Restaurant Reviews

Bistro 13 Review
In 1991 Camarillo got lucky, Bistro 13 came to town. Giovanni Tromba, already a successful restaurateur, opened a new restaurant dedicated to serving fine Italian cuisine with an emphasis on using fresh food products grown in the environs known as the Pleasant Valley. Growing up on a farm in Italy he believed that to produce the finest food he needed the freshest ingredients.

Giovanni is there to welcome you to his restaurant. Immediately you are made to feel like a welcome guest by the efficient staff. The tables are situated so that you look out the floor-to- ceiling windows at a park-like setting. 

When you are presented with the menu, you find starters that range from cold antipasti such as Caesar Salad or a Caprese Tower, fresh mozzarella and tomato over shaved Prosciutto and basil leaves, with a balsamic glaze. If “hot” is what you are in the mood for, I can recommend either the Baked Brie and Roasted Garlic or the Calamari Fritte.  The calamari comes to your table sizzling hot and smells so wonderful, you may have to share it with your companion.

For an entrée standout, there are choices of Ahi Tuna seared rare with ponzu glace served with parmesan risotto and seasoned vegetables, or choose salmon prepared in two different styles. A chicken option would be Pollo Gorgonzola, breast of chicken with Chardonnay wine in a gorgonzola and porcini cream sauce. The Risotto Calabria combines many ingredients:  spicy Italian sausage, shrimp, chicken, Maui onions, and sundried tomatoes in a spicy cream sauce, tossed with Italian rice.

The fun part of the menu is the pasta and sauces. There are ten pastas listed, including the most identifiable, spaghetti, to the fusilli, which they let you know is the corkscrew shape.  Next choose the sauce. Possibly you might want to order the Pignoli, diced chicken breast, pine nuts in garlic sundried tomato broth. Another delicious combination would be Napoli, a light tomato sauce with calamari, shrimp and cilantro.  If that isn’t enough, you can chose from the six special which are offered each day. Six dessert choices are available. Crème Brulee, tiramisu, and strawberry shortcake represent a sampling. The bread served with each meal is the same marvelous foccia I remember from years past at Tromba’s previous resturant. The Chef de Cuisine is Tiziano Serra, who received his certification at the University on the Island of Sardinia.

The wine list has a large selection of Italian, red, and white wines by the glass. These wines, as well as sparkling wine, are available by the bottle. There is a full bar with imported and domestic beer. Wine tastings are offered once a month. The winery featured this coming month on June 19th, is Four Wines of Paso Robles.

All of the items on the menu are served for lunch and dinner with a choice of soup or salad to accompany your meal. Lunch is Monday thru Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is Monday through Thursday 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.,  Friday and Saturday, 4:30 to 10 p.m.  Sunday hours are 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is free off-street parking, 4910 Verdugo Way, Camarillo, phone 805.383.3388.

Rockland, Maine

Rockland Lighthouse

The Berry Manor Inn

Lobster

Pies

Sailing in Maine

E-mail Jeanne at Jeanne@winetravellinggroup.com

Don't Miss This!
September 17, 2010
10-Night Wine Cruise

This cruise is the ultimate sailing for those with a penchant for luxury and wine - a Celebrity Wine Cruise.  These handpicked itneraries will include dinners from wineries in this fertile region, includding Canada, Oregon, Washington, and California.  Your wine cruise experience also provides the opportunitiiy to enjoy wine-centric shore excursions, wine enrichment seminars with notable guest speakers, and themed wine events that include live entertainment and much more!

Please contact Jeanne Bartlett 805-484-4196 or Judy Van Dyke, Camarillo Travel, 805.484-2863

Click here to see the further information from Celebrity Cruises


Travel Stories

September Trip to Rockland Maine Historic Inns
This June I had an amazing trip to Rockland Maine. Today I received word of a great travel bargain for this September.  If you are a 50+ travelers looking for a great experience at a bargain price this is for you.  I was able to participate in many of the activities listed below and I would enthusiastically recommend them to you.

