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We went for an early dinner, and the staff welcomed us warmly, giving us the most adorable window-side spot. I still can't get over the breathtaking view--it truly set the tone for the evening! We opted for the three-course vegetarian menu, and it was an interesting experience. * The first course was absolutely mind-blowing--creative, flavorful, and a perfect start to the meal. * The main course was a pasta dish with butter and squash--a unique take, though it was just okay for us. * Dessert was a showstopper. My husband and I chose different desserts, and both were so refined, intricate, and delicious that we found ourselves wanting more! One downside was that they don't offer a non-alcoholic pairing menu, just regular sodas, which felt like a missed opportunity. That being said, I can see why Michelin has recognized them. Their menu is original, thoughtfully curated, and full of rich, defined flavors. While not every dish was a hit for us, the experience overall was still very special, thanks to the stunning ambiance, warm hospitality, and beautifully crafted dishes.
We were celebrating and First & Oak has vegan options - the deciding factor for the birthday boy. It's a gourmet, very fine, classy and expensive restaurant attached to a small inn, and smart-casual dress is adequate. The service from everyone was gracious, accommodating and respectful. We ordered from their three-course menu and that was more than enough for us - they also offered a five-course menu. My wife never enjoyed oysters as much as theirs. My younger son and I were equally impressed by their beef fillet over succotash, so it didn't need the au jus served with it, but it was just another taste option. And this menu was all about tasting. Most were very good-to-great, except for me the carrot molé was too spicy and the passion fruit compote was too sweet. We also enjoyed their homemade sourdough bread and garlic butter. My wife loved their chenin blanc wine and I loved their Austrian lager. It seemed obvious to us that they try to offer la crème de la crème of everything.
Surprised a Michelin Star restaurant was located in Solvang of all places. The wait staff are professional and live up to the service standards expected from a Michelin Star experience. The host/receptionist were polite but cold. They acted like they're used to seeing particular regulars. I ordered a three-course dinner. First course: They didn't have the course I wanted. So we ended up getting cauliflower and beets. The cauliflower was excellent, which is surprising since I don't usually like cauliflower. The beets disappointed me, but I liked that they were topped with meringue. The second course I had a fish of the day and a beef tenderloin. The beef tenderloin was great. The fish was even better. Especially the soup that came with it. Dessert was a weak link as well. My cake was nothing special. The meringue with honeycomb was delicious.
I came here with two friends, and we had an absolutely wonderful time! I loved their tasting menu, and we chose to do the wine pairing. Be forewarned, the wine pairing will get you drunk if you are a lightweight like me! The wines were lovely, the food was excellent, the ambience is beautiful. This is the perfect special occasion place, or come here for no reason. I would come back to Solvang just to eat here.
My girlfriend and I were visiting Solvang the weekend before Thanksgiving and happened to stay at the Mirabelle Inn. Part of the reason I booked our stay there was because I had noticed first and Oak was downstairs. We had made a reservation for Sunday night at 7:30. We arrived right on time and were promptly seated. The restaurant itself is on the first floor of the hotel right by the front entrance. It quaint, and cozy - perfect for an intimate dinner with your partner or dinner with a smaller group. The menu is split between two tasting menus - a three course option and a five course option, both of which showcase the ingredients native to the Santa Ynez Valley. We ended up going with the five course menu. One thing to note, the staff were extremely flexible with the menu and have alternatives for any dietary restrictions members of your party may have. My girlfriend is vegetarian and the staff effortlessly replaced items on the tasting menu with tasteful and elegant alternatives. Course by course breakdown: For our first course, I got the oyster and my girlfriend got a vegetarian starter of a watermelon crudo. This oyster was one of best oysters I've had in my lifetime - the tomatillo gelee was a perfect accoutrement that cut through the saltiness and brininess of the oyster. I only wish there were more on the plate. The watermelon crudo was refreshing and light - a good vegetarian alternative to whet the appetite In the second course I got the hamachi crudo and girlfriend got a little gem salad with green goddess dressing. The hamachi crudo visually was elegant and came together very well. The highlight of this course though was surprisingly the little gem salad. My girlfriend says she still dreams about that green goddess dressing. It was nutty, salty and rich - a salad has no business being this good. I'd try asking for this as an alternative if you can. The third course was our last starter - the vegetarian option was the truffle roasted cauliflower and the non veg option was seared scallop. The truffle roasted cauliflower was another stand out vegetarian option - the flavors were all super punchy while remaining well balanced. The scallop was also amazing - seared to perfection , and played really well with the creamy corn espuma. For our entree, I got the beef tenderloin and my girlfriend got the ricotta cavatelli. The pasta was fresh and had a good bite to it. The flavor profile was a nice balance between sweet and savory. The beef tenderloin was delicious - cooked to a perfect medium. It was extremely savory and went really well with the potato puree and chard. To wrap up our meal i got the wine cake with braised plum and my girlfriend got the chocolate and honey. Honestly ... it was perfection. On top of all of the incredible food we had during the meal - the service here was top notch. Everyone was extremely attentive and tended to any asks we had. All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience at First and Oak. Even if you are not staying at the Mirabelle Inn, this is a can't miss dining experience in Solvang and its place on the Michelin guide is well deserved. Photos do not do it justice, you have to try it for yourself. Do yourself a favor a stop by here.
First & Oak - A Hidden Culinary Gem in Solvang's Mirabelle Inn: Some restaurants surprise you the moment you walk through the door. First & Oak, nestled inside Solvang's charming Mirabelle Inn, is one of those places--but not for the reasons you might expect. We arrived through the main entrance of the Inn, greeted by what seemed like the front desk receptionist, who momentarily thought we were checking in for the night. In fact, we were there to check out the restaurant. That small jostle--being seated by reception and escorted into what felt more like a wing of the hotel lobby than a standalone dining room--was our first clue that this was going to be an unconventional experience. But if you think for a moment that this unusual entrance would reflect the quality of the food, let me stop you right there: it doesn't. Not even close. The food at First & Oak is nothing short of exquisite. From the moment they placed the iron cast teapot on the table--a sign of true dining thoughtfulness--I knew we were in good hands. Each dish was a mini-masterpiece: contemporary, playful, and crafted with precision. The creams were luxuriously dense, the oils rich and fragrant, the textures perfectly balanced--every element shining on its own while harmonizing beautifully on the plate. One dish arrived with what looked like pine nuts nestled under a cloud of creamy goat cheese, so inventive we weren't even sure how to name it--but we knew it was delicious. Another paired crisp, colorful endive with a savory whipped goat cheese, balancing citrus and mint with clever restraint. The pasta came crowned with whisper-thin parmesan and greens so fresh they seemed to have been plucked that morning. Every plate carried a bold yet delicate creativity that delighted without overwhelming--a quiet culinary confidence. And yet, here's where First & Oak could truly shine brighter: the environment doesn't quite rise to meet the elegance of the cuisine. The fluorescent lighting near the entrance, the proximity to the front desk, and the absence of clear separation between lobby and dining space all slightly dilute the magic of the food. A few simple shifts--warmer, ambient lighting; a soft divider to create intimacy; a little more ceremony at the threshold--would allow the dining experience to fully reflect the caliber of what's coming from the kitchen. Because the food here deserves that. It deserves a stage as graceful as the performance it delivers. First & Oak: A hidden gem ready to step fully into its own spotlight.
