Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

First & Oak in Solvang

4.6 (165) 409 1st St, Solvang, CA 93463, United States

Categories

New American restaurant
Californian restaurant
Caterer
Event venue
Mobile caterer
Restaurant

Location on the map

Solvang, Santa Barbara County, California, US

Phone: +1 805-688-1703
Site: https://firstandoak.com/

Opening hours

Monday:5–8:30 PM
Tuesday:Closed
Wednesday:Closed
Thursday:5–8:30 PM
Friday:5–8:30 PM
Saturday:5–8:30 PM
Sunday:5–8:30 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.6

165 Reviews for First & Oak 2024:

Review №1

2023-10-11 00:42:55

We had a very nice quiet dinner here. We were looking for a dinner dining place in Solvang, and this didnt disappoint. Its in a quaint hotel. You can sit inside or out. The bread looked delicious, but we didnt want to fill up. I loved my scallops, and my friend loved her halibut. The side of potatoes and the cream were amazing. Dont forget to get he dessert as well. Id love to come back here for sure.

Review №2

2023-07-04 18:04:35

We visited here in 2022 and it was incredible. Having just landed in the Michelin guide steered us towards the spot. The atmosphere was upscale and cozy with knowledgeable unpretentious staff. The dining room was a little warm and we should have asked for it a little cooler, but thats on us (a later guest on a slow night did, and staff immediately obliged). The dishes were incredible, particularly the roast cauliflower starter (cauliflower foam, whod have thought) as was the roast duck. Everything was tasty even if it wasnt as unique as those dishes. Worth a stop in Solvang even if youre not staying.

Review №3

2023-06-19 02:59:20

Wow the service and food was amazing. Felt so taken care of and all the dishes were so amazing. We had a 5 course tasting for our anniversary which landed on father’s day and was blown away by every dish. The waiter even sent us a few freebies of wine to pair with our food. Would highly recommend this place.

Review №4

2023-07-16 15:23:47

We visited First&Oak on Saturday night for dinner and we were very disappointed by the food and atmosphere/ambiance. The food was not as good as expected (bib gourmand), not savory, lack of flavor, except for the beef tenderloin (luckily for 56$). I can’t imagine how they accepted to serve the sea bass, the presentation and the taste was missing! We tasted the 3 desserts and only the passion fruits tart was good. Unfortunately, we will not come back.

Review №5

2023-09-06 06:21:44

Food, service and atmosphere were great. Small intimate dining space. Creative combinations of flavors using European techniques and local produce.

Review №6

2023-04-04 11:51:43

We celebrated my fiancees birthday with the tasting menu at this lovely restaurant. I had the vegan option, which was really good (and $10 cheaper than the regular option). The standout was the baby gem lettuce salad - apparently I was the first customer to have it! The citrus dressing was so fresh and tasty. The mushroom risotto was excellent, and the lemon basil sorbet was a really nice light end to the meal (although I just noticed it came with honeycomb candy instead of candied walnuts and fresh fruit). The service was attentive and excellent. I would definitely return next time Im in Solvang!

Review №7

2022-05-17 13:16:32

An fabulous place to dine. Good and service are both top shelf. They have a five course tasting menu that is full of wonderful dishes. Everything we tried was flavorful and full of complex well balanced flavors. Staff is the perfect level of attentiveness. Knowledge about the wines they serve and do an amazing service.

Review №8

2023-02-20 03:49:17

This place is the best restaurant in Solvang! Original and off the beaten path from the main drag. The food is so delicious and fresh. The service was impeccable and the ambiance was *chefs kiss*! The duck wings are so amazing and the best thing we have eaten in awhile!

Review №9

2022-11-06 05:00:45

My wife and I love coming to Solvang but hadnt been here yet. They offer both a standard menu as well as the tasting menu we had.Its a 5 course menu including the last one being dessert. They do offer a wine pairing as well.Most businesses nearby are closed if you come here for dinner service being that the location of the streets First and Oak is more removed from the main highway road and Copenhagen where youll find majority of Solvangs businesses.The restaurant is a Michelin Plate awarded establishment for anyone interested, one below the highest award of a Star.Overall the food was very good and the service just as good. There is enough complexity and nuance in each dish to make you want to dig in for more and thats one of the true measures of a good dish.If you value a fine dining experience in Solvang, Id highly recommend coming here.

