Los Angeles doesn't have to grab all the attention in Southern California.
Ventura County has its share of incredible eateries and drinking establishments.
We consulted with our local experts to tell us where they go out to eat and drink along the coast.
- All of our Ventura County experts agree that they bring their out-of-town friends to Cafe Zack. This mom-and-pop restaurant housed in a 1930s cottage has been serving fine California cuisine since 1992. The chicken pizziola and salmon served on a wooden plank are what we'll order.
- Local food expert Michael Ramirez heads to La Plage Cafe in Port Hueneme for French fusion cuisine. He digs on their chorizo & calamari omelet and chicken fried rice with poached egg. Ramirez also considers himself a Vietnamese pho expert, so he recommends Pho Saigon for the best in town.
- After he's done hitting the links, Dan Rogers of The Bunker Golf Center takes his golf buddies to Adolfo Grill in Camarillo for steak, beer, and amazing scenery. His other option is Aloha Steakhouse for the views of Surfers Point Park. Be sure to check in for their margarita happy hour.
- Phil Graves, of the outdoor clothing company Patagonia, enjoys Lure Fish House in Downtown Ventura for their fresh lobster, clam chowder, and local oysters. For dessert, their cheesecake and key lime pie cannot be missed.
- Audrey Walzer of the Camarillo Yoga Center dines at The Manhattan of Camarillo. She'll order the salmon pesto or Italian specialties like lasagna, eggplant parmesan or stuffed cannelloni. After dinner, head over to their newly opened beer garden, where you can choose among 60 taps of craft beer.
- Over at Four Brix Winery, you'll find owner Karen Stewart offering up her reds and whites. Open Thursday through Sunday, you can order flatbread pizza and cheese to enjoy with your wine. As for her local recommendation, she takes her husband for breakfast and Sunday brunch to Cafe Nouveau on Thompson Boulevard. Situated in a 1920s Spanish bungalow, their popular dishes include chili verde, eggs florentine and to-die-for beignets.
- The Great Central Steak & Hoagie Co. in Simi Valley is a local intuition. Residents just refer to it as "The Hoagie." You can't go wrong with their hot pastrami sandwich, breakfast hoagie or cheesesteak sandwiches. If you order The Bomb, don't say we didn't warn you.
- Planning a Girls' Night Out with the ladies to chat over local wine and cheese? Try Paradise Pantry in Downtown Ventura.
- If you're looking for a different take of Asian food, head over to Broasted Chicken in Port Hueneme for Filipino cuisine. Since 1986, they've been serving the namesake broasted chicken along with pancit, empanadas, and lumpia. Don't forget the Filipino dessert specialty, Taro Boba.
- Craft beer enthusiasts flock to the Ventura beachfront location of Social Tap. Local brewers represented include Angel City, St. Archer, and Golden Road. You'll need their late-night menu of burritos and nachos to keep the good times rolling past 10 pm. Your other choice is Barrelhouse 101, where they have ... you guessed it ... 101 rotating beers on tap. If they don't serve it, it might not exist.
- The Bread Basket Cake Company in Camarillo is known for their pastries, chocolate truffles, and dog treats. You can also gaze upon their wedding cake collection to get some ideas for your special day.
- Local comedian Randy Lubas enjoys the thin-crust pizza at Jimmy's Slice, which is open to 3 am on the weekends. Who knows who you'll run into at that hour? If you're feeling up to it, the Golden China Restaurant is more than just Chinese food; it's also the nightly Karaoke bar. We think there's a Fleetwood Mac song with your name on it.
- For local wine chosen by experts, you'll find what you need at The Wine Closet in Old Town Camarillo. They've expanded to include small bites and full dinner menu.
- That caffeine fix you crave can be satisfied at Palermo on Main Street or you can enjoy live music and poetry readings at Element Coffee in Camarillo.
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