A Politically Incorrect Blog About Living in Woodland Hills, California

Roy’s Announces Winter Prix Fixe Menu

It looks like dineLA is coming a little early, and lasting all Winter long at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion.  In an e-mail sent out this past week, they announced a $35 per person prix fixe menu that will last presumably throughout the entire winter, as no other expiration date was given.

A quick glance at the dineLA site confirmed my suspicion  that it’s the same food offering as the dineLA Winter 2010 event.  However, that will be $34 per person.

Roy’s writes on their site:

Winter is finally here, and we’re celebrating this beautiful new season with our indulgent 3-course Winter Prix Fixe. We’ve brought together a host of fresh, savory ingredients to create amazing new preparations inspired by the weather outside. Three decadent courses for just $35; it’s one of the ways we’re helping you stay warm this winter.

And the menu:

Winter Prix Fixe Menu
Available Winter of 2010 — $35 per person

APPETIZER (choice of one)

Maine Lobster Bisque

Brandy & Cream

Rock Shrimp Tempura

Shishito, Shimeji, Malaysian Curry Aioli

Vietnamese Lumpia & Bibb Lettuce Wrap

Green Papaya, Mint, Basil, Citrus Nam Pla

ENTRÉE (choice of one)

Dynamite Crusted Salmon

Tempura Vegetables, Happy Rice, Drunken Nori Sake Sauce

Pulehu Smoked Sirloin Steak

“Loaded” Red Bliss Potatoes, Shiitake Mushroom Pan Sauce

Lemon Basted Tiger Shrimp

Macadamia Nut Gremalata, Spiced Coconut Pumpkin Sauce

Tender Braised Beef Short Ribs

Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Natural Braising Sauce

DESSERT (choice of one)

Leslie’s Warm Strawberry Guava Tart

Roy’s Melting Hot Chocolate Soufflé

Popularity: 1%

Pomodoro Woodland Hills Signage Removed, Transformation Continues

In the midst of another beautiful sunset in Woodland Hills, the former Pomodoro Woodland Hills location sits empty, silently waiting for its new life as Panini Cafe.

The interior is still bare, undergoing a total gutting.  I don’t expect Panini Cafe to open anytime within the next 30 days.

Popularity: 1%

Will The KB Homes Condo Project On Erwin Ever Be Finished?

I drive by the KB Homes Ascent condominium construction project at 21301 Erwin Street every day on my way to work, and while it seems that there usually is some sort of work going on (at least a few days a week), no real progress ever gets made.

I actually watched the place catch on fire from the chair at my dentist’s office (Dr. Rosen DDS on Ventura Blvd) back on Monday March 24, 2008.  There’s a great blog entry about this fire on the LAFD’s official blog. (See some more pictures of the fire here).

An interesting, if bitter, article was posted on a blog called Union Organizer about 6 weeks after the fire:

Work has resumed on the problem plagued Ascent at Warner Center project at 21301 West Erwin Street. This is the location of a construction fire that caused major damage to two floors. Representatives from White Residential and KB Homes refused comment on Friday when asked if corners were cut in an effort to speed up construction. Industry experts have speculated that the structure might be condemned due to shoddy workmanship. When asked about the status of the project, management referred all comments to their legal staff. A sign remains on the gate that reads “Limited Entry; Off limits to unauthorized personnel by order of the Dept of Building and Safety, City of Los Angeles. Warning: this structure or site has been damaged and may be dangerous to occupy. Further damage may occur at any time. Enter at your own risk. This facility was inspected under emergency conditions on 03-24-08, 10:30am”. No Helix Electric employees were seen on Friday. Two men believed to be from Withee Malcolm Architects were on site briefly. A banner on the building directs the public to the KB Homes/Ascent Sales Gallery at 21101 Oxnard Street just far enough away to mask the smell of burnt lumber.

