Astonished

         in

      Agoura
 

Grissini Ristorante Italiano  

In the last few weeks we have received a number of e-mails praising a recently opened, apparently small and well priced, casual Italian restaurant with good food on Agoura Road east of Reyes Adobe.

We rarely travel east on Agoura Road past the Freeway entrance at Lindero Canyon for any reason. We received a speeding ticket on that stretch, but we were also refused admission to Moz Buddha Lounge.. ..perhaps for being too old. Thus, unknowingly, we casually dismissed it as another quickie pizza joint that goes in and out so fast that it is gone before the review hits print.

However on a recent quiet evening, we decided it has been in action long enough to  justify our attention. Thus we took the risk and drove beyond Lindero to find out about exactly what our readers were talking. It turned out that Grissini Ristorante Italiano is hidden in the rear of the same shopping center where Moz had rejected us. Who even knew it was there?

Once parked adjacent to the very interesting entrance we immediately sensed that Grissini was neither small nor a quickie. Some long term well thought out investment style money was evident in an upscale venue presentation.

Further, the restaurant had the classic Italian-Suave-Maitre’d-Captain who greeted us as we entered. He noted our reservation and seated us at one of the comfortable central banquettes. We quickly correctly ascertained from his demeanor that he was the owner. This restaurant certainly did not appear casual to us. In fact it seemed very upscale and perhaps expensive to my wife and me. We hadn’t even brought our credit cards and had only about $50 in cash.

You see, we never reveal our intent and we always pay the bill in full. Every Time.

Initially, however, his  business plan as it first appeared to us. seemed disappointing.

You see, when you open the very attractive and graphically unusual menu, you may get the impression that you are dealing with one of those low rent pre-cooked, choose “your own sauce and noodle” joints in a possibly upscale overpriced disguise. Others had concluded the same. .

But Grissini then surprises you. It offers a legitimate choice of 18 noodles, all to be cooked to order, and includes fresh filled pasta, dried pasta and the least desirable choice in most cases… fresh noodles. The latter sounds great to many, but, in fact cannot deliver the al dente texture that most pasta aficionados consider essential. If fresh flat noodles somehow seem exciting to you, I suggest you consider only paparadelle or gnocchi.

There are an intimidating 27 sauces. When we saw the list, our eyes glazed and we decided to trust the waiter. We described our tastes and told him to serve us what he thought would be the best choices. We had wonderful fresh ravioli stuffed with wild mushrooms under a vegetarian sauce ($15.95) and a perfectly al dente Penne Bolognese ($13.95).  Other pasta combinations are as low as $11…… served on white table cloths….by professional servers.

And once you see it all in the works and taste the results, you too will be astonished by the quality, presentation and price.

We easily split an excellent red beets salad ($10.50). All portions are very large.

The Secondi or main courses offer most of the traditional Italian specialties including chicken, fish, veal and steak at very fair prices. There is also a wide range of specials that are interesting.

One night, we had Chicken Cipriani which was chicken breast served with diced tomatoes artichoke hearts, roasted potatoes, assorted vegetables in white wine. ($14.95). I had one of the classic specials, Osso Buco with risotto. It was OK but not exciting. I am a very hard marker when it comes to Osso Buco.

There is also a complete array of Pizza, Calzoni, Risotti, Panini, Zuppe and Salads along with an interesting hot and cold luncheon menu.

The wide selection of wines is mostly from California with some Italian thrown in. It is fairly priced.  Corkage is $15.

As with all restaurants, I suggest that if the waiter fails to quote the special price on a choice that might interest you, ask for it before ordering. In that way you will never be surprised when you receive the bill.

There is a very intriguing selection of desserts including real gelato and refreshing sorbets.

