Wolf Creek menu has a Factory feel to it: Two and a half stars
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The guacamole and brie crostini ($8.50) appetizer reminded of a favorite formerly served at The Cheesecake Factory, and no doubt that was the inspiration. Diagonal bread slices spread with guacamaole came topped with melted brie slices (rind on) and sprinkled with a few julienne strips of sun-dried tomatoes. Arranged spoke fashion with a creamy light orangish-colored chipotle aioli plopped in the center of the plate, the sauce turned out to be really superfluous as the wonderful avocado-brie combination didn't need any embellishment. The crostini looked a tad messy - the brie didn't seem to be melted enough and it would have been more appealing without the rind.
A basket of warm sourdough baguette bread slices arrived with a little crock of creamy olive spread shortly after we were seated. While the restaurant refers to it as a tapenade,
that's a stretch. Although it had an unattractive grayish-pink cast, the mixture of mayo, kalamata olives and seasonings tasted delicious.Because we arrived near the end of happy hour, the two pizzas ordered - sundried tomato pesto and Mediterranean - were $6.50 each (a good bet for gourmet pizzas). They were 8-inch diameter as opposed to the standard 9- or 10-inch ones ($10.95 - $11.50) on the regular menu, but the toppings were as noted on the menu. The Mediterranean garnered the best marks as it was colorful and had terrific flavors woven together - kalamata olive pieces, melted mozzarella cheese, whole spinach leaves, fresh tomato slices, artichoke hearts, finely chopped onions and goat cheese crumbles.
The sun-dried tomato concoction seemed lackluster by comparison, with its layers of sun-dried tomato pesto and melted cheese topped with fresh tomato slices, more cheese, pine nuts, thin basil shreds and scant diced chicken pieces.
The thin crust sweet tasting pizza dough used for both wasn't to our taste but other diners seem to like it and thought it complemented the savory toppings well. Also, the crust was not crisp as we would have preferred; it seemed a bit doughy. But the pizzas were definitely edible and nice-looking.
In the salad realm, a Miami shrimp creation ($13.95) made an excellent main course choice. Although it sounded a bit offbeat - with canned mandarin oranges, chopped tomatoes, red onion pieces and sliced fresh mushrooms, the flavor profile worked beautifully with assorted greens and radicchio. The orange segments really kicked it up a notch. Instead of the Ginger Citrus Vinaigrette it's routinely dressed with (which wasn't overloaded with ginger flavor by the way), we opted for balsamic vinaigrette - and it was excellent, blending well. The sauteed medium-large shrimp (several pieces), were plentiful, tender and succulent, rounding out the pleasing combination. | Click here to see more photos.
A side of sweet potato fries ($5.95), delivered piping hot, crisp and sprinkled with kosher salt in a paper lunch sack, was terrific. Accompanied with chipotle ketchup and a house-made blue cheese dressing for dipping, they were down-right addictive, both plain and dipped, and hard to stop nibbling on.
Chicken mattone ($14.95) offers a satisfying and somewhat novel entree option. An airline chicken breast (boneless chicken breast with the first wing joint, the drummette, attached), seasoned with garlic, rosemary, oregano and sage, had been cooked on a flat grill weighted down with a heavy skillet to flatten and sear the exterior. It arrived plated with grilled vegetable pieces - zucchini, red and green peppers, red onions, yellow squash - and a jumbo mushroom along with a pile of garlic mashed potatoes containing bits of red potato skins. The chicken, moist and flavorful, was good (didn't care for the skin on it), but not exciting.
Save room for dessert. Made in-house, the pastry person seems to have the knack of making wow factor sweets. The piece de resistance this night was a slice of coconut cream pie ($6.25). Sinfully rich and not overly sweet, it was a winner with two thick layers - one of pastry cream strewn with coconut, the other of whipped cream. Fabulous. Also terrific is the yummy chocolate layer cake ($6.25) that's moist and indulgent.
At its best: Casual, comfortable spot with a firepit, patio and large, varied menu that should appeal to diners of all ages whether eating light or hearty. Many dishes, featuring fresh ingredients, have good flavor and texture and are presented attractively. Portions are large. The house-made desserts shine; both the coconut cream pie and chocolate cake were excellent.
Could be better: Service is sporadic and sloppy at times. Server was personable but could have been more attentive (she was tending bar and waiting tables). Lapses in timing, too (a more than 10-minute wait from the time the entrees were finished until anyone returned to the table to check on diners). Some of the food items could use tweaking for better color and/or presentation (i.e. creamy olive spread, guacamole and brie crostini). Pizza dough could be less sweet and baked crisp on the bottom.
Rating: ??½
Details: 26787 Agoura Road, Calabasas. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, until 11 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. 818-880-6300. www.wolfcreekbrewingco.com
Cost: Appetizers $4.75 to $8.75, pizzas $10.95 to $12.50, salads $5.95 to $14.50, sandwiches $7.50 to $11.95, pastas $13.25 to $15.75, main courses $11.25 to $20.50, desserts $6.25 to $7.25.
Noteworthy: This casual brewery/restaurant in The Summit at Calabasas shopping center, features a rustic, airy, motif with industrial warehouse overtones, painted cement floors, walls decorated with scenic photos of California and the Northwest and a prominent bar (with a few flatscreen TVs). (If the name sounds familiar a sibling in Valencia has been around 14 years.) Several seating areas inside with a large outdoor patio area sporting a firepit along with lounge and dining seating. Beer and wine only. Six Wolf Creek-brewed craft beers and other microbrews available on tap. Large, varied menu of American-style selections. Happy hour in the bar and on the patio 4 to 6:30 p.m Monday-Friday with $2 off draft tap beers and wines by the glass, 25 percent off appetizers and eight (8-inch) $6.50 happy hour pizzas available. Corkage fee: $10 for first bottle of wine; $5 per bottle thereafter. Reservations accepted. Free parking in center lot.
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