Curbed LA wrote almost a year ago (see their fire images and blog entry here):

Here’s a different type of ghost building: It was last March that Ascent at Warner Center, developer KB Homes’ 191-unit condominium project went up in flames, the blaze sparked by a welding tool. A reader recently wondered about the status of the five-story project, and it turns out the development has been sitting there unfinished since March. Since at least last July the sales office has been closed, according to the Union Organizers blog. Here’s the statement KB Homes gave us: “While KB Home has temporarily suspended construction at Accent at Warner Center we remain optimistic about the future of the community. KB Home has been in business for over 50 years and will remain focused on building quality homes and providing superior customer service to all of our home owners in the Los Angeles area.” According to the Daily News, which also recently did a story on the project, KB Homes reported a net loss of $307.3 million in their most recent quarter.

I’m just wondering when this project will be finished.  Looking at some of those pictures, you can really see how that particular area is so densely packed with housing.  Pretty frightening in an emergency, to say the least.

Popularity: 5%

A Little More Breakfast At BJ’s In Woodland Hills

This morning I stopped into BJ’s again in Woodland Hills to watch the first half of the Georgia Tech (my alma mater) vs UNC college basketball game.  The last time I was here, a friend of mine had the Baked Italian Omelette and he said it was pretty good, so I decided I’d give it a try.

Baked Italian Omelette Three scrambled eggs, Italian sausage, roasted red peppers, red onion, mushrooms and tomatoes, baked and topped with mozzarella cheese and parsley. Served with seasoned country potatoes and your choice of whole wheat or sourdough toast. $7.95

I really like the country potatoes at BJ’s, they have a great texture and flavor.  And the baked Italian Omelette itself is also very good – it’s almost like have an omelette and a sausage pizza combined.  Which is probably a little misleading because the dish itself is actually pretty light and healthy tasting.

When I left at halftime, the Yellow Jackets were dismantling UNC.  Somehow, in the second half they ended up blowing a 20+ point lead, but thankfully still ended up winning 73-31.  Go Jackets!

Popularity: 2%

YD’s Sports Bar & Grill Making Strong Entrance Into West Valley Scene

Yesterday afternoon I decided to drop in and take a closer look at YD’s (which I just learned about the other day) and hopefully talk to someone to get the scoop on the place. Right when you walk in, you can tell they’ve invested a lot of money into the place to make it the ultimate sports bar, as there are dozens (over 35 as I later learned) of flat screen TVs on the walls throughout the place.

I asked the bartender who I might speak to about the place, and was immediately introduced to Fabian Bartolini.  Bartolini was partners in both the Santa Monica Yankee  Doodle’s (for 15 years) and the Woodland Hills Yankee Doodle’s (for 12 years), that closed in 2008.  Since that time Bartolini has been patiently and carefully waiting for the right opportunity to open another sports bar in the West Valley.

Bartolini gave me a bit of the back story as to why the Woodland Hills Yankee Doodles closed, and to sum it up Yankee Doodle’s still had three years left on their lease when Westfield acquired the property on which the old restaurant and bar stood.  However, in a move to maximize their return on investment they auctioned off the highly valuable corner end cap to the highest bidder, which ended up being Crate & Barrel.  Ironically, Crate & Barrel ended up being built much closer to the actual corner of the property, but Yankee Doodle’s building was still lost due to C&B’s desire for ample parking.  Coco’s was also supposed to close right away, but the collapse of the economy clutched their feet from the fire – for the time being.

As you’ll remember, Westfield has floated the idea of placing a Costco on the property, a sure sign that “The Village” is a dead project.

So, back to the story of YD’s.  The Stargazer in West Hills was operated as a banquet hall with a Chinese buffet during lunch hours.  Stargazer, however, like many restaurants before it at that location was unfortunately a money loser and in need of rescue.  This includes a deli and an Italian restaurant.  Bartolini approached the owners of the Stargazer, who I’m told are a family that has lived in the West Valley for a long time and has deep connections to the area, about partnering up, pumping some funds into the place, and transforming the facility into a sports bar.

