new
young chef. Lovely outside patio is great for lunch or romantic spring and
summer evenings. Daily specials are worth enjoying although some still
prefer and order old traditionals like Grandma’s chicken potpie. Wine
Spectator Award Cellar.
Leila’s:
Creative
dining favorite of Conejo Foodies is now
expanding previously claustrophobic room. Innovative dishes have lots of
flavor. Personable management now splits time in newly opened Purple Basis
at the Commons in Calabasas. Both are excellent choices.
Mandevilla:
Veteran San Francisco chef delivers
consistent Continental and Italian food into the best-managed dining room in
town. Newly renovated patio creates a romantic mood. Hidden behind Cisco’s
on Westlake Blvd.
Marcello’s:
The veteran management team is proud of the “Authentic” Italian food
served. Two actual Italians are cooking and have been doing it since the
attractive restaurant opened almost 13 years ago. Very fairly priced and
multiple daily attractive specials. Located on Hillcrest across the street
from Sears.
Rustico:
Rejuvenated from the devastation of the
previous incompetent Ritrovo management, this North Ranch location under the
direction of the ultimate Southland restaurateur North of the Santa Monica
mountains has been an instantaneous success. 2 native Italian chefs turn out
original, authentic and lusty food at bistro prices. Service is typical of
similar service at Tuscany.
Thai
Ranch: Lovely storefront converted
into a truly authentic Thai restaurant at Kanaan and Lindero in Pavilion
Center. You‘ll think you are in Bangkok. Classic food presented by
attractive servers. Wide selection . Excellent pricing.
Tomodachi: On Agoura Road near Sav-On and
Starbucks. An offshoot from Simi Valley, it is very unsophisticated with an
unauthentic setting and arrangement. Does not look like any real Japanese
restaurant or sushi bar ever in Japan. Supposedly serves Japanese food and
sushi but no one working there is Japanese or really has had any of the 10
years of training needed to understand anything more than a California or
Ventura roll. For true authenticity try Kaminari or Takahashi. They are the
real thing.
Tuscany: Generally
considered to be the finest restaurant in an area stretching from Ventura to
Glendale. Serving innovative sophisticated and serious Northern Italian food
prepared by veteran chefs under the supervision of the owner-executive chef
with a lifetime of experience and it shows. Professional service and
pleasant décor. Expensive but worth it.
Umi: Another
sushi bar for amateurs, this time out of Camarillo. Due to the
popularity
of sushi in this country, there is now a worldwide shortage of true and
authentic Japanese sushi chefs. Thus inexperienced but Asian looking folks
with a sharp knife are passing themselves off as professionals. It takes
years of experience to gain a true understanding of the quality of all kinds
of fish and prepare authentic sushi. Just owning a Gingko knife doesn’t cut
it.