Review №10

2023-07-24 19:21:53

Service was outstanding. Atmosphere so private (we dined alone outside) and we loved all the food ~ oysters were great.

Review №11

2023-02-28 20:13:59

I had been to this restaurant a few years ago. Im glad to see it has remained great. The very small room is comfortable and cozy, well staffed to provide excellent service. The food is delicious too.

Review №12

2023-07-21 08:00:14

My husband and I had the Five Course Seasonal tasting. We usually dont have higher end food because we tend not to enjoy it, but their food was PHENOMENAL. We especially enjoyed the roasted cauliflower. I got a nonalcoholic spritzer that tasted extremely floral. I didnt like it and couldnt finish it, and he took it off the bill; we didnt ask, he just did it. Even not including that, the service was amazing. We let them know that it was our anniversary when we made the reservation, and numerous people made sure to wish us a happy anniversary, and our dessert even had a piece if chocolate that had, Happy Anniversary, stamped on it.

Review №13

2022-07-12 11:01:15

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 wine or a dish that we would love. This restaurant is cozy. It’s expensive, but it’s lovely. The atmosphere of the indoor seating area was delightful, the sea bass delicious, and the Brussels amazing. I highly recommend!!

Review №14

2021-06-07 22:09:37

Beautiful place, amazing presentation, so inexpensive for a Michelin Rated restaurant.Highly recommend the tasting menu. The chef touched all the bases and executed the tasting menu to perfection. Variety of fresh ingredients and creative preparations. Dishes Im definitely stealing to make at home. Very smartly included a dish at the end with an extra large portion of potatoes for the hungry person in your group. Id go back just for the sourdough and avocado butter.Favorites included the green goddess salad with crispy quinoa, Peas 3 ways in the risoto, the duck wings, chocolate mousse, whatever was going on with those cauliflower, I guess the whole thing... especially the avocado butter.We planned our Solvang trip around visiting this restaurant and it was well worth it. Eat some danish foods, feed the ostriches, go wine tasting, then finish at First & Oak.Review of Reviews:There is a 1 star for an OpenTable error. That review really helps us get to know the restaurant (sarcastic).Some people think its too expensive which came as a surprise to me. This is not a cheap restaurant, its a destination restaurant and for special occasions. But the value far exceed the cost in my book. Tasting menu was $75. At Thomas Kellers Per Se, a dozen of us could have literally bought a honda civic instead of that meal. Just saying... perspective people. To me, both 1st & Oak and Per Se were worth it. Its an experience you carry with you. I would recommend this restaurant to the very wealthy people that took me to Per Se and Im 99% sure they would love it.Some 3 and 4 star reviews were all positive. Personally I give stars based on where the rating is try to move it to where it belongs. This is the 5 star restaurant in Solvang. Perhaps 4.8 stars for the rest of the country.

Review №15

2021-04-18 19:22:17

The food was good, and had unique flavor combinations, but the overall experience didnt quite match our expectations nor the bill. The best dish was the lamb, and while portion sizes were not tiny they could have been a little bigger.For service, our waiter offered a taste of wine to pair with our meal, which was nice, but later on missed an item that we had ordered. When our mains arrived, we asked about it only to be challenged that we had ordered it at all. They corrected the issue, but since they had already brought the main out things were out of order. Secondly, we reserved through open table, and indicated that the reservation was for a birthday. However, our waiter nor any servers didnt mention anything. Its like the information didnt get passed though at all. Concisely, the service wasnt impeccable.

Review №16

2022-08-27 18:49:31

Third visit in August 2022: Food is even better than at my previous visits. The 5-course tasting menu is a steal. Every course is exceptional.Previous review:Very good food and service. Some dishes (such as caramelized cauliflower) need refinement. Some (such as Kauai shrimp) are outstanding.

