This is one of my favorite restaurants at the moment. The interior has a modern vibe and I love the openness that flows through the restaurant thanks to the huge windows and minimalist design. Their cocktail and culinary program is amazing! I love the creativity displayed through the unique options available. Everything is fresh and crafted with the utmost care. I enjoy their rotating menu which aligns with whatever is in season. Some of my go-to items include the twilight princess (gin cocktail), patatas bravas, happy hour smash burger, crudo, and charred broccolini. Service is usually great, but there have been a few times the servers seemed a bit understaffed so check ins & item delivery was a bit delayed--however, it is always worth the wait considering how great the food and drinks are. Very happy to see a restaurant like Model Citizen taking up space in downtown Ventura. read more

****************** Unique cuisine, prepared with quality ingredients Exceptional Cocktails ... layered and well balanced Nice atmosphere ... Good service ... A terrific date night spot, great booth options for a quiet conversation. $240 ** for two ... Four small plate food selections: - Ceasar Salad to split - Tuna Tartare - Pasta - Squash Two deserts Four cocktails ** Beware of the added 18 % "staff gratuity" Our server, Macy, was juggling multiple tables and at times the bar was slow (20 mins) to get a second cocktail out. But each cocktail was nicely crafted - kuddos I'm annoyed at the Model Citizen management for the 18% gratuity automatically added to my check. Annoyed enough to perhaps never return. 40% gratuity? I'm irritated at myself for "accidentally" tipping an additional 20% gratuity on top of the total bill (meal, tax, 18% gratuity) - trusting the traditional dining model we've all experienced countless times over the years. But not reviewing the details the dinner check dropped at my table. Honestly, I Feel a little bit conned / deceived ... Transparency might look like this ... "hi, here is your check, we have an 18% service fee added. If you feel you'd like to add additional ..." Personal Responsibility isn't lost on me. It's my responsibility to review my dinner check. Trusting the establishment was a mistake on my part. * read more

The hanger steak was perfection and the fries were addicting. Service was friendly and I appreciated them explaining the tip was built into the check. Will return. read more

Came in for restaurant week. We were a party of 5. We had the perfect game plan. We basically had a little powwow right after the menu was dropped off. Course 1 had 10 choices. We got 5 different kinds. Course 2 had 4 choices. We got 3 different kinds and 2 of the same. Course 3 had 5 choices. We got them all. First, this place feels very LA. In the best way. I felt like I was in WeHo. I loved the color theme inside. It was so clean. That's my vibe. Simple and clean. Second, we loved how a lot of the dishes we had had hints of Indian spices. We had so many questions. Being a big group worked out for us in that we were able to try so many different dishes. The highlights for the group were the following:: Crudo - my pick. It was fresh, pleasing to the eyes and innovative. We all fought to get more bites. I could've easily murdered the whole plate on my own. Mussels- every piece was thicc. Don't even get me started on that broth. We had to ask for more bread. I was ready to slurp it like soup. Bread - you complete me Schnitzel - probably one of the best ones I've had. The last good one I had was outside of Berlin. Overall, food was great. We didn't care too much for the dessert. None of them stood out for any of us. We were all also super full by the end mostly because the portions were pretty large. The service was great until the end when it felt like we kinda got forgotten. I'm gonna have to come back with just one other friend for a more chill meal. read more

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My wife took me here a few months ago and holy cow. You cannot beat that happy hour menu. This is now my favorite spot to eat and drink. I literally make trips up here just to go here! read more

We went to Model Citizen for a special birthday and had an absolute blast. The food was delicious and the service was great. They even let us stay a bit past closing to finish cutting the cake and enjoying it without feeling rushed. Would highly recommend to anyone, whether it's a two party date night or an eight party celebration. read more

Small, clean, comfortable upscale bar/restaurant. We just ducked in for quick drinks at the bar w/Sara. She's great! Cordial, yet takes care of business. We WILL be back! read more

