If you were waiting for news about when restaurants might reopen, it’s not much of an appetizer. But Gov. Gavin Newsom — while insisting California will not follow other states in lifting restrictions — suggested this week that progress is being made. (And when restaurants do reopen, it will be in a modified capacity — likely meaning masks for servers, temperature checks for patrons and a reduced number of tables.) In the meantime, you can support restaurants in the Valley that are still open, offering curbside and delivery. Remember to confirm by calling or checking online as everything is subject to change.
Conejo Valley
Braxton’s Kitchen
317 Carmen Drive, Camarillo 805-384-7566
Curbside: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
This eatery’s menu now includes family-style dinners for four. Choose from chicken piccata with linguine, parmesan crusted tilapia with linguine, meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes or the fried chicken dinner. Breakfast and lunch items range from burritos and pancakes to burgers, wraps and salads. Along with some grocery items (including eggs, bread and hand sanitizer), they also offer a “pup” menu with the signature Braxton Special: ground beef, brown rice, butternut squash, green peas, carrots and kidney beans. Call or order online.
Mama’s Hummus
779 N Wendy Drive, Thousand Oaks 805-480-0888
Curbside and pickup: Daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Promising a “novel approach to fresh and flavorful Lebanese food,” this Mediterranean restaurant serves up no shortage of variations on kabobs, shawarma and falafel. For those self-isolating, the family meal for three will be hard to resist: three skewers of kabobs, chicken, kafta, filet mignon on a bed of rice served with hummus, baba ghannouj, tabouli or salad, as well as pita bread.
San Fernando Valley
Verse
4212 Lankershim Boulevard, Toluca Lake 818-747-2135
Curbside: Order, pay and schedule pickup or delivery at www.verse.la
Known for their rice bowls (with such protein possibilities as hanger steak, salmon, pork belly and poached egg), Verse now offers a burrito-to-go for those sheltering in place. Stuff it with any number of meats — from hanger steak to shrimp to pork belly — or opt for the vegetarian.
Gino’s East of Chicago
12924 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles 818-788-5050
Carryout and delivery: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
This newly opened pizza place is offering carryout and delivery from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily during the shutdown. Signature pies include the Meaty Legend (pepperoni, Italian sausage, Canadian bacon and bacon), Gino’s Supreme (pepperoni or Italian sausage with onions, green peppers and mushrooms) and the aptly-named Chicago Fire (spicy sausage, whole roasted jalapeno, fire-roasted red peppers and red onions).
Santa Clarita Valley
Rose and Crown British Restaurant
24246 Lyons Avenue, Newhall 661-255-5048
Curbside: Tuesday through Sunday: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The takeout menu can vary, but usually features such British staples as shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash and, of course, fish and chips. Specials include corned beef and cabbage with caramelized onions and horseradish as well as the shamrock pasty, an Irish pot pie stuffed with beef, cabbage and potatoes. For something unexpected, seek out the fish tacos.
Salt Creek Grille
24415 Town Center Drive No. 115, Valencia 661-222-9999
Curbside, takeout and delivery: Lunch is available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner begins at 2 p.m.
In addition to limited lunch and dinner menus, this steakhouse offers a family meal deal: family-sized entree, house or Caesar salad, garlic mashed potatoes, vegetables and brownies. Availability is limited and the menu is updated daily, so call or go online to pre-order. On Mondays and Wednesdays, kids eat free. For adults, beer and wine is available for curbside.