Selba

Ok. I’ve been anticipating my first Selba experience since they opened their doors, and my expectations were fairly high. Frankly, my Sunday brunch was laughable.
Upon entering, we were greeted/​seated expeditiously and with a smile. That’s great, right? Except that we didn’t see a waiter for 5 minutes and had to wait another 5 for drinks to arrive. Which is totally understandable if he was deep in the weeds but there were only 5 other tables at this point and 2 other waiters. The orange juice was straight out of the box and poured into a 12oz glass which was filled with ice. Gross. The coffee looked like iced tea and tasted weaker. But whatever… I figured the food would make up for it. Wrong. The grits that I ordered were labeled as being vegan on the menu. They weren’t as I could smell the cheese. I asked the waiter, who was obviously not super familiar with the menu, who took them back to the kitchen. He returned to tell me that in fact neither of the grits dishes were vegan. Bummer. The tofu scramble wasn’t the worst that I’ve had but it was pretty damn close… barely cooked at all w the larger chunks still being cold in the middle. Bummer. The herb roasted potatoes were saving grace as they were lightly seasoned and perfectly tender. Actually the only reason they earned any stars at all. Also had to wait 20 minutes for the check and a refill of coffee. Aaaaand my friend had to wait 5 minutes for syrup bc his waffle didn’t come with any.

Closed for the summer !!! Or closed forever… no one really knows, it’s been hard to get a straight answer

I had brunch here recently and it was fantastic. I definitely recommend getting a reservation because otherwise you might be in for a bit of a wait on Sunday morning. But the food is excellent and the atmosphere is great. The back room is a garden and they have orchids and air plants, just a really novel space.
We had the baked Brie as an appetizer– so much yum (granted, I would be shocked if anyone could screw that up– it’s cheese, it starts out delicious). I also got eggs and French toast. Both were cooked perfectly (i.e. not runny or soggy). The bread they make the French toast with is ridiculously good. I also highly recommend their coffee.

Dear Selba,
I moved away from Richmond about 3 years ago and come back frequently to visit with friends. Last night was the first time I had the pleasure of visiting your restaurant and I must say that i LOVE IT. Being a foodie and a restaurant snob like I am I must say that I am heavily impressed. Thank you to you and your staff for providing me and my girlfriends with such a pleasurable time. The lay out is beautiful and I can’t wait to dine in the garden room my next venture in town. Cheers!

BRUNCH REVIEW: This is an enormous space, and feels cavernous given the relatively few diners for Sunday brunch. The menu caters to a range of palates, but the execution is consistently lacking. Nothing was offensive (though one of the patrons at the table next to us picked up his dish and walked it into the kitchen to lodge his complaint), and the ingredients are quality, but the preparation leaves a lot to be desired. For example, our 2 different omelets were rubbery and had the faint taste of whatever was cooked on their stove top the night before. The house Benedict was fine, albeit unremarkable, and the ham biscuits were below par. That said, the service was the highlight, which was attentive and friendly, so there’s the second star.
Maybe this place is better for dinner, but I won’t be back for brunch.

Visited for a friends birthday, and had a terrible experience. I’ve had better service at Waffle House. Not only was the sever incompetent, but he was also very rude.
We were delighted by the elaborate wine list; then very turned off by the improper presentation of the wine. The food was barely okay. My friend ordered the lamb flatbread and sent it back because it was dryer than the Sahara desert.
Asked to speak to the manager and he had the same attitude as the server. Started off with a fake apology, and finished with sarcastic remarks. I wouldn’t recommend this establishment to my worst enemy.
The back patio was beautiful though.
I gave this restaurant one star because zero wasn’t an option.

Longtime fan — they’ve got a great mix on the menu, and terrific mixologists behind the bar, so this is a place that’s well beyond the usual neighborhood haunt in the Fan. They have music (usually jazz) several nights a week, too, and given the layout of the place, you can have it as background or have a front row seat.
The real feature here is the garden room, the rear dining area — I would move in there if they’d only let me!

