Taking the family out for a luxurious dining experience is a longstanding Mother’s Day tradition. What better way to celebrate Mom, Nana, your partner and/or the other women in your life than with a fine Sunday brunch? And with more than 40 miles of coastline at our disposal, Ventura County …
Ox and Ocean might be located inside an Oxnard hotel, but Executive Chef Damien Giliberti wants people to know it’s not just a hotel restaurant. He’s hoping locals enjoy the ocean-view setting as much as tourists by offering creative cuisine …
When brothers Derek and Blake Ulrich were growing up in Ojai, they never expected to go into the food service or hospitality industries. But after leaving for college and establishing separate careers, they both came back to Ventura County in…
Danny Margolis knows a thing or two about showing people a good time: He’s the owner of Command Performance Catering, where he started working while he was still a student at Moorpark High School about 30 years ago.
Most cultures have some version of small, savory, sometimes indulgent bites to accompany their libations. Spain has its tapas, Italy its antipasto. Wine and cheese practically define France while Greece and Turkey are known for their mezze.
The Dutchess has several distinct personalities, but they are all unique and inviting in their own ways.
With a history that goes back more than 90 years, the Deer Lodge is the oldest restaurant in Ojai. This iconic tavern along Maricopa Highway has lived many lives: military hangout, general store, biker bar. Under the ownership of Sophia Miles…
For many outdoor enthusiasts, Lanny Kaufer needs no introduction. The Ojai-based naturalist and proud “plant nerd” can frequently be found leading guided hikes through our local trail systems. While he is a man of many talents, one of his spe…
Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. is a pandemic success story. Opening in July 2019, less than a year before the COVID pandemic shuttered everything, the Thousand Oaks microbrewery managed to beat the odds and become a local hot spot while so many o…
Hotel restaurants tend to have fairly pedestrian cuisine. Serviceable, uncomplicated standards are usually their stock in trade — fare with broad appeal that’s hard to mess up and lends itself to room service. But when you’re part of a well-e…
One easy way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is with a gift from your favorite bakery. Nearly all of them will have something fresh from the oven, frosted in pink and red with Feb. 14 in mind. Consider a few of these local bake shops offering sw…
Channel Islands Juice Co.
Windy, chilly, rainy days are custom made for soup. And my favorite way to warm up from the inside out is with a big, steaming bowl of pho. Happily, I have found yet another haven for this hot and hearty Vietnamese specialty: Pho Gyu in Ventura.
It was back to business as usual for much of 2022. In addition to food fests and beer bashes back on the calendar, new restaurants opened their doors and longtime establishments welcomed customers back inside. Here’s what whet our appetites o…
Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room
My aunt is the Thanksgiving chef of the family. And while year after year she gamely — and proudly, it must be said — prepares a turkey plus all the expected sides, she has remarked on more than one occasion, “Hours of work and it’s all over …
When I think of a sports lounge, I picture screens, functional but otherwise nondescript seating, a noisy atmosphere and pub grub of the not-so-upscale variety: wings and fries, burgers and dogs, nachos and potato skins. And lots and lots of …
For nearly 40 years, Vince’s Coffee Shop in Downtown Santa Paula was a beloved institution. The humble, somewhat tacky but cheerful space welcomed everyone — families, regulars, locals and out-of-towners alike — in for hearty, homestyle break…
A delicious cup of coffee with a nourishing meal is a great way to start any day. But when you can have all that in a sunny, serene environment, it’s even better.
Count Mai’s Cafe in Midtown Ventura as one of the restaurants that took advantage of the pandemic to give itself an upgrade.
What’s the best way to savor the flavor of Ventura County this month? By attending the Taste of Local Festival, of course!
Just one year shy of its 20th anniversary, Aloha Steakhouse continues to be a popular place for those looking for fine dining beachside.
PICTURED: Chicken club wrap served with chips. Photo by Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer by Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer On the Alley at Brophy Bros. 1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura Harbor 805-413-4367 www.onthealley.com/location/ventura $6-20 Brophy Bros. at …
PICTURED: The Jarvis Family outside the former Salzer’s Video building. Photo submitted by Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer The Jarvis family has been a part of the Ventura County cannabis industry for years. Long before most dispensaries were operati…
PICTURED: Ensalada Helene at Ojai Beverage Company. Photo by Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer by Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer nshaffer@timespublications.com Ojai Beverage Company 655 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai 805-646-1700 ojaibevco.com $5-20 Ojai, a foodie desti…
PICTURED: Trois le Fou winery offers tastings in Ventura. Photo submitted by Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer nshaffer@timespublications.com Trois Le Fou Winery 4522 Market St., Suite B, Ventura 805-701-7973 troislefou.com $25-55 How do you make a…
PICTURED: Sand along the Ventura promenade is constantly shifting. Photo submitted by Alex Wilson awilson@timespublications.com When Kiki Patsch visits the beach, she does not take sand for granted like some sunbathers and surfers might. Pat…
PICTURED: Ship built for carrying cars by Giles Pettifor and Adam Vega When “We Make Cargo Move,” we take challenges and turn them into solutions which translate into $2.2 billion in trade-related activity supporting 20,032 local jobs, makin…
PICTURED: Chef Andres Fernandez at the Copa Cubana in Ventura Harbor. Photo submitted by Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer Few restaurateurs have as much on their plate as Andres Fernandez. The owner and chef of both 805 Bar and Grilled Cheese and the …
PICTURED: Andria’s classic fish and chips is always a solid bet. Photo by Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer by Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer nshaffer@timespublications.com Andria’s Seafood Restaurant and Market 1449 Spinnaker Dr., Suite A, Ventura 805-654-05…
PICTURED: District Attorney Erik Nasarenko at an election night victory party. Photo submitted by Alex Wilson awilson@timespublications.com It’s rare for a June primary election to usher in so many new faces to countywide elected offices. V…
PICTURED: Port Hueneme councilmember Steven Gama’s dog Jackson on a legal dog beach in Morro Bay. Photo courtesy Steven Gama by Alex Wilson awilson@timespublications.com Port Hueneme City Councilmember Steven Gama loves walking his dog on the…
PICTURED: The Ojai Wine Festival will take place on June 18 at beautiful Lake Casitas. by Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer Ojai Wine Festival Saturday, June 18, 12-4 p.m. Lake Casitas Recreation Area, Wadleigh Arm 11093 Santa Ana Road, Ventura https…
