Ventura Restaurant Tips by keida84 Top 5 Page for this destination

Ferraro's Italian Restaurant: Cheese Pizza So Good It Needs Nothing Else

Ventura's first Italian restaurant is called Ferraros. It is a local italian restaurant that simply has the best cheese pizza in the United States. Period. I am not kidding you. They have excellent pasta as well and the Bob Grady salad is a must try, but it is the pizza we come for.

Favorite Dish: Usually I like my pizza with a lot of toppings however at Ferraro's keep it plain. The delicacy of the sauce, the lightness of the crust and the perfect blend of cheeses make for one heck of a pizza pie.

The only trouble with the pizza is you have to eat it all there while it is hot out of the oven. Because of the crust it does not hold up well under refrigeration so it is not as tasty the next day.

This pizza is as my husband calls it, "The Mystic Pizza"

Address: 2788 E Main Street Ventura, CA 93003

Comparison: about average

Directions: North of 5 points

Phone: 805 648 7270

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Italian

Margarita Villa: Unparalled Views--Good Food

Located in the Ventura Harbor, upstairs from the carousel is a great Mexican restaurant. What makes this place so great is the view from the patio dining deck. Overlooking the entire Ventura Harbor makes eating here a pleasure and they have very good food to boot.

One thing about sitting up on the roof especially in the summer, you make sure you have a heavy sweater or coat the wind in the afternoon and evening can be a bit much. Margarita Villa has propane heaters which work very well to keep the customers warm.

Note: for those persons who are wheelchair bound or mobility disabled, there is an elevator for handicap access.

Favorite Dish: There is so much to choose from the menu. I think they make the best Albondigas (meatball) soup, it is chock full of vegetables, meat balls and is in a "tomato-y" base. It is something I highly recommend you try.

Then on to the entrees. Portions are so big, so we usually always end up taking our leftovers in a bag. Note: most hotel rooms have a small refrigerator so those who are traveling can still take their leftovers home.

I enjoy the carne asada quesadilla which is plenty good for a meal. Paul enjoys the nachos, he is the "nacho man".

The bar is getting better and better. I had a mango cocktail (vanilla schanapps, with pinapple juice, coconut liqueur, rum and mango puree) very tasty.

Address: 1567 Spinnaker Drive Suite 200 Ventura, CA 93001

Comparison: about average

Directions: In the Ventura Harbor off of Olivas Park which become Spinnaker once you cross Harbor blvd

Phone: 805 654 7906

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Mexican

Duke's Bitchin' Burgers: Surf's Up for ***in' Burgers--they are "Ono"

Duke's (really that is the name of the restaurant) ***in' Burgers at the end of S Seward Avenue in Ventura is a solid local favorite. They open early to accomodate the hunger pangs of those folk were out catching a few waves. As the day progresses they break out the turkey and the ground beef and grill up some "ono" burgers.

Duke's is not fancy but you must have shirt, shorts and shoes if you plan to eat inside. Otherwise there is seating outside.

Favorite Dish: My favorite things at Duke's are:

Breakfast: Fast Freddie: 2 eggs, 2 bacon, 2 pancakes

Lunch: Teriyaki Chicken Hawai'ian with sweet mustard and pineapple with either potato salad, fries or onion rings (1 choice not all :-))

Dinner: Turkey burger the 2 nd best in the whole of Ventura.

I have also been told the tacos are killer: Fish, chicken, or shrimp.

Address: 1124 S Seward Avenue Ventura, CA 93001

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: Pierpont Boulevard is the cross street

Phone: 805 653 0707

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Joannafina's Mexican Cafe: Authentic Mexican Cooking

Wow, we hadn't been to Joannafina's in years, silly too, because we live 7 minutes down the road. Joannafina's Cafe is known for their tamales which they make at Christmas time and sell; it is always best to pre-order because these tamales go fast! Pork, Chicken, Beef or Sweet tamales.

If the weather is nice the back patio is so nice to sit and have your meal. There is a huge tree covered in twinkle lights and outdoor space heaters which make the area quite pleasant.

Favorite Dish: I tell you, the Sopes at Joannafina's are the best I have had anywhere!! Corn cakes filled with beans, machaca, lettuce, tomato, cheese and a green (verde) salsa that is very tasty.

Their nachos are my husband's favorite and Joannafina's did not disappoint either.

Address: 1127 S. Seward Avenue Ventura, CA 93001

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Cross street is Pierpont Boulevard

Phone: 805 658 0360

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Mexican

Full of Beans: Coffee and Muffins

In the funky little village of Pierpont Bay is an amazing collection of restaurants, services and a great coffee house called, "Full of Beans." Open 7 days a week the shop offers all sorts of coffee combinations even for the most dicriminating tastes. They also offer a wide assortment of non-coffee beverages as well.