Give it up for the brunch menu! I’m sold on their Raisin Bread French Toast! I actually ordered the Chicken & Waffles but stole bites on the other plates in my group. My meal was good– not great… but that French Toast was killer! Also– their house benedict with that chipotle hollandaise… OOOOOOoooooohhhhh lawd! It moved me. Very good! We had pretty good service too– It wasn’t too busy since we were there early. I would def. recommend it and will go again!
Note to restaurant– If you could sell the hollandaise by the gallon, that would be great, thanks!
P. S.- I’ll just drink it with a straw. (don’t judge)

I’ve been to Selba twice, both on Saturday nights. The first time I went was a year ago and I went with a big group and the place was packed. The second time I just went on a date with my girlfriend and the place was a ghost town. I know that alone shouldn’t affect my judgement but we all know that when the place is empty at primetime, something is up. They even closed up the back room (which is the coolest part!) to make the place seem more busy.
The service was very good, I can’t complain about that. The waiter was a nice guy and very attentive. But who the hell eats at a restaurant just for the service? That said the food was quite average. The squash soup was too peppery (and I really like pepper) and the entrée was, well, just average for the price. I have mixed feeling because I really enjoyed Selba the first time I was there but now I don’t know if I’ll be going back. There’s too many good restaurants in Richmond for just hoping that a place gets better.

I waited a while to post this review. The experience was not good at all and I was hoping time would cause me to provide a better review. I really, really wanted to like this place.
Came here for Sunday brunch with a group of friends. We had called ahead and used open table to book reservations ahead of time (which means they should of been prepared). We came right when they opened and they seemed to be not prepared for us (first bad sign). Once seated our server literally handed out menus and walked away (second bad sign). When she did come back she had a training person following her who she never introduced until the end of the meal. It took forever to get water (something I guess I come to expect right away) and refills had to be requested.
My meal is where I was really disappointed. I am very conscious eating (health) and had some specific questions as to what was cooked in butter. Our server literally rolled her eyes over the fact that I was asking this. I ordered the steak and eggs (which was listed on the menu as a 7oz) and asked for eqq whites. This should be a simple meal that is very hard to mess us. Well they did I got back was a healthy dose of egg whites (which was a plus) and literally three small strips of steak. I know for a fact that could not been more than 2 – 3 oz of steak. At this point the experience was bad enough I just wanted to eat and leave.
My wife had a better experience prior and was shocked at how bad this was one. Again they could of been off their game. But it was bad enough that I am not so sure when or if I will come here again. If I do come back it will not be for sunday brunch.

ATTENTION ALL HAPPY-​HOUR-​GOERS: Selba has a special deal for the month of July 2013 from Tuesday-​Saturday, 5pm-​7pm where EVERYTHING IS HALF OFF. Like, literally EVERYTHING. Cocktails, appetizers, small plates, wine, etc. Take advantage of this deal, people!!! I LOVE the ginger mojito cocktail; Joe is a great bartender and took great care to create fabulous cocktails for us. We had potstickers and the «selba-​kopita» (flatbread with all the normal spanikopita fixings) from the happy hour menu (both delish), small plates of scallops (cooked perfectly), mussels (not the freshest but tasty enough), corn cake with jumbo lump crab meat (crab was great but the corn cake was a tad dry), and she-​crab soup (super rich with cream, wanted more crab flavor). All in all, we were pleased with our experience and fully took advantage of this ridiculously awesome happy hour deal.
Also went another time to Selba with a group of 7 and we made a reservation in advanced so they accommodated us without any trouble. They have a nice variety of menu items to choose from — appetizers, small plates, entrees, gluten-​free, vegetarian, and nightly specials. I chose the their special of braised short ribs with mashed potatoes which were DIVINE. I think the rest of the crew enjoyed their food but they weren’t blown away by their meals. Our server was behaving rather oddly that night and gave us indirect and strange answers to our questions but the manager/​owner was very kind and gave us a tour of the restaurant.
I have enjoyed my experiences at Selba but food-​wise, I’m not sure if they have that true «wow» factor. And there’s something about the ambiance of the restaurant; the décor is decent but you don’t have a «warm» feeling about the place. Cocktails are superb though and the bartenders are always friendly.

