Michelin Guide listing, ice cream shop fire up East County restaurant scene
A Michelin listing, a pending opening and a reborn ice cream shop are keeping the restaurant scene busy in east Ventura County. Here are details:
Sub Zero resumes chills, thrills
Rob West admits he’s a mad scientist.
Especially when he creates an instant fog by adding liquid nitrogen to cream and toppings at Sub Zero Creamery, formerly Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream, in Simi Valley.
It’s a hit with kids when West wears a lab coat and performs the freezing technique at school assemblies.
West continued to do demonstrations after his former Sub Zero shop closed in 2021 after nine years at 2091 Madera Road. The closure allowed West to focus on developing a location that's twice the original size at 875 Cochran St., Suite 6, in a business park west of First Street.
“It’s the only place in town where people videotape your ice cream being made,” West said.
Sub Zero's soft opening took place April 29, followed by a grand opening May 6. A ribbon cutting occurred Friday at the outlet, which is currently the only California location for the franchise.
A former location in Ventura closed in 2020 during the pandemic.
In addition to Sub Zero's combinations such as chocolate conduction and magnetic mint, customers can design their own mixtures from about 30 flavors and 30 toppings, West said.
Nitrogen results in a denser ice cream that melts slower and tastes better, he said.
Sub Zero is open from noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To learn more, see subzeroicecream.com.
Selvin's to open in Thousand Oaks
The former Brendan’s Irish Pub in Thousand Oaks got a $10 million facelift.
Selvin's Restaurant & Lounge is scheduled to open there in early June, said Steven Ortmann, chief executive of the restaurant and neighboring Palm Garden Hotel at 495 N. Ventu Park Road.
The grand opening party is set for June 20, Ortmann said.
Selvin Properties spent $10 million to remodel the restaurant, he said.
Ortmann explained the cost by saying Harry Selvin, the company's energetic 97-year-old founder, doesn’t like to do anything halfway.
The restaurant features contemporary architecture, two bars, two private dining rooms and a pizza kitchen. The decor includes black-and-white photos of stars such as Marilyn Monroe. The venue will feature 118 indoor seats and a total of 102 seats on two covered patios. A banquet arrangement can allow up to 150 seats outside.
The location will present coastal California dinners with entrees such as filet mignon, pizzas, scallops and seafood. Weekend brunches with champagne and mimosas will be added later.
Selvin's will feature locally brewed beers, craft cocktails and eventually small ensembles performing all kinds of music, Ortmann said.
For more information, go to selvins.com.
Michelin lists Cedro
Cedro Italian Restaurant co-owner Mattia Raimondi was surprised when his customer told him the news last week.
The Newbury Park restaurant is now listed in the prestigious Michelin Guide. You can read the entry in May's new additions to the list in California or by searching for "California" at guide.michelin.com.
The restaurant submitted a request to be included but never heard back from Michelin, Raimondi said.
The listing has inspired a packed house on weekends at Cedro, he said, which opened Jan. 18 at the former Stella’s Gourmet Restaurant at 2385 Michael Drive. Raimondi and chef and co-owner Matteo Di Nicola grew up in Italy.
The Michelin entry praises the restaurant for its authentic Italian technique and flavor, handmade pastas and a popular Italian dessert: tiramisu.
Hours are 5-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5-9:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Details are at cedrorestaurant.com.
Corrections: This story has updated seating numbers for Selvin's that differ from figures initially provided.
Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at dave.mason@vcstar.com or 805-437-0232.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Michelin Guide listing, Sub Zero ice cream spark East County scene
