Concept: 4 stars Hor'dourves: 5 stars Dinner food: 1 star Food presentation: 1 star Service:3.5 stars Pricing: 3 stars Came here on a Friday night, I was really excited because this place had been bookmarked on my Yelp for a while. Unfortunately we left with disappointments. One thing I liked about this restaurant was that people do dress up to come here, which's rare in LA. I think that's how it supposed to be. I thought idea of the restaurant was great, loved the wine cellar and all the hor'dourves, which was the best part of the night. The idea of moving around was fun until we were moved too many times, which was a buzz kill and an appetite ruin. At some point we were just wondering and waiting around for them to reset the tables, it was totally unnecessary. After the hor'dourves, no food came out of the kitchen tasted good. Fast forward, I got steak as my main, the meat was treated, that's why it looked pink in the middle but was totally overcooked, it was chewy and dry. I had to send it back, the second one came out tasted exactly the same. So we just left.... For the price they charge I would expect some better quality meat or some special ingredients. Even thought the hor'dourves were yummy, but nothing was expensive. I think if you haven't been, give this place a try. To me, they served us "expensive wedding food". read more

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For a nice relaxing experience... this is the place! 5 course prefix menu paired with wine... in my opinion well balanced and decent food! The service was impeccable! Over all it was a great night out with a complete meal! They have a huge wine cellar with lots of stuff to chose from. Make reservations well ahead of time and enjoy a nice evening at the Honbbit! read more

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This review is about 5 years late... but you can tell how much this restaurant has left an impression on me if I'm still thinking about it 5 years later! The food was fantastic of course, but what I remember most about this place was the experience. I wanted to do something "fancy" for my birthday with my friends, so I reserved a table for 11 or 12 of us at the Hobbit. And where did they seat us? In our own private wine cellar of course! The night started off with hors d'oeuvres and champagne in the wine cellar, where we got to mingle a bit before sitting down. It felt more like attending a fancy dinner party than eating at a restaurant. We all just felt so at home- in fact I believe it is an old house converted into a restaurant. We even got to explore the various rooms, observe the chefs making our courses, and take ridiculous pictures in the bathtub for social media (don't judge me, this was 5 years ago). The seven course meal was amazing and well worth the money spent - we had scallops, duck confit, beef Wellington, a delicious passion fruit sorbet, and a few other dishes. Overall I give The Hobbit 5/5 stars for the service (I remember our waiter was really friendly and took selfies with us), unique dinner party experience, and fantastic 7 course prix fixe meal! It's certainly a birthday I will never forget! read more

The Hobbit - Classy bathtub photo at The Hobbit - French Near Me - Orange, California

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Went there Saturday 11/23/19 for a date night. The ambiance was excellent, the food was superb, and the service was fantastic! The only issue we had was the length of time it took. I realize it's "an experience", but when you don't get your entree until 10:15pm that's pushing it. I think they'd be better off starting the dinner at 6pm and ending it by 9pm. I didn't like that I was still trying to digest a hunk of meat at midnight. Our total with one drink each and 18% gratuity was $245. read more

The Hobbit - French Near Me - Orange, California

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I've heard so many good reviews from so many people for this place so I had to try it out. The reservation process was super easy because it could be done through yelp. It took about a month for us to get reservations. When we got our confirmation phone call, the person told us to show up 30 minutes prior to our reservation. We showed up at 6:30 for a 7 pm reservation. We were led upstairs to a room where drinks could be ordered. I ordered one of the seasonal drinks which was really good, but sort of pricey. Then it was time for dinner. We were lead downstairs to their cellar for champagne and an assortment of hors d'oeuvres. This was probably the best part of the meal in my opinion. Then we were taken upstairs to the dinner service. The first course was a salad which was like a fruit salad with greens. It was good. The chef apparently makes one entree for everyone but you hVe the option to upgrade for a fee. The night I went, it was lamb, which my husband and I are not fans of, so we paid for the upgrade which was steak for him and salmon for me. It was just ok. For dessert, we had some sort of strawberry cake thing which was good. There was also sorbet, but I think that was in between the salad and the dinner as a palate cleanser. When we were done, we were the second people to hand ask for the bill. It took them about 15 minutes to get the bill out to us, and another table got theirs before ours even though they asked after we did. When we inquired about why it was taking so long, they said they hand write and add up their bills which is why it took so long. That's fine, but why did ours come out later than people who asked after us? We were in a rush to leave because it was a FOUR hour dinner service and we were both so tired even before the dessert came. The service also was not the greatest. I think if dinner service was 3 hours, it would be a much different experience. Four is just too long for me.. read more