I’m so sad that I must update my review.
I went to Selba for dinner last Saturday night. First the positives: All of the staff is REALLY friendly. Great back garden room, wide open spaces.
Negatives: My FOOD! I ordered the macaroni and cheese as an appetizer instead of my usual salad, and it came out cold! Well, the edges were hot, but the middle was ice cold. I stuck my finger in the middle of it when the waiter came back to show him. He brought me back another that was very hot. I guess they just microwave it? Not sure, but it was gross. Next, I ordered the penne pasta. It was totally undercooked. The pasta was hard. So, I ended up eating my friend’s vegetable wellington — which was actually really good.
So they get two stars for being inconsistent. Sadly I won’t go back. They should’ve comped my mac and cheese, but alas, they did not. Come on.

Came here for a post-​wedding brunch and was quite impressed. Coming from DC, this place felt like a great value for the money with excellent service to boot.
Had 2 mimosas over the course of the meal… I’m usually not a fan when they’re served over ice with straws, but these didn’t taste watery (though maybe it’s because I drank them so fast!). They were pretty cheap at $ 5 a pop.
I ordered the oyster mushroom omelette with goat cheese and arugula, which was tasty except for the cooking oil that heavily beaded the outside of the omelette. I work in a restaurant myself that serves breakfast and I know that 99% of places serve boxed egg whites (and usually boxed eggs if you order scrambled), which are usually fine. Not sure if the excessive oil had anything to do with that. In any case, it was served with a really delicious sweet potato biscuit (or English muffin) and your standard home fries (or grits). A good-​sized portion for $ 9, and no upcharge for egg whites.
I would come back next time I’m in Richmond! Their dinner menu looks great.

A friend took me to this place and I hadn’t heard of it before so I had no expectations going in. And now I can’t wait to go back. The best word to describe this place is cool. It’s a cool atmosphere, it’s got cool decorations, and it even has a cool smoking room.
We sat down and the service was prompt. I quickly realized it’s one of those places that do the small, medium, and large plates which I had not had very good luck with before, so my skepticism started to set in worrying that I was going to be hungry. But I assure you this was not the case with Selba. The portions were reasonable. Much more so than other places I’ve been that do this type of menu.
They brought out this bean salad teaser in the beginning which was very tasty. They had a great beer selection. We split a large bottle of a Belgium tripel that was recommended and it was awesome but I just wish i could remember the name of the beer. The staff there know their drinks so they should be able to make a recommendation if you need help deciding.
I love she crab soup, so whenever i see it on a menu I always order it. And Selba delivered. The soup was sooooo good and then I went with the scallops for the main course. Also delicious!
I was still a little hungry afterwards so I ordered their flourless chocolate torte. WOW. It was awesome. Dessert was definitely my favorite part of the night!

After hearing an abundance of praise from friends and reading rave reviews from Unilocalers, I finally made my way to Selba last night. My first thought when reflecting on the evening’s meal is «when can I go back?» It was just that good.
Fantastically fresh and inventive food? Check.
Classic cocktails with a twist? Check.
Professional and enthusiastic servers? Check.
Bright, cheerful, and elegant atmosphere? Check.
The list could probably go on, but I know you’re dying to hear about the reason why we visited Selba in the first place. Duh, the culinary creations! The menu was tantalizing and provided so many unique and delicious-​sounding options that it was difficult to make up our minds! So, instead of ordering an entrée each, the bf and I went the small plates route. After all, isn’t it more fun to share while trying multiple foods? Yea, I think it is.
To start, we tried the smoked salmon dip which came with a plethora of pita triangles and was certainly enough for a larger group to share as an app. The flavors were wonderful and the dip was creamy without being too heavy. Next came the small plates– we ordered four and realized quite quickly that our eyes are bigger than our stomachs. My favorites?
— The scallop dish truly was a small plate, as it came with two scallops (one for each of us!) seared to perfection and accompanied by an avocado sauce and a thick vinaigrette. The presentation was beautiful and we scarfed those scallops within minutes of them arriving to our table.
— The beet arugula salad was delightful and certainly filled my beet quota for at least the next week. The presentation was so appealing that I kept eating even after my stomach was telling me to stop. A problem? Maybe. Was it worth it? Definitely.
We couldn’t finish everything, but we certainly put a large dent in our dishes and left satisfied and full!
Oh, I almost forgot about one of the most important aspects of the meal– my cocktail! I tried the ginger mojito and this delicious drink came topped with a piece of candied ginger. I might have nibbled on it during alternating sips and it totally amped up the flavors of the cocktail! Such a creative addition!