The pastries, muffins and cakes are all great and you can even purchase bagels, small fruit salads among the vast displays of tempting treats.

There is seating inside and out with a stack of magazines and newspaper to help you while away the hours.

Favorite Dish: I had the hot chocolate on a very cool summer's evening it was just the thing. Paul had a mocha latte and we shared a piece of their carrot cake for dessert.

They also have a unique package for people who require multiple coffees, for $12.00 you are given a vacuum pack full of coffee, 8 cups with lids and heat sleeves (so you won't burn your hand), creamer, sugar and stirrers. What a great idea!!!

Address: 1124 S Seaward Ave Ste Ventura, CA 93001

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Cross street is Pierpont Boulevard. At the beach!

Phone: (805) 648-5645

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Coffeehouse

Hot Dog!

It is strange, restaurants come and go in this town but the Top Hat Hot Dog stand has weathered the test of time. You will ususally seen a group of people waiting in line for their hot dogs and hamburgers.

To quote a line from the B-52's "It's a Funky Little Shack, That's Where It's At"

Favorite Dish: I like their hot dogs with mustard, onion, pickles and sauerkraut.

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: You'll find Top Hat on the corner of Palm and E. Main Street in the heart of the historic downtown Ventura area.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Street Vendor

Anacapa Brewing Company: Beer and Excellent Eats

On a rainy Friday night in Ventura we went to the Anacapa Brewing Company for dinner. There was a small heated patio in front with a table big enough to accomodate the 6 of us and it was most enjoyable.

Inside the restaurant are the brewery tanks and more dining tables but we found the noise level a tad loud so the patio was just perfect.

We were well within walking distance of our hotel, The Victorian Rose Bed and Breakfast.

Favorite Dish: The beer was a big hit. Brewed on site, I had their palest wheat beer, Hurricane Hefenweizen which was served with a slice of lemon. My husband had the 2 Penney Scotch ale which was a very strong hearty ale, and my friend Tim had the Santa Rosa Red.

The food was a great compliment to the beer. I had the Tri-tip sandwich on a sour-dough roll, perfectly seasoned, flavorful and tender.

My friends split a Cobb salad and vegetarian pizza. The salad dressing was unsusal we thought it was a key lime vinagrette.

We skipped dessert as there was delicacies awaiting us back at the hotel.

Address: 472 E Main Street Ventura, CA 93001

Comparison: about average

Directions: In the historic downtown district between California and Chestnut Streets.

Phone: 805 643 2337

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Pub/Brewery

Website: http://www.anacapabrewing.com

Presto Pasta: Good and Inexpensive

This restaurant combines fast food with restaurant dining. It's called, "Italian Faster Food". It is always busy and the food is fresh, healthy, hot and good.

There are several locations: Ventura, Santa Barbara, Goleta and Camarillo

Very inexpensive, good for those on a budget or with a lot of mouths to feed.

Favorite Dish: I really enjoy the dinner salad with the gorgonzola cheese, pear, walnuts and raspberry vinagrette dressing.

You can have a choice of pasta: Angel hair, Penne, Fettucini, Ravioli, etc with your choice of sauce: Putanesca, Pesto, Alfredo, Marinara then add in: Meatballs, Vegetables , mushrooms, etc. All served with garlic bread.

Address: 5722 Telephone Road Ventura, CA 93004

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: In the Vons shopping center at Telephone and Victoria

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Italian

Romano's Macaroni Grill: Bread and Pasta Heaven

Romano's Macaroni Grill is a chain restaurant without the feel of one. The interior is semi dark and lit with strings of bare bulb lights, tables are strewn about the floor and a open brick oven heavily stoked with fire is visable from the kitchen.

They take no reservations so be prepared to wait on a week end night sometime up to 2 hours. We make a point of going around 4 PM on the week end, the service is great and no crowds.

The restaurant now offers "Curbside to Go". Call your order in 30 minutes ahead of time, pull into the parking lot in one of the 'to go" spaces and your food is delivered to your car.

Favorite Dish: The Tuscan bread is a staple on the Macaroni Grill table, lightly seasoned and coated with salt the bread arrives hot and fresh with olive oil for dipping.

Lunch: Try the Tuscan Lunch. It is a chicken caesar calzonette sandwich complimented by your choice of salad, soup or pasta salad.

Dinner: Chicken Parmigiano. Breaded chicken breast, tomato sauce, basil, mozzerella & Parmesan cheese with your choice of pasta.

Capellini Pomodoro: Angel hair pasta with fresh tomatoes, basil and garlic. Add chicken or shrimp

Dessert: Tiramisu. Layers of cake with marscapone cream, rum and esspresso.

Address: Telephone Road Ventura, CA

Comparison: about average

Directions: Just off the 101 freeway at Telephone Road in the Kohl's shopping center.

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Italian

Website: http://www.macaronigrill.com