A brand new restaurant named Selva is bringing South American flavors to Long Beach, located at 4137 E Anaheim St.
The new restaurant will open in early February 2022, replacing The Hideaway, which closed due to the pandemic. Colombian-born executive chef Carlos Jurado will lead Selva’s kitchen while paying homage to cooking traditions and ingredients found throughout South America. The bar will have a carefully curated cocktail menu of Colombian beers and spirits as well as a thoughtful selection of mezcal and rum. Selva is owned and operated by husband and wife Geoff and Karna Rau.
Jurado will introduce smokey wood-fired flavors and regional cooking styles of his home country to the upcoming restaurant. Authentic small plates like arepas and buñuelos will often start the meal. Other dishes include warmer plates common to the Andes mountain region and fish typically found along Colombia’s Caribbean coast. An emphasis is largely paid to wood-fire oven cooking and the use of the open fire for achieving the perfect char, roast, or sear.
“Long Beach is where I grew up. It was always in the back of my mind to return and open a restaurant,” Jurado said. “Long Beach has a diverse mix of cultures and people, and we are fortunate to have the chance to explore that through the wide variety of food and restaurants.”
The pair of owners collaborated closely with Jurado for design inspiration of the space reminiscent of a cozy Colombian eatery, according to a press release. Hand-selected chairs, lush plants, and brightened decor will transport guests with a resort-like ambiance. The new restaurant will sit in the Zaferia District of Long Beach, which has emerged as a creative neighborhood attracting artists and creators.
“There’s no better time than now to bring something fun to Long Beach that the community has not yet experienced,” Geoff Rau said in a press release. “Colombian food culture, together with wood-fired flavors, in an accessible and fun space will bring a much-needed new vibrancy to the area.”