Review №17

2021-06-29 10:31:49

First & Oak is a very charming, eclectic French restaurant located on the first floor of the quaint hotel, Mirabelle Inn. The menu is limited with a few choice items a special for the day.The restaurant had a nice selection of wines and three different beers. The Gervese wine was served corked. When it was brought to their attention another bottle was quickly opened and poured. The matre de quickly offered that the wine had been sitting too long which is why it had turned. Not the case.I started with the oysters on a half shell (which is served with four oysters on a bed of ice and chopped roulade. No cocktail or a horseradish to accompany. However, each table seemed to have placed the same order, so must have been enjoyable for some.The Brussel Sprouts was an enjoyable surprise. Perfectly roasted and tossed in a green caper roulade. Very interesting combination and it works.For the main course I chose the seabass which was their special catch for the evening. This dish is served with caviar and a squid ink mashed potato sauce. Very interesting combination and could have been played off if the fish was over cooked and dry.For dessert our table split the chocolate mousse and a small cobbler. True to French dishes the mousse was a two bite sampler. Our cobbler was not hot and bubbly with a flacky crust, but dense, and doughy. An item to pass on.The restaurant was busy and reservations a day or two in advance is best. The matre de informed us he would take our drink order as they were short staffed. Service was extremely slow. We were there for three hours. Waited a good half an hour for our check.My 3 stars are offered here due to the corked wine, unflavored oysters, over cooked seabass, and the extremely slow service. Perhaps if invited I would try again, it could have been an off night seeing that the restaurant was generally busy.

Review №18

2022-07-21 04:00:20

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’re visiting Solvang or if you’re looking for a romantic dinner.

Review №19

2022-02-19 04:19:11

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.

Review №20

2021-05-20 01:21:05

We were here celebrating our 10 years dating anniversary. Very friendly staff, great service for sure. But the taste of food does not match the price unfortunately. We ordered the special salmon belly bread, and butternut squash soup, the lamb. For the price point I would expect above average food experience. But all of the dishes is lack of the flavor. The salmon bread is actually the best of all. The butternut squash soup cant taste the freshness and sweetness of the butternut squash, and the lamb🙈so dry and not much flavor, just a little bit of cumin taste on the bone part of the rack, I wish it would have a bit more sauce besides the circle. I cook better dry rub lamb rack at home, definitely not worth 38 something dollar. But the vegetable(mushroom, pickle) surprisingly so flavorful. My husbands waygu beef steak wasnt juicy or full of beef flavor either, his dish is 40 something dollar. I think they need to master how to bring out the meat flavor as well as keep the juice inside the meat.

Review №21

2021-06-05 23:24:27

This adorable cafe in the Mirabelle inn is a must visit in Solvang. It was on the Michelin 2019 guide and still has great service,food and ambiance. The individual meals are pretty sumptuous and you wouldnt necessarily need to order an appetizer. The duck wings (not pictured ) were a refreshing change from traditional wings. The scallops and the special of the day - salmon were particularly delicious. The scallops being on pasta made it a filling portion. The lamb chops were well done and beautifully plated. The roasted potatoes are a good choice for a side with a delicious dipping sauce. The wine cake was average and would be something we wouldnt revisit. Their wine list is extensive - try the wines from their organic winery. All of them were very good and they also have a tasting room in Los Olivos. Most of the patrons in this restaurant were the hotel guests. They have indoor and well setup outdoor seating. This is one of the finer restaurants in solvang and a must try if you are looking for a fancy dinner out :)

Review №22

2023-09-20 00:37:59

We had the five course tasting menu. The key word is tasting as the serving size is tiny for items such as the tuna credo which was really an amuse bouche (one bite) because that is exactly what you get and the one scallop you get on the next course even though the menu says scallops, you get one. The truffle roasted califlower was the best part of the meal, it was absolutely delicious. I would go back just for that. The beef tenderloin was cooked perfectly and the mushrooms were wonderful. The only thing I did not like was the 4% kitchen fee they added to our bill without prior notification. I own my own business and I pay for my expenses without asking for money from others. If the restaurant cant make enough to cover their costs then they should increase their food prices not put a charge on everyones bill that they did not expect or approve of. Its not the amount but the principle. I believe the cost for the 5 course tasting menu was $85 per person without wine. The staff are excellent and very friendly, the atmosphere was great.