Good juicy burger. Highly recommended if you are craving for burgers. Avoid peak hours for not waiting

$750 food poisoning, truly very disappointed, we were so excited to come here too. Everything seemed fine but my wife and I are both sick today read more

I planned my evening at The Hobbit late last year, around November. I know you don't need to wait that long to get a table, but I'm a man with a plan. My partner and I started our dining experience, and yes it's an experience - not just a dinner - when you party with a halfling, with a crab. It was lively and inviting, I'm not one for fine dining, but this was simple and delicious.. The Filet Mignon with bordelaise sauce was fantastic. I don't think I've had such a savory steak in my life! A great spot to experience, the ambiance and staff are fantastic. Their wine selection was beyond impressive. Give yourself enough time to enjoy The Hobbit. read more

What can I say, this is some of the best fine dining I have ever had in my life. For them to accommodate us especially during Covid was a big plus. The presentation and wine pairings were phenomenal. If you are looking to splurge on some excellent wine and food this is the place to go. read more

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The whole experience of dining at The Hobbit is just cool - it's an old house with tons of nooks and crannies, hand carved pocket doors, a wine cellar, and a bedroom bar. They have a dress code (which is fun for a night out), and it really is an experience - our dinner took around 3 1/2 hours, but we enjoyed the pacing and thought it was appropriate. I reserved a table for my grandma's birthday celebration - the process for a party of 10 was fairly easy and we were notified we'd be eating in the wine cellar, fun! We ordered one round of drinks at the bar, then were ushered down to the wine cellar for champagne and hors d'oeuvres. We selected a few bottles of wine for those of us imbibing, and the somm was helpful and took her time in allowing me to choose. After the cellar cleared out of the other guests, our table was readied and we started off with bread and the first courses. From there we had several courses of dinner, including a little intermission. Overall, the food was slightly underwhelming but I still really enjoyed the creativity and the presentation was top notch. Our server was pleasant and attentive, and made sure we had what we needed. Other than the food being a little blasé, a star is knocked off for the fact that they encourage you to visit the kitchen during intermission- me, being curious, took them up on that offer. Upon entering their small kitchen, it was not very welcoming at all - in fact, felt very cold and as if we were intruding. By all means, I understand kitchen work is stressful and I wouldn't particularly want guests coming in during service, but if you advertise it and it's part of your shtick, then it needs to be on brand, which this wasn't. While this was maybe an off night for them, I'd like to check it out again, as their menu changes weekly which is pretty neat. Overall, still a very fun dining experience and good for a special occasion. read more

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I love that place we went to celebrate my sister birthday and we have a wonderful time I highly recommend

We had an amazing time here. This is a unique experience. Everything from the drinks to the champagne and all of the food was out of this world. read more

Do you enjoy the finer things in life? Is your taste pallet graduated past college bachelor's level and has now entered into a master's degree? Well, Look no further! Because this is the master of all restaurants! The Hobbit is a once in a lifetime experience that you will not get anywhere else. I am a well-traveled, food enthusiast. I love to eat and I love decadence. The Hobbit was catering to my every need. Not only was the service top-notch, but the food too was as special as the atmosphere. Step into the shire and be welcomed by the delightful array of food/courses that Bilbo Baggins himself would approve of! Although I was not in love with every dish served, you gain an appreciation for the presentation, plating, and unique pairings everything comes with. Speaking of pairings, I would highly recommend doing the wine pairing with your food. I tend to stay away from this stuff as I'm a whiskey/bourbon man myself, but the wine pairings all went lovely with the food. Beef Wellington was the main reason we decided to stop by and it did not disappoint! read more

The Hobbit - Beef Wellington LOOK AT THAT SEAR! - French Near Me - Orange, California

