Missy's Cupcakes Creations, Oxnard

Missy's Cupcake Creations

3900 W. Channel Islands Blvd.

Oxnard, CA 93035

Though I've worked there for the last 18 years, I seldom go very far into Oxnard if I can help it. It's not that there's anything bad about Oxnard, really. In fact, in an episode of Nickelodeon's Sam and Cat, the title characters refer to Oxnard as "the most beautiful city in the world." And who am I to argue with Nickelodeon? 

I just equate Oxnard with work, and who likes to go to work?

But my daughter's water polo games required a trip to Hueneme High, and we had to pass by Channel Islands Harbor. Missy's Cupcake Creations is in the Channel Islands Harbor Fisherman's Wharf. 

I found the menu a bit odd. Along with cupcakes, Missy's serves hot dogs and nachos and other snack bar food. Still, while we were waiting, a couple of young guys ordered just that-hot dogs and nachos.

But what drew us in was the cupcakes, and that's what we had. I took it as  a good sign that when we placed our order, the counter person didn't just hand us cupcakes out of the case, but instead went to the back to frost them. I had the Chocolate Cheesecake, and my daughter went with the Snickerdoodle. 

Mine was quite good, though a touch small for the $3 tab. It was moist, and the frosting had a definite cheesecake flavor. My daughter's Snickerdoodle, though, wasn't really that good. The frosting tasted canned, and the cupcake was a bit dry. The small snickerdoodle cookie that topped the cupcake was ordinary at best. And though it could be just me, a cup of coffee would have been nice. The counter person did offer to brew one for me, but it looked just like industrial coffee shop coffee and I passed.

Like potato chips and pizza, though, a bad cupcake is still a cupcake. It wasn't worth a special trip, but it was still a cupcake.

Missy's also sells handmade goods and gifts as well.

Poseidon Brewing Company, Ventura

Poseidon Brewing Company

5777 Olivas Park Drive, Unit Q

Ventura, CA  93003

I've been trying to get Poseidon Brewing Company for a few weeks now, and finally made it in a few minutes before last call. The downside of these breweries is that they generally close at about 10 PM, placing last call at about 9:30-9:45. But I was able to roll in at about 9:25, so I got to order. Using no logic at all, I picked a Sea Monkey, and sat down.

The Sea Monkey is a smoked scotch ale, whatever that means. Actually, what it means is that it was pretty smooth, and was easy drinking on it's own. I find that often a microbrew will be a bit strong and better paired with a good food offering. Though I thought some food would have been nice, Poseidon only serves their beer, unless you count the little dish of pretzels and goldfish that we asked for. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
It's a small space, too, with seating for maybe 25 people total. I liked all the wormwood used for the bar, tables and wall frames, as well as the diving helmet bar lights.

The Sea Monkey was brewed for the upcoming Highland Games, and was a new addition to the menu released a couple of days ago. Of the four beers that I tried tonight, this one was a best.

Sea Monkey Scottish Red

None of the beers were bad, though. The servers were both pretty nice and friendly, offering some tips in buying the beer, and chatting up everyone who was in the room.

The brewery is in an industrial park off Olivas, and can be a bit challenging to find. It's located behind the auto center, with ample parking nearby.

They do seasonal beers and you can fill up a growler for home consumption at a later time. There appears to be at least 6 different beers on tap at any given time. Alcohol content of the beers ranges from 4.9% to 6.2%, making the beers from 10 to 12 proof. The cost is $6-7 for a pint, $3.50 for a half pint and $2 for tasters.

Tasters