Wicked's Brew Press
Ventura County Star vcstar.com
Lisa McKinnon / The Star |
Take from-scratch artisan ingredients, add rich organic coffee, a pinch of retail and a foreshadowing of culinary and creative art workshops and you have Wicked's Brew, a combination restaurant, coffeehouse, gift shop and events space that opened late last month in a Ventura business park.
Also part of the mix: a healthy dose of theatricality, inspired by owner Gwendolyn Zero's behind-the-scenes work in the entertainment industry. "I'm gradually letting out certain details, but the more you see, the more there is to know," said Zero, whose work uniform includes a pair of black-and-white harlequin pants. Located at what used to be an aerial yoga studio next to Surf Brewery on Market Street, Wicked's Brew features an open dining room decorated with chandeliers, communal tables and an espresso bar under an overhang fashioned to look like a theater marquee. A table for two is displayed, just for show, atop a row of cabinets. The space eventually serves as a stage for what Zero calls the cafe's "cast of characters." Read more |
Restaurant Review: Wicked's Brew Will Enliven Your Taste Buds.
By Rita Moran, Restaurant critic
Published 2:31 p.m. PT Feb. 7, 2017 |
By Rita Moran, Restaurant critic
Published 2:31 p.m. PT Feb. 7, 2017 |
(Photo: CHUCK KIRMAN/THE STAR)
The French Omelet offered at Wicked's Brew. |
Gwendolyn Zero, owner of Wicked's Brew, displays the farmers market bowl with an egg. The restaurant is a beautiful setting with unusual decorative accents, communal tables, espresso bar, gift shop items, fabulous deserts and much more. (Photo: CHUCK KIRMAN/THE STAR)
|
The basic Farmers Market Bowl featured roasted vegetables and sweet potatoes, quinoa, black beans and chipotle cream. It sounds like an exotic blend, but it was definitely very tasty. The added scrambled egg on the side added traditional balance.
My choice of a spinach, mushroom, chive and smoked Gouda omelet was delicious, with the "petite" breakfast green salad adding a crisp touch. Oven-roasted potatoes are another option. From the bread choices, I opted for the "buttered" wheat bread but realized after a few bites that it wasn't buttered. Still it was good, freshly baked bread and didn't really need enhancement. There's also a French omelet version with Black Forest ham, red bell pepper and white Cheddar cheese, for $12.50.
Other items on the day's menu included a garden vegetable breakfast panini, pancakes with seasonal fruit compote, caramelized apple-stuffed French toast and, for $5.75, Wicked's Gruel, with organic steel-cut, gluten-free oats served with the house-made fruit compote of the day, with the oats sweetened with brown sugar and maple syrup and moistened with steamed dairy or nondairy milk.
My choice of a spinach, mushroom, chive and smoked Gouda omelet was delicious, with the "petite" breakfast green salad adding a crisp touch. Oven-roasted potatoes are another option. From the bread choices, I opted for the "buttered" wheat bread but realized after a few bites that it wasn't buttered. Still it was good, freshly baked bread and didn't really need enhancement. There's also a French omelet version with Black Forest ham, red bell pepper and white Cheddar cheese, for $12.50.
Other items on the day's menu included a garden vegetable breakfast panini, pancakes with seasonal fruit compote, caramelized apple-stuffed French toast and, for $5.75, Wicked's Gruel, with organic steel-cut, gluten-free oats served with the house-made fruit compote of the day, with the oats sweetened with brown sugar and maple syrup and moistened with steamed dairy or nondairy milk.
Some of the Fabulous Desserts Offered at Wicked’s Brew.
(Photo: CHUCK KIRMAN/THE STAR)
(Photo: CHUCK KIRMAN/THE STAR)
It's likely that on another day you might find other items available. On Saturdays, according to the online menu, Wicked's offers coconut mango lime pancakes. Breakfast muffins of varying sorts are available daily, as are scones and other familiar baked breakfast goodies.
Owner Gwendolyn Zero is responsible for the creative atmosphere and good-natured staff, with culinary treats under the direction of chef Josiah Alaniz.
Owner Gwendolyn Zero is responsible for the creative atmosphere and good-natured staff, with culinary treats under the direction of chef Josiah Alaniz.
Gwendolyn Zero, owner of Wicked's Brew, talks with Stephanie Horwitz, left,
and Angie Weber as they enjoy lunch in a beautiful setting. The restaurant features unusual decorative accents, communal tables, espresso bar, gift shop items, fabulous deserts and much more. (Photo: CHUCK KIRMAN/THE STAR) |