Selby’s in Atherton is a glamorous, Michelin-starred showcase for modern American cuisine and timeless continental classics, wrapped in old-Hollywood opulence. Part of the Bacchus Management Group, the restaurant blends precision cooking, a world-class wine program, and a richly appointed setting to create an evening that feels celebratory from the first bell. Opened in 2019 by restaurateur Tim Stannard, Selby’s has swiftly become a Peninsula landmark—equal parts destination dining and neighborhood icon—where the trappings of classic luxury meet the clarity and seasonality of California.
History, Atmosphere, and Setting
Housed in a meticulously renovated, 10,000‑square‑foot space that once held Chantilly’s, Selby’s presents cinematic elegance at scale. Plush furnishings, deep tones, and dramatic lighting establish a mood of vintage glamour, anchored by a grand fireplace that has become the restaurant’s visual signature. The main dining room evokes a grand hall—romantic and upscale, yet comfortable and buzzing—while the Balcony Room offers a private vantage point overlooking the action below for milestone dinners and intimate gatherings. Across the property, details reinforce a bygone era updated for now: polished service choreography, tailored uniforms, and a soundtrack that flatters conversation rather than competes with it.
The Menu: American Classics, Elevated
Selby’s menu is rooted in American tradition and sharpened by modern technique. Guests build a three‑course tasting from a curated selection, striking a balance between steakhouse grandeur and seasonal finesse. Much of the produce arrives from SMIP Ranch—the group’s private farm in the Santa Cruz Mountains—giving the kitchen a direct line to peak ingredients while enabling thoughtful rotations as micro‑seasons change.
- Caviar service sets a luxurious tone, with classic garnishes that spotlight texture and salinity rather than overwhelm it.
- Beef Wellington is a house calling card—rosy center, crisped pastry, and a sauce with polished depth—delivering nostalgic pleasure with exacting execution.
- The deluxe beef burger distills Selby’s ethos into comfort form: impeccable grind, precision cook, and carefully tuned condiments elevate a familiar favorite into a signature plate.
- Crémeux de Citeaux, served with local strawberries, Marcona almonds, and olive melba toast, shows the kitchen’s soft spot for cheese courses that favor ripeness and balance.
- The Passionfruit Tart, often crowned with toasted Swiss meringue and preserved kumquats, closes with tart lift and glossy textures.
- Vegetarian pathways are integrated—composed pastas, roasted vegetables, and salads built for structure and brightness—rather than added as afterthoughts. Petit fours and celebratory chiffon cakes appear for special occasions, underlining the restaurant’s sense of theater and hospitality.
Wine and cocktails
Selby’s wine program is expansive and carefully curated, spanning icons and rarities from California, Italy, France, Spain, and beyond. The list is built for both discovery and indulgence, with verticals and mature vintages alongside new‑school producers, and a by‑the‑glass selection that pairs naturally across the three‑course arc. The bar program mirrors that polish: classic cocktails, measured twists, and spirit selections that emphasize craft and clarity.
Leadership and accolades
Guided by founder Tim Stannard and a seasoned Bacchus Management Group team, Selby’s channels the polished lineage of sister properties like Spruce and The Village Pub. Executive chef leadership ensures the menu’s spine—American continental cuisine—remains focused while the edges evolve seasonally. Since opening, Selby’s has been recognized with one Michelin star, with inspectors noting the quality of ingredients, the consistency of technique, and the personality of the kitchen’s voice. The wider hospitality team, under expert operations leadership, sustains a culture of attentiveness and warmth that keeps the experience seamless even on peak nights.
What to expect at the table
A Selby’s evening unfolds with choreographed ease. A warm greeting, a well‑timed aperitif, bread service that respects appetite, and course pacing that keeps conversation flowing without delay. Servers explain with economy—origin, technique, why the pairing works—then recede so the room’s glow and the plate’s detail can carry the moment. Portions are generous without excess; sauces are lucid rather than heavy; garnishes add contour, not clutter. It’s dinner as theater, minus the pretense.
Occasions and use‑cases
- Romantic evenings and special celebrations that call for ceremony without stiffness.
- Family milestones and private events that benefit from the Balcony Room’s vantage and privacy.
- Business dinners where the setting’s gravitas, acoustics, and service precision matter.
- Wine‑driven nights built around a vertical, a region, or a sommelier’s flight, paired to the menu’s structured arc.
Practical information
- Address: 3001 El Camino Real, Atherton, CA
- Hours: Monday–Saturday, 5–9 pm; Sunday until 10 pm
- Reservations: Required; plan ahead for weekends and holidays
- Price: $$$$ (typically $100+ per person; supplements apply to select items)
- Dining options: Dine‑in as primary; takeout/delivery offered selectively
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
- Parking: Valet on site; street options nearby
- Bar: Full bar, classic and seasonal cocktails, extensive spirits
- Dress: Elevated smart‑casual fits the room’s tone
Why Selby’s matters
Selby’s distills the romance of American fine dining into a contemporary register: iconic dishes and table‑side pleasures refined by seasonality, a farm‑to‑table pipeline, and service that reads as effortless. It’s a restaurant built for memory—where a firelit room, a slice into Wellington’s rosy center, and a glass poured from a storied vintage add up to more than the sum of their parts. For diners who crave that blend of classic flavor, modern polish, and luxury service, Selby’s stands as one of the Peninsula’s essential reservations.
For more information, please visit Selby’s