It’s not your typical Italian spot.
At the newly reopened Selita’s Restaurant and Bar in Lynbrook, the focus isn’t on chicken parm — though the kitchen will happily make it if you ask. Instead, the menu leans Mediterranean, with a creative flair.
Think stuffed chicken breast with asparagus, feta, and prosciutto in a pink peppercorn sauce. Or avocado pesto fettuccine.
“Our signature dish is our grilled octopus,” co-owner Jabber Bawa told Greater Long Island. “I’m not going to give our secret recipe away, but the way we do it here is very different.”
Bawa knows a thing or two about doing things differently.
With more than two decades in the hospitality business — and another restaurant upstate in Binghamton — this marks his first venture on Long Island. It’s also the first time he’s teamed up with his cousin, Barj Singh, to open a place together.
“Jabber is the Italian master,” Singh said with a smile.
Singh, who manages day-to-day operations, says their approach is simple but deliberate.
“We take pride in what we put on every plate,” he said. “It’s about creativity, being aesthetically pleasing, and of course, the taste.”
The Selita’s dining room. (Credit: Andrew Rappaport)
Lunch is on
Selita’s is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner at 152 Union Ave. in Lynbrook. (Credit: Andrew Rappaport)
One of the biggest changes under the new ownership is the hours.
Previously a dinner-only spot, Selita’s now serves lunch — with free delivery.
“We have so many great paninis, soups, and salads, we figured it’s the perfect midday meal,” Singh said.
And while the menu has evolved, the team made sure to keep something Selita’s was always known for — its strong vegan offerings, now with a few new twists.
The restaurant quietly reopened for a soft launch on Sept. 14, with a grand opening celebration planned for later this month.
Selita’s is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner at 152 Union Ave. in Lynbrook.
Top (L-R): Cousins Barj Singh and Jabber Bawa teamed up for the first time for Selita’s in Lynbrook. (Credit: Andrew Rappaport)
Dining and Cooking