A Politically Incorrect Blog About Living in Woodland Hills, California

Morton’s Power Hour Is A Great Place To Get Oysters At A Great Price

I’ve been to Morton’s in Woodland Hills quite a few times in the past couple of months.  Recently, I got a craving for oysters and I remembered that Morton’s has fresh oysters on their Power Hour happy hour menu for only $1.75 apiece.  Can you say done deal?  I called up some friends and we agreed to meet up there yet again.

As you can see the oysters look great, taste great, and come with the full assortment of necessary accoutrements.  I’ve actually been back there a couple of times since for more.  I’ve recently been shunning carbs and well, as far as I can tell, oysters are all protein.  Excellent!

On  this particular night there was also a celebrity in the house, D.L. Hughley.  He was there checking out the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.  He was among many disappointed bandwagon Butler fans in attendance in the bar area, including myself.  Hughley must live in the area, as I’ve seen him at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in the past as well.

I also had another one of Morton’s $15 Prime Burgers during the Power Hour, and it was great.  I avoided the bread and only had a tiny bit of the excellent mashed potatoes this time around.  Good stuff.  As always, I’m so impressed by the relaxed and cool vibe at Morton’s bar.  It’s a great place.

The Power Hour runs between 5pm to 6:30pm and 9pm to close daily.

Popularity: 3%

Lost Doggie Mazie Was Found, Owners Thank Community And Keyes Woodland Hills Buick, GMC, Cadillac

Today I was taking a walk in Warner Center and came across on old sign about the missing dog Mazie.  I decided to call the number and do a little follow up to see if she was eventually found.

I reached Kellie, who told me that they indeed did recover Mazie unharmed about 24 hours after she went missing.  Turns out the signs and canvasing of the area paid off as the family received a flood of calls about sightings of Mazie.  Mazie, while absolutely harmless, is both an aggressive barker and also a scaredy dog.  Which, is a bad combination for a lost dog because they end up hiding from, or barking at, people who are just trying to help.  Some of the callers had temporarily had custody of Mazie, but she fled.  Kellie explained that she believed someone, for an known reason, had probably let Mazie out of the family’s parked vehicle at the Topanga Promenade mall on Friday April 2nd.  She canvased the area with fliers on the next Saturday and later realized that Mazie would probably want to be where there are plenty of lights at night, so she made a special trip to the car dealerships on the western side of Topanga Canyon Blvd and passed out fliers to the personnel there.

This paid off as later that not long after the employees, and I’m told service technicians, spotted Mazie hiding under one of the cars that sits atop an elevated display platform.  Kellie and her husband rushed over and were able to be reunited with their no doubt hungry and scared doggie.

Kellie wanted me to let everyone know that she and her family are very thankful to the residents of Woodland Hills who called and offered so much information about their sightings of Mazie, who it seems had quite an adventure for the 24 hours or so that she was lost.

Mazie’s family is especially thankful to the folks at Keyes Woodland Hills Buick GMC Cadillac for their efforts.  A very happy ending indeed.

Popularity: 2%

KB Homes Nearing Completion Of Ascent At Warner Center, Re-Opens Sales Office

In the past month or two, KB Homes has greatly amped up the pace of construction at the troubled Ascent at Warner Center condominium project on Erwin Street.  See my previous post about this project for some back story on the delays.  KB closed the first sales office, which was on Oxnard Street, for the project in 2008 after a fire and amidst the flagging economy, but on Thursday I observed them placing signage for a new office at 21220 Erwin St.  Looks like the sales push for the project is now in full swing, as there are now also sign twirlers out and about on Canoga Avenue.  My guess is that there are some bargains to be had in the building, so if you’re interested drop by or give them a call at 818-274-0101.

The gallery below contains some recent pictures of the project, the sales office, sign twirlers & sidewalk signs, as well as some previous photos I’ve taken over time.  There are also some nice artist renderings on the KB Homes website.  Nice landscaping.

Popularity: 13%

Enjoy Spring Prix Fixe Menus At Both Roy’s And Fleming’s

Both Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion  Restaurant (6363 Topanga Canyon Blvd) and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse (6373 Topanga Canyon Blvd) are offering special Spring Prix Fixe menus.  Roy’s is priced at $35 per person, and Fleming’s is $39.95.

Roy’s Spring Prix Fixe menu:

Come taste the exhilaration of spring with our new 3-course Spring Prix Fixe Menu. Bright flavors and the freshest ingredients come together to create incredible dishes like our Mochi Crusted & Seared Ahi Sashimi and our Roasted Garlic & Herb Crusted Lamb Chop. We look forward to celebrating the new season with you.

Available Spring of 2010 — $35 per person

Appetizer (Choice of 1)

Thai Curried Shrimp Salad
Tangelo, Mango Basil Vinaigrette

Mochi Crusted Ahi Sashimi
Ponzu, Truffle Emulsio

Wagyu Beef Potstickers
Kim Chee Cucumber, Firecracker Sauce

Entree (Choice of 1)

Rustic Charred Salmon
Watercress, Pancetta, Braised Bean Cassoulet

Herb Grilled Lamb Chops
Port Wine Bordelaise Sauce

Pan Roasted Stuffed Chicken Breast
Parsnip Puree, Chicken Jus

Tender Braised Beef Short Ribs
Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Natural Braising Sauce

Dessert (Choice of 1)

Strawberry Cheese Cake
Kaffir Lime Essence

Roy’s Melting Hot Chocolate Soufflé
Flourless Chocolate Cake with a Molten Hot Center served à la Mode

Fleming’s Spring Prix Fixe menu:

Spring Prix Fixe Menu – 3 courses, $39.95*
An Exceptional Dinner Offering, Highlighting Tastes of the Season

In celebration of Spring, Executive Chef Russell Skall created an innovative 3-course dinner inspired by the vibrant flavors of the season. With a choice of two entrées and a light but decadent dessert, it’s the perfect menu for a serendipitous rendezvous with friends, or a spring fling with someone special.

Our Director of Wine, Marian Jansen op de Haar, has suggested three outstanding wines to pair with your meal. Each will bring an extra bouquet of flavors to your table.

CHOICE OF APPETIZER

Caesar Salad
chopped hearts of romaine, aged parmesan, croutons baked with whole-grain mustard

OR

Shrimp Consommé
fresh herb dumplings and garden vegetables

CHOICE OF ENTRÉE

Broiled Scottish Salmon
spaghetti squash with lemon garlic beurre blanc and crispy capers
Suggested wine: KUMEU RIVER, Chardonnay Kumeu New Zealand, 2006**

OR

Veal Scaloppini
spring tomato sauce
served with mushroom ravioli in a gorgonzola cream sauce
Suggested wine: VOLPAIA, Chianti Classico Italy, 2005**

DESSERT

White Chocolate Bread Pudding
with bourbon crème anglaise
Suggested wine: YALUMBA, Tawny Port Barossa Museum Release Antique Australia NV

Popularity: 3%

The Collateral Lender Zoning Variance Defeated

Many apologies, as this actually happened at end of March.  I overlooked a comment posted by Ryan, a homeowner on Don Pio Drive that I had met at a February Neighborhood Council meeting where a zoning variance for the proposed new location of the The Collateral Lender had been discussed and a recommendation voted upon.  I ran into him at Whole Foods one morning last week where he reminded me about the comment.

He wrote:

We just received word the other day that the Variance, thankfully, has been DENIED!!!

No words just yet on the The Collateral Lender’s next move, if any.  I’ll keep you posted.

Popularity: 1%