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Food was delicious and drinks were great! Definitely pretty pricey for what you get though! Service is good not great read more

Model Citizen - Lemon meringue - New American Near Me - Ventura, California

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If I could marry the brûléed shallots, I would. I have been wanting to visit this restaurant for over a year, waiting for the right moment to go and the wait was so worth it. My friend and I visited on Memorial Day, and were welcomed by friendly and attentive staff. Due to the holiday, we were able to sit wherever we wanted, so we sat across from the bar, which gave us a nice view of the whole restaurant. The sun shining through warmed us up without it being too hot, and the music fit the aesthetic of the space so well!! I started off with a drink from their happy hour menu: a margarita. It was incredibly refreshing, a bit citrusy, and had a nice amount of alcohol in it. Next, we ordered the fried baby artichokes. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but was pleasantly surprised when fried artichoke hearts arrived. They were just barely crispy, setting it apart from typical fried food, and the lemon aioli provided a zesty and citrusy taste that always compliments artichokes. The next item we ordered from the happy hour menu was the zucchini fritters with peptia ricotta. If you like hushpuppies but want to try something a bit different, these fritters are exactly what you want. They were crispy on the outside, and soft and savory on the inside. The pepita ricotta was so smooth, I almost forgot I was eating cheese! The ground up pepita is just small enough that the texture of them doesn't take away from the smoothness and flavor of the ricotta. Next up: dinner. I had been craving a nice piece of steak in who knows how long, and the Bavette steak with shallots more than hit the spot. I ordered mine medium rare - which I found was too rare for me for this cut - and completely devoured it. The steak was juicy on the meatier sections, and that's pretty much all I need in a steak. The vegetable that comes with it seems to be seasonal, so it was served with seasoned asparagus. The asparagus was the perfect combination of soft and firm, easy to cut and chew. My favorite though? The brûléed shallots. I had no idea you could brûlée non-dessert items and I am so thrilled to know you can. These shallots were soft in texture, initially sweet as you first bite into it before the taste of shallot shines through. It was a perfect balance of sweet and umami that I cannot stop thinking about. If I could marry the brûléed shallots, I would. Finally, to end the night, we ordered from the dessert menu the Strawberry Rhubarb Pavlova. I had never heard of pavlova before and now that I have? I wonder why it's taken me so long to try it! This dish was such an amazing blend of flavors and textures, even providing an activity of demolishing it and savoring every bit of your hard work. It was sweet and tart, with the merengue balancing it out, so as to not overexcite your tastebuds. It was the perfect palette cleanser to end the night. And of course, this entire experience would not be possible if it weren't for our server, Jenna. She was so kind and friendly, very attentive and on top of things. All in all, I had an amazing experience at Model Citizen and highly recommend this for special occasions, date nights, or even to treat yourself. The prices were also reflective of the quality of food and is no more expensive than any other sit down restaurant on Main Street.This is exactly how you bring "Los Angeles" to Ventura. I will definitely be returning soon!! Reminder: I went on a holiday, so it wasn't very busy and I don't know how different it would be when it is. Also, the ambience and aesthetic is nice, feel free to dress up a bit!! read more

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Everything is beautiful and perfectly cooked. They change the menu to keep things interesting. The whipped ricotta toast and broccolini and happy hour burger are my personal favorites. The atmosphere is great and they have amazing cocktails read more

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Model Citizen is truly a hidden gem in Ventura. I dined there on a Saturday night and was impressed from start to finish. Compliments to the chefs and the entire staff the quality of the ingredients and the creativity of the menu really stood out. The cocktails were expertly crafted and thoughtfully balanced. My biggest takeaway: when the owners and staff are genuinely passionate about what they do, it shows in every detail. I highly recommend Model Citizen and absolutely look forward to coming back. read more

