The Lakes at Thousand Oaks
The Lakes at Thousand Oaks on June 20, 2025.
Le Macaron French Pastries opened in Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks in August.Red O Taste of Mexico opened in August in Westlake Village.Simi Valley Brewing Company is poised to open in early 2026.
French pastries and Mexican cuisine are options featured in the two newest east Ventura County restaurants.
Additionally, Simi Valley Brewing Company announced its plans to open by early 2026.
Sweets chain debuts in Ventura County
Florida-based pastry chain, Le Macaron French Pastries, made its Ventura County debut at the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks on Aug. 8.
The 600-square-foot patisserie is found in Suite E at 205 N. Moorpark Road in the inner part of the mall, nestled between Petco and Old Navy.
Franchisee Elizabeth Carpenter of Agoura Hills frequented the shopping center with her kids before owning a shop there.
Carpenter said she wanted the shop “to be where the people are.”
The pastry shop specializes in macarons, a cookie sandwich that comes in over 20 different flavors. Aside from its cookies, the shop offers French pastries such as eclairs and tarts, Belgian chocolates and coffee.
Macarons start at $3.25 a piece, but come cheaper in bundle deals. Some popular standout flavors include red velvet, pistachio, lavender white chocolate and tiramisu. Coffee starts at $2.95 for an Americano.
The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
For more information, go to: lemacaron-us.com/locations/thousand-oaks/.
Mexican cuisine makes its way to Westlake
Red O Taste of Mexico opened its fourth location at Westlake Village’s The Promenade Aug. 18, bringing Mexican cuisine to the shopping center.
The restaurant located in Suite C at 120 Promenade Way features a menu with recipes from the Mexican state of Oaxaca, but will also include other dishes from throughout Mexico, said Ashleigh Wiehl, marketing director for Red O.
The nearly 8,000-square-foot space features Mexican-style decor such as a tequila tunnel lined with glowing bottles, a rope-wrapped bar, original Mexican artwork and antique Oaxacan textiles, Wiehl said.
Some signature dishes include: the “Surf & Turf Tablita”, which is a 32-ounce tomahawk steak and 1-pound lobster tail with sides like rice, beans and tortillas for market price; “Branzino Zarandeado”, whole grilled branzino, or sea bass, also at market price.
The restaurant will include a full bar serving signature cocktails like the “Cocorita”, which is a margarita served in a coconut at $18, and the “Alacran”, a margarita with chile peppers for $17.
The restaurant is open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner with plans for extended lunch hours starting from 11 a.m. in the future.
For more information visit: redorestaurant.com/westlake-village.
Hopes for a brewery in Simi renewed
Simi Valley Brewing Company is poised to open early 2026, filling the void left by Mad Era Brewing Company, which failed to get off the ground.
The approximately 8,400-square-foot building at 20 W. Cochran St. was previously home to Marie Callender’s and sits on the corner of Madera Road and Cochran Street.
The brewery will have a selection of original beers by brewmaster Daniel Price, who worked with Beachwood Brewing and Riip Beer Company in Los Angeles and Orange counties, said Ali Zia, CEO of Simi Valley Brewing Company.
The location will feature a full kitchen with a focus on barbecue, but will also offer vegetarian-friendly dishes, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.
“We want to have something for everybody,” said Zia, “We want to create a gathering place for the community, kids, families, dads and grandmas.”
The brewery hopes to host live music and other events at the venue.
“Simi Valley Brewing Company is a great example of the growing opportunities to shop local, support homegrown businesses, and enjoy new dining and entertainment experiences that reflect the energy and vibrancy of our city,” said Mayor Dee Dee Cavanaugh in an email.
Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com, 805-437-0224 or @ecentenoaraujo on Instagram and X.
Dining and Cooking