Zaferia District’s steakhouse, The Hideaway, closed recently but is slated to reopen as a Colombian restaurant called Selva in February.

The mid-modern steakhouse closed its doors permanently on Jan. 1 this year, ending its two-year-long reign on Anaheim Street. When The Hideaway opened in January 2020 it “was ridiculously busy before COVID,” owner Geoff Rau said, but the restaurant had struggled to maintain the bustle of business it had seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, that resulted in several closings and reopenings over the last two years.

“The Hideaway was my baby. So I’m gonna miss that place a lot,” Rau said. “But I’m excited, really excited about working with our new chef and coming up with a new concept.”

A banner now hangs on the restaurant’s facade that reads, “Selva. saloon & fire food.” The word Selva, Rau said, means “rainforest” in Spanish.

Selva’s menu will feature Colombian small and shared plates, as well as a full bar and craft cocktail concept.

The restaurant, Rau said, will also be one of the few in Long Beach to employ a wood fire grill.

The once The Hideaway Steakhouse will become Selva saloon & fire food at the 4100 block of E Anaheim, next to Roundin’ 3rd sports bar in Long Beach Thursday, Jan 6, 2022. Photo by Thoma R. Cordova.

Rau said the Colombian concept is the brainchild of their new chef, whose identity has not yet been disclosed but is expected to be revealed in the forthcoming weeks. The only hint that Rau would give is that the chef had previously worked at Thomas Keller’s lauded French bistro, Bouchon, which boasts locations in Las Vegas and Yountville, California. The Bouchon Bistro in Beverly Hills closed recently after eight years of service.

“He’s impeccably trained and fun and ready,” Rau said of the new chef.

Selva’s design will have a “rainforest-y” sort of feel to it, Rau said, with lots of greenery, a stylish bar and lively music. An artist is currently painting a large mural inside the restaurant, Rau said.

With this new concept, Rau is optimistic that the restaurant will do well. Rau described the Hideaway as a “special occasion place” and said this new concept is designed to be more accessible and community-friendly.

“I don’t think there’s gonna be anything like it in Long Beach,” Rau said. “It’s gonna be great, exactly what Anaheim street needs.”

Selva is expected to open publicly on Feb. 2.

Selva is located at 4137 E. Anaheim St. and sits next door to the sports bar and grill, Roundin’ 3rd, of which Rau also owns.