VENTURA, Calif. \u2014 Ventura County Restaurant Week is underway, giving diners an opportunity to explore special menus while supporting local restaurants.<\/p>\n
This year’s event features 12 participating restaurants, including three Ventura spots offering very different dining experiences: The Masala Twist, The Greek and Rocks & Drams.<\/p>\n
For some restaurant owners, the event comes at a time when attracting customers remains a challenge.<\/p>\n
Susan Abbott, founder of Ventura County Restaurant Week, said she has noticed a slowdown among local restaurants.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I’m working with the restaurants, I’ve noticed that they are seeing a slowdown,\u201d Abbott said.<\/p>\n
Her goal is to introduce more diners to local restaurants and encourage people to explore the variety of food available throughout the county.<\/p>\n
The Masala Twist<\/p>\n
At The Masala Twist, owner and chef Sunny Singh is showcasing Indian cuisine and dishes featuring bold spices and rich flavors.<\/p>\n
Singh said opening a restaurant was especially difficult when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was pretty tough in the beginning, and especially right when we opened COVID hit,\u201d Singh said. \u201cBut we made it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among Singh’s favorites are butter chicken and lamb vindaloo korma.<\/p>\n
For diners like Nina Broderick, who traveled from Paso Robles, the restaurant offers a chance to try something new.<\/p>\n
Broderick praised the restaurant’s samosas, pointing to the empty plates as a sign that the food was a hit.<\/p>\n
The Greek<\/p>\n
At The Greek, owner and chef Lynn Mikelatos is drawing on more than three decades of experience.<\/p>\n
Mikelatos has been in business for 32 years and says the restaurant’s location, atmosphere, community and food have helped keep customers coming back.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, we’re about as close to Greece as you can get in the States,\u201d Mikelatos said. \u201cAnd this was a perfect location for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The restaurant is also bringing some flair to its Restaurant Week offerings, including its flaming cheese and desserts.<\/p>\n
Mikelatos joked that the restaurant’s desserts have had all the calories removed.<\/p>\n
Rocks & Drams<\/p>\n
At Rocks & Drams, the Restaurant Week experience extends beyond the food.<\/p>\n
Cocktails are part of the experience, while chef Martin Ledesma is putting his own personality into the kitchen.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you like the food, I’m the chef. If you don’t like it, I’m the dishwasher,\u201d Ledesma joked.<\/p>\n
The Restaurant Week menu gives diners a chance to sample a curated selection while giving the restaurant an opportunity to introduce itself to potential new customers.<\/p>\n
For participating restaurants, Abbott hopes the event can help generate business while encouraging diners to discover restaurants they may not have visited before.<\/p>\n
Whether it’s Indian cuisine, Greek food or a meal paired with a creative cocktail, Ventura County Restaurant Week offers diners a variety of ways to explore the local food scene.<\/p>\n
Ventura County Restaurant Week runs through October 4. A full list of participating restaurants and Restaurant Week offerings is available at Ventura County Restaurant Week<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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