Watch out L.A. and San Francisco, Avenue X Restaurant Hits the Mark

SANTA PAULA, CA (PRWEB) March 26, 2006 -- Spring 2006. Located just off the 126 Freeway between downtown Ventura and Santa Clarita is Santa Paula, California. This quaint small town is part of Ventura County’s rich Heritage Valley (Santa Paula/Fillmore/Lake Piru - www.heritagevalley.net) and often used by many studios for filming because of its charm and “western” scenery. The area is rapidly gaining popularity and at the forefront of the fame is Chef Richard Hyman and Avenue X Restaurant. Richard Hyman, formerly of Thousand Oaks’ Bellavino Wine Bar, Pasadena’s Border Grill and LA’s MARS restaurants recently opened his own establishment, Avenue X Restaurant, helping Ventura County carve a niche in the fine dining world.

The restaurant is located in The Glen Tavern Inn (www.glentavern.com) - a national historic landmark hotel and one of the top 100 most haunted hotels in America. As soon as you walk through the restaurant’s metal and frosted glass doors custom made in the shape of a giant “X,” it’s evident that the restaurant was designed to serve upscale, continental cuisine. From the bamboo & metal floors to the water walls and satin drapes, Avenue X brings haute cuisine to homespun USA. The décor is not the only thing throwing diners for an extraordinary loop. As you dine, you’re apt to hear comments like: “The best restaurant south of San Francisco and west of Chicago…”

Chef Richard Hyman and his right-hand sous chef Jennifer Jenks describe the cuisine as modern American with accents of Latin, Asian, and French plated on Fortessa Bone china, Guy Degrenne Flatware, and Schott Zwiesel stem ware. Appetizer selections such as ceviche which includes three separate preparations; ‘Three Little Pigs” - a trio of pork preparations (sous vide belly, grilled kurabuta loin, and seared Guanciale); an asparagus napoleon with Kaitafi, organic goat cheese and a mouselline of roasted garlic. It’s all very cosmopolitan and very, very yummy. Entrees include, Sous Vide Tasmanian Salmon with salsify and herbed potato gateau, A Deconstruction of Beef Wellington with foie gras and a port wine demi glace, Seared Diver Scallops with Braised Wagyu short ribs and potato puree and a Crepinette of Kurabuta Pork with pistachios and caramelized onion. Many dishes prepared in the au so courant "sous vide" method of vacuum cooking food for 30+ hours to seal in flavor and nutrition.

Beautiful desserts by Avenue X’s pastry chef Tiffany Buchanan include, a Coconut Ginger Napoleon with roasted pineapple carpaccio and tropical fruit brunoise, a Valhrona bittersweet chocolate cake with a reduced port wine sauce, and an assortment of small sweet bites that change every few days.

Avenue X also offers a full bar and a wine list which is varied and quite comprehensive including tasting notes which help diners make great wine/food pairing choices.

“Avenue X Restaurant is the culmination of a life long dream,” recounts Chef Richard. “It has taken me 25 years and countless hours working in countless restaurants under countless chefs and restaurant owners, but because of all of that, here I am in Santa Paula, California. This venture means so much to me,” confides Chef Richard. From the name ‘Avenue X’ which is the street he lived on in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, to the interior décor which was designed by close friend & metal artist/fabricator Jeff Hankins of Big Daddy Metal Art and Design. It all reflects Richard’s desire to bring comfort and elegance to his guests.

“Santa Paula has some of the richest and most fertile farmland in the world, therefore the absolute finest produce is at my disposal and I use it. The fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables are the mainstays of any fine dining establishment and you will find just that in my kitchen. Avenue X is borne from my dream and it will reflect my existence and my soul. We’re taking fine dining and mixing it with warm comfort and local appreciation -- I look forward to welcoming you to Avenue X Restaurant.”

The menu will change often so be sure to frequent Avenue X on a regular basis. Dinner prices average $50 per person. Treat yourself and enjoy a wonderful meal or stay the weekend at the historical Glen Tavern Inn (www.glentavern.com) which houses Avenue X and enjoy all of the wonders of the Heritage Valley.

Avenue X Restaurant (www.AvenueXRestaurant.com) is now open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Special catered events are also available. Breakfast and Sunday brunch are coming soon. Avenue X Restaurant, Ventura County’s premiere fine dining establishment, is located in the historic Glen Tavern Inn at 134 North Mill Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060 - (805) 933-3337 or (866) 933-AVEX.

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