I saw that many of my fellow food writers were doing food reviews last year when Selvin’s Restaurant + Lounge first opened. I felt like I missed the boat on those tastings. Then I went to Taste of Conejo with wanting to make inroads with Selvin’s Restaurant + Lounge at that event. Bingo, I did and was so pleased when I reached out to their assistant general manager Giovanni H. – he welcomed me with open arms. But what I didn’t know was how wonderful the rest of the staff at Selvin’s Restaurant + Lounge are and how they made me feel.
My server Rebecca was the icing on the cake, she was smart, quick, fun, and gave me some much great information about all the things that go into the success of this terrific spot Selvin’s Restaurant + Lounge. Every staff member has a great attitude, from busser Guillermo, Sous Chef Jorge Vera, F&B Manager Nicole, Chantal the hostess, to bartender Paul Rodriguez. Each of every one of these great staff made me feel super important and very special. Then the CEO – Steve Ortmann who was so nice, he has been on property since 2012, who came from Las Vegas. He is super young but very ambitious, he said that he wants customers to know that they are all about their hospitality.
Designer’s Sarah Levy and Eddie Bitton did such a great job of creating lovely vignettes throughout the interior and patio areas. There is a flower wall which is so perfect for all of your social media moments. The patio is very inviting, Sunday brunch is just perfect for this space. There is even a Veuve Clicquot room for diners or special events. The dining room has many different areas for romance, business meetings, girls’ night out, it’s all a very elevated, elegant experience.
Here’s What I Tried:
Cocktail:
Traditional Martini, with their house vodka, and the vermouth was gently splashed, the cocktail was fantastic.
To Share:
Cajun Fried Shrimp, lovely large fried shrimp with a nice remoulade and dipping sauce, and lemon. These are fat juicy shrimps that are fried, and the dipping sauce is off the charts.
Raw:
Ahi Tuna Poke, with spicy kimchi mayo, seaweed salad, avocado mousse, Fresno chili, and crispy wontons. The flavor has a lot of Asian influences, but the overall taste for me was Japanese, with a great blend of umami, another great menu item. (Umami is a savory taste that’s one of the five basic tastes, along with sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. It’s a Japanese term that means “savory”.)
Hamachi Crudo, sesame ponzu, daikon radish, micro wasabi, gooseberries, and smoked trout row. The Hamachi is sliced nice and thin, and the smoked trout row made it other worldly.
Salad:
Harvest Salad, with yellow beets, a lovely arugula, candied pecans, maple balsamic vinaigrette and feta cheese. This salad was very fragrant, with the marriage of all these great flavors.
Pizza: Margarita, with marinara sauce, buffalo mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and basil chiffonade. Selvin’s Restaurant + Lounge get its mother dough from Italy, which is 238 years old, amazing!
Entrees:
Prime Filet, with melted leeks, green beans, duck fat, Yukon potato rosti, and Szechuan jus. The steak was cooked rare and was very tasty, with the super nice, melted leeks. The showstopper was the duck fat Yukon potatoes, the duck fat was very decadent.
Pan Seared Sea Bass, with couscous, seasonal vegetables, fried sun chokes, and citrus mango sauce. The fish is flaky and moist, while the citrus mango sauce adds another layer of goodness, just impeccable.
Smash Burger, double beef patty, bacon, onion jam, smoked cheddar, lettuce, caramelized onions, tomatoes, and a special sauce. All of these extras for this burger, make it truly exceptional.
Butternut Squash Risotto, risotto, mushrooms conserva, parmesan truffle foam, toasted hazelnuts, and fried sage. This was one of my favorite dishes, I would order this every time.
Sides:
Homemade Sourdough Focaccia with whipped seasonal butter. You just have to indulge in their homemade focaccia, it is perfect!
Garlic Mashed Potatoes. These have a nice cheesy crust on top, just a lovely side dish.
Broccolini with lemon and parmesan. You always should add a bit of vegetable to your dining experience, and these are just great.
Dessert:
Carrot Cake, mounds of great icing make for one incredible dessert.
Black Forest Cake, this one will make a chocolate lover come back for more.
Red Velvet Cake with cocoa nibs. Pastry Chef Reice made the most delicious cakes, I am so sure that everything he does is just stellar.
Homemade Vanilla Gelato, this is really Gelato at its best, a must try, so save room.
Wine:
Cabernet Sauvignon – Justin, ’21, Paso Robles. This wine paints a lush, gorgeous fruit forward picture – paired with the steak. All of my senses were heightened from the bold, jammy textures and fragrances. They have a very nice wine list, with so many that you can order by the glass.
Esteemed Owner and founder, Harry Selvin passed away recently but left a remarkable legacy with Selvin’s Restaurant + Lounge, He was a distinguished gentleman of 97 years, whose remarkable journey through the realms of hospitality, music, and entrepreneurship has left an indelible mark in the community. As an entrepreneur with an innate flair for innovation, Mr. Selvin’s embarked on a new culinary adventure with the opening of Selvin’s Restaurant + Lounge. Here, his vision for culinary excellence met his passion for creating spaces where people can come together to savor life’s moments. His love for music intertwines seamlessly with his dedication to the art of hospitality. Having acquired a team with decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Mr. Selvin embraced the opportunity of creating memorable experiences for guests. Each aspect of Selvin’s reflects his unwavering commitment to excellence, from the warm welcome at the door, to the exquisite flavors that dance on your palate.
Every dish tells a tale, and every moment is infused with the timeless charm of hospitality and music. At Selvin’s Restaurant + Lounge they celebrate the passion and legacy of Mr. Selvin and indulge in an experience that transcends the ordinary.
Steven Ortmann took time out of his busy schedule to tell me all about both Selvin’s Restaurant + Lounge and its sister property Palm Garden hotel. Steven wants me to come back and do a stay there as well as another dinner and brunch just to make sure I am really a fan, so I will go along with all of it, stay tuned!!!
About Steven Ortmann – Chief Operating Officer:
Steven’s dedication and passion for service shine through in every aspect of his work. Beginning his illustrious career in the vibrant city of Las Vegas, Nevada, Steven has always been determined to create timeless experiences for his guests. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, he continually seeks to elevate the standards of hospitality to create unforgettable memories.
A true visionary in the hospitality industry, Steven is renowned for his creativity and passion. His innovative approach to guest experiences has earned him multiple awards and accolades throughout his impressive 19-year career.
Notably, he was honored with the Outstanding General Manager of the Year award by the California Hotel & Lodging Association, as well as inclusion in the prestigious 30 Under 30 list for his exceptional leadership at the Palm Garden Hotel. Additionally, Steven’s contributions to the community have been recognized with the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce’s 40 Under Forty Award, highlighting his instrumental role as President and Chairman of the Conejo Valley Tourism Improvement District.
Driven by his unwavering dedication to service and a relentless pursuit of excellence, Steven continues to make strides in his career while giving back to the industry and community he cherishes. As a founding board member of the Conejo Valley Tourism Improvement District and a valued member of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Advisory Council for Cal Lutheran University, Steven remains deeply committed to shaping the future of hospitality. With boundless passion and a commitment to exceeding expectations, Steven Ortmann is poised to continue enriching the guest experience and leaving an indelible mark on the hospitality landscape for years to come.
Steven Ortmann wanted my readers to know, that when you come to Selvin’s Restaurant + Lounge you will find it a hospitality focused – curated experience, and its elevated dining will guarantee many lasting memories.
Selvin’s Restaurant + Lounge
495 N. Ventu Park Rd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