First and Oak was so cute and nice. It's below a hotel and seats are limited. I would highly recommend getting a reservation. We ordered the course menu. We had oyster, tuna crudo, cauliflower, seared scallop, and beef. For dessert, we ordered chocolate and honey and passionfruit cheesecake. The cauliflower was so good and I can understand why it was recommended to us. It truly tasted like art and there were so many flavors in my mouth. I would have to say this was my favorite dish of the night. The beef was also pretty good and tasty. However, I was disappointed by the tuna crudo. I was looking forward to this but I was really shocked by how they cut it. They cut the raw fish into small pieces. The tuna crudo that I've had in the past were cut in bigger chunks and more in thin strips so it's juicy and tasty when its in your mouth. The taste of the crudo at first and oak was so disappointing. I just felt like there wasn't much flavor and the cut was so tiny and thick. The scallops were also pretty disappointing. It didn't really go well with the beets. Very interesting taste. The dessert was so good. I loved both the chocolate and honey and passionfruit. My favorite would have to be the passionfruit cheesecake. It was a very satisfying and clean taste. Perfect to end the dinner!!
Quiet little restaurant in Solvang. Easily missed but definitely worth a try! We were seated quickly as we had reservations and the options were a three course or five course meal. We opted to try all the dishes on the menu and nothing disappointed. Our favorites were the roasted cauliflower, cavatelli, and the pan seared scallop. The wine cake was always fantastic - perfectly sweet and the ice cream paired well with it.
We stopped here for the 5 course dinner on a Saturday night in Solvang. We sat outside on the patio. It was a lovely evening and there were heaters if we got cold. Sadly, there was no bar - but beer & wine are available. We each had a glass of wine, but skipped the pairing as we had been wine tasting earlier. Oyster was the first course. And everyone was happy with it. The Trufgle Cauliflower was amazing, maybe my favorite dish. I had the Cavatelli and Beef Tenderloin. Service was prompt and each dish was explained on delivery. It was a lovely evening.
DO NOT MISS THIS PLACE. What an amazing experience. Normally going someplace with a fixed menu isn't our style but the reviews were outstanding and figured we try something different to celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary. We choose to do the five course dinner. Very quiet romantic place inside with some seating outside. We were seated outside which was nice but got cooler into the evening. By the end of dinner I almost asked them to turn on the patio heater.... Anyway each course came out at a nice pace that wasn't rushed and each course was just incredible. From the kimchi crisp, the cauliflower, the scallop and everything else, was just perfect and amazing. The staff was knowledgeable of what they were serving and super friendly. If you're looking to celebrate a special occasion this place is a must try. Oh and don't forget to make a reservation. A few people were turned away to come back later.
1 year ago
2 years ago
We visited First & Oak based on a recommendation from Crawford Family Wines and we were very happy with our meal! My boyfriend and I decided to order one of each on the menu to try everything. The halibut was a dream, along with the persimmon dish, definitely my two favorite. The scallop and bread were tasty, the short rib unfortunately was a bit dry and the gnocchi texture was a bit off for me. Presentation on the mushroom sabayon was so fun and the tart was definitely my favorite dessert! Service was excellent, the staff were friendly and attentive! The restaurant, which is housed in a hotel is quaint. I can't speak for the dining room as we were seated outside and while the night was chilly, the heaters kept us nice and warm. Overall, very enjoyable meal! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
The food was superior and delicious! I had the five course meal which is an amazing experience. I loved very bite of it and had great service from the staff. I couldn't leave without and extra order of the duck wings + angel cake dessert. I would definitely recommend this experience and restaurant! Great atmosphere and mood (special occasions, dates, or even if you want to taste just great food). Will be coming back! read more
3 years ago
