Instagram story viewer> @modelcitizenvta> Posts

Model Citizen

@modelcitizenvta

6.5K

followers

1290

following

Neighborhood spot serving seasonal food, wine, and cocktails
Evenings 4-9pm (Closed Tues & Wed)
Reservations👇 Walk-ins always welcome

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Since we are closed on Wednesdays, it tends to be a day that offers an opportunity to reflect on what we are doing and where we are going. With that in mind, this is an appreciation post!

You might have noticed these two guys quietly running FOH and BOH ops respectively since this past Fall, and we just want to shout out the great impact they have had thus far.

Our GM Hayden is truly gifted when it comes to hospitality. He effortlessly makes people feel welcome and well taken care of. We have know Hayden for over a decade at this point, since he was a young barista who was instrumental in opening our cafe @prospectroasters and helping guide the quality and experience there. He has always had a natural magnetism and ability to connect with people. He also possesses a deep understanding and appreciation for all things beverage. In overseeing our beverage programming, he has created some of our favorite cocktails to ever grace the bar top at MC.

Our Executive Chef Abraham is everything a restaurant could seek in a chef. He is talented, experienced, creative, and his food is delicious. Importantly, he is a Santa Paula local, and while he spent years in LA honing his craft, he has an inherent understanding of our market and what guests are excited to eat. Chef Abe is also one of the most positive and kind people we have had the pleasure to work with. He is steady and unshakable, leads by example, and is always taking time to mentor our other chefs with patience and care.

As we approach our 4 year anniversary next month and think about all the different menus and things we have done (some that worked, others that didn’t), we can confidently say that this is currently the best this restaurant has been in terms of food, beverage, and service. Come through this week and say hi to these guys and the rest of the crew who work so tirelessly to present the best experience possible on a nightly basis.

We are back at it tomorrow at 4pm! taken in Model Citizen by @modelcitizenvta

319

26

8 months ago

Roasted @row7seeds koginut squash, labneh, pomegranate, toasted pepitas, cilantro oil, watercress

Just beginning to lean into some fall flavors over here at MC. This koginut squash is super delicious! It’s basically a hybrid of butternut and kombocha, so think rich, creamy, and sweet.

We ran this as a special for Monday all night happy hour, and sold through it. So it’s hitting the regular menu this week! Come by for some fall flavors even though it will probably still be 80 and humid 🤷‍♂️ taken in Model Citizen by @modelcitizenvta

70

6

20 days ago

New Fall pasta on the menu!

Handmade cavatelli, autumn squash, squash blossoms, haricot verts, Meyer lemon, breadcrumb, parm

Everything you want in a dish for the in between season. Plus, it’s vegetarian! Come grab a bowl this weekend and let Chef Abe know how he did with this one! taken in Model Citizen by @modelcitizenvta

62

0

24 days ago

Weekend happy hour special!

Tri-tip melt with Gruyère, dill pickles, and garlic aioli on a potato bun.

Available during happy hour today, and most likely tomorrow for Monday all night happy hour.

We have cold a/c and even colder martinis, so come beat the heat with us! taken in Model Citizen by @modelcitizenvta

84

2

a month ago

Hey Ventura, did you know @modelcitizenvta serves their happy hour menu 4-9 on Mondays? taken in Model Citizen by @modelcitizenvta

3

2

2 months ago

Happy hour in Downtown Ventura at @modelcitizenvta Mondays from 4PM-9PM

We ordered from both the happy hour AND regular menu, and honestly… best decision.

We started with the PATATAS BRAVAS with Black Garlic Chili Oil. They had me at potato. Sooo good.

Then came the Hamachi Crudo, which @jara.simp shared and had been on my list to try. Finally checked that one off! I’ll 💯 be ordering again.

And you all know I had to get the Double Wagyu Smashburger with caramelized onions, American cheese and burger sauce. With a side of fries (because I love potatoes). LOL!

I’m so glad @eri.the.foodie and I stopped by. The food is 10/10, the people are very welcoming. And THE PLAYLIST 🔥@eri.the.foodie and I were completely in our element.