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Wonderful experience. A true relaxing meal to be savored over several hours. Charming old house with a phenomenal basement filled with wine. We brought our own because we have so much great wine at home..... but what a fantastic selection they had. The appetizers in the wine cellar was probably my favorite part. Four additional courses followed the appetizer course. First was cold smoked salmon followed by a lamb dish that was probably my favorite. I 20 minute intermission followed by sorbet then main course and dessert. Main course was prime rib. Dessert was my least favorite- chocolate tart was so so. Too much crust to ganache ratio. Overall I would return because it was such a nice experience. Service was incredible!!! read more

Wife has been wanting to try this restaurant for quite some time, so dined here on Saturday for her birthday. Upon arriving we were immediately greeted at the front door. I believe he was a server/runner but greeted us by my last name and confirmed our reservation time. Sat down and we reviewed the prix fixe menu, seemed interesting. Started our evening with champagne hors d'oeuvre. Hors d'oeuvres are a hit or miss with some people, for myself it was enjoyable and champagne was nice. They do offer wine pairing for each course, which we declined. Matt, don't know his position at the restaurant had informed us that every guest on the room was having the wine pairing and didn't want us to be left out so we gave us a small sample of all the wines that was served during dinner. He didn't have to do that but it was a very nice gesture in his part. Overall, great experience and be sure to check out the wine cellar. read more

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Small, intimate restaurant that's really great for special occasions. The menu is extensive, but gorgeous. All of the dishes were delicious. I just wished I knew what everything was on the hors d'oeuvres plate since it was not described. By the time the main dish came, I was so full from eating everything! Service was impeccable and my party really enjoyed our dinner! read more

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The Hobbit provides a unique dining experience for anybody celebrating a special occasion. The restaurant is arranged somewhat like a house (in fact, I think it used with be a house) with an wine cellar in the basement, several dining rooms, a bar located upstairs, and a kitchen you may visit during your dining experience. I called the restaurant to make reservations. You'll need to leave your credit card and a deposit, but everything was straight-forward and easy. You can also make reservations online, but I preferred to talk to someone. I'd recommend arriving a little early to your reservation in style. You can check out the bar, and then enjoy some champagne and appetizers in the cellar! Dinner is a long, but wonderful ordeal. Make sure you attend with a group of people you want to spend time with, because you will be eating and drinking for 3-4 hours! There are multiple dishes to appreciate, and even an intermission to let your belly rest before moving on to the main courses and dessert. During intermission, you will be invited to pay the chef a visit in the kitchen. This isn't somewhere to go if you're in a rush, but if you're looking forward to delicious food at a leisurely pace with style and celebration... then you should come here! :) The price wasn't cheap, but it was definitely worth it considering how much we enjoyed the food, ambiance, and company! My husband and I had a small engagement party here, and we would love to return for our next anniversary! read more

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Been wanting to try this place for years , Finally went with a few friends Apps were ok , nothing special First course scallop , Scallop was perfectly cooked But the rest of the dish was bland Was looking for bold flavor , but wasn't there. Second course quail Quail was cooked great , But didn't have much flavor Went to intermission And came back to the table Bread crumbs weren't even cleaned off the table Main course filet with truffle sauce It was like a 4 ounce filet And sauce didn't taste like truffle I hate when places use the word truffle But there was nothing truffle about it . Dessert was a fail, This place needs to update the recipes to reflect the times. read more

I'm surprised by all of the 5 star reviews here. Yes, the wine cellar is very cool and I liked looking through it before dinner. The pleasantness ended there. At about $200-$250 per person after tip and some wine, I would expect this to be a classy or elegant dinner. Instead, we ate an average meal surrounded by loud, rude, drunk people. When I say loud, I mean people at one table shouting to people at another table across the room, back and forth. Maybe they are the ones giving 5 star reviews. None of the staff or management was trying to stop any of this. There is no effort to create a classy, elegant, or romantic atmosphere. Do not bring a date here. There was another couple who came here for the first time hoping for a night away from the kids. My wife and I met them during "intermission" and they were miserable there as well and felt it would have been quieter and less chaotic if they'd just stayed home with their kids. They aren't coming back either. If you want an average filet at a restaurant that feels like a party for people who want to get drunk and yell, come here. This place was built for you. If you want a classy dinner with some semblance of decorum, there are much better spots both in Orange or nearby in Costa Mesa or Newport. This place is WAY to expensive for the type of environment they've got. Also: The dress code is not enforced at all. It's explicit on their website, but it's not enforced. read more

One of the most fun dining experiences I have ever had. 100% recommend. Amazing food, unbelievable service and a great atmosphere!