BOOMERS HAVE THEIR PRIVILEGES IN SEPTEMBER AT HISTORIC INNS OF ROCKLAND, MAINE
S is for September, Savings and Savoring the Coast of Maine for 50+ Travelers

Rockland, ME: We’ve heard it over and over; today’s 50+ traveler is looking for active, “edutaining” getaways.  Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine say if that’s what they want that’s what they’ll get in September, 2010 when boomers rule in this Midcoast, Maine town.  Throughout September, 50+ travelers will be treated to everything from museum admissions to a ride aboard a working lobster boat and guided lighthouse tours.  To prove that Baby Boomers rock, Historic Inns of Rockland’s “Boomers Have Their Privileges” Package has been constructed with a 25-percent discount for September travelers.

Respecting the need for value which today’s 50+ travelers seek, Historic Inns of Rockland have packed this package with a rich itinerary including plenty of choices for enjoying the area’s attractions, natural beauty, history and premier accommodations. Rarely are 50+ travelers offered so many choices at such affordable rates, starting at $515 for the three night midweek inclusive package.

The “Boomers Have Their Privileges Package” is packed with adventure including:
Three nights luxurious accommodations with a variety of amenities and three sumptuous breakfasts at any of the Historic Inns of Rockland offered at 25% off rack rates.
Two tickets each for admission to six of Maine’s greatest cultural treasures including the Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center; the Gen. Henry Knox Museum; the Owls Head Transportation Museum; the Penobscot Marine Museum; the Maine Center for Contemporary Art and the Maine Lighthouse Museum.
Use the tickets to the Maine Lighthouse Museum for a self-guided tour at your schedule or take advantage of the special guided tour with docent of the museum on Thursday at 10:00 am throughout the month of September, just for package guests.
Enjoy an exclusive guided tour of Rockland’s Historic Breakwater Lighthouse with one of Breakwater lighthouse volunteer staff every Wednesday at 10:00 am (weather permitting) throughout the month of September, just for package guests.
Receive a copy of Ted Panayotoff’s book “The Lighthouse at Rockland Breakwater Then and Now”.
Two tokens for the All Aboard Trolley for a tour of downtown Rockland’s Business and Residential Historic District at 10am on Tuesdays.
Head out to sea: Choose between two tickets to Captain Jack’s Lobster Adventure cruises, where you learn firsthand about lobstering with a real lobsterman or two tickets (pedestrian access) on the Maine State Ferry to Vinalhaven Island, the largest inhabited island in Penobscot Bay and enjoy the afternoon exploring a fishing island community.
Join other guests of the Historic Inns of Rockland for a tour of the Sail, Power & Steam Museum and a presentation of Rockland’s rich history for shipbuilding.  Held every Tuesday afternoon 3-5 pm exclusively for inn guests.
Enjoy a self-guided tour of  local lighthouses on your own schedule by following the Historic Inns of Rockland’s driving lighthouse locator.
Enjoy an inn to inn tour of the four premier inns of Rockland every Monday afternoon in September from 1-2pm (reservation required).
All this for $515-$1,075, single or double occupancy. Many of the components of this package, such as private tours and discussion groups, are not available except through this package.

Concerned because there is too much to do and too little time?  Don’t worry you can add a fourth night (Sunday through Thursday) at the same 25% discounted rate.  Note: discounted rates are only offered in conjunction with this package, not separately.  Package is not available September 5th and 6th of Labor Day weekend.

Once children have returned to school, and summer vacations have waned, September presents the ideal time for sojourns to Maine’s Midcoast and the lobster capital of the universe, Rockland, Maine.  The days are still warm, perfect for exploring the lighthouses along the coast or the many renowned galleries and art museums in Rockland.  Evenings, each of these inns is an easy stroll into downtown, celebrated for its fabulous restaurants.  To book the Boomers Have Privileges Package, call 1-877-ROC-INNS (877-762-4667).  For more information about Historic Inns of Rockland Maine, or Berry Manor Inn, LimeRock Inn or Captain Granite Inn, Captain Lindsey House, visit www.HistoricInnsofRockland.com.