We originally had 6pm reservations but needed to change to 7pm and when I spoke with Tim, he said that would not be a problem at all (I was so grateful that they could be so accommodating). I wish I could give a 10 star review on our experience last night. First, I want say what a pleasure our server was (I am so sorry that I forgot her name). She had the most infectious smile and beyond attentive. Started off with delicious bread and butter puréed with Avocado & Olive Oil ( I was yearning for more). We then started with the 5 course tasting menu (see attached menu) and everything was cooked to PERFECTION!! The food was so delicious I only took photos of the Beef Tenderloin & the Chocolate and Honey dessert. I never tried Caviar and was quite hesitant, but to my surprise it was not salty at all. It was paired with Crème Fraîche & Chips. Our server also had an attendant who brought out all of our dishes and explained each component which was a very nice touch. Finally, the ambiance was so peaceful and the background music was just perfect. If you venture to Solvang, you must go to First & Oak Restaurant, your experience will be top notch. Reservations a must. They have outdoor seating as well. Thank you to everyone for a memorable evening!! read more
8 months ago
1 year ago
Saturday dinner with friends. It's a nice walk from the center of town to this restaurant located in a quaint and chic hotel. We dined al fresco. It was a perfect night to do so. This was one of those meals in which you wished you had an extra stomach or two so you can try the other items on the menu because the items you just ate were SO GOOD! So good! I can't tell you which was my favorite. I enjoyed everything. I will always favor the oysters and the bread service. Every course was delicious. The wait staff was also great and knowledgeable. In fact, they gave us a voucher for their sister company -Coquelicot Tasting Room in Los Olivos! Recommendation: Plan a trip to Solvang. Book a dinner reservation. read more
One of the top 20 meals I think I've ever had. My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate our 5 year anniversary, and we were hoping for a timeless dining experience. First & Oak pulled through for us! We got a beautiful table inside the dining room, right next to a window. We decided to do the 5 course seasonal tasting menu. Amuse Bouche: Potato and Leek Bisque with homemade bread and avocado butter. The soup was so creamy and delicious. It was served in a small bowl meant to be sipped so we were not given spoons. After hearing our waiter explain this to practically every table in the restaurant, I'm not sure why they've committed to this plating since there's a hefty garnish in the middle that made it a bit challenging to finish. From the Garden: Roasted Cauliflower. Loved it, I get why they're famous for this dish. Not sure it needed raisins, but still great. From the Sea: Pan Seared Salmon. It was a little unevenly cooked, I have to admit. One end was pretty medium-well, while the other was medium-rare (how I prefer it). From the Land: New York Strip. Wonderful and the perfect portion. I don't know who can eat an entire smoked shallot on its own, but it tasted great for a few bites. To Finish: Meyer Lemon Cheesecake. I wish I wasn't so full by the time we got to dessert! I couldn't finish the cheesecake, but the vanilla bean whipped cream was so lovely and light. Overall, the silliest thing that confused me was their plating techniques. 3/5 dishes were served in bowls. Salmon? Bowl. Steak? Bowl. Cheesecake? Bowl. All things that required you to cut something. It was just oddly clunky and made it difficult to eat. I would love to come back next time I'm in the area. I probably wouldn't do the tasting menu again, because at the end of the day we could have spent the same amount of money and gotten full size portions of many more dishes to taste. I also was secretly hoping there would be scallops on the tasting menu, but I didn't get lucky. Next time!! Thank you for a wonderful and memorable meal! read more
The Michelin star restaurant served impeccable food that was cooked to perfection." The presentation of the dishes and explanation of each dish made it very enticing. George our server was very polite. We enjoyed the quaint outside patio seating that was dog friendly along with the romantic music piped in from the old fashioned Inn located above. Now to the food. The appetizer was a truffle roasted cauliflower that was delicious. The bread with the avocado butter dip was awesome, I only wish that they would have refilled the 4 pieces, that gave us each a slice. The Kimchi Cracklings with the heavenly dip were out of this world delicious. My main dish was the Braised Lamb Scallion and a Petite Cut of Lamb Chop. I prefer the chop a little more golden brown rather than raw. The asparagus were crunchy and the Kumamoto Oyster was flavorful even though there was only one. The Passion Fruit Tart Dessert was a bit tangy for my sweet tooth but I liked the texture. My wife enjoyed the light and creamy Chocolate Mousee. We paired the food with a bottle of Viongier ( pronounced vee-aa-nyay) from Fess Parker's Rodney's Vineyard in Santa Barbara County. The dress was casual which made for a delightful and comfortable evening along with the space heaters that kept the night cozy since it was a bit windy and chilly outside. And that's the rest of this Danish Storybook Story. Godnat ! read more