At the Hobbit, it's the Ritual that is what makes it such an intimate, charming experience as well as the well executed "romantic" décor. The Ritual: Arrive earlier than the stated time to go up to the 2nd story bar area where you can have a glass of wine, spirits, aperitifs and mingle w/ the other guest for that evening. After about half an hour retire to the basement to nosh on many various plates of hors d'oeuvres along with the provided competent cremant/vin mousseux which is bubbly, effervescent white wine that is definitely not from Champagne. It is another way to hobnob by being able to comment about the presented starters w/ other "foodie" guests. You can also consult with the sommelier to choose a bottle of wine appropriate for the meal straight out of the wine cellar. Its another touch that confers a VIP gesture that gives the Hobbit an "exclusive" feel. After another half an hour, all the guests are invited above to their assigned table to start their 6 course meal. Meals come in two halves with an intermission to peruse the house, relax in the outdoor patio, or go to the kitchen to talk w/ the chef. There are various rooms to dine, each with slightly different feel. Generally, the interior tends to look muted, subtle, plush, tastefully formal as well as the place settings. As much as I like the Ritual at the Hobbit, I found the multi-course to be rather mediocre & lacklustre. It has all the appearances of fine dining, but the foods lack depth of nuanced flavour. It's not to the point of inedibility, but something is slightly amiss in almost every dish. We opted for the wine pairing which was fine, but every time I asked the "sommelier" about the wine either he seemed to recite what he had memorized, or he evaded the oenological questions as though he may not have been prepared to comment in detail such as the varietals involved or of their provenance, etc. I went into the kitchen during the entracte/intermission to talk w/ the chef, but when I posed some questions about his cooking techniques he had used in the first half of the meal, he looked very uncomfortable and was not very communicative about his cooking techniques or his "philosophical" approach to culinary principles. Perhaps his English was not up to par which may have impaired his communication skills. Anyway, I left to spend the rest of the time in their pleasant plant filled patio. The waiters are dressed sharply to meld with the formal setting, but ask them a question about the food that they are serving, & they have no clue. They're kind of like waiters at a big banquet hall where they are recruited for the event to only pass out the plates without being educated on what is being presented. To its credit, the Hobbit restaurant inhabits a fetching, pleasing-to-the-eye abode and is an enchanting island surrounded by a sea of plain jane commercial establishments. They have created an oasis in the desert. 5 Yelp stars for creating an environment & the Ritual that are captivating. Now to create a more competent food culture as well as informing their waiters about the food so that guests who inquire will not feel that they are in gorgeous surroundings, but the food & the servers are like the "Emperor's New Clothes" by Hans Christian Andersen. 3 Yelp stars overall. read more

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I had dinner here Friday evening and the food was amazing. Appetizers are served buffet style in the wine cellar, giving you ample opportunity to select the perfect bottle for your meal. Guests are then escorted up to their table for multiple courses of decadent dishes that are as beautiful to look at as they are to eat. Pair this with 5 star service and you have the perfect evening. It is well worth booking a reservation far in advance and being patient for the opportunity to dine here. read more

Eating here is a whole experience that allows you to explore a house converted into a restaurant. Lots of cozy upstairs rooms and a outdoor patio allowed us to unwind to start our Friday night meal. The bar had some nice cocktails choices but I went with a WhiskyPig old fashion. Very nicely made with care. Next, you head to check out the wine cellar while enjoying a large selection of gourmet hors d'Oeuvres. All easily handled with one hand because you don't want to have to put down your cocktail or your champagne glass the awesome staff keeps topping off! The staff quickly learns your party name and made sure my cocktail made it to my table to that I could enjoy my champagne leisurely. Next, we had 3 courses of appetizers at our table, each really amazing. Then you get to stretch your legs a bit and take a peek in the kitchen or get a new drink while they freshen your table. Then back for a palate cleansing sorbet then onto dinner. Veal Osso bucco comes included and was so tender and well seasoned. Ok, I ate most of my wife's. I ordered (with a small up-charge) the Filet with truffles. Also delicious but the portion was smaller. The dessert had a wonderful crust and was a perfect way to end our meal. read more

