Catching On

Curtis Hebert has spent much of the past 20 years on Ventura County’s coastal waters, catching halibut, swordfish and other sea creatures that would ultimately land on someone’s lunch or dinner plate.

As a commercial fisherman, Hebert clearly played a critical role in the ocean-to-stomach trek. But somewhere along the way the Oak View resident got the urge to take an even larger part in the process.

So about five years ago, with Hebert cheering them on, the fisherman’s parents opened the Fresh Catch fish-and-chips restaurant in Newbury Park. Hebert and his sister served as co-managers and Hebert provided the fresh fish.

Earlier this month, Hebert took the next step when he purchased the restaurant from his parents.

Being around fish and fish eaters, Hebert has a pretty good sense of what distinguishes good fish and chips from the run-of-the-mill variety.

“There’s a big difference,” he said. “We use angel shark, it’s the best fish for fish and chips--it’s a flaky kind of white meat, not a fishy fish, no bones to deal with.”

Along with angel shark, Fresh Catch also serves chips with rock cod, shrimp, clam strips, scallops, halibut, crab cakes and chicken strips.

“Everybody is really happy with the fish and chips, especially in Thousand Oaks,” Hebert said. “It’s something we don’t have out here. People seem to like it--they don’t have to go down to the beach.”

Fresh Catch is at 2110-B Newbury Road.

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About two dozen restaurants have committed to participating in Saturday’s “Pier Under the Stars” food- and wine-tasting benefit to raise money to maintain the Ventura pier.

The list of restaurants includes La Trattoria (which will serve lasagna), the Chart House (Caesar salad), 71 Palm (gratin potatoes), Olive Garden Italian Restaurant (pasta fagioli) and Mattie’s at the Pierpont Inn (bouillabaisse).

Guests also will be able to sample products of local wineries, including Leeward Winery, Giessinger Winery, Daume Winery, Old Creek Winery and Barnwood Vineyards.

The tasting will be held under the pier and along the Ventura promenade. Cost is $25. Information: 658-4726.

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There are plenty of vacant seats once again in the historic railroad car on Main Street in Ventura.

In April, the train car, which is more than 90 years old, returned to its dining car roots when it became home to Rosita’s at the Side Car--a reincarnation of Rosita’s Kitchen in Saticoy.

But the trip back in time was short. Rosita’s closed its doors at the end of May, and now the railroad car’s owners are looking for another tenant.

“We’re definitely looking for a restaurant,” said Jim Nye, owner of the car, located near the San Buenaventura Mall. “The first two weeks we had it back we showed it about 20 times.”

Though Rosita’s didn’t stay long, Nye said he still believes the 3,000-square-foot location could be attractive to a restaurateur.

“The place has about three times the charm as any place has [any] business having,” he said. “The whole corridor is losing its vacancy. It’s definitely coming back. [The car’s] time will come--give it another year and the tenant and I will be in Sunset magazine.”

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Bratwurst, knackwurst, stuffed cabbage, sauerbraten--if it smells and tastes like an Oktoberfest, then it must be an Oktoberfest.

The California Grill and the Crab House, both of Camarillo, will include those dishes on their menu when they co-host a celebration Sunday at both restaurants. A shuttle bus will transport parties between the sites.

Cost is $20 per person for all you can eat. The California Grill is at 67 Daily Drive; the Crab House at 350 N. Lantana St.