Review №23

2023-06-12 16:38:58

This place is nothing short of fantastic!! We went for the testing menu - five courses and each one was delicious, the flavors, the presentation and service it’s amazing…. Most definitely will come back!

Review №24

2023-11-25 03:58:57

This rationing for BAD customer service. We came there, asked for a table for two. Saw 6 tables empty, they said it’s was reserved, but we left booking table for 2 hrs later because this was the only available time.. We couldn’t wait that long because we were hungry, and we found another place.We called back 6 times to cancel our reservation. Guess what? No one replied…Now I can see why 5 tables standing empty and they are not seating us.. Simply - no answering their phone..Customer Servise is separate with food. No one care about people. Really tried to make it work, they didn’t let us. Hope customer service will improve soon 🙏🏻

Review №25

2021-03-15 15:20:56

Great job on the bread and cauliflower dish was amazing, but the Scallops/pasta and potatoes were too salty. The Scallops dish was almost inedible. We loved the ambiance and wine was good. Service was great too

Review №26

2021-08-08 03:14:07

Delicious food! We started with the Roasted Cauliflower which has an interesting blend of flavors from the vinaigrette and the crispy bits (quinoa & almonds).For our mains, we ordered the Breast of Duck and the Wild Diver Scallops (fettuccine). The duck was perfectly cooked and the pasta was creamy and flavorful.Ended the meal with the tasty Chocolate & Honey mousse.Make sure to make a reservation!

Review №27

2021-11-30 19:44:36

First and Oak is one of the finest restaurants in Solvang! The beauty of this restaurant is the small and warm feel. The service is excellent and welcoming. The host greets you immediately with a smile and the server is well versed in their menu.The exterior looks like a little cottage and the wood floors in the interior are very nostalgic of a time gone by. Their outdoor dining area is both functional and inviting. Not too many table allows it not to look cluttered and there are plenty of heat lamps to keep patrons warm.As nice as the facility is, the food is the spotlight. The fish of the day was delicious and perfectly flavored. Not too overbearing where the fish is not overwhelmed by spices rather complimented by them. The Scallops and pasta were also very tasty and well prepared. My only criticism is that a handful of green onions were just dropped over it as garnishment. Not bad but a bit lazy to flavor food with an overabundance of uncooked garnishes.Overall, First & Oak is a wonderful experience while in Solvang and well worth visiting more than once.

Review №28

2022-06-25 01:15:29

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.

Review №29

2023-07-31 01:18:28

Came here the other night, it was our 2nd time, and it was just as good as the first time. We did the Tasting Menu and I absolutely loved every bite.The baby beets and pluot was delicious and the rye crumble gave it an extra crunch that was addicting.Cauliflower was delicious with a thicker vinaigrette that wasnt overpowering.We had scallops last time and this and I cant find another place that cooks them the way they do. I could eat these scallops every day. They are so tender.Beef tenderloin was so soft and tender. Usually not a fan of mushrooms, but the trumpet mushrooms were delicious that I ate them all.Chocolate and honeycomb was a great mix of something soft and crunchy.Hands down the best dinner in Solvang.

Review №30

2023-11-18 17:48:56

Very reasonable priced 5 course meal. We had an excellent time celebrating our babymoon! Would definitely come back again!

Review №31

2022-06-04 00:26:53

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.

Review №32

2023-07-30 02:03:37

They offer both a fixed menu and a la carte. We had the a la carte option and our three dishes were perfect! Highly recommend the roasted cauliflower.

