This list is inspired by a conversation I had with Marta, a friend of a friend who recently moved to Oak Park. I met Marta at a birthday party and she told me the one and only thing she missed about living in Los Angeles was food. Actually, restaurants.

We all miss our certain favorite places but, let’s face it, great food is urban territory. It’s fair too. Denser populations mean more people with time and money to burn — or eat. Still, suburbanites shouldn’t have to subsist on Applebees and Chili’s.  Thankfully, out here we don’t. This is my list of places that get us by…

THAI –

Pookie’s Thai Westlake Cuisine

860 Hampshire Rd. Suite Z
Watercourt Plaza, 805-381-0094

Every bit as good as Chan Dara, etc + you get Pookie, who is lovely.

MEXICAN (sit down + margaritas)

Los Dos Amigos—1421 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., 805-373-0087

MEXICAN (quick)

The Sea Casa–  1014 Westlake Blvd, 805-374-1921

Maybe just as good as Poquito Mas.

PIZZA+

Pizza Salad– 1655 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd #104
Thousand Oaks,  805-371-7878

Interesting all-organic pizzas and salads.

Bauducco’s- 839 Agoura Rd.m Westlake Village 805-495-4623

Good neighborhood pizza. Great antipasto trays, fresh cheeses and more in the deli area.

BREAKFAST

Terri’s Cafe–  30135 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills, ph. 818-707-1934

Always satisfying and many healthier selections.

SUSHI

Kaminari Sushi– 2891 Agoura Rd, Westlake Village 805-446-7001‎

Great hole-in-the-wall sushi joint.

Tomodachi–2779 Agoura Rd, Westlake Village–805-777-7578 (also in Newbury Park)

Slightly pricey but extremely tasty and great presentation.

DATE NIGHT/DRINKS/GNO, etc.

P6- 2809 Agoura Rd, Westlake Village, 805-778-0123

In the beginning P6 had a trying too hard/suburban hipster (haha) vibe. It’s settled down now and seems to be more appropriate…good drinks, good food and sleek environment.

ITALIAN

Vivoli Cafe- 3825 East Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village (near Trader Joe’s)

civilized but not over the top

Cafe Firenze-563 West Los Angeles, Moorpark,  805-532-0058

more expensive — I wouldn’t bring young kids.

HEALTHY

The Natural Cafe– locations in Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Moorpark and Santa Barbara

good but it could use some serious competition

DELI

Sienna Deli– 3900 East Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, 805-494-7799

Great chicken salad, excellent soup.

Rhineland Deli–2346 East Thousands Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, 805-496-2045

Brent’s Deli– 2799 Townsgate, Westlake Village, 805-557-1882