Delicious food, inspired drinks, great people. Found a parking space in front on the street on a Thursday night. There are also lots nearby. Greeted at the front by a lady who just sat a group. I asked about bar seating and was told it was open. Laura, one of the bartenders, greeted me as I approached. I asked her about all the specialty drinks they have and she guided me to the Night Light - Makrut Lime Leaf Infused Tequila, Yellow Chartreuse, Luxardo, Lime, and drops of Tumeric Oil dotting the top. Loved it! A light drink - not overpowering. Perfect for the season. To eat I started with the Cucumbers - sliced and quartered on a bed of whipped feta and doused with dill oil. Something new! Great combo. My second drink was the New Fashioned: Bourbon, Apple Brandy, Banana, Amontillado, and Bitters. Had a nice kick - also delicious. My entree was the Handmade Torchiette with a garlic pesto, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and silk chili. Served in a bowl, it appeared to be a smaller portion, but was very rich and turned out to be the proper amount. Highly recommended. I noticed their cappuccino machine and asked if they do affogatos. They do!! I was pleasantly full, so I passed, though am looking forward to that on my next trip! read more

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Obviously beautiful interior, design and branding. You're probably coming for this or were drawn to it because of that reason. Menu has a few choices in appetizers, sides & entrees. Small but mighty. Food is presented with care and finesse. The food is also DELICIOUS. Made with whole, colorful, quality ingredients. Service was good. The restaurant seemed to be functioning in its professionalism. Totally recommend! read more

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Loved the oysters, drinks, and desserts! The restaurant and workers were all so amazing. My grandma and I really enjoyed our time here. The food was so delicious and the atmosphere was so nice. I definitely recommend the strawberry dessert. read more

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The food here is the best we've had in Ventura. The place itself is a nice setting, a comfortable, modern feeling inside. The service left a lot to be desired, however. The timing was just off with our server with just about everything. The cocktails arrived after our appetizer was finished. The desserts were served and finished before the coffee was even close to arriving. But to the food. The tagliatelle was bomb, and the schnitzel was gorgeous. The pickled daikon is out of this world. The desserts are excellent as well, particularly the berry crostata. I'd also recommend to the owners to serve cold water at the table, rather than room temperature. Overall, a superlative meal with lackluster service. Perhaps because the gratuity was included, but I would have left more if she had been more on top of things. I'd definitely go back and just would hope to get a different server. read more

We always have unforgettable experiences at Model Citizen and last night was no exception. I left telling my partner that it was the best meal I had ever eaten. We started with two cocktails and both of them were exceptional. Whoever created the drink menu is a genius. We had the thyme drink and the heart to heart drink, I think... Moving on to the food, we had the focaccia and burrata, the Caesar salad, and the curry sweet potatoes, the hanger steak, and the chicken schnitzel. 10/10, no notes. Dream meal. The only thing I would change is we were originally sat at a two-top extremely close/in between two other tables. I hardly had enough room to maneuver between the tables to sit down , let alone be comfortable for an entire meal. We uncomfortably asked to be moved to a high top and were accommodated gracefully. Though, I think when you're spending this much money on a meal, ambiance and comfortability of diners should be considered a lot more. No one wants to sit that close to other couples who are also out for romantic anniversary dinners. Besides that, great restaurant and great staff. read more

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My family and I recently came here for my husband's birthday dinner. We ordered the bluefin tartare to start, and had the spicy rigatoni, crab linguini, maitake stroganoff and the 7oz prime hangar steak. The tartare was delicious and creative , unlike any tartare I've had before. The rigatoni and stroganoff both came out cold. The stroganoff noodles were a very hard 'al dente' but the mushrooms were very buttery and flavorful. The rigatoni was good. The crab linguini was ok but an almost too mild flavor that fell flat. The best entree at the table was the steak. Delicious chimichurri and mushrooms on the side. Service and ambiance were attentive and pleasant. Thank you Model Citizen. We'll come back but not for the pasta. read more

