New steakhouse to be well done
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

THREE'S COMPANY- Business partners Charnell Smith, left, and Jim Avrea are joined by Camille Mathis as construction continues on the Aloha Steakhouse in the Santa Rosa Plaza. Smith and Avrea, part of a six-person business partnership, and Mathis, their general manager, plan to open the restaurant by mid-April.

When Camarillo resident Jim Avrea wants to take his wife, Melissa, out for a steak dinner with all the fixings they won't have to travel to Ventura or the San Fernando Valley. They'll soon be able to cruise over to their Aloha Steakhouse at the Santa Rosa Plaza.

The Avreas and four partners own the restaurant, which is expected to open later this month or early in April.

The Camarillo restaurant will be the second the partners own and operate. They opened an Aloha Steakhouse about four years ago near Ventura Pier. Business has been good every year, Jim Avrea said.

Their Ventura restaurant is known for serving a top quality meal for a good price in a beautiful location.

Avrea said the partners will continue with the traditions that have made them successful. He said it's rare to find a restaurant that hand cuts the meat, but they do. "Which gives us the ability to control the quality of our steaks," Avrea said. "To me, it's a lost art."

Although hand cutting takes more time and means more expense, Aloha prices are about 25 percent lower than restaurants offering similar quality, he said.

Another distinctive feature they plan to bring to Camarillo is the practice of not charging for an extra plate. Aloha's portions are large but customers don't have to pay more to share their food with one another.

Avrea said the aim is to make customers feel as if they're on vacation while they're in the restaurant. Diners can stay as long as they like, and they won't have to talk over loud TV sets or blaring music.

"We just don't push people," Avrea said.

Camille Mathis, general manager of the Ventura restaurant, will oversee the Camarillo eatery. Mathis said the surroundings will be elegant but casual and welcoming. Customers will feel at ease whether they're in shorts or suits, she said.

The owners are giving the décor a lot of attention, Mathis said. The interior will be wrapped in wood, and the outdoor patio will include a firepit and waterfall.

Avrea said customers have commented that the employees appear happy. He said that unlike some restaurants, they don't set sales goals or hold sales contests for the servers.

Mathis said she agreed. "We have a great time at work, and it really comes out."

The Aloha Steakhouse's menu will include seafood, chicken and burgers. Prices for lunch range from $6.95 to $12.95, for dinner from $16.95 to $26.95.