We arrived at 6:10 for our 6:30 reservation. We were told that we would be seated in 10 minutes, so we sat in the reception area. We were not seated until 6:28. The table was empty the entire time. I have no idea why we had to wait in the lobby area. Unfortunately, this set the tone for our dinner. We were seated outside, which was fine but the chairs are like spiders nests. There are definitely webs in those, so beware. Kimchi cracklings, heirloom tomato, brussels sprouts, wild diver scallops, chocolate and honey were all just okay. Server was good, I was expecting much less. read more
First & Oak is in the charming Mirabelle Inn. Outdoor sidewalk dining during the Pandemic in a quiet side street in the fantasy Danish Town of Solvang. Devon was our friendly, warm, hospitable waitress who made our stay comfortable and enhanced our culinary experience. 1) Confit Potatoes are like small new potatoes fried in light cooking oil until they are firmer yet become creamy as you chew. Almost whipped airy Crème Fraîche/fermented cream to dip the potato. Grated Manchego cheese & diced green onions add a slight dairy Umami & sulfur based funk. I would have sprinkled some Pico de Gallo chile powder to add an earthy piquancy to awaken some of the earthy flavour of the potato. 2) Heirloom Tomatoes at their summer peak, sun ripened on the vine for more sweetness and deeper tomato acidic fruitiness & fragrance. Topped with roasted white sesame seeds for toasty nuttiness in a agrodolce/sweet sourness. 3) Duck Breast thickly sliced, bit more than medium rare showing a beautiful pink sunset in the center against the outer brown meat. Three layered: Center is meaty with a gaminess. There is a layer that releases tasty fat, and the skin adds a chewy, rich fattiness. Nice salting makes the entire breast release more tasty duck gamey Umami. Small baby carrots roasted in what may be chicken bouillon, buttered and covered with finely chopped sweet, green herbal Italian parsley. Smear of puréed sweet celery root. Couldn't dicern the Chermoula which is a north African spice blend principaly featuring cumin. 4) Tête de Moine/head of monk: Originally made by monks of Bellelay around 12th Century in the Jura French speaking section of Switzerland. Semi hard, unpasteurized cow milk, made only by 10 cheese dairies. The cheese is shaved to form thin ribbons in the shape of rosettes to increase the surface area for more oxygen exposure to release higher levels of fermented, barnyard, ammonia, mothball scents. Accompaniments are cabbage like cooked cauliflower purée, sweet plumped raisins, toasted crunchy Marcona almonds, thin, crunchy toasted mini baguette slices. The Sea Smoke Pinot Noir forced the funky cheese to explode in the mouth. 1-4a) Gracious Super Yelper Isobel L. brought a local Sea Smoke Pinot Noir that paired excellently to the entire meal. Deep garnet colors more common in Rhône wines. Notes of blackberries, currants, touch blueberry, slight earthy forest, bit of diesel. Very juicy, fruity with high alcohol "heat". There is a hint of hot growing temperatures at play. 5) Seasonal Dessert: Intense Blood Orange Confit on top of the tart filled with pudding-like Vanilla Crème Patisserie. Sweet strawberries and juicy black berries. 5a) Demitasse of Espresso, rich, mellow, bitter, roasted subtle smokiness. Languorous summer heatwave night with crickets happily chirping rhythmically to the beat of approaching autumn little knowing that the end of the pleasant estival days will soon be over. 4+ stars PS Can't upload photos easily since Yelp no longer allows me to access my Google Photos app. read more
3 years ago
1 year ago
Came here last month to have dinner with my husband and puppers during our vacation. Yes! They are dog friendly and have outdoor seating! We made reservations online for dinner at 5:30PM! We were seated right away and each table has a heater nearby so you can stay warm. The outdoors area is super charming and cute too. We decided to share several dishes: Homemade bread - This came with avocado butter! The bread was really delicious and done quite well. Though I'm not sure if we'd order this again. While delicious -- it's not super special. Butternut squash bisque - Yummy and light. When I think of bisque, I think of something creamy and heavy but this is not the case! Slightly sweet with savory tones. It also had a butternut squash ravioli at the bottom! What a nice surprise! Chopped baby gem - This was light and super delicious! It had pieces of pistachio and herbs on them, which made it nutty and aromatic. This was super refreshing! Definitely order this! Wild diver scallops - Hand made linguini, cilantro, and soy veoute. This is a must order! The flavors were excellent and the savoriness/umaminess to this is outstanding! The scallops were cooked perfect! Texture was perfect! The "linguini" was more like fettuccini and overcooked. I think it would have been more amazing if it was al dente. Regardless, super delicious! Definitely a must order! Prices are reasonable for the quality, ambience, and service. The service was fantastic! I would not hesitate to come back! Such yummy food! read more