Review №33

2017-10-23 19:25:18

Fantastic restaurant in Solvang. The chef has some Michelin heritage under his belt and that experience shows up in the delightful menu. Chose from a variety of offerings to make up a good meal.The duck wings were a spectacular start. Followed by amazing beets, Spanish octopus, and wagyu. Did not care for the pork belly but the pear ball for desert more than made up for any other shortcomings. It was a hard chocolate ball, once cracked open reveals nuggets of deliciousness.Wine selection by the glass is primarily their own house wines (Coquelicot). Had the Viognier, Pinot noir, and Grenache. While the wines are OK I don’t think that they are the best choices. They do have other wines to chose from by the bottle and would opt for that next time.

Review №34

2019-11-18 06:58:40

Loved, loved, loved this dinner! Such fantastic tasting food. Enjoyed every thing ordered. Definitely worthy of a Michelin star, if not two. Ill definitely come back the next time in Solvang. Service was great; friendly and informative. Wine list is fantastic, but the coqlicout wine was absolutely divine. Thank you for making our 1 year wedding anniversary special!

Review №35

2023-04-06 19:22:15

We had an amazing time celebrating here. Food and wine were absolutely amazing.

Review №36

2023-07-28 15:11:14

Decided to try the 5 course meal and it did not disappoint. Very attentive staff and they allowed us to savor the experience. No rushing to get us out of there. Comfortable atmosphere and background music

Review №37

2023-07-18 16:31:41

This post Covid world is like the wild wild West. Where did these restaurants get off adding fees so they can pay their kitchen help? Tip your waitress and bartenders, generously. The rest is up to the owner of the restaurant NOT us. Just say NO‼️

Review №38

2023-04-07 02:47:09

We had the 5 course tasting menu and wine pairing. It was amazing and truly unique--nothing disappointed compared to other prix fixe menus Ive had. Everything about First & Oak is high-class. Service was above and beyond. The environment and atmosphere in the main dining room was quaint and cozy. We will 100% return.

Review №39

2023-09-03 03:21:19

The little gems, pork, and passionfruit tart were superb!! Every dish was well-balanced and carefully thought-out.

Review №40

2018-02-20 13:36:01

The food here is a little bit pricey. We wanna order a 4 course meal to share and was told the food amount is very limited, it won’t be enough. The cooking technique is somewhat Michelin way however the quality of the material is just so-so if comparing with the same price in south French. Only one waitress to serve all tables, so she is quite busy dealing with all customers. Delicate but not enough to feed yourself.

Review №41

2022-01-31 17:45:34

Such an amazing dinner and a nice relaxing romantic atmosphere. One of the finer places in the Santa Ynez Valley!

Review №42

2022-04-20 01:27:15

Great atmosphere, we got the tasting menu. It was good, but not outstanding.

Review №43

2022-02-25 01:16:35

On Valentine’s Day, they only offered one menu. The food was ok, but I waited for long time….

Review №44

2023-09-20 03:36:23

The food was just excellent. Its a little pricey but worth it. The service was amazing. The place was homey.

Review №45

2023-05-17 03:18:49

This was delicious. The staff were super cool and friendly. An my duck was just amazing. Been searching for a good duck for awhile in Ventura and santa Barbara and its been here in hiding in Solvang. For dessert we had the passion fruit tart and it was perfect for 2 people and sent us back to our room so happy.

Review №46

2022-12-18 15:08:51

Blown away! We enjoyed the 5 course tasting menu. The food was beyond anything I could have expected, the setting was absolutely stunning inside and outside and best of all everyone was SO kind, thoughtful and fun to interact with from our server who was personable and knowledgeable to the person who oversaw everything and made it perfect (Matt maybe?) the person who gave me a cozy blanket to eat with and the person who brought our delicious courses out! Handled my dietary restrictions incredibly too! Will 💯 visit whenever my husband and are in town!

