Shelby’s Bistro Salmon is prepared using salmon raised sustainably without antibiotics – but more important, its blend of flavors, highlighted by a caper aioli, justifiably make it a signature dish at the long-running restaurant.
Inspired by food from France, Germany, Italy and the United States, Shelby’s has tastes for everyone.
Most Orinda residents have at least walked by the airy, light-filled café in Theatre Square, but those who haven’t gone inside to dine in a while might be surprised by the menu.
Let’s start with the Bistro Salmon, which features sustainable salmon with a caper aioli, and certainly could be considered the specialty of the house. But because of the wide variety of cuisines on offer, it could be hard for four people at a table to agree.
For example, a devotee of German food might go for the Wiener Schnitzel with Pickled Salads, while the pasta fan might opt for the zucchini noodles with tomatoes and prawns.
But the versatility of the kitchen is on display in two other pasta dishes. Penne Pasta al Arrabbiata offers the usual tomato sauce, but the dish adds layers of flavor with the addition of jalapeno peppers and bacon. The Capellini al Pomodoro has more than just the tomatoes the name suggests, as a Cajun feel comes through with the Andouille sausage and prawns.
The appetizers and salads cover quite a bit of ground as well, with choices ranging from shrimp and chorizo, crab cakes and a Chinese chicken salad.
So where did all this diversity come from?
Chef Arno Kober is a native of Germany who first learned to cook in Stuttgart. He eventually moved to Mexico as a sous chef and later traveled around the U.S., all the while trying different foods. Those unique experiences inspired him to create a multi-cultural restaurant, which Shelby’s has become.
Carlos Rangel and Gregory Heynes are the two other partners, and have run the restaurant since 2005. Shelby’s, of course, has been around longer than that, and was originally owned by Carol Farrior.
“Some of our customers have been with us for so many years that we’ve had the pleasure of watching their children grow up, and in some cases, even their grandchildren,” said Rangel.
Before starting the business, Rangel and Heynes worked in the corporate world and believed with their skills, knowledge and mindset, their dreams could come true.
“It was scary at first, but we realized that the fear of staying in a situation that no longer fulfilled us was far greater than the fear of failing in business,” said Rangel.
Over the years, they’ve honed their approach and developed a devoted following in Orinda.
“Our motto is simple: we want our customers to feel like they’re visiting a friend’s home, enjoying a great meal in a warm, welcoming atmosphere,” Rangel said. “We trusted that we could not only survive, but thrive by pursuing our dream.”
And even in the brutally competitive world of restaurants in 2025, Shelby’s has definitely found a way to thrive.
Located at 2 Orinda Theatre Square, Shelby’s is open from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 5 – 8 p.m., Tues – Sun. Entrées range from $15 to $30. Visit shelbyseatbetter.com or call 925.254.9687.