The Hobbit has been on our dining bucket list for a very long time. We finally made it there this past week. If I could give 10 stars I would. The food was incredible as the non-carnivore of the group I had the fish - my all time favorite Chilean Sea bass (completely on par with Mastros). The ambiance is intimate and charming. Got to tour the kitchen! Every employee worked like a well oiled machine. The recommended wine pairing were amazing especially the Port with dessert! It was well worth the wait to attend and money well spent. read more

Wow, the bad feeling is still with me more than a year after the experience! Host/manager is aggressively rude. We discreetly requested tableside that an issue be addressed, which wasn't. When we inquired a second time, the host started speaking so loudly (almost shouting?) that half the restaurant turned in amazement. Defensive much? Needless to say, ambiance was destroyed and we left after paying full price prior to completing the experience. Owner/ chef was unapologetic in a follow-up phone conversation I made to address as dates were too embarrassed by host Matt's behavior for discussion to continue in the restaurant. Interesting, I just scrolled through the negative reviews - Is it possible? I believe there used to be quite a few that were expressly critical of Matt and the owner. I'm not seeing those now. read more

I really cannot say enough great things about The Hobbit. The food is always spectacular and the experiences always memorable. I could eat the appetizers all day every day. Reservations need to be made significantly in advance and it is a little pricey, but worth every penny. read more

It was so expensive, but it was a unique experience. The food was good, and they give a complimentary glass of champagne. Expect to pay about $500 for two people once tax and tip are complete. read more

The Hobbit is one of the best restaurant experiences inOrange County. My wife and I dine here on special occasions and have never been disappointed. The service is one searing per evening so prepare to be there a few hours. The experience starts with drinks upstairs, then you go to the wine cellar to browse and enjoy hour-d'oeuvres. Once at your table you'll enjoy a spectacular multi course meal and impeccable service. Then take a break in the garden before returning to the table for desert. If you have any food allergies let them know in advance. They've never failed to accommodate any of our guests. Ok, so the only downside is unless your wallet is bottomless The Hobbit is a little pricey, but for those occasions when you feel like splurging it's well worth it. We love this place and are confident you will too. read more

Our party of 8 visited The Hobbit last week for our annual holiday dinner as we've done for many years. I felt it important to write this review as they are under new ownership and have just reopened after a six week remodel. For our $350 dollar charge per couple we were highly disappointed!! Upon arrival we were escorted to the cellar. From 6:00-7:00 we spoke in loud voices as it was crowded and hard to hear a simple conversation with the person standing next to you. Additionally, it was very cold in the room, perhaps to keep the wine bottles chilled. Close to 7:00 one appetizer was delivered to the center of the room and devoured quickly by the many guests who I suppose were very hungry. When it was time for dinner we retreated to our assigned table, the upstairs room on the right, formerly the lounge. Even though it was nice to be seated in a private room, there was zero ambiance, with no window coverings, no pictures on the wall, no candles on the table, and not one holiday decoration, or even a simple strand of garland! Our voices echoed off the empty walls and ceiling simply speaking in a normal tone. The above light flickered throughout the evening even after the owner attempted to change the brightness to alleviate the flickering. Understanding it's an old home built in 1931, the flickering was the least of my complaints. The room across the hall seated a party of 12 who must have had a bar tab that exceeded their dinner charge. They were loud, boisterous, rude, and their chatter, arguing, and screaming disrupted our meal throughout the entire evening. Everyone is entitled to have a fun evening and cocktails, but their party was out of control infringing on other patrons!! We mentioned this to our waiter many times, and made several comments directly to the owner who remarked how loud they were and a door on the room would have been helpful!! Upon being seated a delicious slice of bread was delivered to our bread plate but we noticed the butter is no longer molded into beautiful rose patterns, just a large square pad. Upon reading the set menu, we quickly realized the first course, the amuse bouche, took the place of the delicious appetizers formerly served in the cellar - no comparison!!!! The new owners may want to reconsider going back to the fabulous appetizers served in the cellar. The roasted fennel and scallop tortellini was quite good, but the maple leaf farm duck was terrible and tough to cut even with the serrated knife. The blood orange sorbet was a real delight and scrumptious. The simple "slice" of cured filet mignon was juicy and tender, however the potato lyonnaise was over cooked, burnt on the bottom, and crumbled over the plate as we attempted to cut it into bite size pieces. Finally, the dessert, which sounded delicious, was terribly disappointing. The chocolate ganache tart was brick hard, we were forced to stab it with our fork making a back and forth motion to chisel off a bite!! Perhaps because the new owners opened a mere two weeks ago they're still working out the kinks. However, it is surprising there would be anything to work out when on our many previous visits to The Hobbit, it was sheer perfection! Perhaps they have employed a new chef, in our opinion, not a good change! The Hobbit is touted as an elegant, fine dining experience - our experience was anything but! Charging $350 dollars per couple, we expected more. For special occasions throughout the year and next year's holiday gathering, I'm sad to say we will be dining elsewhere. This is unfortunate for the new owners and for us as we've thoroughly enjoyed our past visits to the restaurant. I might add I emailed the restaurant about our disappointment over a week ago and never received a response. read more

