Reviews - First Oak
Reviews summary
First and Oak in Solvang received mostly positive reviews, with many praising the delicious food and top-notch service. Customers particularly enjoyed the flavorful dishes, such as the Roasted Cauliflower, Breast of Duck, and Chocolate Honey mousse. The restaurant was also commended for its cozy atmosphere and excellent staff, with one diner even mentioning the friendly service provided by Benjamin. While some mentioned small portion sizes and a lackluster steak dish, overall, First and Oak was highly recommended for a romantic dining experience. The restaurant's beautiful interior, outdoor dining area, and well-priced wine selection were also highlighted, making it a hidden gem worth visiting multiple times. With a Victorian feel and professional service, First Oak's five-course tasting menu was considered one of the best values in Santa Barbara county. Overall, customers expressed satisfaction with the sensational food, service, and experience, making this restaurant a must-visit in Solvang for a memorable meal.
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Reviews from various users
Last update : 02.04.2025
Absolutely awesome. A really nice Ambiente. Super friendly staff. A chef who’s really good. And overall. It’s worth the price. With every dollar.
Leanne was our waitress, not sure if I spelled that correctly. But at any rate, she was AMAZING!! By far, she was the best part of our evening. She made us laugh and had the best recommendations. Also, she went above and beyond to make sure we found a wineor a dish that we would love. This restaurant is cozy. It’s expensive, but it’s lovely. The atmosphere of the indoor seatingarea was delightful, the sea bass delicious, and the Brussels amazing. I highly recommend!!
Me and my girl went there for dinner. The food were spectacular although the serving was small. Benjamin was super friendly, he didn’t charged us for the wines because the heater we requested wasn’t working. This is a must go to whenever you’revisiting Solvang or if you’re looking for a romantic dinner.
Celebrated our anniversary with their 5 course dinner with wine pairing and it was phenomenal! The staff was very friendly and the cook was definitely working their magic in the kitchen. Highly recommend experiencing this restaurant for yourself.
My wife and I love coming to Solvang but hadn't been here yet. They offer both a standard menu as well as the tasting menu we had. It's a 5 course menu including the last one being dessert. They do offer a wine pairing as well. Most businesses nearbyare closed if you come here for dinner service being that the location of the streets First and Oak is more removed from themain highway road and Copenhagen where you'll find majority of Solvangs businesses. The restaurant is a Michelin Plate awardedestablishment for anyone interested, one below the highest award of a Star. Overall the food was very good and the service justas good. There is enough complexity and nuance in each dish to make you want to dig in for more and that's one of the truemeasures of a good dish. If you value a fine dining experience in Solvang, I'd highly recommend coming here.
Last update : 16.09.2024
We haven't been back in 5 years and it was equally as exceptional. The cuisine is so inspired... Every course was a masterpiece, from the delicate amuse-bouche to the impeccably plated mains. Each bite offered layers of complex flavors, artfully presented with precision. The five-course tasting menu left a lasting impression of indulgence. Our server was brilliant and so thoughtful. best restaurant in Solvang hands down.
We were up in Los Olivos area for a couple of days. Enjoyed a great dinner at First Oak. Was the 5 course prix fixe. Food was nicely coursed out, quite flavorful, and portions the right size. Will go back.
The food was delicious and the staff exceeded all expectations! We dined for our 1yr anniversary. Every member of staff congratulated us and made us feel incredibly valued. We came for the food which more than delivered! and were deeply moved by the thoughtful people who made the experience truly special.
What an amazing experience. From start to finish the staff was incredible! Welcoming, knowledgeable and attentive. And now for the food .. outstanding! Every course was not only delicious but the presentation was great too.We had a beautiful day trip to Solvang and ended with this delicious meal in a lovely spot. Next time we will stay the night their hotel where the restaurant is located. Beautiful boutique hotel on a quiet corner just a short walk from the downtown area. So happy to have found this little gem!
We had the 3 course meal and it was fabulous. I had the halibut and my husband had the beef. Our waitress was so friendly and helpful! Not cheap but for a special occasion a must!
Last update : 10.08.2024
We dined at First Oak on a quiet Monday evening. Each of us choose a different selection so we could share and taste it all. We opted for the five course menu and really liked the kimchi cracklins', poached asparagus, scallop, and both 4th course entrees. We had a local Pinto Nior from the Pence winery. The services was on very timely without making us feel rushed.
Six of us had a lovely Cinco de Mayo dinner Sunday night!. We all ordered variations of the 3 course tasting menu. Food was fabulous! Service was very attentive and top-notch. An enjoyable time was had by all!