3 years ago
Just happened to be in town during SYV Restaurant Week and picked First & Oak since they had the most interesting menu. $50 for an appetizer, main and dessert - we probably would not have come here if it weren't for this deal and I'm glad that we did! Their usual 5 course tasting menu is $85 and I would definitely pay that if I were in the area again and looking for a fine dining experience. Pretty affordable compared to other tasting menus I've done in the LA area and the food did not disappoint. Butternut squash soup and beet + citrus salad were both unexpectedly delicious. It's not easy to make soup and salad interesting, but First & Oak hit the nail on the head. The duck was perfectly cooked and the accompanying saucy farro paired well - the roasted grapes were intriguing. Catch of the day (halibut) was moist and buttery (sous vide) but the truffle dashi was the star of this dish. Desserts were tasty, but I was less impressed by them (although, I'm hardly ever impressed by desserts). The honeycomb crumble was a fun treat - it reminded me of the center of a butterfinger bar, but fancier! read more
5 years ago
Came here on my birthday for dinner last week, while in Solvang. Cutest little restaurant in a 13 room hotel, which makes you feel like you are in Europe! The service is great and the atmosphere is beautiful. We ordered the risotto and the salmon they had on special and both were scrumptious. The salmon was cooked skin on and topped with a delicious cream sauce, sprinkled with edible flowers and corn. Every bite was perfect! Presentation on all the food was gorgeous and everything paired together perfectly. This is definitely a place to go to celebrate an occasion! read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
1 year ago
We had a great dinner here! Food were amazing, service was spectacular! Just make sure to book your reservation! read more
2 years ago
First and Oak was simply amazing! They sat us outside as they welcomed our dog and we loved sitting under the bistro lights sipping wine and eating the 5 course menu! The food the chef prepared was absolute PERFECTION along with the quaint ambiance made our dinner at First and Oak the highlight of our entire Solvang trip! If you're planning a trip to Solvang, First and Oak must be on your list! read more
On a recent wine tasting excursion to Santa Barbara County, Gold Elite Yelper Gary I suggested dinner at First and Oak in Solvang. I was a bit hesitant initially, mainly because the last time I'd been to Solvang (many years ago, to be honest), the local cuisine was nothing to write home about. But times change, in case you hadn't noticed. Solvang can now claim to have a Michelin Plate restaurant, the one and only First and Oak. We dined at First and Oak during the COVID-19 pandemic and were impressed with the health and safety precautions. Our tables were outside on the patio/sidewalk, all personnel donned masks and gloves, and social distancing was maintained. The atmosphere was quite lovely; the restaurant itself is on the first floor of a boutique hotel and has a hospitable and relaxing vibe. Service is on point; all our questions were answered, special accommodations for corkage were provided with no problems whatsoever, and every dish was cooked to perfection. In these pandemic times, I especially appreciated that our server Devon truly took time to converse with us and to share her knowledge of local wines and wineries I won't describe each dish in detail as the menu changes; I will say that our dinner was absolutely fantastic. You can create your own tasting menu here http://firstandoak.com/ and tailor your menu to your taste. I feel that First and Oak is on par with any tasting menu restaurant in Los Angeles and would not be surprised if it moves up the Michelin hierarchy one day (Bib Gourmand? A star or two?), assuming it survives this horrible pandemic. Reservations essential. Street parking. read more
2 years ago
This is my absolute favorite restaurant! Ever! I have been here 4 times and introduced a new friend each time. We All LOVE IT! So this last time not only were my tastebuds tantalized, surprised, titillated and more than satisfied. My man who (like me) has a palate thats hard to please, was electrified with excitement at how DELICIOUS this place is. Michelin stars were well deserved. Absolute YUMMINESS oh and the wine pairing was Spot On! read more
2 years ago
Amazing atmosphere. Very hospitable and customer service was beyond 5 star. The food is so delicious and artistic. This is the second time I have been, I have done the 5 course and now the 3 course and I am blown away. I will definitely be back. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
4 years ago
This place is cozy and romantic but the food is horrible don't try the risotto It gave me diarrhea read more
Business owner information
Jonathan R.