Lovely setting, intimate and delicious food. Service is outstanding. Champagne and h'ors d'oeuvres are excellent

This was by far the best eating experience we have ever done and would totally do it again. Make sure you make reservations at least 3 months in advance, although I say this, we did get lucky and was able to book a couple of weeks out. The experience starts at 7pm but the bar opens at 6. We got there at 630pm. Parking is free. No valet. We were greeted by one of the hostess who checked my jacket in. We ordered drinks and sat out on their lovely patio. We soon realized we were probably one of the youngest couples there haha. Anyway, at 7pm, they took us down to their wine cellar which had tons of bottles of wine, in which you could pick one for your table. They gave you complimentary champagne and that nights menu. Also in the cellar, were different appetizers which were all delicious. The Chef and Owner were also down in the cellar for you to have a conversation with. From there, the hostess sat each couple to their table. The first course was served which was a scallop, the second course was a quail, and the third was a salad. From there it was intermission, where they allowed you to walk around the restaurant. You were even allowed in the kitchen!!! After intermission, they gave you a sorbet to clean your pallet. Then onto the main dish, that night was lamb. From there they gave you a dessert. Since we were celebrating my birthday, they gave me some chocolate truffles. Everything tasted so good, from the wine down to the desserts. A truly magical experience. Highly recommend this place!!! read more

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fabulous.!! such a remarkable evening at the hobbit. we were a party of 10 & for over 6 hours, we ate, drank & laughed ! our waiter was nate, & he was the greatest!! the menu, the food, the ambiance etc. , is beyond comparison! if you have never been there, why not??? all of us agreed that the hobbit is an experience that is beyond compare read more

The Hobbit - French Near Me - Orange, California

I love splurging on high end restaurants every so often and The Hobbit has been on my radar for a while. My friend and I had dinner here this past weekend and we both thought it was worth the price. The restaurant is hidden in a fairly non-descript building and they have a decent sized private parking lot. The restaurant isn't very large which make it nice, quiet, and intimate. Although the menu is set they were very accommodating to special requests. Both my friend and I have shellfish allergies so ahead of time we requested no seafood and they made it happen with no problem. The first course is Hors d' Oeuvres and champagne. Then you get two smaller items. The night we were there they had stuffed quail and a crab cake. Our crab cake was made with heart of palm instead of crab and it was amazing. You then get a sorbet and then our entrée was beef wellington. For dessert we had a Boca Negra cake. All the items were delicious. My only negative (and it's not a big negative) was that all the other high end restaurants I have been to had a little better service. The service here was not bad by any means, it just wasn't up to the standard that I have experienced elsewhere. Overall this is a wonderful restaurant and I highly recommend it. read more

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Overall wonderful experience! Absolutely fantastic meal, service, and ambience. I instantly consider this place every time a holiday or special event comes up. Worth every penny. read more

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A great location for celebrating any occasion including just a night out. Service is outstanding, attention to details is given, food is delicious. Highly recommend 'The Hobbit'. read more

