WESTLAKE VILLAGE – Gwithyen and Justine Thomas today announced the September 10th grand opening of their New Zealand Cuisine inspired restaurant, Aroha (pron. Uh-Row-Ha) to the general public in Westlake Village, CA.
The 3,000 square-foot restaurant, located at 30990 Russell Ranch Road, Unit C can accommodate approximately 80 guests. The location is opened six days a week, Tuesday-Sunday.
Aroha, New Zealand Cuisine is a classy-casual restaurant offering a New Zealand inspired menu and personalized hospitality. The owners are dedicated towards providing a welcoming and safe environment for all customers with allergy restrictions. New Zealand cooking techniques are inspired by a melting pot of cultures with influences coming from Asia, the Pacific Islands, South America, and Europe! Dinner menu highlights include head chef and owner, Gwithyen Thomas’s Award Winning Venison with cherry compote and vanilla parsnip puree, Smoked Beet Root Carpaccio, and New Zealand Lamb with smoked purple potatoes and a pinenut-raisin vinaigrette. The lunch menu offers more casual dining with Tempura Battered Red Snapper and a Steak and Cheese Pie. For dessert, customers can enjoy signature Kiwi sweets including Pavlova and housemade Hokey Pokey ice cream. The majority of the wine list is organic and biodynamic and comprised of local and international options from New Zealand, California, Italy, and France. Aroha will be exclusively providing specialty sodas and juices from New Zealand with unique flavors including Sauvignon Blanc, Rhubarb, Feijoa, and Elderflower and Green Currant.
Specials will be offered daily and the menu will change seasonally to provide the freshest and highest quality ingredients. Aroha will also host special events including Chef Tables and Wine Tasting nights.
To make reservations or learn more about the restaurant, visit the official website, www.ArohaRestaurant.com. For immediate updates on Aroha, please visit the official Facebook page.
About Aroha, New Zealand Cuisine
Aroha Restaurant is solely owned and run by husband and wife team, Gwithyen (age 25) and Justine Thomas (age 23). The restaurant is dedicated to Gwithyen’s mother, Janet, and Justine’s grandfather, Harold, who both passed away last year. In honor of their family members, as well as their love for each other, they named the restaurant Aroha, meaning love and compassion in Maori.
The restaurant’s casual layout is designed to reflect the overall culture of New Zealand. With a fully open kitchen, the owners believe in creating a high level of trust with their customers. Inside, customers can enjoy the glacial ceilings and custom ten foot long water feature. The large surrounding outdoor patio includes couch seating, misters for hot days, and a large shade sail. Customers can enjoy listening to Kiwi music while enjoying unique spices, fruits, and vegetables primarily used in New Zealand.
About the Owners
Gwithyen Thomas is a trained and award winning chef from New Zealand with over a decade of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Throughout his years in the industry, he has been a part of the opening team for multiple successful restaurants and volunteered his expertise to turn around struggling businesses. With a strong passion for the industry and customer service, his perseverance has driven him to own his first fine dining restaurant at the age of 25.
Justine Thomas, an entertainment industry professional, has worked primarily in marketing and graphic design. As a diner with an array of allergy and dietary restrictions, her experiences and observations have influenced her desire to provide customers with a positive dining experience. Together, Gwithyen and Justine believe in taking a positive approach with their customers and staff and leading by example.
CONTACT: Justine Thomas (Owner/Marketing Director) – Justine@ArohaRestaurant.com
Gwithyen Thomas (Owner/Head Chef) – Gwithyen@ArohaRestaurant.com