This was our first time back in quite a while since they opened. Our last review touched on how we didn't feel their price point matched the food quality, but I'm here to update that that has definitely changed. We came here for dinner on New Years Eve, and while they did have a special menu for the night, we found the food was amazing. Prices were definitely higher, but 100% worth it this time. The prime rib was cooked to perfection, absolutely delicious, and was a large cut of meat. Their drinks were also improved, and we had three different rounds and all were great. Service was wonderful, the restaurant is lively, and they handled the business of New Years Eve well. Definitely recommend making reservations prior to going. read more

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Started with high hopes from review of previous menu which had seasonal options, including several vegetarian. Tonight's menu had only one, and they were out of it. Server asked the manager if there were any non-meat options, and reported back that they could make us butter noodles with vegetables. Uninspiring. Paid $55 for two drinks, bread and olive oil. The cocktail was bad too. Avoid this place. read more

Sub par service, small portions and apparently they feel they can add gratuity to parties of four. Definitely won't be back.

Delicious food, for sure. The menu is unique and there isn't anything else like it in town. Prices are high, but the quality matches. Wonderful for a date, imo. read more

Modelo Citizen needs to be at the top of your list for restaurants to try in Ventura. The menu has been through a few iterations, and can say that it's only gotten better. They're the newer kids in DT Ventura, and the first iteration of their menu was light on the entrees and proteins, and heavy on prices. That said, you could see that they were using high quality, fresh ingredients. The design and ambiance of the restaurant strikes a Californian Mediterranean style that's reflective of the menu. A big portion of the Menu is seasonal, (as it should be), but we've recently had the Sebass, pan seared steak, ceviche crudo, and halibut ceviche, and they have all been outstanding. Oh, and almost forgot the panacotta for dessert, so good, summery, light on palate and delicate. They also have a white Negroni that's pretty amazing. Unfortunately, they changed the recipe in of their iterations, so now we just ask for the original White Negroni since we're not big fans of the new one. Ah, and our favorite bartender, Evan, absolutely kills it with the drinks and his rizz! Thanks MC! Keep up the good work read more

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We enjoyed this restaurant and service was great. Food was good. Nine dollars for small piece of bread and two thimbles size drinks make it a bit untenable for regular eating however. We all thought it a bit silly that way. read more

Went for Monday night happy hour and the service was really off - they were packed with a full house and just couldn't keep up. We waited one hour for mains and they all came out at a different time. I had a smash burger (which was excellent!) but they didn't bring it out with the fries I ordered and by the time it came, I had finished the burger. Disappointing dining experience overall although they did comp some things from the bill recognizing that the service was poor (but gratuity was still included so...). Food overall was very good we had the lobster pasta, steak tartare and smash burger. read more

Enjoyed Dinner here twice last week!! Model Citizen is lovely for date night or dinner with a girlfriend. Hubby and I went on Monday night. Tip- All Night Happy Hour Menu on Mondays- can't beat it! I started with the Model Citizen Spritz, not on HH menu but a refreshing cocktail not too sweet - would order again. Since it was date night we ordered 3 sharables: the seasonal pumpkin croquettes with Rosa sauce, the beef arancini with saffron aioli and split a smash burger. All the dishes were flavorful and perfectly executed. The dishes arrived hot and the arancini was crispy and that saffron aioli was a great flavor bomb- wished there was more. Each dish was so good that we would return and order same food flight! On Wednesdays MC offers wine flights and curated menu to pair with wines. Met a friend for dinner and we were able to hear each other and catch up. The high ceilings and soothing color pallet make MC a delightful choice to meet friends for wine night. We both ordered the Wine and Smash burger special for $25. The Gamay wine paired well with the smash burger and the burger was just as memorable on Wednesday- ideal ratio of meat with carmelized onions to bun and sauce. MC is a master of condiments and sauces. Service is good and the place gets busy the later it gets so you may consider having reservations after 6:00. The server on Monday pointed out the 18% gratuity that is added to every bill and we really appreciated that. MC delivers a great dining experience. read more