We were counting down the days and last evening we experienced the 4 hr dinner and we were blown away!!! To be honest our expectations were neutral mostly because it was our first time and the reviews out there are mostly very positive, However if you base going vs not going on a low score review that focused on being a picky eater or that someone wore jeans or the food took too long...well think about it it's a 4 hr 6 course dinner that is evenly spaced out, the post the attire requirement and menu clearly on their website so perhaps don't go if these little things bother you‍ If you have a special celebration or a date night I would highly recommend the Hobbit in terms of, dining experience, friendly staff and cleanliness Our experience with choosing a bottle of wine was exceptional and by no means pushy‍ read more

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Donna and I met Dave & Christina G for dinner last night at the Hobbit. Each night has one seating time which is 7pm so reservations are required. Thanks Dave for making them! First off..... per the website there's a strict dress code. Apparently this is complete bullshyte since they let the guy in with flip flops and a death metal t-shirt for the band Cradle of Filth which included pentagrams and goat skulls. At 7pm sharp you're led downstairs into their huge wine cellar, given a flute of house champagne and the menu for the evening. This is the time you can pick wine if you choose. I purchased the sommelier wine pairing which came with four glasses of wine each fantastic. Hors d Oeuvres were placed around the cellar. They were plentiful with a large variety. I think I sampled everything they had to offer and really enjoyed it all. After awhile you're let upstairs to your assigned table. Delicious rosemary rolls are passed out while waiting for the first course which had an almost croissant like consistency. A flower corsage of butter was on the table for the rolls. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/I-Ke0cj32PEWxtn1XGDlNA?select=YwUIeBW2D9USVihQrHgeRQ http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/I-Ke0cj32PEWxtn1XGDlNA?select=_O6th6Gg8J1CKO2mnA-C5g First course was fresh sea bass with saffron risotto, basil oil, and crispy beet chips. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/I-Ke0cj32PEWxtn1XGDlNA?select=JRcAoezJEATQIhGgvonidQ My wife said it smelled fishy but I thought the aroma was mouth watering. The sea bass was cooked to perfection and was paired perfectly with the other ingredients. I wish the risotto was more al dente but overall the dish was excellent. I really liked the sweetness of the beet chips. I was served a glass of 2008 Kurtatsch Cortaccia Gran Muller Thurgau from Alto Adige, Italy. Next was Maple glazed quail with shaved fennel and polenta "batons" with a Maderia cherry reduction. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/I-Ke0cj32PEWxtn1XGDlNA?select=uxPm3tAuVo6H4rvt-MRRjQ Once again, the aroma was intoxicating. What's funny is Dave and I both loved this dish yet Donna and Christina hated it. They both thought the quail was too gamy. I personally devoured the tiny bird down to it's tiny bones. It's itty bitty skin was crispy, the meat tender, and the fennel went great with it. There were these red swirly things that tasted good.... It was really tacky when I asked the waitress what it was and she just said "that's a good question to ask the chef during intermission". How about you go effing ask him and let me know! My wine pairing was a 2001 Muriel Gran Reserva from Rioja Spain. Next came a salad of frisee lettuce with daikon sprouts, grapefruit, mystery red thingies, house cured duck pastrami, and pummelo ginger vinaigrette. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/I-Ke0cj32PEWxtn1XGDlNA?select=sKPpZu0mONbrDUP3he2A5Q This was an excellent salad. Trick was to eat each ingredient together. The duck pastrami was very salty but mixed with the sweetness of the dressing and the bitterness of the frisee it was taste bud pleasing. After we finished our salads there's a "intermission" to let your food digest and for them to "refresh" the table for the next course. Upon returning to our table a refreshing pineapple sorbet is brought out to cleanse the palate. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/I-Ke0cj32PEWxtn1XGDlNA?select=d-sqy3Ruk-YyBtDr18wROw Next entree was wild mushroom stuffed filet mignon cooked perfectly medium rare. It was served with flavorless watery mashed potatoes, the most amazing brussels sprouts I've ever had, banana squash, and more mystery... maybe a cooked radish? http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/I-Ke0cj32PEWxtn1XGDlNA?select=Epfhp3nYM0Xi-Cqtsvyu6w Donna hated the mushrooms and I heard other people complain too in the room. Worked out for me since I got to eat her mushrooms. Score! Filet was so tender you could cut it with a fork. My wine pairing was the 2009 Folkway "revelator" from Aorroyo Grande, California. Here's the turning point of the evening. Where things turned sour. It started with after dinner coffee drinks. Everybody in the room already had their drinks and we weren't asked. When the lady finally took our order it took ages to get them after our dessert sat there on the table. My dessert wine pairing never arrived. I asked twice and ended up having to go to the frickin' kitchen to inquire about it where I received blank stares. The dessert was a lemon custard cake with strawberry compote and pogen cookie. My wine was 2010 Bera Brachetto from Piemonte, Italy. No pic.. forgot. Dessert sucked, all of us agreed. Wednesday I called and asked if we can split checks or if I should bring cash. I was told it was no problem . When our check came we said it wasn't split. All hell broke loose. They said it wasn't their policy to do so and the person on the phone was new. After huge attitude and rudeness they split the check but had it wrong. AWKWARD!!! read more

