6 minute read
Dine Ojai — Restaurant Guide
AGAVE MARIA
Fresh, wholesome Mexican food & drink 106 South Montgomery Street (805) 646-6353 agavemarias.com
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AJ EXPRESS CHINESE EXPRESS
Gourmet Chinese food to eat in or to go 11566 North Ventura Avenue (805) 646-1177 ajchinesecuisine.com
AZU
Spanish & Mediterranean comfort food 457 East Ojai Avenue (805) 640-7987, azuojai.com
BOCCALI’S
Pizza & Pasta, from our farm to our tables 3277 Ojai-Santa Paula Road (805) 646-6116 boccalis.com
BONNIE LU’S COUNTRY CAFE
Traditional American breakfast & brunch 328 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-0207
CAFE EMPORIUM
Locals’ favorite breakfast and lunch 108 South Montgomery Street (805) 646-2723 ojaicafeemporium.com
CASA DEL LAGO
Ojai’s original Mexican restaurant 715 E Ojai Avenue (805) 640-1577
THE DEER LODGE
An Ojai legend since 1932 2261 Maricopa Highway (805) 646-4256 deerlodgeojai.com
FARMER & THE COOK
The best of organic Ojai 339 West El Roblar Drive (805) 640-9608 farmerandcook.com
FOOD HARMONICS
Nutritional Love 254 East Ojai Avenue (Arcade) (805) 798-9253
JIM & ROB’S FRESH GRILL
Mexican-American & regional favorites 214 West Ojai Avenue #100 (805) 640-1301 jimandrobsojai.com
JJ’S SPORTS ZONE
The go-to place for food & sports 820 North Ventura Avenue (805) 649-4655 jjssportszone.com
HIP VEGAN
Vegan sandwiches, salads & bowls 201 North Montgomery Street hipvegancafe.com (805) 669-6363
HOME KITCHEN OF OJAI
Breakfast and lunch in a warm space 1103 Maricopa Highway (805) 646-5346 HomeKitchenofOjai.com
KNEAD BAKING COMPANY
An artisanal family bakery 469 East Ojai Avenue (310) 770-3282 kneadbakingcompany.com
MANDALA
Pan-Asian Cuisine 11400 North Ventura Road (805) 613-3048
THE NEST
401 East Ojai Avenue (805) 798-9035 thenestojai.com
NO SO VITA
Ojai’s social cafe 205 North Signal Street (805) 646-1540 nosovita.com
OAK GRILL @ THE INN
Al fresco dining under vine-covered pergola 905 Country Club Road (805) 646-1111 ojairesort.com
OJAI COFFEE ROASTING COMPANY
Salads, sandwiches & superb service 337 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-4478
OJAI PIZZA COMPANY
331 Ojai Ave. (Downtown Ojai) 545-7878 TheOnlyGoodPizza.com
OJAI ROTIE
Rotisserie, sourdough, winebox 469 East Ojai Avenue (805) 798-9227 ojairotie.com
PAPA LENNON’S
Family owned, original & traditional Italian cuisine 515 West El Roblar Drive (805) 640-7388 papalennons.com
RAINBOW BRIDGE
A community gathering place 211 East Matilija Street (805) 646-6623 rainbowbridgeojai.com
THE RANCH HOUSE
An Ojai culinary destination for more than 60 years 102 Besant Road (805) 646-2360 theranchhouse.com
SAKURA OJAI
A locals’ favorite for Japanese food 219 East Matilija Street (805) 646-8777 sakuraojai.wix.com
SEA FRESH
Serving Ojai for 30 years 533 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-7747 seafreshseafood.com
SOULE PARK GOLF COURSE BAR & GRILL
Patio & indoor dining with Ojai’s most tranquil views 1033 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-5685 soulepark.com
CHEF RANDY
Chimi hurri Tofu kabobs
I looked up chimichurri on the Internet the other night. One website says that it is “a piquant sauce or marinade traditionally used in South American and Mexican cooking.” Another definition says that it is used as a “marinade for or topping on grilled meat.” There was nothing in any of the definitions that indicated it was used in vegetarian cooking. I took that as a challenge. Why can’t a sauce, I thought, that is made with fresh ingredients such as parsley, garlic, oregano leaves, red pepper flakes, olive oil and red wine vinegar be used on barbecued tofu? I decided that there was no reason at all that it can’t. Even meat lovers will like this vegan recipe for tofu kabobs with chimichurri sauce. Make the sauce the day before you barbecue for maximum flavor.
INGREDIENTS: Chimichurri: 2 cups packed flat leave parsley leaves (no stems) 4 medium garlic cloves (minced) 4 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano ¼ cup red wine vinegar ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes ½ teaspoon kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kabobs: 14 ounces extra-firm organic tofu (cut into 1-1/2 inch cubes)
Randy Graham is a writer, author, and private chef. He enjoys cooking for friends and family using ingredients from backyard vegetable and herb gardens. His food is often called “vegetarian comfort food.” He and his wife, Robin, live in Ojai, California, with their dog, Willow. Robin and Willow are not vegetarians. For additional recipes see Chef Randy’s website at valley-vegetarian.com
Healthy
Summer/Fall Quick + Easy
Vegan DIRECTIONS: Chimichurri: Place parsley, garlic, oregano, vinegar, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor. I use a Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus. Process for about 60 seconds or until finely chopped.
Tofu Kabobs: Preheat grill to high heat (about 600 degrees). Place tofu cubes in a large baggie and add 4 tablespoons Chimichurri sauce. Shake cubes to cover with sauce and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Allow tofu to marinate in the baggie for about 20 minutes.
Thread marinated tofu cubes onto bamboo skewers. Grill for two to three minutes on one side. Turn over and grill for two minutes more. The tofu should be slightly charred and beginning to crisp. Remove skewers to a serving platter and drizzle a little more sauce on each skewer. Transfer remaining sauce to a small bowl and bring to the table as a condiment.
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New Offering Price
AZU RESTAURANT AND BAR
Azu has been a central downtown gathering place for nearly 20 years. Ojai’s original California tapas bar, Azu is a place where foodies and families can enjoy casual sophistication and local avors. The lovingly restored 1910 building has over 5600 sq. ft. of indoor space. An historical building in a prime location, it could easily be converted to o ces, a wellness center, or a retail space. Currently, Azu has multiple dining areas with 160 seats. In front is a full bar with family tables, front sidewalk dining, and an intimate replace dining room. In back is a private dining room with a second full bar and a garden patio. There are two full kitchens, one for regular dining and one for private events and catering.
AzuRestaurantOjai.com Offered at $2,450,000
PATTY WALTCHER 25 years matching people and property in the Ojai Valley
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Photo by Andraz Lazic