Well, a deal was struck and in only 30 days Bartolini and his team made a series of mostly cosmetic and technological changes to the facility to convert it from a banquet hall and underwhelming Chinese buffet into what they confidently hope will become “West Hills’ #1 Sports Bar and Grill.”

Some highlights of YD’s (here come the bullet points):

• Over 35 LCD TVs and 4 Big Screens for watching every sports game imaginable (amazing electronic system that lets them independently control the HD programming on each and every TV – no expense spared)
• All Sports Packages – NFL, NHL, NBA, etc. as well as ALL PPV FIGHTS and even , WWE, UFC, and Mexican Soccer
• Upscale Location, Yet Affordable Food and Drinks (”Cheaper than ‘The Rack’)
• American, Italian, Mexican Fused Menu
• NTN Trivia (Only place in the San Fernando Valley with NTN!)
• Happy Hour 4 to 7pm – 7 days a week – Half Price Appetizers and Tons of Drink Specials
• Late Night Happy Hour – 10pm to Close (Food Specials Only)
• DJ Dancing (huge dance floor) Thurs, Fri, Sat 9pm to close (2am)
• Karaoke Tuesdays & Fridays 5pm to 9pm
• Ample night time security, tons of parking, and valet parking coming soon on Thurs, Fri, & Sat nights
• Games

Fabian prides himself on the diverse customer base that he hopes to attract with YD’s, from the suit and tie Warner Center crowd to just about every type of neighborhood local sports fan you could imagine.  The 10,000 square foot facility is also still available for banquets, special events, and parties.

While I was there, I had a chance to try some of the food (The Yankee Sampler) and it was delicious.  Excellent ribs!  I’ve been on the beat for about four months now, and Fabian is one of the nicest and down to Earth business owners that I’ve met.  Obviously, Fabian has the expertise and the energy to really make YD’s a success and I wish him, his partners, and employees the best of luck.

YD’s Sports Bar and Grill is located at 6501 Fallbrook Avenue, West Hills, CA.  Their phone number is (818) 704-6633.

Popularity: 20%

TGI Friday’s Celebrates 30 Years In Woodland Hills Tonight

As blogged earlier this week, Friday’s is marking 30 years in Woodland Hills with a weeklong celebration.  Tonight, however, is the official birthday party, being marked by a ‘flare show’ – Office Space fans would be proud – Happy Hour from 3pm to close, and a DJ from 7pm til close.

Happy Anniversary Friday’s!

Popularity: 1%

“Supercar Sunday” Returns At New Site, Westfield’s Topanga Promenade Mall

Dustin Troyan posts on his Facebook account and on DrivenWorld.com:

Supercar Sunday is back and is here to stay. This Sunday and every Sunday! The location is the Topanga Westfield Promenade on the corners of Topanga cyn and Erwin. The times are from 7am to 10am.

I have worked very hard to make this happen and Tony Schwartz and Harry Grey from the LA Auto Gallery played a most important role in this come to life. They wanted the event back for the community and stepped up in a major way. THANK YOU TONY, HARRY AND THE LA AUTO GALLERY. I would also like to thank Westfield for the opportunity and the new relationship.

Guys, we have a home on Sundays where we are wanted, where we can be! The location is great, there is a Corner Bakery that opens at 7am for all of your coffee and dining needs. Also, The Auto Gallery will be buying coffee for everyone! Thats right! Free regular coffee thanks to the Auto Gallery.

I will get www.supercarsunday.com back up and running with all the information, event updates, calendar and Sponsors.

I hope you all can come and support this event and help us get it back to where it was.
I would also like to stress that this could not have happened without the AUTO GALLERY!

Please help spread the word! Thank you all and I am so looking forward to seeing everyone and having a lot of fun!

All the best,

Dustin
Connected Media Group
818.516.5053

Popularity: 5%

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