by | June 15, 2009 · 7:02 pm

Magical Monte Cristo at the Happiest Place on Earth

by Brian

Before I get into this post, I’d like to thank everyone who reads us, for helping EatMeCalifornia get its first 10,000 visitors.  Mikey and I are thankful for your support.  Now, on to the review…

I spent my Sunday at Disneyland, also known as the happiest place on earth.  It was an awesome day and I hadn’t been to the magic kingdom in the better part of a decade.  Unfortunately, this trip wasn’t for pleasure.  It was all about business.  The business of sandwiches.

One of our great readers, Andy, read our review of Jack’s Deli in Westlake and recommended that I try the monte cristo sandwich at Disney’s Blue Bayou restaurant for a direct comparison.  And that, my friends, is exactly what I did.

The Blue Bayou Restaurant – Disneyland’s New Orleans Square, Anaheim, CA

blue bayou

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by | June 14, 2009 · 3:09 pm

Maki Yaki – Chain Sushi

by Mikey

Maki Yaki is a franchised sushi joint.  I guess you could say it’s the Arby’s of sushi.  It’s not as fast food as a San Sai, but it is more fast food than your locally owned sushi restaurant.  The question remains, though, how does the quality stand up to other sushi restaurants?

Maki Yaki – On Thompson in Ventura – Also with many locations in CA and surrounding states.

I was at the Ventura location not this one.

I was at the Ventura location, not this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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by | June 13, 2009 · 10:54 am

It’s All Greek to Me – Ventura Greek Festival 2009

by Brian

I didn’t get to post this last night because I went to see The Hangover.  Sorry, but even bloggers need a night off every now and then.  The other thing I accomplished last night is the topic of this post.  I went with a few of my coworkers to the opening night of the Ventura County Greek Festival.

Ventura County Greek Festival – At the Camarillo Airport (see website for driving directions) June 12, 13 & 14.

Honestly, for a history major, I don’t know a lot about Greek stuff.  I know that Greeks invented democracy and city-states and gyros.  Other than that, I’m pretty ignorant on the whole topic.  Which as most of you know, is extremely painful for me to admit.  And it’s for that reason (and the fact that I got a free ticket) that I chose to take this chance to learn a little more about my greek brothers and sisters.

This festival is going on all day today and tomorrow.  The hours for today are 10:30am to 9pm and tomorrow they’re open from 10:30am ’til 7pm.  Rather than giving you a review on the event and then making you wait an entire year to actually attend, (strawberry festival/cajun festival) I’ve decided to give you a few highlights and hopefully encourage you to check it out this weekend.

The Ventura Greek Festival is held at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Camarillo.  The price of admission is $4 but if you bring the coupon from their website, it says that you’ll get $2 off the price of your ticket.  Either way, it’s a dirt cheap price to pay for a festival.  As usual for these events, kids get in for free.  In this case that includes all non-teenagers (12 & under).

dancing

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by | June 11, 2009 · 3:58 pm

Mr. Lee’s Chinese Food

by Mikey

This is a classic EatmeCalifornia drive by. Nobody told me to visit Mr. Lee’s and nobody said they had great food.  It was a ninja ambush of the highest degree. Would Mr. Lee be ready for culinary combat?

Mr. Lee’s Chinese Food Ventura – Thompson/Borchard

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I took a picture of the outside of Mr. Lee’s and it was definitely not my best work.  I decided to take another one after lunch because I was pretty hungry.  Mr. Lee’s is fairly small and only has one dining room.  I’d say, at the most, 50 people could be comfortable.  After that, it would get to be more like a clown car.  The inside is pretty beat up, the ceiling is stained, the walls are a bit dirty, and there are a lot of patches and covering.

I experienced an EatmeCalifornia first at Mr. Lee’s.  My waiter never said a word to me.  I’m not exaggerating; I’m not just saying he mumbled, I’m saying he never spoke one word to me.  They sat me down, brought me water and tea, gave me a menu and then did a ninja vanish.  5 minutes later he re-appeared with notebook in hand, stood by me and waited.  I had said hello at my arrival but now the ninja battle of silence had begun, so I decided not to talk as well. Continue reading →

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by | June 10, 2009 · 7:29 pm

PJ’s Pub – Home of the Mega Burger

by Brian

I don’t know why, but Mikey seems to have unfairly usurped my title of “man of the people.”  Maybe it’s because I use words like usurp when I write.  Who knows?  In an effort to get my title back, I’ve decided to bring you a post on the only “dive bar” in Thousand Oaks:  PJ’s Pub.

PJ's

PJ’s Pub – At Moorpark Rd and Avenida de los Arboles in the Trader Joe’s shopping center, Thousand Oaks.

Say what you want about PJ’s.  No, really, say what you want about the place, they don’t give a damn.  This is a bar that makes no apologies for what they are: a place to play some pool, get drunk and eat greasy bar food.  In my opinion that’s what makes them unique to Thousand Oaks.  PJ’s is a little bit of Bakersfield, thrown down in the middle of the Conejo Valley. Continue reading →

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by | June 9, 2009 · 10:54 pm

Deadliest Catch – No Second Chances

by Mikey

We left off last week with a 40 ft wave crashing into the Wizard while they were trying to put the tarp over the front pots.  The wave consumed the front of the ship and the deck hands all disappeared into white water.  We were left wondering if anyone was hurt, or even worse, swept off the ship.

Cue Bon Jovi and do your best Captain Sig “I’m on the crab” celebration…….. Continue reading →

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by | June 8, 2009 · 6:52 pm

Cafe Fiore Has It All

by Brian

I usually leave Ventura reviews for Mikey, since he’s local and all.  But last Friday night I got an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up.  My friend Tiffany happens to be friends with the executive chef at Cafe Fiore and since I was craving a little decadence, I decided to give Fiore the EatMeCalifornia treatment.

Cafe Fiore – On California St. near Main, in Downtown Ventura

What ended up happening was that EatMeCalifornia got the Fiore treatment.  We arrived right on time for our 8 o’clock reservation and were whisked away to a nice little booth in the back of the restaurant.  The place was packed with 20-30 somethings drinking cocktails and having a great time.  I instantly loved the vibe of this place and it didn’t hurt that it was gorgeous too.  The look is rustic, with high ceilings, dark wood and wine racks everywhere.  It reminded me a lot of what the guys over at Cafe Firenze were trying to accomplish, but this smaller, more intimate space carries it off even better than Fabio and his crew have managed. Continue reading →

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