A Politically Incorrect Blog About Living in Woodland Hills, California

Jersey Mike’s Coming To Woodland Hills, Opening October 13th

Noticed this a couple of weeks ago, but now we have an opening date courtesy of Eater LA.  This store is opening in place of the defunct Quiznos Sub next to The Habit Burger.

Eater LA writes:

With new locations in Beverly Hills, Monrovia, Calabasas, and Irvine, Jersey Mike’s Subs adds one more to the list with its next store opening in Woodland Hills (22649 Ventura Blvd.) one week from today on October 13. As part of the grand debut, for its first five days of service, Jersey Mike’s will distribute coupons through the community for free subs with a $1 donation benefitting the American Kids Cancer Fund.

Popularity: 10%

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: 22%

Menchie’s New Woodland Hills Location Is A Great Way To Get Your Froyo Fix

I must admit that on my holiday staycation I hit up the frozen yogurt joy that is Menchie’s (20968 Ventura Blvd) several times.  There are a few great things about this new Menchie’s location.  First, there is ample parking either at the meters on the street (which seem to be relatively available most hours that I’ve been there) or at the ample – dare I say large – parking lot at the rear of the building. These twin buildings were actually well constructed and well thought out.

Menchie’s also has ample seating both inside and outside on the patio for you to enjoy your frozen yogurt concoction.  At Menchie’s you pay by the weight of your frozen yogurt and toppings combination.  From their site:

We’ve got a rotating selection of eclectic frozen yogurt flavors and every topping under the sun. From fresh, locally grown fruits to classic rainbow sprinkles and hot fudge, even we can’t decide what to mix up first. But that’s the best part. We don’t decide, you do!

Mix up as many flavors and toppings as your little heart desires. At Menchie’s, you pay by weight not by topping so you can have as much or as little of everything you want. It’s simple as can be, just mix, weigh, and pay!

So far I’ve enjoyed the cable car chocolate, very vanilla, and peanut butter frozen yogurt flavors.  All of them were awesome.  I’ve also sampled various toppings, including fruity pebbles, snow caps, chocolate chips, rainbow sprinkles, m&ms, caramel, and graham cracker crumbs.  You really can go nuts if you want.  It’s good stuff.

And best of all, it’s very affordable.  I don’t think I’ve ever had a bill over $4.00 for any combination of yogurty goodness.

If you haven’t stopped by yet, put it on your radar for attack during your next need for a sugar fix.  Visit their site for more information about Menchie’s products and the various yogurt flavors and toppings.

Popularity: 2%

Blue Waters Salon & Spa Opens On Ventura Blvd In Woodland Hills

For the past 6 weeks or so, I’ve been passively observing the renovation and build out of the structure at 21312 Ventura Blvd – owned by the Auto Gallery and former site of a flower shop.  The construction was for the Blue Waters Salon & Spa, which opened a couple of weeks ago at the location.  If anyone checks the place out please come back and leave a comment.  They are not open on Sundays and Mondays and their phone number is (818) 340-8400.

There are actually quite a few spas and salons in Woodland Hills.  Nothing wrong with that!

Popularity: 10%

LA Times Blogs About Allen Edwards Spa Deal In Woodland Hills

LA Times is encouraging you to get pampered at the spa and points out Allen Edwards’ Woodland Hills location’s specials:

Allen Edwards Ongoing through Jan. 31: Woodland Hills salon is discounting select packages, including $50 shampoo and style (regularly $60) and $47 express facial ($55).

20855 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 887-7330. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday; 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.www.allenedwards.com

As Fred Dryer (Hunter from the popular 80s TV series) would say, “Works for me!”

Popularity: 1%

Some Pictures Of Automobili Lamborgini Boutique In Westfield Topanga Mall

I had a chance to drop by the Westfield Topanga shopping mall today and take some pictures of the exterior of the Automobili Lamborghini boutique that just opened last week.  I will say that it looks and feels just as sterile and temporary (actually more so) as the Audi Auto Gallery location next door.  It is also at one of the much less trafficked nodes of the mall, I doubt you’d ever see it if you weren’t looking specifically for it.

TLE insightfully comments on my other post about the store:

Rich people in Beijing are shallow, egotistic and nouveau riche “classless” who spend money just because they have money. So what does it speaks of us when there is a boutique in the Valley.

Popularity: 2%

Lamborghini Boutique Opened By Auto Gallery Owner in Westfield Topanga Mall

Apparently it’s only the second one in existence, the other being in Beijing, China.  Also brought up in the article is that the Auto Gallery’s Audi Dealership is temporarily relocated inside the Westfield Topanga Mall while the previous site is undergoing new construction.  This, I did not know, as I had figured the Porsche dealership was saddling some of the load.  And, since there are Audis on display there, too, they probably are.

The prestigious San Fernando Valley Business Journal (yes, I am kidding) writes:

It’s a match made in luxury retail heaven, according to Tony Schwartz, who opened an Automobili Lamborghini fashion boutique – the second in the world – next to his Audi show room at the Westfield Topanga mall in Canoga Park.The combination of luxury cars and high-end fashion, flanked by Neiman Marcus and name brands such as Tiffany & Co., and Louis Vuitton in the mall’s luxury wing, will prove to be successful even in the current financial climate, he believes.

“Being in this very high-end mall next to all these great stores is really a match made for us, and it’s just an opportunity we couldn’t resist,” said Schwartz, who owns a number of car dealerships including a Ferrari Maserati dealership in Calabasas and a Porsche Audi dealership in Woodland Hills, part of the Auto Gallery company, which he runs with partner Harrison Gray.

The Collezione Automobili Lamborghini store will offer everything from T-shirts and hats and small items like key chains and wallets, all the way up to expensive leather coats and designer shoes, he said.

And while people don’t normally shop for a $250,000 – $400,000 car in a clothing boutique, the store will also display three pre-owned Lamborghinis.

“To be in the mall and have the ability to display cars and have a boutique in the same location seemed like a perfect combination – one complements the other – and hopefully that combination is going to be very, very successful,” he said.

The boutique, which celebrated its grand opening with a fashion show and reception Dec.2, is an opportunity for Lamborghini to extend its brand outside its core business, said Stephan Winkelmann, president and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

Although Lamborghini has several distribution channels for its clothing and merchandise, this will be the second retail space devoted solely to the Collezione Automobili Lamborghini in the world.

The first Automobili Lamborghini boutique opened in Beijing in November, he said.

See the rest of the article for more details.

UPDATE: See pictures of this store here.

Popularity: 6%