Lovely experience from start to finish. Both entrees the lamb duo and sea bass were fantastic. Starters were way better than I expected. Particularly the cauliflower. Will be back to try the 5 course with wine pairing.
Quaint adorable Hotel Restaurant all in one sweet package. You don't find these lil treasures anymore. Michelin status delectable experience
Such a delicious experience! 5 courses with a wine pairing, well worth it. One of the only times I've left full after a coursed dinner. Most of my past experiences have had very skimpy plates. Not here though. They did an amazing job ??
Last update : 22.11.2023
Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5
We had a very nice quiet dinner here. We were looking for a dinner dining place in Solvang, and this didn't disappoint. It's in a quaint hotel. You can sit inside or out. The bread looked delicious, but we didn't want to fill up. I loved my scallops, and my friend loved her halibut. The side of potatoes and the cream were amazing. Don't forget to get he dessert as well. I'd love to come back here for sure. Service: Dine in
First Oak is an excellent choice for a romantic dinner. Be sure to order plates to share, and make a reservation in advance. The food, service, and atmosphere are all outstanding. Highly recommend trying the homemade bread and duck. Dinner typically costs between $50 and $100 per person.
Service: Dine-in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $50–100 Food: 4 Service: 3 Atmosphere: 4 Recommended dishes: Duck Wings, Duck
The restaurant exudes a cozy bed and breakfast atmosphere, with our spacious yet comfortable room. The location is perfect, situated on a peaceful street within walking distance to restaurants, shops, and popular tourist sites in Solvang. Our experience was top-notch, with excellent ratings for the rooms, service, and location - all receiving a perfect score of 5.
Last update : 22.11.2023
Food was sensational...Service was sensational... GREAT EXPERIENCE We were too tired to drive back to Beverly Hills after wine tasting all day so we booked a room and heard about this dinner spot from the winery that my friend is a member of. It did not disappoint..caviar, avocado butter/bread, pork, beef tenderloin, and insanely delicious Passion fruit tart. I can't recommend this place enough.... GO EAT! Thank me later
Great tasting dinner in an inviting venue on the ground level of the Mirabelle hotel in Solvang. Friendly service, indoor and outdoor tables. Wine from associated winery is excellent and well priced. First Oak is a hidden gem.
Outstanding cuisine with impeccable presentation. Dining inside, we appreciated the Victorian ambiance of the room, which perfectly complemented the experience. The service was relaxed but thoroughly professional, matching the high standards of Central California. We savored the five-course tasting menu, which may be the best value in Santa Barbara County. We’ll definitely return.
First Oak is truly top-notch and well-deserved! Its charming and unforgettable atmosphere will have you coming back again and again!
Dining at First Oak truly makes you feel like you've stepped into a special place! The dinner lighting creates a wonderful ambiance. The food was outstanding, and the service was excellent.
Last update : 06.05.2023
My wife and I love coming to Solvang, but they haven't been here yet. They offer both a standard menu and the tasting menu we had. It is a 5-course menu with the last dessert. They also offer a wine pairing. Most companies nearby are closed when you come to dinner service, as the location of First and Oak is more from the main street and Copenhagen, where you will find the majority of Solvangs companies. The restaurant is a Michelin plate that has been awarded for each interested, one under the highest award of a star. Overall, the food was very good and the service was just as good. There is enough complexity and nuance in each court to dig you for more and this is one of the true measures of a good court. If you appreciate a good culinary experience in Solvang, I would recommend coming here.
I and my girl went to dinner. The food was spectacular, although the portion was small. Benjamin was super friendly, he didn't blame us for the wines because the heating we wanted didn't work. This is a must whenever you are? Visit Solvang or if you are looking for a romantic dinner.
Leanne was our waitress, not sure if I wrote that right. But at least she was AMAZING!! So far, she was the best part of our evening. She let us laugh and had the best recommendations. She also went beyond and beyond to make sure that we found a wine or a dish that we would love. This restaurant is cozy. It's expensive, but it's nice. The atmosphere of the indoor seating area was delightful, the sea bass delicious, and the Brussels amazing. I recommend!!
Absolutely awesome. A really nice Ambiente. Super friendly staff. A chef who?s really good. And overall. It?s worth the price. With every dollar.
Mostly positive ?.. I really liked MOST of the food but the steak was a HUGE miss and cannot be overlooked. At 56 dollars- it should be a crime to serve a 7 ounce fatty steak cut in pieces. I never complain about food and I didn?t. I paid for it and let the server know, but she didn?t care- it?s fine. I say go for the experience- skip the steak. Our dinner was close to 300 for 2 with 3 glasses of wine. They allow dogs and that?s a huge plus for us.