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Model citizen is one of my favorite restaurants in my hometown. I only discovered it about two years ago, and I've been here several times. Every meal has been amazing, the atmosphere, ambience and the staff have never disappointed. I returned December 13, 2025, only to be disappointed. The food was still great, but the clientele was not what I remembered. It is definitely on the decline, not only to mention that somebody had a dog sitting at their table. I found it pretty annoying as it barked here and there. I asked the waiter if it was a emotional support dog, he replied "I don't know." Apparently you can bring your animals into this restaurant. My meal with my spouse including the tip was about $150. Unless they clean this up, I'm not going back. I have a dog, and love animals, but this is not acceptable. Don't get me wrong, the food was amazing and my server was very attentive. Model citizen needs to police their patrons. read more

always enjoy eating here! The menu changes, but those french fries are always on the menu- thank goodness!

Cozy and romantic setting with top notch service!!! Everyone was so friendly, and so attentive! Our meals were delicious. We had the squash appetizer and the wild caught sea bass which were high quality and delicious. Everything was cooked to perfection, they definitely have some high caliber chefs in that kitchen. Wine and drink menu has a good selection, something for everyone. Just like their food, their drinks don't miss. Recommend reserving in advance since it gets packed and for good reason. read more

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Quick Summary Fantastic food, great service and ambiance. Really liked all their dishes and how light everything was. Really can taste and feel the premium ingredients. Food- 5 stars Oysters kumiai- was able to get 75 cents off per oyster during their happy hour. They were good, but weren't shucked the best Heirloom salad- this was really good and I highly recommend it. The cheese and tomatoes were sublime Bread with butter and salmon roe- this was very good as well. A great starter and really enjoyed the butter with salmon roe Fried chicken dinner- this is their special on Sunday's. Very light and cooked perfectly. Mashed potatoes were filled with flavor without being too buttery. Zucchini salad was a nice surprise. Biscuits and fried chicken and gravy were flavorful without being too heavy Peaches and cream- this was extremely good. highly recommend Service- 5 stars Excellent service throughout. Pacing was perfect and food came out relatively quickly. Ambiance was great too, with plenty of comfortable seating in their contemporary interior. Bottom Line Excellent food, service and ambiance. A great new dinner spot near downtown Ventura read more

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Great ambiance and fantastic quality of food. Enjoyed a few shared plates with friends. Steak and the whole fish were delicious. Drinks top notch as well. read more

Surpassed all expectations. The atmosphere, service, & of course the food were all incredible. This is the restaurant Ventura had been missing for years. Our favorites were the tuna tartare with aioli and chips and short rib pappardelle *chefs kiss*. Can't wait to come back to this date night staple. read more

Model Citizen - Tuna tartare - New American Near Me - Ventura, California

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We've been to Model Citizen twice- and can't wait to go back! The atmosphere is clean and modern with a lively crowd that seems happy to be there. The staff is friendly and attentive. Both times we ordered family-style with our friends. A great way to order since everything is so delicious and you want to try a bite of each dish! It's a small, high-quality menu. The cocktails are creative and yummy too. read more

My husband proposed a date night and had this restaurant in mind since our daughter had just been there a previous night and wanted to give it a try. So on to Ventura we go. We were greeted at the door by a friendly hostess who sat us at a table that we didn't not request. We had, in our reservation request, asked for a booth to have some semblance of a "private" dinner at a restaurant. We showed the hostess our request, and she made her apologies and sat us in a bench like table smashed like sardines with other diners. Okay fine, we thought we'll make due. She announced that our server will be with us momentarily. Minus one star. Fifteen minutes later, we had our first encounter with our server. Not very friendly but, at least he showed up. Lol They were not extremely busy, so we didn't understand the reasoning for the wait. My husband noted there were plenty of people polishing glasses but not attending to diners. We placed our drink and appetizer orders which received in a moderately timed manner, but it took a process to get out main dinner order in. For our appetizers we orders Oysters and fresh loaf of bread~ this bread had the saltiest charred crust I've ever tasted. Again, my husband noted lots of employees polishing glass. Minus 2 stars. I ordered the Tuna Tartar and my husband ordered the Hanger Steak. The presentation of the meals were executed well, but they lacked in taste. Everything was salty. My husband is the person who over salts his food and I, on the other hand, do not. For my husband to complain about a salty meal means its been over salted. It was so salty it was inedible. But because we don't like to call attention to ourselves, we endured a a very salty meal. Minus 3 stars. The two stars given is to plenty of street parking and the hostess who was friendly to us. Never again will we return. We've had better tasting meals at bars. read more