Selba, you’re my new fave!!! Truly a gem in the Fan!
A couple of out-​of-​town friends were visiting me last weekend and I wanted them to get a taste of some of the best cuisine that Richmond has to offer, and despite having never actually been to Selba yet, I just had a feeling that it would be a solid choice. Bingo! :)
When we arrived for Sunday brunch, the host escorted us through the large and welcoming main dining room (complete with a grand piano), past the sleek bar and a nifty semi-​private dining area, to the garden room. My friends and I were seated and immediately began admiring the abundance of greenery, the sunshine streaming through the large windows, and the tiffany lamps overhead. We hadn’t even ordered anything yet, and this place had already won me over!
Having practically memorized the menu on Selba’s website before we arrived, I had already decided that I was going to order the Tofu Scramble (although the lemon ricotta pancakes were also calling my name… oh well, those will be next on my list!).
When the delightful mixture of tofu, peppers, spinach, red onion, fresh herbs, and Indian spices with a side of herb-​roasted potatoes and a sweet potato biscuit was placed in front of me, I was pretty sure my mouth was about to be rocked by an epic taste explosion…
The verdict? Everything tasted just as delicious as it looked! The main dish was seasoned with a perfect blend of Indian spices, and the spinach complemented the tofu and other veggies quite nicely. Both of my friends even branched out and tasted the tofu and they also liked it! The potatoes were flavorful and tender, and the sweet potato biscuit was fluffy and slightly sweet, but not overly so. Yum-​sauce! :)
My friends ordered Shrimp n’ Grits and the Selba Benedict, and they were both very pleased with the quality of their meals, as well! In addition to our entrees, we all shared a side of fresh fruit, which was a mixture of sliced bananas, pineapple chunks, strawberries, etc. Super fresh and ripe… and delish, just like everything else.
Selba gets high marks from me for delicious cuisine, a classy yet laid back atmosphere, friendly staff, and a menu that offers something that should appeal to everyone. I also love that Selba supports local farmers and puts an emphasis on using fresh, locally grown/​produced ingredients. Oh, and the icing on the cake is that Selba has a parking lot (anyone who lives in or visits the Fan knows how rare it is to find any establishment that has off-​street parking)!
I absolutely cannot wait to dine at Selba again! Now that I know how awesome their brunch is, I’m looking forward to coming back for dinner!

This place makes me wish Unilocal had a 6^th star. WOW. I may have a new favorite restaurant. Flawless in almost all aspects, I wish I could be continuously fed Selba’s food through an IV so I could enjoy this place longer than my stomach will allow.
I went in with somewhat low expectations for a few reasons. I had a LivingSocial voucher and these places are usually underwhelming and stuggling. It seemed almost like Sprout to me… somewhat underwhelming from the outside and seemingly only focused on locally sourced food instead of a type of cuisine.
Well my mind was immediately changed upon walking in. This place is so cool! You’re greeted by a grand piano and a neat smoking room/​lounge to the left. It looks modern and fun without being pretentious. Several dining rooms in the front and a sleek bar along the middle. Then in the back they have a garden room that is just spectacular. So cool.
Every employee we encountered was devoted to making this place a top notch restaurant. Service was fast and very friendly. It is the perfect place for brunch. It’s big enough and the seating is spaced out enough that it is very relaxed.
All of this and the food was AMAZING. Sorry Millie’s but Selba is the new king of brunch in Richmond. The GF and I shared the brie pastry. This is the best thing I’ve eaten in a long time. I can’t stop thinking about it. For my main course I ordered the steak and eggs. The steak was extremely flavorful and the eggs were as good as it gets in a restaurant. The sweet potato fries that came with it were sweet and excellent. Portions are not huge, so if you are starving order a ton of stuff. It’s all great. My gf had the chicken and waffles. $ 9. I repeat $ 9. You can’t get that kinda price at IHOP. Her waffle was amazing. The batter almost tasted like an Auntie Anne’s pretzel from the mall. The chicken was fried very well. I finished what she couldn’t.
And they serve Lamplighter’s coffee in a French press!
I want to go back. Again and again. Can’t wait to try dinner here.
Prices were great. For an app, steak and eggs, chicken and waffles, and 2 non alcoholic beverages the total was $ 36 with tax.
FIVE STARS? Nope. This place deserves SIX!

