Voltaire’s Woes : Noise complaints have delayed cafe’s settling into former Ash Street Gardens site.

Uprooted in late summer from its downtown Ventura courtyard site at The Livery, Cafe Voltaire remains unsettled as it attempts to reestablish itself at Main and Ash streets.

Attracting customers to the other end of downtown isn’t the problem. The eclectic array of live performers has long been a signature of Cafe Voltaire. But at its new site--the former Ash Street Gardens restaurant--a few neighbors have not taken kindly to proprietor Todd Winokur’s restaurant and performance-space concept.

Complaints to police were logged immediately after Winokur opened for business in September. At first he canceled all bands that plugged in their instruments or used drums. Next, Winokur tried booking solo and small-ensemble unplugged performances. But that didn’t pacify residents, and police were called out again to shut down the events.

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Indeed, Winokur does not have the city permit that would allow live music at the new location. He is currently working through the bureaucratic process hoping to get a permit, but it’s not clear yet whether one will be granted.

“We are in the Downtown Cultural District and trying to provide cultural activities in a big way,” Winokur said. “I am willing to work with the environment and make this an acoustic music venue.”

Winokur’s woes first cropped up when plans fell through to relocate to the Palm Court renovation project at the 127-year-old Spear Building and Hall. Winokur then decided to move to Ash Street Gardens, which he operated with his wife, Evie.

Music fans will have to await the city’s permit decision, but restaurant-goers are still filling up on Cafe Voltaire’s “home-style continental cuisine.”

“We have a little more cooking capability here than we did at the other place,” Winokur said.

Evie Winokur’s Guatemalan cuisine, a feature at the retired Ash Street Gardens, has been replaced by an expanded Cafe Voltaire menu. Added dishes include a shrimp linguine with sunflower pesto sauce plus a garlicky tri-trip recipe with bacon-onion soup, served with mashed potatoes and corn. Some of Evie’s traditional recipes will be prepared as occasional specials.

Chef Jesus Roque--a native of Chiapas, Mexico--is also preparing some of his homeland’s traditional recipes, including Mexican stews. Roque’s caldo de res is distinguished for its chunks of beef, chayote squash, potatoes, carrots and corn.

And while the new Cafe Voltaire awaits its alcohol license, Winokur invites patrons to bring their own beer and wine.

“You don’t have to worry about being charged a corkage fee,” he said.

DETAILS

Cafe Voltaire is now at 12 N. Ash St., at the corner of Ash and Main streets in Ventura. Open for lunch and dinner: Mon-Thur., 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri., 11:30 a.m.-midnight; Sat., 10 a.m.-midnight; Sun., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Call 641-1743.

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The Let’s Get Cookin’ offering of classes at the Westlake Culinary Institute will begin Oct. 29, with a special series just for kids.

Geared for ages 6-12, the three-part series will encourage active participation while teaching youngsters some basic food-preparation techniques and safety tips in the kitchen.

The first installment will be the decidedly Halloween-themed “Let’s Get Cookin’ Witch Project.” Class leader Sylvia Rieman has chosen a menu of haunted hot dogs on a stick, pumpkin-shaped pasta salad, monster cupcakes, creepy caramel popcorn balls with candy corn, plus a witches’ brew.

Other installments: Nov. 12, “Magical Millennium Cookies;” Jan. 21, “Pizza! Pizza!” which will give kids a chance to make homemade dough, pizza pockets, chocolate chip pizza cookies and more.

Classes are limited to 15 participants. Each installment will begin at 6 p.m. and lasts about two hours. Cost: $35 per class. The institute is at 4643 Lakeview Canyon Road, Westlake Village. For more information or registration, call (818) 991-3940.

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. . . but not least: A few tickets are still available for Sunday’s Garden Party by the Sea fund-raiser for the Boys & Girls Club of Ventura. The food-and-wine event will be held outdoors at the Pierpont Inn in Ventura.

More than 40 area restaurants and wineries will be represented at the afternoon event. Participating restaurants include 71 Palm, Anacapa Brewing Co., Garden Village Cafe, Alexander’s at the Harbor, Angel’s Bakery, The Chart House, Pastabilities, Ash Street Gardens, Jonathan’s at Peirano’s, Landmark No. 78, Mattie’s at Pierpont, McGinty’s and Tuck’s Point.

DETAILS

The seventh annual Boys & Girls Club of Ventura benefit Garden Party by the Sea will be held Sunday at Pierpont Inn. Hours: 2-5:30 p.m. Cost: $40. The inn is at 550 Sanjon Road, Ventura. For more information or to make reservations, call 641-5585.