Model Citizen, we”ll definitely be back!

What should I try next time I visit? Ask me about our drinks?

📍Model Citizen
70 S Oak Street
Ventura, CA 93001

A series in collaboration with @downtownventura

#mydowntownventura #downtownventura #venturacounty #ventura taken in Downtown Ventura by @modelcitizenvta

301

34

2 months ago

Two years in a row I’ve chosen my birthday dinner location because... they have a Kids’ Menu.

Last year @bellslosalamos in Los Alamos and this year @modelcitizenvta in Ventura. Obviously it’s not the sole reason. Both are great restaurants with delicious food that is fun to eat and such.

But I have young kids and I like them most of the time and they should be a part of familial celebratory dining. Most of the time however — in Southern California and our country in general — kids are kinda frowned upon at fine dining/-adjacent spots. This is in contrast to *multiple* literal Michelin-starred restaurants we’ve been lucky to dine at in France the past couple years. They, like Model Citizen and Bell’s, had kids’ menus. It just makes the whole meal… easier. And you don’t feel like the waiter is rushing you and hates your fucking guts the entire time you’re spending quite a bit on your birthday (or any special) meal. And in Model Citizen’s case: maybe the best ‘Buttered Noodles’ in history.

I hope more local restaurants adopt one soon - so I’ll have even more choices next birthday. taken in Model Citizen by @modelcitizenvta

283

19

4 months ago

🚨 Monday all night happy hour special 🚨

Hot honey chicken karaage served with cucumber salad and aioli.

Here for a good time, not for a long time so come by and try it tonight! taken in Model Citizen by @modelcitizenvta

87

1

5 months ago

A fun little something for Memorial Day all night happy hour. House made @porkandflowers pork beer brats with carmelized onion and sauerkraut with a @lucky11beer lager for $15! You can also just grab the sausage or the beer if you don’t fancy the combo. As always, $10 cocktails, double smash burgers, oysters, etc. all night for happy hour, and the full regular menu is available as well. See you at 4pm! taken in Model Citizen by @modelcitizenvta

23

1

5 months ago

We have a few fun new menu additions on deck for the long weekend!

Feast your eyes on these @porkandflowers crispy pastor pork belly bites with a sweet and spicy glaze, kumquats, and green onions. So rich, so much umami, so satisfying.

Also new to the menu, but not photographed yet, are a first of the season tomato salad, and a new grilled branzino set with a very serious chermoula situation.

We’ll be here all weekend slinging tasty plates, cocktails, and wine galore. Happy hour from 4-6pm daily, and all night on Monday (plus some special surprises on Memorial Day as well).

Book that table through the link in our bio, or wander in when the mood strikes. taken in Model Citizen by @modelcitizenvta

61

1

5 months ago

This new ham dish is so good, it may awaken a fire in you thought long dormant.

House cured and smoked @porkandflowers ham and burrata, served simply with pistachios, cherries, and pomegranate molasses. It pairs particularly well with an order of our house focaccia.

@deep_space_homer and @haydenmcclain are really doing the lord’s work with this one. I want to make a tunic from this ham so it’s always with me for snacking.

It should be a busy weekend, and although Mother’s Day is traditionally a brunch holiday, we will be here Sunday night if you want to take mom out for a nice dinner. Still a smattering of reservations left, and we always keep room for walk ins! taken in Model Citizen by @modelcitizenvta

60

3

5 months ago

This new 🐖 dish is stunningly delicious.

@porkandflowers bone-in chop grilled over charcoal, brushed with a char siu style glaze, topped with Korean pear and pickled mustard seed mostarda, and served with charred @darbysfarm radicchio and chicory salad w/ honey vinaigrette. A case study in letting high quality local ingredients do the talking.

We won’t have this for long, as chef @deep_space_homer got a half pig in this week and will be breaking it down and running a series of dishes using all parts of the animal. So do yourself a favor and come try this one while you can! taken in Model Citizen by @modelcitizenvta

80

3

6 months ago