The finest is elegant dining has to be The Hobbit Restaurant in Orange, California. I had to privilege of going to this establishment for my 40th birthday with my best friend (my wife) and some of the most important people in my life. It was definitely a night to remember....
Now, understand that this is not a cheap restaurant. They start are a price of about $74/person for dinner and from my understanding, basic beverages. However, dinner here is an EVENT and it takes the whole evening. Here is the lowdown:
Reservations are needed because they have limited seating for the evening.
The evening begins at 6pm should you choose to arrive early. You arrive, check in your coat, and go upstairs for before dinner drinks. You are welcome to go through some of the lounge areas in the restaurant or sit in the patio.
The first course begins at 7pm. You are informed of the first course, which is champagne and hors devours, in the cellar. However it is the experience in the cellar that makes it everything. This cellar is a well stocked wine cellar and as you are enjoying your pre meal appetizers you can browse all the wines and choose what you want to have for the evening. If you are not sure, ask the staff and they can help you find something appropriate for the evening. Prices range from ~$45/bottle to $6000+/bottle.
Now, understand that this is not a cheap restaurant. They start are a price of about $74/person for dinner and from my understanding, basic beverages. However, dinner here is an EVENT and it takes the whole evening. Here is the lowdown:
Reservations are needed because they have limited seating for the evening.
The evening begins at 6pm should you choose to arrive early. You arrive, check in your coat, and go upstairs for before dinner drinks. You are welcome to go through some of the lounge areas in the restaurant or sit in the patio.
The first course begins at 7pm. You are informed of the first course, which is champagne and hors devours, in the cellar. However it is the experience in the cellar that makes it everything. This cellar is a well stocked wine cellar and as you are enjoying your pre meal appetizers you can browse all the wines and choose what you want to have for the evening. If you are not sure, ask the staff and they can help you find something appropriate for the evening. Prices range from ~$45/bottle to $6000+/bottle.
The second course begins about 30 minutes after the first course. You are informed that the second course will begin and you go into one of two dining areas. The tables are exquisitely set and if you ordered wine, your bottles are ready at your table. The butter is set out looking superb. It's a shame to actually dig into it and spread it on the rolls. The fowl course is brought out first. In this instance, it was quail, which I have never had. The fish course comes out next exquisitely prepared and finally a salad to perfectly finish off this part of the meal. You are then welcome to go through parts of the restaurant, visit the kitchen and talk to the chefs, or relax on the patio while the next course is prepared.
The meat course, or an alternate if you selected it is brought out when you return to the table. However, when you first sit down, you are brought out sorbet to cleanse the palate. I chose the beef for this part of the meal which was prepared as suggested and melted in my mouth.
The final course of the evening is dessert which for this evening was a tart. Because I was celebrating my birthday, they also brought out chocolate truffles. They offer a wide range of after dinner drinks including some very good grappa (which I did not choose for the sake of keeping my faculties in order.) I chose a Hobbit Hot Chocolate to go with my dessert - a mix of hot chocolate and butterscotch schnapps. Wonderful.
After dessert it was around 10:30pm and time to wrap up. The bill was presented and it was hand written beautifully. This is done to fit the whole theme and decor. Again, this is an expensive restaurant, but well worth the price to celebrate a birthday with friends.
All in all, The Hobbit Restaurant is worth going to. Save your money, make reservations well in advance (ours were two months in advance), and prepare for an evening you will not soon forget. They have been doing this for over 40 years and they have their system down to a 'T'.
The meat course, or an alternate if you selected it is brought out when you return to the table. However, when you first sit down, you are brought out sorbet to cleanse the palate. I chose the beef for this part of the meal which was prepared as suggested and melted in my mouth.
The final course of the evening is dessert which for this evening was a tart. Because I was celebrating my birthday, they also brought out chocolate truffles. They offer a wide range of after dinner drinks including some very good grappa (which I did not choose for the sake of keeping my faculties in order.) I chose a Hobbit Hot Chocolate to go with my dessert - a mix of hot chocolate and butterscotch schnapps. Wonderful.
After dessert it was around 10:30pm and time to wrap up. The bill was presented and it was hand written beautifully. This is done to fit the whole theme and decor. Again, this is an expensive restaurant, but well worth the price to celebrate a birthday with friends.
All in all, The Hobbit Restaurant is worth going to. Save your money, make reservations well in advance (ours were two months in advance), and prepare for an evening you will not soon forget. They have been doing this for over 40 years and they have their system down to a 'T'.