Blog Post: Restaurant Week Day 4—Beer and Beyond at This Gourmet Brewery

Kelli Lighthizer is touring local restaurants during Conejo Valley Restaurant Week. .

Blog Post: Day Four-Conejo Valley Restaurant Week

After a calm, romantic, lovely dinner last night at , Seth and I were in need of a Wednesday (hump day) pick me up... something vibrant, loud and vivacious. We knew would be the perfect remedy! Not to mention, with the addition of a sampler of four LAB House Brews thrown in the prix fixe menu for Restaurant Week, it was an especially easy sell for Seth.

If you've never been to The LAB, it's right off the Reyes Adobe exit on Agoura Road, where MOZ Buddha Lounge used to be. The inside has been completely redesigned and now features a number of impressive copper "fermentation vessels," a stage area for their visiting musicians, and a lively bar boasting 25 microbrews on tap in addition to their great selection of house brews.

Moez Megji, executive chef and manager of both The LAB Brewing Co. and Fins Tavern in Westlake, delivers a top notch menu of gourmet American cuisine, far from your typical "bar food."

Our starters included a BBQ Duck Quesadilla and a delicious Roasted Pear, Gorgonzola and Toasted Walnut Salad. Thank goodness for a flavorful, healthy salad. Knowing what lied ahead for our main course, I thought that was the least I could do to ensure I was paying attention to my food groups. 

It wasn't long after finishing off that salad that the real doozy was brought out... the Famous LAB Burger! Now let me explain; this is not just any burger. The menu describes it as: House Ground Wagyu Kobe & Sirloin Beef, Caramelized Onions, Bacon, Blue & Gruyere Cheese and Arugula. I will explain it as: heaven in your mouth! You may find yourself wishing your mouth was twice as big, but it currently holds the first place burger award in my book. And in Seth's, too, for that matter.

We had already been tipped off about the Famous LAB Burger, so we both ordered it instead of venturing out and trying the other Restaurant Week entree options as we otherwise would. There were no regrets, I assure you. I thought I did a pretty darn good job on my burger and house made fries, until I saw Seth's plate... licked clean, not a fry remaining.

We couldn't imagine still having one course left. Lindsey, our fabulous, upbeat server, returned raving about the Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie and Ice Cream Sandwich. There were two dessert options, but Lindsey had us both hooked on the ice cream sandwich concept. We were pleasantly surprised to find Strawberry Ice Cream between the chocolate chip cookies. I would've never expected that pairing, but then again, who doesn't love strawberries and chocolate?! I think I won the cleanest plate award for the dessert course I'm sorry to say.

And although my focus was on the food, I'd be doing a disservice if I didn't highlight the beer experience tied in with the meal. I'm not a beer drinker myself, but Seth was in heaven trying all the different LAB house brews. And these were no small tastes either.

We enjoyed sitting close to a large party of about 12-14, all of whom were enjoying the Conejo Valley Restaurant Week promotion. You've never seen so many beer samplers in one party. Celebrating two birthdays, they were obviously having a blast and enjoying The LAB environment. Thanks for letting me share your celebration with our readers, party people!

So yes, it's back in the sweat pants tonight, exerting only enough effort to tell everyone what a great time we had at The LAB Brewing Co.

It was a pleasure finally meeting the renowned Moez, and Lindsey took excellent care of us. She didn't even mind my hyperactive picture-taking. Thank you to The LAB team for giving us a mid-week fun night out with extraordinary food! We'll be back!