Hi Lilian, I am sorry to hear something may have not agreed with you.…
4 years ago
This is a great find in Solvang! We enjoyed the Chef's Tasting with a wine pairing. Everything was delicious and the wines were matched perfectly. The service was attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. We sat outside and the ambiance was lovely, especially as the sun went down. read more
4 years ago
My friend wanted to try out a fine dining experience she'd read about. Reservations were available online and easily updated as plans changed. The entrance was a little difficult to find but once inside we found an intimate, quiet setting. Service was hushed and swift. Each of us enjoyed our chosen entree but the desserts were out of this world. My only hesitation with returning is that the entrees weren't memorable as you'd expect with the fine dining price tag. read more
3 years ago
The Best of the Best and you deserve it!! Quaint memorable experience will have you returning sooner than later! read more
3 years ago
All I can say is WOW! The chef's tasting menu was out of this world delicious. Every course was a stand-out on both the regular and vegetarian tasting menu. The vegetarian menu was very well composed, which is so important - sometimes the vegetarian option can be more of an afterthought. Incredible food, quality, service, and value for the price. We left feeling full but not stuffed, it was the perfect amount of food. I can't wait to visit again! read more
3 years ago
If you find yourself in Solvang, you don't want to miss out on First & Oak. 5 of us and a baby came out for a 70th birthday over the weekend and had an incredible experience. We ordered the tasting menu with wine pairings; every dish was unique and exceptionally delicious and the wines paired so well with each of them. The service we got from Amanda was exactly the kind you would expect from a restaurant of this quality; welcoming, attentive, knowledgeable, and fun. She really added to our experience here. Great ambiance as well. Again, when staying in Solvang, make time for First & Oak! read more
4 years ago
Lovely outdoor dining on a mid-summer night. We ordered roasted cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, risotto, sea bass, and the chocolate honey dessert. I got cocqulieot Sauvignon blanc and my husband got the Malbec. We didn't order the breads because ... carbs, but it looked delicious. Ok. Let me just say. The cauliflower purée is the reason this restaurant has a Michelin star. I want to eat that everyday for the rest of my life. Like, it's "deserted on an island and you can only bring 5 foods" good. The risotto is your favorite soup and a warm slice of buttered bread all tossed into a bowl of rich creamy comfort. Even on a summer day, you can eat this. It's that good. The Brussels - meh. The menu said it had manchego but it had Parmesan on top and no other cheese so who knows what happened? Sea bass - light tasty. The summer squash and corn side dish was delicious. I could just eat a bowl of this and be happy. The chocolate honey is a mousse served with a side of mousse. The honeycomb cookie made me *almost* go to the back of the house and ask for the recipe. All told, this was a lovely way to spend $156 plus tip. read more
Pre-booked tasting menu for Sunday 2/13/22 at 6 before I realized it was Super Bowl. But hubby was ok with missing game for family dinner. We arrived 5 min late 6:05 and waited a few min. to be seated - family dinner for 4. Once seated it took well over 10 min before we were given water and asked re: drinks 1) There was a dead fly on window still that I made several comments but was NEVER taken away. I got so frustrated I went to bathroom to get paper towel to rid of fly myself. 2) Service between dishes was very slow. ~10-15 min between dishes. Arrived at 6:05 left at 8:48 Almost 3 hrs most of which waiting for next dish. 3) When looking for fresh ground pepper, couldn't find help - ended up eating without pepper on salad and for steak got tired of waiting and simply went over to service table and helped myself. Now for the food - 1 disappointed that bisque was potato & leek per online looking forward to lobster bisque. 