Moorpark Munching: Moorpark, California

There are five crucial questions a journalist must ask (and, ideally, answer) when researching and developing a story: Who, What, Where, When, and Why. These Five W's, along with a bonus "How" for further clarity, will preclude each blog post to provide proper insight into this weird, wild nomadic journey.

The Five W's + H:
Who: United States Traversing Page Trio: Christina (wife), Sophia (cat), DJ (self)
What: Top 5 places to drink up 
Where: Moorpark, CA
When: October 2022 - January 2023
Why: Eager to remain in southern California, we settled on a gig less than an hour west of Eagle Rock. Just 15 minutes north of the more populous Thousand Oaks, Moorpark's serene scene provided a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of northern Los Angeles. 
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How: Breaking the previous record by nearly five minutes (Rowlett to Fort Worth is only about a 50 minute drive without traffic), our drive was a meager 47 miles and minute 45 minutes long. This consisted of cruising west on the 134 through Glendale, straying north onto the 5 across Burbank, and finally rolling onto the 118 past Simi Valley before arriving in semi-mountainous Moorpark. This delightful drive brought great joy to yours truly, the chauffeur of this operation, as trekking back and forth for days on end between Texas and California had worn thin.

Five Places to Drink Up: Moorpark (and surrounding area), CA

Boccaccios (32123 Lindero Canyon Rd. #110, Westlake Village, CA 91361)

Quotable: "Lakeside fine dining, at its finest."​

Just 15 minutes south of Moorpark on Westlake Lake, Boccaccios boasts the best lakeside views in the Los Angeles area. Founded in 1968, this restaurant welcomes guests by land or by sea (there are multiple docks for those who really want to make an entrance) to enjoy fine dining favorites and superb sunsets. 

Boccaccios isn't just a pretty face, however, as the decadent menu provides a plethora of delicious options. To start, the Toasted Cheese Ravioli comes baked to perfection: loaded with gooey cheese and parked on a bed of tomato basil sauce deliciousness. 

If there's a nip in the air, warm up with Boccaccios' Pecan Crusted Old Fashioned. This keenly crafted cocktail consists of your standard Old Fashioned base (Buffalo Trace Bourbon, bitters, simple syrup) that's topped with a sweet and salty pecan powder coated rim.

​For the mains, the shrimp and scallop Seafood Risotto (pictured above) might be the best I've tasted. The creamy risotto and expertly cooked scallops (which I normally am not a fan of) are the perfect combo for seafood lovers. On the vegetarian side, the Eggplant Parmigiana is perfectly coated and fried—light but tasty and full of flavor. ​

Nobu Malibu (22706 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265)

Quotable: "Unmatched Japanese cuisine paired with a breathtaking Pacific Ocean panorama." 

Perhaps the most recognizable name in American Japanese fare, Nobu has long reigned as the go-to spot for those looking to impress dates, clients or simply indulge themselves in high-end dining. This celebrity-ridden Malibu restaurant more than lives up to its pedigree, providing gourmet grub and scenic beach-side sights.  

Apparently the only drinks I'm willing to write about in this blog are Old Fashioneds, as the Nobu Old Fashioned (pictured above in all its glory) is a clear standout here. Michter's US1 Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Torres Magdala Orange Liqueur & Angostura Bitters served over hand-carved ice is chock-full of flavor and, as a bonus, just so happens to get you tipsy. 

I've sworn off swine completely, and I generally only eat beef when it involves a dish not to be missed. That being said, the Japanese A5 Wagyu—imported directly from Kyushu, Japan—is a must-have dish. This portion comes by the ounce, and can be prepared in myriad different ways, but Truffle Butter style is the clear standout. The succulent and tender marbled wagyu beef literally melts in your mouth.

For those who have cut meat completely out of their diet, Nobu boasts some high quality vegetarian options as well. The Eggplant Spicy Miso is also melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and the spicy miso flavor packs a serious punch. The Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna can be modified to toss the tuna and add avocado, but what sets this dish apart is the stark contrast between the crunchy rice and silky smooth avocado. These opposites attract to manifest a melodic melody of textures in your mouth. 