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I'd really rate it a 3.5. It's a cute place but the food is just average. We got the sourdough bread with lemon butter, cucumbers and whipped feta, french fries, hanger steak, and heirloom chicken schnitzel. It wasn't bad but there's nothing that made my tastebuds water over. read more

Model Citizen - Sourdough + lemon butter. It was fine, not great. - New American Near Me - Ventura, California

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Service, food. atmosphere are all on point! We celebrated a birthday dinner, 5 of us! Started with two orders of fresh focaccia with olive oil and mozzarella, followed with a Butter leaf salad (pistachio granola, avocado, and the perfect lime vinaigrette), , a Caesar sands that was ofc the charts. and a Japanese sweet potato curry starter. All were excellent., great flavor and generous portions. Followed with their rigatoni, à la vodka w sausage, two orders of gnocchi with pancetta, the hanger steak and the fresh crab linguini. Thoughtfully prepared and served . Then toasted to a cake I brought, they did the whole thing, right - lighting candles, singing, happy birthday and plates for us to serve. Really appreciated the staff community. Everyone was so kind and attentive! Thank you MS! read more

Just left and was compelled to leave a review. service was excellent and the food did not disappoint. Will definitely return. Shout out to Hayden for going the extra mile. read more

GOOD THINGS: service...lemon tart THE DRINKS: small, carefully measured pours, small glasses that are half full OYSTERS were about the size of a quarter. Have never seen them this small SEATING: very close to others...at these prices don't enjoy sitting on a high, backless iron stool SHORT RIB PAPARADELLE: didn't taste like anything. Bland. DUCK PROSCIUTTO: served on a large piece of bread that was hard to eat OVERALL: left feeling we didn't get our money's worth. read more

Always tasty. Innovative menus and the drinks program has always been their strength. Could be pricy but worth it if you enjoy a friendly vibe with good provisions. read more

Always wanted to try this place and finally did! We had excellent service, drinks, and food. We got the ahi tuna crudo and the sea bass ceviche and it was amazing, definitely recommend. Excited to add this place into our rotation. read more

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Last night we dined at Model Citizen for the first time with some friends. There were six of us total and we had a reservation for 7:15. The hostess was very polite, but they did not have a record of our reservation. I showed her the confirmation email and she apologized and was able to get us a table just a few minutes late. The server took our drink orders and let us know that the restaurant was out of the halibut, the tuna tartar and broiled oysters. We ordered cocktails, beer, sour dough loaf, raw oysters, the whipped brie, fries for the table, baby gem salad, caesar salad, 2 chicken schnitzel's and 2 NY steak's. The bread, oysters and the whipped Brie were good. The baby gem salad was great. The server should have informed us that the schnitzel's came with a large amount of caesar salad on top of the chicken, so we didn't need the separate order. Also, be aware that their version of a caesar salad is made with Radicchio which is a red leafed lettuce that is on the bitter side. The schnitzel had a crispy panko batter and was good. The NY's came out rare when we ordered medium rare, they were grisly and they came with fries on top as they ran out of onion rings too. also ran out of the IPA two of our party were drinking. All in all, very disappointed as one of our parties' co-workers had told her they thought it was one of the best restaurants in Ventura. Personally, I wouldn't even put it in the top ten. The manager came and spoke to us and took one of the steaks off the bill. He was very apologetic, but there are obviously some back of the house problems if you're running out of that many items on a Saturday night. read more