With many options for dining in the suburb of Thousand Oaks, finding the best food can be challenging. We toured the area, exploring the vibrant food scene and uncovering the town’s hidden gems. From Moody Rooster to Joi Cafe, the food has been delicious and sometimes surprising. However, one singular restaurant has been the stand out place for Thousand Oaks’ best bites.
Selvin’s Restaurant + Lounge has opened within the Conejo Valley scene, making a quick name for itself as the best food in the area. Leading the kitchen is Executive Chef John Vega, whose experience and passion drive each plate. From the Culinary Institute of America, to Alinea, the Three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Chicago, followed by another Michelin-star awarded restaurant, Press, in St. Helena, Chef Vega’s journey has been one of accomplishment and innovation. For him, each dish is an opportunity to craft a unique and unforgettable experience for his guests, ensuring that every meal is a cherished moment to be savored and remembered.
Selvin’s Restaurant + Lounge begins its menu with plates to share, a perfect way to start a meal with a big group. The Arancini Bites are made with bacon, peas, pecorino, and finished with crispy prosciutto. Crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, these Arancini Bites will jump-start your appetite. Don’t miss the Gold Corn Agnolotti, served with brown butter, charred corn, and a sourdough crumble. For a simple yet elevated dip, try the Chive Crème Fraiche Dip. Flavored with smoked trout roe and garlic chive blossoms, the dip is served alongside homemade potato chips. To round out the shareable plates, try the Spicy Fried Chicken Sliders and Calamari.
For a light bite, explore the raw options. Ahi Tuna Poke is made with a soy glaze, avocado puree, and daikon radish, then topped with scallion curls, furikaki, and crispy wontons. Balanced flavor and texture make this poke dish a perfectly light yet satisfying meal. The Hamachi Crudo “Mosaic” is plated with grapes, satsuma glaze, and fresh satsuma, served on a bed of daikon and sugar snap peas, and dusted with mango powder. Flavors are bright, fresh, and refreshing.
Salads and pizza go hand in hand. With the Ventura Market Salad, featuring chicory, strawberry, pickled rhubarb, parmesan, and green goddess dressing, try it paired with the Shrimp Pizza, topped with a vodka sauce, Calabrian chili, burrata, lemon zest, and basil. Another good combination is the Mixed Baby Kale Salad, whose farro, goat cheese, golden raisins, pomegranate, and garlic citrus vinaigrette can stand with the flavors of the Spicy Coppa Pizza, featuring pesto, smoked mozzarella, and arugula.
Selvin’s Restaurant + Lounge entrees are all crowd-pleasers, but a few standouts are worth mentioning. The Napa Half Chicken Roulette is served alongside salted labneh, apricot jus, sunchokes, and smoked paprika couscous. The “Upside Down” Smash Burger comes with a double beef patty, bacon onion jam, smoked cheddar, lettuce, tomato, special sauce, and of course a side of fries. There are a few seafood options, but don’t miss the Seared Scallop Risotto, served with spring pea risotto, mushroom conserva, parmesan truffle foam, and pepitas.
Check out Selvin’s Restaurant + Lounge glowing reviews online. One of the many examples here, from a Thousand Oaks local who wrote on Yelp, “Food and service are top notch. Fresh, California coastal vibes. The menu has clearly been crafted by a master chef, though surprisingly approachable for such elevated fare. The owner and managers stopped by to check in on our meal and were super friendly. They showed a high level of passion and attention to detail. Do not sleep on this spot! Highly recommend the shrimp pizza and the creme fraiche dip to start with and share. The chicken roulette and the filet are next level. Looking forward to making this a regular spot.”
