Chef John Yega, who trained at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Napa and worked in Grant Achatz’s modernist kitchen at three-Michelin-starred Alinea in Chicago, is opening Selvin’s in Thousand Oaks on Thursday, June 20. The chef is keeping edible helium balloons and Anti Plates in his back pocket for now and is focusing on California coastal cooking on the ground floor of the Palm Garden Hotel. The restaurant is named after Harry Selvin, the hotel’s owner since 2012.

The slate of approachable dishes includes starters like truffle fries and corn agnolotti, along with heartier mains like pizzas and seared halibut. For those looking for a taste of molecular gastronomy, find some mango powder alongside the hamachi crudo under the raw selections and a Parmesan truffle foam served with the seared scallop risotto.

Selvin’s is located at 495 N. Ventu Park Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, and is open Monday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from 4 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

John Troxell

Nikkei wine summit

The first-ever Nikkei Wine Summit: American Wine with Japanese Soul is happening on Saturday, June 29 from 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center. The event offers the opportunity to learn about the Nikkei community’s legacy in wine in California. The day concludes with tastings from over 15 leading Japanese and Nikkei wineries. Tickets are available for $150 per person.

Pies for Justice

Join the fine folks at Gather for Good for the 5th annual Pies for Justice charity fundraiser on June 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at ChowNow headquarters in Culver City. The event will feature delicious pies from talented local restaurants including Providence, AOC, Bub & Grandma’s, Funke, and All Day Baby. All proceeds from this event will be donated to Peace4Kids, a non-profit dedicated to building community with youth in foster care in South Los Angeles, and The Gathering for Justice, a social justice organization for racial equity founded by the late Harry Belafonte. Tickets are priced at $25 and are available here.

The Big Bakeover

The CW Network is debuting a new series called The Big Bakeover on June 14. The series shows Nancy Birtwhistle, Season 5 winner of The Great British Bake Off, helping struggling LA bakeries by revamping menus, introducing new recipes, and renovating spaces. The premiere episode features Cambodian-owned Sugarbox Donuts in West Hills. Cali Al’s Cheesecake in South LA, Beverly’s Bakery in Fullerton, and Mary Lane Café in San Gabriel are featured in subsequent episodes.

For deal-loving dads

Head to Rite Aid on Sunday, June 16 for a BOGO deal aimed at deal-loving dads. Buy one single hand-dipped scoop, get one single hand-dipped scoop for $1.

Budonoki x Mini Kabob

Eastside powerhouses Budonoki and Mini Kabob are joining forces on Monday, June 17 on a one-night-only collab at Budonoki in Virgil Village featuring Armenian twists on classic izakaya fare. Imagine lamb chop kebabs paired with crying tiger sauce and appetizers like grilled peach pomegranate scallop crudo and grilled salmon collar with za’atar. Additionally, Budonoki is offering good deals on booze every Thursday this month, including 20 percent off sake, $12 cocktails, and $6 beers.