Review №47

2022-06-20 23:27:55

My wife and I had an 8pm reservation and were seated immediately. The inside seating is a bit cozy (maybe 7-8 tables in a large dining room). The restaurant is part of a boutique hotel and has a very B&B feel, with friendly servers. We did the 5-course tasting with the wine pairing and the food was delicious with good portions of each dish. The tasting course took about 2 hours (comfortably) and was about $200 per person for the tasting/wining pairing and tax/tip. Would highly recommend if staying in or passing through Solvang!

Review №48

2022-09-18 04:53:10

This place was amazing!!!We had the 5 course meal. Everything was cooked to perfection. All of the flavors were perfectly balanced. The combination of textures and ingredients were perfect.The dinners were pricey, but honestly, it was worth every penny for the quality and craftsmanship put into every plate.Also the servers were very friendly and very knowledgeable. The tables were prepared and plates and flatwear were removed after every plate.This is one of my most memorable and delicious dining experiences with too many perfections to list.I am looking forward to going back.Thank you to the staff and chefs for this experience.

Review №49

2023-02-04 17:35:56

Food was absolutely amazing. Honestly, it was probably the best meal I’ve ever had. They got creative and mixed things you wouldn’t necessarily consider working (like duck breast and grapes), but it absolutely worked. Wish I could eat here all the time. Can’t recommend them enough!

Review №50

2023-12-08 01:30:04

Id give this place 6 stars for each category. Really a fantastic meal.

Review №51

2022-03-03 06:47:42

Love their cozy indoor dining room. Service is spot on. Enjoyed the oysters to start and the wonderful fish dishes. The wine selection is lengthy and our waiter was happy to provide recommendations. I have dined outdoors here too and have enjoyed that too. The mealy was leis and proudly presented and most importantly fully enjoyed!

Review №52

2023-02-10 23:13:15

Absolutely, without a doubt, the best meal I have ever had. All the dishes had wonderful complex flavor profiles and were perfect portion sizeThe restaurant is small but they do not rush you and the timings of the different courses was perfect to allow you to throughly enjoy the culinary experience.I would definately advise people to reserve a table as it is small.

Review №53

2023-09-03 03:04:15

It was absolutely beautiful, definitely recommend the pork, I dont like pork but this knocked me out, it was scrumcious

Review №54

2020-08-11 16:23:48

Had 2 portions of scallops because they were so yum. Service was excellent!

Review №55

2021-12-27 02:35:16

This place is a little bit pricy but the foods are amazing.

Review №56

2023-11-21 00:55:49

In a beautiful boutique hotel Just off the main streets of Solvang. A wonderful experience.

Review №57

2023-09-25 05:04:43

Salads and sauces were amazing, but unfortunately, duck breast and kurobata pork were overcooked and dry.

Review №58

2023-01-15 01:13:08

WOW! Every item we got was great. Different layers of flavors that all worked together to create a sumptuous meal. Love love love the cauliflower and mushroom risotto, those are must order.

Review №59

2021-11-26 02:06:43

Had Thanksgiving dinner here, and it was FAB-U-LOUS! Like, unexpectedly fabulous. Staff was gracious, too. Run dont walk!

Review №60

2022-08-01 02:48:18

Food was great tonight, 5 dishes and service was excellent, paired wine and port fantastic, chefs are very creative and innovative with meals. Quaint and interesting enclave with good ambience.We also stayed at B&B as well. Rooms dated in places but comfortable. Looking forward to improvements and coming back again.

Review №61

2023-04-16 17:46:26

Food was ok! Service was not good maybe because Tip of 22% is added by default. People that are on here saying how great the food is clearly dont understand fine dining, or maybe the place is inconsistent. Try elsewhere there are better places in the area.

Review №62

2022-02-09 21:58:47

The service was exceptional -- would give that a 5/5 rating. What I was really disappointed with was the food. Ordered caviar, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower as appetizers and fish of the day as entree. Everything was underwhelming with the exception of the cheesecake dessert. I was also disappointed that there wasnt a full bar. Decor felt a bit outdated. In my experience I found other dining establishments in the area that offered better tasting food for half the price.

