Pookie’s Thai Westlake Cuisine is located in a relatively unobtrusive office complex called “The Water Court Plaza” on Hampshire Road. Many people think that this street is a continuation of Agoura Road. It isn’t. Agoura actually becomes Hampshire west of Westlake Blvd. It then goes under the freeway and ends at Thousand Oaks Blvd.

This entire office structure is actually so anonymous that aside from the very confusing address, few people are aware of a very pleasant lower level inside courtyard that has flowing water, waterfalls and animal life…… and offices.

For years, most businesses looking to rent space were also unaware. In fact it has taken almost 20 years to eliminate all the vacancies. While the concept was clever and original, it was so poorly marketed and priced that it went into foreclosure and was taken over by the bank.

The bank then resold it and it was rejuvenated by new owners. Then, the continued growth of Westlake with continual demand for upscale office space finally produced full occupancy but still little attention from the community. Did you know that there are 2 restaurants down below?

There have been at least 7 restaurants that tried to exist on that hidden lower water level in those two separate locations. 6 languished in that deadly anonymity and failed, even though half of them were next to a live waterfall.

There have been upscale and downscale Italian, Indian, French-Japanese Fusion, Buffet, Hip American, Chicken and others buried down there. Only one has been able to overcome that hidden in oblivion location. It has not only flourished fabulously, it has recently expanded from its smaller location to a dominating corner spot twice the size.  Will wonders never cease !!! A new Sushi Bar called Kumo Sushi is now in the old location.

This one out of seven success story as noted above, is obviously …. Pookie’s Thai Westlake Cuisine. And the reason for it's success can be summed up in one word…… Pookie.  

Pookie Ponyata, nee the human Whirlwind of Westlake was born in Bangkok and she is one of the two most energetic, skilled, personable,  talented and cheerful restaurateurs in Ventura County. Period.

Just about every thing she does is exactly right. Paradoxically her business in the old location became so good that there were complaints… with justification. The service had become somewhat slow, especially at the extremely active takeout section with 15 minute waits because of disorganization and basic mathematical incompetence. Those crowded waits flowed into the small main dining room and made it somewhat unpleasant.

With the recent additions. We now have many more fine restaurants in this extended Conejo area than the entire San Fernando Valley, all of Orange County and San Diego County  and are closing in on  the very large Westside area of Los Angeles from La Brea to the Sea.

In California now it is San Francisco, West Los Angeles, The Conejo Valley with downtown Los Angeles trailing as a distant fourth with the exception of Chinatown.  Santa Barbara has moved up and down. Citronelle is gone and the Wine Cask is overrated.

Further a broad spectrum exists here with amazing excellence in Japanese-Sushi, Italian, Pizza, French, Chinese (on the outskirts), Sea Food, Steak (now), Fusion, Californian, Continental, Deli (now) and perhaps 2 or 3 fairly good Mexican Choices. At least 15 great choices in all.