I meet colleagues for lunch a lot. I suppose it’s an occupational hazard for a solo-practitioner-tax-attorney. I need to network, both to keep my name in front of other professionals who may hear of people needing my help, but also to get out of my office and have social interactions with someone other than Sebastian, my Feline Paralegal! Because I lunch so often, I feel qualified to share my list of the best restaurants for a business lunch in and around Westlake Village.

Best Restaurant for Lunch in Westlake Village: Boccacio’s

Situated on Westlake’s waterfront, Boccacio‘s is beautifully located. Almost all tables are outside, overlooking the water. Also, there’s plenty of space between tables, so I don’t feel uncomfortable discussing sometimes-sensitive business issues. It’s a relatively quiet restaurant, so I can always hear my lunch companion, unless a raft of honking ducks happens to pass by. But that’s part of Boccacio’s charm. I particularly love their chicken parmigiana sandwich and the seared scallop salad. Pricey but worth it.

Best Restaurant for Lunch in Westlake Village: The Landing

Also located on the waterfront and next to Boccacio’s is The Landing. While it, too, has outdoor seating overlooking the lake, the tables are located more closely together than at Boccacio’s. The menu at The Landing is more varied than Boccacio’s all-Italian fare, a plus if you are dining with someone who’s not a big fan of Italian food. However, since The Landing serves so many kinds foods, it “misses” occasionally. So I order the bleu cheese burger, which is always a hit. The Landing also costs a bit less than Boccacio’s.

Best Restaurant for Lunch in Westlake Village: Lure Fish House

Lure has such great food, I’m always a bit surprised to recall that it’s a chain. It’s lovely inside, has a terrific outdoor patio area, and is very reasonably priced given the high quality of the decor, food and service. I love the rockfish tacos, or any of their grilled fresh fish with a cup of clam chowder (ask for 1/2 and 1/2 white and red – yum!). My only complaint: while the tables are spaced well apart from one another, it gets so loud inside that it can be a bit hard to hear my fascinating lunch companions.

Best Restaurant for Lunch in Westlake Village: Stonehaus at the Westlake Village Inn

If you don’t mind a casual, order-at-the-counter restaurant, then check out Stonehaus. It’s part of the Westlake Village Inn complex, so it has the hotel’s beautiful landscaping. I almost always eat outside to enjoy our lovely weather. Seating is casual but tables are far apart and it rarely gets loud at lunchtime. Decibel levels climb beginning in the late afternoon, however: Stonehaus serves great wine and beer which people getting off from work are obviously enjoying. A lot. I love their Taco Tuesdays.

Best Restaurant for Lunch in Agoura Hills: Basta

Okay, Basta isn’t technically in Westlake, but it’s so close to the border in Agoura Hills that it’s more than just “Westlake adjacent.” And – OMG! – does it make a killer pizza! If you just biked 20 miles in the Conejo hills that morning, or if you’re off your diet, you must have their pizza. Doesn’t matter which one. They are simply amazing. Of course, the owner is Italian, so this makes sense. The indoor seating is a bit cramped and it’s loud, but outdoor seating is quiet and well-spaced. Reasonably priced for fantastic Italian food. Have a dessert gelato at TIFA across the parking lot, or a cappuccino and mini-cannoli around the corner at Carrara’s, if you can handle that much food decadence in a single afternoon.

Best Restaurant for Lunch in Agoura Hills: Agoura Deli

I know deli’s aren’t fashionable. But I really like the Agoura Deli. It has a big menu, good food, and nice booths. And, unlike it’s New-York-deli-competitor in Westlake, Brent’s, the Agoura deli has quick and friendly service, and rarely gets too loud. While Brent’s is a bit expensive, their portions are huge, so my hens always get a treat when I come home from a lunch there. I love the 1/2 sandwich (usually roast beef on rye) and cup of soup (usually chicken noodle with matzoh ball). Can you tell I grew up mostly outside New York City? Fuhgeddaboudit!

Need more restaurant recommendations? Or a tax or bankruptcy attorney? Call me!

February 28, 2023

 

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