2 - Gem salad was good but nothing special 3 - Catch of the Day happen to be salmon and this was the best well composed plate of entire meal. The shredded celery root mixed perfectly with greens and contrasted slightly sour (like lemon squeeze) against perfectly grilled salmon (tender red-pink inside and crispy skin). 4 - NY Steak grilled right but sauce not impressive. 5 - Dessert was a disappointment - chocolate mousse and honeycomb topping had the range of texture but it was way too sweet and too heavy. It was like eating sugar flavored heavy cream with crunchy sugar cube topping. This was our family's Valentines Dinner a day early and we were all disappointed. $340 plus 2 drinks and tax = $409. With tip it was $455 - I still gave. 10% tip even though I had to pick up dead fly and get Peppermill to serve myself so that I could eat a proper meal. read more
4 years ago
After hearing about the rave reviews of this place, we were excited to try it out. Unfortunately, we found our experience a little disappointing. For the two of us, an appetizer and 2 entrees (no drinks other than water and no dessert) with tip added up to over $100. For the price, we were expecting a great meal, but it ended up just being ok. The indoor and outdoor areas had a nice ambiance and great staff. None of the food was "bad" but the only thing my husband and I truly liked was his scallop dish. The appetizer was tasty but reminiscent of "dressed up" shrimp chips or prawn crackers for a premium. The dip it came with paired well so we were still optimistic. However, my halibut special with mixed vegetables was very dry. It was full of flavor but it didn't come together that well in my opinion. I might come again to try another dish but wasn't that impressed this time around. It felt a bit overpriced / overrated. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
This place made me wish I'm a vegetarian. All of the vegetable components are amazing. BUT they can't cook the protein to save a life. Don't let the rosy pink in the picture fool ya, the duck breast is beyond dry and can only be enjoyed with the carrot purée. The cauliflower and the rest of the vegetables are delicious, but I've had better meat from any generic markets. The environment and the service are great, too bad the meats missed the mark.. read more
This is my 2nd review, but I couldn't resist in adding another because of how damn delicious our meal was! This time we sat inside and it was much more comfortable than the patio! The whole place has a really nice vibe to it along with an excellent wait staff! We started with the duck wings and found them to be lacking actual meat and were overly cooked/fried. Let me tell you though, that roasted cauliflower starter was probably one of the best things I've put in my mouth in a long time! So delicious and complex! Husband got the beef tenderloin and he got goosebumps from how well it was cooked and how it tasted. I had the gnocchi which was so light and pillowy, just delicious!!! This will go on our repeat dinner destination when coming to Solvang! read more
More info about First & Oak
409 1st St
Solvang, CA 93463
Directions
(805) 688-1703
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https://firstandoak.com
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Ask the Community - First & Oak
Is it closing for good?
Unfortunately, yes. Their last day is 10/19. The building they are in has been sold:… Read more
Do they have gluten free options?
Hi, yes we do have plenty gluten free options. Please let us know when making your reservation. Hope to serve you soon!
Will the restaurant be open on Christmas Day?
We will be open Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day.
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Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
15 reviews that are not currently recommended
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First & Oak - newamerican - Updated May 2026
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