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Thank you to the wonderful staff at the Hobbit for the amazing dining experience last night! We look forward to another night out at the Hobbit in the future, thanks again for the great food, drinks and memories! read more

A wonderful dining experience, period. I took my fiancé there for his birthday, the entire time we were tended to by the staff, they never missed a beat! The ambiance was elegant, certainly nothing you'd find out in the Shire, but the play on The Hobbit (second breakfast and such) was so well executed. I was fearful we would be full by the 3rd course, but the portions were thoughtfully planned out, and they remembered the food allergies I had made with my reservation. I love mindful service! The meal intermission invited guests to relax on the patio, in the lounges, or in the kitchen. We definitely enjoyed chatting with the sous chefs in the kitchen as they expertly prepared the main entree. This 4 hour dining experience from start to finish was certainly memorable, I just wish I remembered to take photos of all of the food! I was too enveloped by the whole meal. Come, take your loved one, enjoy wine, and feel spoiled by the entire experience, you will NOT regret it! read more

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Review over due, came here around my birthday week. I ate at so many places that month, but this is one of the locations that I really LOVED my experience at. It is a PREFIX Dinner with 7-10 courses (depending the the dinner event) Be prepared to be here for about 3 hours and come STARVING and eat patiently slow. The Chef here named his establishment the Hobbit, yes right off based on the Hobbits in the lord of the rings themselves. Reason? He told me it is because the hobbits loved to have dinner parties; to eat and drink all night long in shared company in their home. His restaraunt resembles a home in deed! At arrival you walk up to a door with a small window in it as they greet you and open the door, check you in for your reservations. The bar is upstairs and the patio to roam. ** Come on time!! They start promptly at 7pm. My party and I went up stairs to grab a cocktail, and it is automatically put onto your bill. There is a tip jar, so tip please! So at that time, 7pm, you are then lead down to the wine cellar for champagne and hors d'oeuvres. At the wine cellar you can check out there wonderful collection of wine and you are welcomed to pick a bottle of your liking to be served at your dinner. The appetizers are exquisite, i mean they are very very delicious! Some of the appetizers that I can recall were the cucumber cheese with cavair. a few dips that were yummy, Liver pate with an assorment of crackers, many cheeses. beef tar tar, and pate cheese. After some time, you are then lead back up and guided to your dinner table. The dinner features a number of dishes in small portions. Halfway through the dishes, you are then given a break time which is about 30 minutes. Here you can roam the house again and the chef comes out to chat with guests. He took me and my friends through the kitchen and we chatted about his favorite dishes to make and his favorite events to host. He was a very entertaining guy. Their restrooms resemble a real bathroom, with a tub towls and cabinets! The whole restaurant is a home, guests are scattered throughout different rooms. Returning back to dinner we ordered a bottle of champagne that the Chef recommended. They own the vineyard that makes that champagne. The bottle is not cheap but VERY good and worth it! Every drop! Our main entree was the Beef welling me, and i was nearly stuffed when I got it but it was a good portion size, small but really tasteful. I ended with coffee, and the dessert arrives around 10pm. We slowly finished our meals and paid our dues. Took us a while to get out because we had such happy food coma! I would definitely come back **tips ** Bring some cash to tip your waiters and and bartenders ** menu changes often, and make reservations weeks in advance -- see their website** ** do no eat all day before coming. you must starve yourself. (haha... ) ** Try not to take pictures because the place is a bit dim and it is a little inappropriate at theses kind of dinner parties ** cardio like crazy the next morning ** make another reservation :) TIPS *come on time read more

The Hobbit - French Near Me - Orange, California