The French Bulldog - Camarillo, CA

I have read a lot about this new restaurant in Camarillo but never had a chance or occasion to visit it for myself. That was until my friends Deb, Kat and I decided to meet for a nice lunch to celebrate Christmas time before we all got bogged down with family plans. 

The restaurant was hosting two different company parties during our visit so we did not get the service attention that I am sure we would have received had the large reservations were not there. I was too busy admiring the restaurants beauty and fun conversation to even care if we were not getting served promptly.

We were seated in the back bar area and it gave us a good view of the restaurant. The dining area is just to the right of this photo.

Cute martini glasses that don the French Bulldog and house a pretty, sweet drink. 

Deb and I got there early so we split an order of fries dusted with parmesan to share. Good choice for snacking and chatting!

Right when i saw the lunch entree BBQ Salmon served with mashed potatoes sauteed spinach I knew that was what I wanted. The crunchy topping was texturally pleasing as well. I loved this dish and even loved that it was only $15. A bargain for a lot of well cooked food.

Deb went for the Vegetable Panini and a side of greens. What a good little herbivore! She genuinely said it was delicious and there was so much food she took most to go.

Kat was also a good, healthy eater and went for the Ahi Salad. I would have went home hungry if it was my lunch but she seemed pleased and happily munched away at her salad.

I was happy with our lunch at The french Bulldog and cannot wait to return for another girl's luncheon or a trip with Scott. I know he would love the panini selection as well as the beautiful setting.

Brendan's - Camarillo, CA

I went shopping in Thousand Oaks and I was starving by the time I got to Camarillo. I pulled into Brendan's mainly because it was easy to spot off the 101.

I ordered the Beef and Guinness Stew because I thought it sounded interesting. It tasted like cat food. I think "Fancy Gourmet" should really pick up on this.

Last but not least, Curry Fries - Irish style. You all know how much I love curry these days. This was awful. I mean to the point of throwing up.

Good luck to Brendan's. It is a cool place serving great beer, but other than that... good luck.

Brendan's - Camarillo, CA

I went shopping in Thousand Oaks and I was starving by the time I got to Camarillo. I pulled into Brendan's mainly because it was easy to spot off the 101.

I ordered the Beef and Guinness Stew because I thought it sounded interesting. It tasted like cat food. I think "Fancy Gourmet" should really pick up on this.

Last but not least, Curry Fries - Irish style. You all know how much I love curry these days. This was awful. I mean to the point of throwing up.

Good luck to Brendan's. It is a cool place serving great beer, but other than that... good luck.

Ottavio's - Camarillo, CA

After cruising to Camarillo for another Craigslist find we declared ourselves famished. I have been really disappointed by my recent Yelp searches so I felt I couldn't rely on that. Along the highway you will see a sign advertising Ottavio's Restaurante so in we went! I hadn't had Italian in awhile so I was looking forward to it.

We were seated in a dining room that also shared its space with the bar. It was quite compared to other sections of the restaurant that had large parties.

Fresh baked bread - this roll was outstanding.

Soup that came with my meal - I believe it was Minestrone. Nothing wrong with it, just was a little forgettable.

And now for the main event... Penne al Pomodoro con Pollo. Penne pasta tossed with fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic and olive oil, crowned with grilled chicken, then sprinkled with gorgonzola cheese. There was so much of this, huge portion and only $15! Enough for two meals, easy.

And now for my favorite - Fettuccine Tutto Mare. Scallops, crab, shrimp, lobster and white fish in a light cream sauce served on a bed of fettuccine. This was so good. I hardly ever eat a bowl of noodles but this time I couldn't stop! I too ate this as my meal for a couple days. It was just amazing.

I highly recommend this restaurant. I haven't felt that confident about making a suggestion in a long time. This one blew my socks off because of the great food and the affordability. Bon Appetit!

Lure Fish House - Camarillo, CA

I have always known when I don't eat something every couple hours I get grouchy. I mean, really grumpy, evil - not much fun to be around. So, when I saw the Lure Fish House located off the highway, I demanded to stop in and get some calories in. You know how much I love fish!

I thought the inside was super chic. Think Hampton's Beach house.

Skinny Girl Margarita? Yes, please!

Hunt for the best Clam Chowder is always on my mind... And this stuff was great! Seriously good. I wish I got a bowl, I am going back for more!

Grilled Mahi Mahi, also known as Dorado. Very healthy but left me wanting something more. I was a little hungry. More chowder please!

Fish Tacos were amazing! Very tasty. I tried them myself. Two thumbs up!!

The salad was large but not that tasty. The calamari was cold and tasted like it had been cooked maybe the day or days before. Bummer, that was supposed to be the best part!!

Hot Fudge Sundae was as tasty as promised. Yum yum.

cute restaurant. Very cool atmosphere. The dinner menu looked like it was better than lunch so I will be back. A Fish House is always fun to explore. The drink menu was fun too. They had a Watermelon martini to try - I will be back!