LA Cocktail Protege Opens Ambitious New Bar in Thousand Oaks | Eater LA

Claiming to be Thousand Oaks’ first “craft” cocktail bar after its April 4 opening, I see Oak and Iron as a key step in downtown’s revitalization; the small bar between a salon and a barbecue accessories store is positioned to become Conejo Valley’s destination watering hole thanks to a cocktail menu designed by bartender Paul Jones. A protégé of Matthew Biancaniello from The Library Bar and Mon-Lidays, Paul brings produce-based cocktails plus made-from-scratch infusions and syrups; the bar was started by brothers Jared and Jason Logan and attorney Andrew Pletcher, with Jared overseeing construction and Jason sourcing local produce for the drinks. In the main bar they offer about a dozen classic cocktails and variations — from a Flor de Cana daiquiri to a Bees Knees made with locally sourced honey — and cocktail mavens are treated to a smoke show with The Smokey Edward, an Old Fashioned smoked with wood chips; specialty cocktails like the Curious George (banana-infused whiskey, lemon juice, and IPA syrup) hint at the offerings downstairs. Oak and Iron: Reserve offers three seatings every two hours from 4 to 10 p.m. (reservations recommended; two-hour seating) for a more intimate experience with Jones and a rotating small menu; the latest Suntory-focused menu included a sipper made with ramen-infused Hibiki whiskey using an ultra-concentrated shoyu tonkotsu broth created with a local ramen shop. Jones is also happy to make cocktails beyond the menu, with examples such as a Negroni made with Cocchi vermouth amaro infused with oolong tea and a Cheese Danish in a Glass using Dolin Blanc infused with parmesan. Oak and Iron is open Wednesday–Saturday from 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon, while Oak and Iron: Reserve is open Thursday–Sunday. - Fiona Chandra