Leaving the Relm with Onyx Bistro
From a mélange of cuisines to a carefully selected complementary array of wines and beers, Danielle Saleh brings her passion for food and drink to the table at Onyx Bistro in Camarillo.
“A lot of my food is considered fusion—from Asian to Middle Eastern flavors. They’re things I enjoy. I wanted to bring flavors to the table that not a lot of people see in this area,” says Saleh. Her menu also features fun favorites like barbecued beef brisket and grilled salmon.
Growing up, Saleh spent a lot of time at her family’s shop, Front Street Cuisine & Catering in Ventura. Both parents are originally from Egypt, and both have culinary backgrounds.
“I was introduced to a lot of flavors at a young age. Egyptian food has so many flavors—Greek and Lebanese, to name a few. I work with those flavors in the hummus, tabbouleh and falafel. I want to showcase Middle Eastern spices and flavors,” she says.
Last March, Saleh took over the former Relm Wine and Beer Bistro in Camarillo, which had been owned and run by Patrick and Valeri Mervyn. The venue features heated patios and live music, as well as food and drink. Saleh had helped out in the kitchen of Relm from time to time, in addition to operating her thriving catering career.
“The owners have been like family. They sat me down and said, ‘This is what we’re thinking. We don’t want to sell this business to just anybody,’” Saleh recalls. “It was a hollow building—just a shell until they built it out. It’s stunning. Everything happens for a reason and it felt like a good fit. I was outgrowing my catering business. My commercial kitchen was too small.”
Saleh is being joined by her partner Will Smith-Wruck. (No, not THAT Will Smith; I asked.) The two met years ago in Humboldt County, where they both worked at Luke’s Joint in Arcata. They share a love of food, as well as each other.
“The biggest thing that her restaurant brings to the local wine community is new pairings with regular casual dining,” says Smith-Wruck, who acknowledges that while he specializes in beers, he’s had fun delving into the world of wines. “Her specific food style not in one lane at all. It takes a massive amount of consideration to make all of the pairings and choices really fun.”
“We are beer and wine only,” says Saleh. “We showcase a lot of local wineries and breweries. All of our beer is local and they rotate every month. Most of our wines are Central California–based. I like to support the readily available businesses.
“My two most important things with food are to try to go as local as possible and as fresh as possible and organic if possible. We are 60% to 70% organic when I can get it. I rotate the menu seasonally to showcase the best available produce during the best time.”
When Saleh took over the old bistro, she changed the name to Onyx. “I wanted to make it my own. To change the name and give it my own spin,” she says, putting her associate’s degree in business from Ventura College to good use.
“Onyx is a stone and I really enjoy stones. I have them all over the restaurant. Onyx is a chic black stone that has a lot of power and significance,” says Saleh. “I like how it makes me feel in connection to the earth—a groundedness and strength.”
Onyx Bistro 2390 Las Posas Rd., Suite H, in Camarillo Village Square 805-991-7356 OnyxBistroCamarillo.com