I have eaten here twice and plan on going back whenever I visit Richmond. If you go, ask to be seated in the garden room/​atrium. The entire restaurant is open and airy — the décor is modern and fun — great energy @ Selba.
The staff has been consistently friendly and good-​humored. Five stars for the great customer service.
Selba’s reasonably priced menu features sustainable ingredients plus gluten-​free, vegetarian, and vegan options. There is something for everyone.
The first time I went, I ordered the pan seared chicken with miso sweet potato mash — it was delicious! The chicken was cooked to perfection and served piping hot.
Today, I went for brunch and ordered the chicken and waffles. The waffle was sinfully good; I did have to add a bit of salt to the chicken but it was fried perfectly — crispy and juicy. My mimosa was very refreshing and had the perfect ratio of champagne (i.e., a lot — I regret not ordering another).
Very cool restaurant — I wish there was a Selba in DC or Baltimore =)
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I’ve been for Sunday brunch once, small plates (dinner) twice, and for drinks a few times. The Garden Room is different from anything in Richmond. It’s as if you’re eating in The Conservatory in Clue (the board game), because you’re surrounded by plants in such an open relaxing environment.
This restaurant is still discovering its identity, but I really like what I see. Brunch was my best meal yet. We started off with the ham biscuits (honey poppy seed butter, country ham, corn muffins), which were served hot. They were simply divine, although, I was surprised we only received 3 biscuits ($ 7). Next up were the Selba Benedict ($ 8) and Shrimp ‘n Grits ($ 9). Both brunch entrees were excellent. The Selba Benedict was served on a corn pancake and had chipotle hollandaise sauce, while the Shrimp ‘n Grits’ Surryano ham and cheddar grits had just the right amount of flavor. We ended our meal with salted caramel ice cream, which is made by Homestead Creamery (think Sweet 95). You really can’t go wrong with visiting for Brunch!
On my visits for dinner, I’ve stuck to small plates. My favorite is the Winter Squash Casserole ($ 7), since it has a great balance of sauteed season squashes, brie, and it’s a good value for it’s size. You will have to wait a little while to try it, but the Summer Squash Casserole was also killer when they first opened. The Steamed Mussels ($ 6 for ½ pound, $ 11 for 1 pound), come in either a white wine or a marinara sauce. I’ve only had the white wine sauce (twice), and they know what they are doing. My mother has previously refused to eat mussels, but she loved them here. If you love pickled vegetables, marinated olives, hummus, and homemade crackers, then the Selba Mezza Platter ($ 9) is perfect for you. It’s sizable and delicious. I’ve had the Vegetarian Flatbread ($ 8), as well, but it didn’t strike me as anything special.

I’ve tried dinner and Sunday brunch and both are excellent. I enjoyed the brunch a bit more. The portions are not huge but satisfying. The best chicken and waffles that I’ve had (granted only had it 3 times). We had a great brie pastry and pretty much ate all of it and the fixings on it. Their coffee is a french press that the let sit at your table — while kind of cool the coffee gets cold more quickly.
The dinner was very good, but just not A+ best meals, but very good. I think we had the pork loin and a bison pie.
The place inside is beautiful, with a traditional dining room, pretty big bar, private dining room and a garden room in the back. Definitely sit in the garden room on a sunny brunch day. It is higher end, but jeans are still ok.
I wish it (and other RVA restaurants) were open on Sunday night.