A Politically Incorrect Blog About Living in Woodland Hills, California

A Cookie, A “DUI” Checkpoint, And A Redbox Rental

Well, tonight I decided I’d check out the DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Topanga Canyon Blvd.  I parked at the Topanga Promenade mall and stopped by Corner Bakery Cafe and got myself an M&M Cookie then walked over to eyeball the checkpoint.

It was about 8:40pm and it didn’t seem like they were making any arrests or tows just yet.  Still getting warmed up, I suppose.  The checkpoint was on southbound Topanga Canyon Blvd just south of Oxnard Street.  Interestingly, it didn’t seem like they were making any effort to stop folks who turned left onto Califa Street.  I’m assuming that’s where all the drunk people and illegal immigrants would turn. [note to people who don't understand sarcasm here - I'm saying this with SARCASM!]

Afterward, I stopped by the Redbox DVD rental kiosk at the 7-11 store at 20914 Ventura Blvd.  I’ve never actually used a Redbox kiosk before, but I figured I’d give their $1/night DVD rentals a shot.  I rented Extract.  A very fine film.

Popularity: 17%

Grand Opening! Panini Cafe In Woodland Hills Now Open For Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

I’m happy to inform you that as of yesterday, Panini Cafe in Woodland Hills is now open 7 days a week serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  As you might remember, Panini Cafe replaces Pomodoro Cucina Italiana, which closed in December.

I stopped in tonight and was surprised to see how busy the place was.  I was able to have a great conversation with the very friendly and helpful Panini Cafe manager, Israel.  He informed me that they opened on Thursday, though they had originally intended to open on February 1st.  The renovation construction, which looks awesome by the way, took a little bit longer than expected, and  they are still working out a few kinks here or there.  However, you could barely tell as the place seemed to be functioning on all cylinders.

Panini Cafe is open 363 days a day (they only close on the 4th of July and on Christmas).  Best of all they open at 8am seven days a week and serve  breakfast until 11:30am on week days, and 3pm on weekends.  Israel says they have been pretty busy – especially during lunch hours – even though they didn’t really do any promotion of their opening.  He explains that many regular visitors to other locations of the chain, which has its nearest locations in Sherman Oaks, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica, live in Woodland Hills and he hopes they’ll become regulars at the new location.

Israel also points out that the restaurants gets fresh produce and meats (many of which are organic and locally sourced) delivered six days a week.  They also get fresh bread delivered daily from iI Fornaio (good stuff).  Most vegetables are chopped and prepared as you order them to assure freshness.  It’s a pretty nice place, and I’m hoping to drop by in the next day or two to enjoy the food.  Here is the menu in PDF format.

Panini Cafe Woodland Hills is located at 21600 Victory Blvd and their phone number is (818) 992-3330.

Popularity: 47%

The Stand To Add Breakfast Menu & Begin Opening At 7:30am March 1st

I paid a visit to The Stand (5780 Canoga Ave) over the weekend to get an ABC Burger (one of my favorites) to go.  While there, I noticed a big new sign announcing to the world that they begin serving breakfast on March 1.  Sweet.  Looks like they’ll have all the favorites including a Breakfast Burrito, Breakfast Sandwich, various scrambles and egg concoctions, delicious sides like sausage, bacon, and potatoes, as well as oat meal.  I’m always excited to see breakfast variety coming into Woodland Hills. I was informed by the staff that they will also be opening at 7:30am daily.  Crazy stuff, kids!

Also, remember next time you go to The Stand, be sure to join their StandCard loyalty program.  From their site:

STANDCARD BENEFITS:
Effective January 1, 2010

1.  INSTANT SAVINGS ON EVERY PURCHASE:
5% INSTANT DISCOUNT
Save 5% at the time of purchase on all food,
(Limit of $50 savings per day per member)

2.  SPECIAL BEER & WINE PRICES:
Members enjoy special “Member’s Only Pricing” on our Stand Honey Blonde Draft Ale & Salmon Creek House Wine

3.  DOLLAR DOGS:
Monday Night from 5pm until closing.
Stand Dogs are $1 and Loaded Stand Dogs are $2.50.
Excludes chips.  Dollar Dog Rules Apply.

4.  MEMBER ONLY COUPONS AND SPECIALS:
As a member you will receive email notices regarding very special Members Only Offers.

I can’t wait to check out the breakfast!

Popularity: 16%

Without Much Fanfare, uWink Closes Its Woodland Hills Location

Back in January, a Twitter follower brought to my attention the fact that uWink at the Topanga Promenade mall had closed.  For those of you don’t know, uWink was a high concept restaurant where you could place orders via a video console at the table, play games, and even pay all without the help of a waiter or waitress.  At least, that’s what I’ve read.  I never made it to this place before it closed.  I will say that I always heard the food was good.