Grissini Ristorante Italiano Agoura Road, Agoura   818-735-9711 - Convenient Adjacent Parking  -  Most Credit Cards - Reservations Suggested on Weekends

Other Fine Dining Values Abound In The Conejo….Right Now

While the Chairmen of The Federal Reserve and The New York Stock Exchange and the Secretary of the Treasury tell us that prosperity is “just around the corner”, many of us with perhaps more practical economic training remain very skeptical, especially based upon the declines in business reported in The Conejo.  Those continuing unemployment rates and foreclosures cannot be ignored.

And  these problems have been especially relevant in the fine-dining category of the “Hospitality” industry. Most reports indicate drops in revenue from 20%-40%. Within the wide world of business, there are thinker-fighters and there are weepers. Think about it. The Pitifully Weeping Auto Industry.  But the Restaurateurs of the Conjejo are responding in the same way as the fine restauurants in New York where competition for the dining dollar is fierce. See upcoming article.

Thus….we did an extensive survey of the entire area to locate the thinker-fighters. In only one case did we find a local restaurant that was still doing every table busy business. We won’t reveal their name but you should be able to figure it out by default.  As with Allesio, Dakota, Suki etc. there are a number of other big name,  overrated absentee-managed and or suspect dining spots in Westlake and Agoura  that are in the process of shutting down.  Sadly, Mandevila Joins now joins the list.

Rumor also has it that hair dresser John of Italy is attempting to dip his comb and scissors act back into dining he hospitality business with the takeover of Mandevill.  Based upon his previous record, one wonders ....Why????  Oh yeah....maybe because he does have an "Italian Attitude".

But here is our list of locally owned on-site fighter-thinkers, along with their special-value offers that deserve your attention and your patronage. If you have additional suggestions please let us know and we will add them to our  list. A true reality show........  also without Paula Abdul.

Just In!!!!! Starting August 15th

Riviera in Calabasas - Ritrovo in North Ranch   A Casual Summer Promotion

Tomasso Barletta, Ventura County's famed true and very serious celebrity chef- owner announces The Menu Turistico for his two very popular  above Italian  casual dining restaurants.

For $29.95 you get an Amuse Bouche, Appetizer,  Entree and Dessert. at Dinner. The above are closed for Lunch.   Tuscany, however  remains open. for lunch and dinner. .  ......................................................................................................................................

Sushi Yusho- Newbury Park- First Time Ever...Special Pricing. 

Universally recognized as far and away the oldest, best and truly authentic Japanese  restaurant in all of Ventura County, Sushi Yusho  now offers 20% off on luncheon items  Monday and Tuesday only as well as a special  $9.95 luncheon all week.

Traditional Cooked Japanese meals are now discounted daily 10% (Tempura is wonderful!!!) and All Sushi is now  discounted 5% daily.  Their Uni  (Sea Urchin) equals the freshest and the best any where in the world. True Japanese owners and Uni are the real test of a sushi bar. California rolls are. The  restaurant is closed on Sundays.

                                                     Mandevilla - Westlake

Its outside floor-heated patio is an extremely pleasant choice at this time of the year  though it is now closed for lunch daily and for dinner on Sunday and Monday  .

Owner Tom Sweet is also attacking the current economy strongly with remarkably reduced prices on his very sophisticated wine list that recognizes the globalized and domestic values throughout the world. Prices are also very appealing on a new menu with timely prices on a range of specials.  There are also rumors about a change in management here.   

Bellavino Wine Bar and Restaurant -Westlake

Brewski in Camarillo:

All day every Tuesday, 1/2 lb Snake River Kobe Beef Hamburgers for $7. That’s just a buck or so more than those supposedly aphrodisiacal Carl’s Jr.  sex toy products which represent adolescent, “lickingly bad”  taste at every opportunity. Ugh!!!! If you haven’t tasted a Snake River burger before, you may never go back to an ordinary one no matter what the price.

Onyx - Hampton’s at The Four Seasons:

Some thing special is going on here every night except Friday and Saturday. as they fight to get some one inside the building and keep the valet parkers busy.  That is $5 when validated.