Ventura County Weekend

Berkeley native Sarah Wicker, most recently head cook at the Star Island conference center off the coast of New Hampshire, is the new chef at Nona’s Courtyard Cafe in Ventura.

Wicker said her goal at Nona’s is to broaden the taste buds of the restaurant’s regular diners.

“Nona’s menu has been pretty much Italian, but now we are trying to go with a combination of cultures,” she said.

“In the past, Venturans have been sort of meat-and-potato people,” said Jonathan Enabnit, creator of Nona’s. “Slowly the clientele is starting to trust the flavor combinations they haven’t been accustomed to.”

Nona’s is at 67 California St.

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After four years in business, the Westlake Pastabilities restaurant lost its lease and shut down last month.

Co-owner Giovanni Tromba said the restaurant was a steady money loser, a fate he blamed largely on the establishment’s poor location on Hampshire Road.

Tromba is now making changes to enhance two of his three other Ventura County restaurants--Giovanni’s in Camarillo and the Pastabilities restaurant in downtown Ventura.

Giovanni’s will feature cuisine from a different region of Italy every three months.

Pastabilities will be open for dinner Sundays. And Tromba said he intends to repaint and re-carpet the place and cover the patio.

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About 15 wineries and 20 restaurants will be on hand for the 10th Annual Celebration of Gourmet Food & Wine, Sept. 16, at a private estate in Oxnard.

The garden party is a benefit for the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation, which raises money to support the Ventura County Medical Center.

Leeward Winery, Geyser Peak Winery, and Firestone Vineyards, are among the wine makers. There will also be an art show, musical entertainment, jugglers and an auction. Tickets are $35 if ordered by Monday, $40 thereafter. Call 648-9872 for reservations.