The Woodland Hills uWink opened in 2006, the first of what would become a chain of two three restaurants, the other opening at Hollywood & Highland in 2008.  [Editorial note: There was a third, also closed, restaurant in Mountain View, CA]  It was both the vanity project and franchising scheme blueprint of Atari, and later Chuck E. Cheese, founder Nolan Bushnell.  It became a publicly traded company (an Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board listed penny stock) but has since been voluntarily deregistered by the company.

The Hollywood & Highland unit is still open, but one can only guess as for how much longer.  In the world of franchising and the stock market, you’re either expanding, or you’re done.  It looks like they have strikes on their record in both of those domains.

Popularity: 18%

Panini Cafe Gets Signage, Moves Closer To Opening

Just a little update, the signage has gone up for Panini Cafe.  Looks like the construction on the inside is coming along nicely as well.  Hopefully we’ll get some information soon about a projected opening date.

Popularity: 11%

Checking Out Fleming’s “5 for $6 ’til 7″ Happy Hour, Prime Burger, and More

After watching a day worth of glutinous food programming on the Travel Channel I was really hungry for something big, delicious, and if at all possible, greasy.  I remember that I had a $20 gift card for Fleming’s that I acquired during the holidays.  I also remembered that they do a seven-days-a-week happy hour special in their bar area called 5 for $6 ’til 7.  That’s 5 cocktails, 5 appetizers, and five wines by the glass for $6 each.  They also offer their Prime Burger for $6.00.  That’s an amazing deal.  Check it out:

5 COCKTAILS
WHITE COSMO, Ketel One Vodka
APPLETINI, Grey Goose Vodka
FLEMING’S CLASSIC, Ketel One Vodka
MARGATINI, Gran Centenario Anejo Tequila
TROPICAL MARTINI, Malibu Coconut Rum

5 WINES BY THE GLASS*
PINOT GRIGIO, Redbank, Australia
CHARDONNAY, Glen Carlou, South Africa
PINOT NOIR, Mark West, California
PETITE SIRAH, Vinum, California
CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 14 Hands, Washington

5 APPETIZERS
TENDERLOIN CARPACCIO, Creole Mustard Sauce
SWEET CHILI CALAMARI
WICKED CAJUN BARBECUE SHRIMP
SEARED AHI TUNA, Spicy Mustard Sauce
JUMBO LUMP CRAB CAKES, Red Pepper Sauce

NEW FLEMING’S PRIME BURGER, Cheese and Bacon

Each Selection $6. Served Nightly Until 7PM.

Available 7 nights a week at all Fleming’s except where prohibited by law.
Hours and offerings subject to change in compliance with local or state liquor laws.

So, appetite in tow I headed over to Fleming’s (6373 Topanga Canyon Blvd.) at around 5pm.  Keep it mind that it’s a Sunday, however the place was surprisingly busy, but not packed.  I was however, easily able to get a seat at the bar.  It really picked up about 30 minutes after I got there and the bar got full.

I usually only drink when I plan to get fully obliterated, so I didn’t partake of any cocktail specials.  I did, however, order the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes.  They were flavorful, huge, and contained lots of crab meat.  I will be back for more of these, that you can guarantee.

Next up, they delivered my Prime Burger – 8 oz. of prime beef (cooked rare and bleeding, by my command) with bacon, bleu cheese, “Served with a Mini Wedge and Fleming’s Signature Onion Rings.” Honestly, this burger was awesome.  It was juicy, and just greasy enough to really satisfy that urge that has been boiling inside me.  There are several cheeses you can get it with, but my selection of bleu cheese allowed me to evaluate it against the Bleu Cheeseburger at Gaucho Grill.  And, to be honest, it definitely gives Gaucho’s offering a run for it’s money.  And, hello, it’s $6.00 people.  That’s AMAZING.  Those onion rings were pretty good too, but after devouring the burger I only had room for one of them.

Simply put the 5 for $6 ’til 7 deal has to be one of the best happy hours in the West Valley. I had a few bucks left on my $20 gift card, and rather than letting it go to waste I picked up a delicious slice of Walnut Turtle Pie (homemade caramel, walnuts and chocolate baked in a chocolate pie crust) to take home.  I’m still buzzing from the sugar high.

Popularity: 19%

What Is The Best “Pig Out” Place In Woodland Hills? Is there one?

I’ve spent the majority of my morning watching a Man vs Food marathon on the Travel Channel.  It is making me extremely hungry.  So, I pose this question to the readers of this blog, “What is tbe best ‘pig out’ place in Woodland Hills?  And, is there one?  I’ll even settle for all of the west valley.  Is there a ridiculously big burrito somewhere? A gigantic hamburger? An over the top pizza? Anything? Leave your suggestions in the comments.

Popularity: 21%

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