Because of Nobu's stature as word-renowned Japanese cuisine stalwart, they get first pick when it comes to freshest seafood catches both locally and around the world. This means their sushi, in particular, is some of the highest quality you can get on the planet. 

I've eaten Nobu at a few of their locations around the country and I believe, unequivocally, they boast the best sushi on Earth. My must-tries, nigiri-wise, are the Tuna, Bluefin Toro, Japanese Snapper and Yellowtail. As for maki, the Yellowtail Jalapeño is second to none. 

M on High (255 E High St, Moorpark, CA 93021, United States)

Quotable: "Neighborhood go-to with great eats and a panoramic patio." 

Smack dab in the center of downtown Moorpark, M on High provides homestyle American fare with a locally-inspired ambiance—both inside and on their scenic patio. 

A hearty and delicious way to start your meal here is with the Creamy Jalapeño Mac and Cheese Skillet (pictured above). Melty, gooey, spicy, cheesy—need I go on? Be honest, I had you at Creamy Jalapeño Mac.

For my vegetarians out there, try the Street Corn Agnolotti as your entree. Italy meets Mexico by way of mascarpone, ricotta, cotija (Mexican powdered cheese), lime butter and Tajin seasoning to create a dish that's flavorful and savory with a dash of sweet.

If fish is more your style, the Roma Baked Salmon covered in herb compound butter with a side of salty, crispy fingerling potatoes and healthy haricot vert is quite the craveable concoction.

Winners Pizza (1805 E Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362)

Quotable: "Best pizza west of Los Angeles." 

When contemplating takeout pizza in a new area, it's important to go with a proven commodity. For more than 30 years, Winners Pizza has crafted Artisan pies with delicious dough and fresh toppings.

Our go-to pizza here keeps it simple, building our own cheese with fresh peppers and onions on top. Melty mozzarella cheese, tasty California-grown tomato sauce, fresh veggies and their original thin crust merge to create a first-rate pizza pie.     

After devouring eight slices of cheesy goodness, make your way to the most unique item at Winners—located in the desserts section. The Cinnamon Knots are a concoction made from fresh dough and topped with just enough cinnamon and vanilla icing to tickle your sweet tooth without being overly confectionary.

Rise (1408 N Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360​)

Quotable: "Who knew biscuits could be this delicious?" 

Breakfast should be simple: Eggs, fluffy and buttery bread, and cheese are all you really need to break your fast. Rise Biscuits and Donuts takes a fluffy buttery biscuit and goes all buck wild on it, imagining delectable deviations to put their own spin on classic recipes. 

You've almost certainly had a biscuit in your time, but have you had a Beignet Biscuit? Rise takes one of their homemade buttermilk biscuits, fries it and then absolutely lambasts it with savory powdered sugar.

Blueberry more your jam? Try the Blueberry Biscuit (pictured above) that's fashioned cake-style, packed with fresh and juicy blueberries, and glazed to perfection There's even a Cinnamon Roll version (pictured above) that's packed with cinnamon, sugar and drizzled glaze goodness. Despite being biscuit-based, this trio of delectable donut-style biscuits are melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

For those looking for something a bit on the heartier side, the biscuit sandwiches at Rise are tough to top. Build your own biscuit sandy by starting with your choice of the classic Buttermilk Biscuit, Cheddar Biscuit, Potato Bun (boring), or even with the Blueberry Biscuit mentioned above. Once you've settled on a base, you're ready to decide on your choice of eggs (fried is a favorite), cheese (cheddar is the choice), or protein (egg and cheese in itself is excellent but they have all the breakfast classics, along with their famous Righteous Chicken). There's also an array of tasty toppings like guacamole, Nashville Hot sauce, hot house made Boom Boom sauce, or pickled jalapeños.  

Even the sides at Rise ooze with greasy goodness. Both the Seasoned Rise Fries and Crispy Fried Okra are deep fried and seasoned to perfection. No matter your provision preference, Rise is the top place if you're in the market for a biscuit breakfast bonanza.