Reprise of FrankAboutfood.com 2001 Restaurants

It seems hard to believe but we have reviewed over 30 restaurants on a bi-weekly basis for the last year. We constantly get requests for information on past reviews.  Thus we thought it would be appropriate at the end of the year to reprise all of them in case you wanted to refresh your memory. In many cases a full review can be found in our Second Chances feature that you can pull up on the cyberlink at the top of the page. If you have any questions, use our Feedback feature Also reached by cyberlink at top of page 

A&W Sea Food- Located near Cal State in Northridge, it is the only serious Dim Sum spot between here and the Bay Area. Lot’s of fun even though it is in “The Dreaded Valley.     9306 Reseda Blvd, Northridge 818-882-6663

Adobe Cantina –Atmospheric location on top of hill in Agoura Hills. Excellent Mexican Seafood, BBQ and authentic Mexican food at fair prices. Good Service, recently enclosed all weather outside patio. 29100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills 818- 991-3474

Aubergine-The best restaurant in Orange County by far. Two weeks after my review, highly respected Los Angeles Times Food Critic Irene Virbila said the same thing. Expensive $85+ tasting menu only. 508 29^th St.      Newport Beach 949-723-4150  

Chester’s Asia- Probably the most authentic and best Chinese restaurant in Ventura County or the San Fernando Valley. Unusual off menu dishes. Very fairly priced. Go with 6 or 8 people. A slight schlep, but worth it.   2216 Pickwick, Camarillo 805-482-6564

Cravings- Recently opened new concept restaurant by chef Bob Grenner with credentials from Chinois, Saddlepeak and Geoffrey’s offers sophisticated and different special dishes every three days that go along with on the menu exotic chilies, hot dogs, salads and soups.   686 Lindero Canyon Road Oak Park  818-707-9904  

Fins - The County’s premier seafood restaurant serves classic and creative fresh fish in a recently remodeled and very attractive dining room. Jazz on the weekends.  982 South Westlake Blvd, Westlake 805-494 6494 Also in Calabasas

Gino’s Trattoria- Tiny storefront classic. Go for great thin crusted Napolitano pizza and the entertaining antics of Gino who may not know that he has been cloned from Roberto Benigno. 720 East. Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks 805-494-7743

Kaminari- Recently opened by veteran and authentic sushi-master Mayumi Nemoto, it may be the best in the county. Simple and classic small room evokes feeling of Tokyo. Innovative specials and great ngiri and maki sushi.   2891 Agoura Road, Westlake 805-446-7001  

La Cupola- Another addition to the Kanan- Lindero restaurant row. Wide ranging classic Italian food from basic pasta to ossobuco all at remarkably low prices in an attractive room.  706 Lindero Canyon Road Oak Park  818-874-1333  

Lakeview Gardens- Excellent Mandarin and Szechuan Chinese Food in one of the busiest restaurant in The Entire County. Prepare to wait almost any evening. Very friendly management and servers. 4703 Lakeview Canyon Road, Westlake 805-557-0198

Le Café- Multiple personality breakfast, lunch and dinner dining in a casual room, a fireplace room and a lovely outside heated patio. Young chef Robin Nishizaki has brought a new flair to the menu. Wine Spectator Award of Excellence wine list. 32037 Agoura road Westlake 818 889-9105

Leila’s- Very creative eclectic fusion cooking has given the restaurant a vaunted Zagat’s food rating that places it among the top 15 in the Southland. Sister restaurant Purple Basil with same executive chef has just opened in Calabasas/ 706 Lindero Canyon Oak Park  818-707-6939  

Mandevilla-Veteran Chef Joe puts out classic and innovative Continental food at one of the best-operated restaurants in the area. Recently remodeled dining room and outside patio provided an extremely pleasant dining experience.  951 South Westlake Blvd. Westlake 805-497-8482

Marcello’s- The management and staff have been together longer than any at any other eatery in the area and it shows. Traditional Northern Italian food in a very charming atmosphere at fair prices.  140 West Hillcrest Thousand Oaks  805-371-4367  

Maria’s- Small family chain turns out popular and creative Italian food in large portions that are prepared fresh daily in a lively casual atmosphere. 29035 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Agoura Hills 818-865-8999

 Padri- Located in an old house Veteran Chef Severio Posarelli turns out cutting edge Northern Italian food in a restaurant that is part of a team of the top Italian dining spots in Los Angeles. Jumping Martini Bar is part of the operation.  29008 Agoura Road, Agoura 818-865-3700

Rendezvous- Venerable Roadside spot has been serving traditional French Continental food for two generations. It seems to work so little has changed. 1282 Newbury Road, Newbury Park  805-498-1019  

Roxy’s- Busiest deli in Ventura County has authentic New York feeling. Gigantic menu served in gigantic portions with desserts the same size. Be prepared to stagger out or take home a doggy bag for at least one more meal.  1345 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks

Ritrovo -Recently closed. Under new management below

Rustico- The old Ritrovo location now under the needed operation of skilled Tomasso Barletta who now helicopters between his original Tuscany and this now more casual trattoria Northern Italian food.  

Saddlepeak Lodge- This old hunting lodge location is long on atmosphere but short on professional management at the top. It offers exotic game food at high prices with inconsistent service and execution due to staff turnover.  419 Cold Canyon Road, Calabasas  818-222-3888

Sea Fresh- One of the owners is a deep-sea fisherman so the fish should be fresh. Casual atmosphere with young servers that try hard to please. Prices and preparation are appealing. 105 Brazil Street Thousand Oaks 805-496-6565

Café Sienna- Poorly supervised over budget remodel caused loss of talented chef and staff turnover culminating in termination of top management. A major disappointment.  3825 East Thousand Oaks Blvd Westlake 805-373-6060

Sushi Agoura-Busy all the time in spite of 4 new competitors, this no atmosphere low priced spot turns over lots of sushi so the fish is always fresh. Be prepared to wait during prime time.    

2087- Management of this very hip looking and needed restaurant across from Civic Plaza has high aspirations with an innovative California Contemporary menu but chef turnover and waiter attitude seem to create a constant problem. We keep hoping for the best.     2087 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks 805-374-2087  

Takahashi- For years, this sushi bar was the best in the county with always a wait in prime time. It is still among the best.  But time and tremendous competition seems to have taken a toll. 

Thai Ranch- Authentic Thai food served in a lovely atmosphere by courteous and attractive servers. Pad Thai is rated tops.  1145 Lindero Canyon Blvd. Westlake 818-991- 4499

Tuscany-Consistently ranked as the top overall restaurant in the county for food, ambience and service. Offers very sophisticated Northern Italian food overseen by personable and high energy Tomasso Barletta who also seems to have turned the old Ritrovo failure into a new Rustico winner.968 Westlake Blvd Westlake 805-495-2768