Virtual Café combines art, music, coffee

Virtual Café combines art, music, coffee

UNIQUE SETTING-Todd and Pavlina Ryzow, owners of the Virtual World Caf‚, sit in one of the relaxing nooks inside their Agoura Hills enterprise, which serves as a venue for musicians and artists.

By Lori Porter

porter@theacorn.com

Life in the Las Virgenes area is more peaceful than the hustle and bustle of the city. But while tranquility is great, those who live here—especially the younger generation—often complain that the lack of inexpensive entertainment makes it somewhat boring.

That’s why Agoura Hills residents Todd and Pavlina Ryzow opened the Virtual World Café in Agoura Hills.

Wanting to introduce the community to culture while providing an alternative to the usual dinner and a movie, the Ryzows created a unique place for people to hang out and enjoy coffee beverages and food with live music, art, literature and even Internet access.

The Ryzows met in Pavlina’s native country of the Czech Republic while Todd was teaching conversational English at the college where Pavlina was studying. After dating and falling in love, the couple decided to move to Todd’s hometown of Agoura Hills and get married.

That was two years ago.

With the dream of someday opening their own coffee shop with a European flare, the newlyweds discovered a storefront under construction while they were out shopping one day. Formerly a popular surf shop, the space was being renovated to become a coffee shop and Internet café.

Curious about the construction, the couple went inside and struck up a conversation with the owner, which led to management positions for Todd and Pavlina at the new café.

Eventually, the original owner found that running the Virtual World Café was more than she bargained for, so she sold it to the Ryzows.

They haven’t looked back.

The Ryzows immediately put their own ideas into the café, redecorating and adding the touches they felt would attract patrons who were seeking a European cultural experience.

The café’s great coffee drinks, not unlike Starbucks’, and its lasagna, quiche and grilled cookies (topped with caramel or chocolate sauce) are all reasonably priced and available during regular business hours.

The Virtual World Café tends to attract a different clientele from Starbucks’. "Those who come here are tired of corporate America," said Todd. Their customers are forward- thinkers who are environmentally conscientious and who appreciate art and culture, he said.

With that in mind, the Ryzows have designed the café to feel more like a family room or den than a coffee shop. The eclectic décor includes faux-painted walls, hanging Persian-type rugs and exquisite art.

Customers can find couches to relax on while enjoying coffee. There are shelves with plenty of books to read, and the Ryzows don’t mind how long customers stay.

In the back of the café is a stage for live entertainment, which takes place on three nights. Every Wednesday, the café hosts an Open Mike Night, at which local musicians sign up for 15-minute performances (about three songs).

On Friday and Saturday nights, customers can hear great music from a variety of scheduled artists.

The café also serves as an art gallery. Every six weeks, the Virtual World Café hosts an opening for local artists to display their work. Everything from photography to watercolors are shown. If it can be framed and displayed, it’s fair game. The Ryzows don’t limit their art displays to local talent. Any artist is welcome.

The Virtual World Café attracts youth to seniors alike. It was the popular hangout last year for Agoura High School’s class of 2004. The Ryzows hope that continues with all of the Agoura and Oak Park high school students.

In addition to a hangout, many local groups use the café for regular meetings. The Fabulous Forties, a singles group for—you guessed it—those in their 40s, meets once a month. A local home-schooling group meets at the café during the school year for a journaling class. Students complete their journals while their parents enjoy coffee. The café also provides plenty of paper and crayons for toddlers or bigger kids (if that’s their choice).

Local business executives also frequent the café for meetings. It’s become a home-away-from-home and an office-away-from-office for many—especially because the café includes several computers with Internet access.

The art work and comfortable, peaceful environment at the café provides a great place for students of all ages to study.

Virtual World Café is at 5653 Kanan Road in the Vons Shopping Center. Their hours are Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays 7a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Saturdays 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; and Sundays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Because the café hires professional entertainers on weekend nights, there’s a cover charge of up to $8 (depending upon the artist) on weekends only.

Customers can utilize the café’s Internet access for $9 an hour or $3 for 15 minutes. Wireless Internet access is always free.

For more information, call (818) 865-8602 or visiting the website at www.virtualworldcafe.com.