Review №63

2022-07-29 06:22:08

Wife and I came to Solvang for the first time and we had the luck of staying at an Air bnb next door to First & Oak… I am a corporate paralegal… my “culinary experience” is limited to consumption and doing my best to make “nice” meals for my wife on the weekends… my love of food is more on the consumer side lol.First & Oak’s five course menu tasting gave my wife and I a unique experience. I feel like I got to taste Solvang in each of the ingredients that was prepared for us. Everything tasted like it had been grown next door… that’s how fresh it felt and tasted… and that’s probably because the ingredients actually are next door as they are locally sourced… everything tasted and felt fresh and vibrant. The ingredients weren’t placed within the context of the plate (they absolutely were), as much as they felt like each ingredient was elevated in respect for each ingredient itself on the plate, and then was elevated AGAIN within the context of the 5 course meal as a whole, rather than just the plate.The Chef is a wizard with an imagination big enough to prepare local fresh ingredients in a way that takes the guest on a theme park ride through Southern California with a particular respect to Solvang (this is especially true with regard to the wine list as much as the food), and an imagination that is still grounded enough that each ingredient is appreciated to its fullest. Chef doesn’t get carried away with the ingredients, he definitely blew my mind… but I never felt like I needed to be a chef myself to really appreciate what he put on my plate. I enjoyed an awesome meal… not a concept of a meal.The service was perfect. My wife and I honestly felt like welcome guests in Solvang. And we graciously enjoyed everything First & Oak had to offer.I’m just a random dude who loves food… and this is just an anecdote of my experience at First & Oak. If you’re visiting CA, First & Oak will give you an honest and authentic idea of what CA tastes like… and what the community in Solvang feels like. In my humble opinion, if you want to experience the Golden State on a plate, First & Oak is a must.

Review №64

2022-03-16 19:30:14

The place was so adorable!! its in the middle of neighborhood, so it wasn’t too loud and there aren’t too many people around. the outside has a garden feeling and the inside was more posh and unique for a restaurant. servers were really nice and fast, food options were amazing, i wanted to try everything haha. it’s a little more if the pricier side but i think it’s worth it. a huge selection of wine

Review №65

2022-03-17 02:36:25

First, the atmosphere inside is amazing. Like being inside a country B&B. I started with the Potato and Leek soup. The presentation is almost as good as the soup. My entrée was the Duck Breast. I wish I had taken pictures but once I took the first bite I could not stop. The flavors of every single bite is different yet scrumptious. This is a highly recommend spot.

Review №66

2023-01-19 05:48:44

The food was good. The atmosphere is that of a bed and breakfast. The tip was built into the price of the meal of 22%. For the price and everything it was all over the top.

Review №67

2021-08-18 17:07:35

The restaurant is cute—we were sat on the sidewalk as part of their patio. The host and waitress were very pleasant and welcoming. There service is great, however, the food is not very good.We started with the duck wings which were very good and we were excited for the rest of the dinner but then the mains came.We had the lamb served with a blackberry relish. The lamb was dry, under seasoned, and the sauce was weird—this strange blend of mushroom, sour cherries, and red wine—it should have been good but it was not.We also had the seared scallops with hand cut fettuccini. The scallops were cooked perfectly but the pasta was mushy and the sauce was also under seasoned.Lastly, we had the New York strip steak which was just ok. Definitely not worth $45.It’s supposed to be one of the best restaurants in solvang and it has the prices of what should be a great restaurant. But the food was just ok.

Review №68

2022-01-01 00:45:06

Received a call at 9:30 pm the night before New Years eve that our reservation (made weeks ago) had to be canceled because of a Covid exposure. Though I can completely sympathize that something like an exposure is out of someones control, the way the restaurant handled it was disappointing. Only offered suggestions for places to attempt to get a reservation for dinner. Of course all places were booked. It was too last minute to cancel our hotel without paying a fee.I know they are taking a financial hit when they have to close on such a big day, so Im sure that was stressful for them. When something this inconvenient happens on a busy day for restaurants, I wish they would have done more. For example, maybe calling other restaurants in the area to explain what had happened. Instead I had to call around and Im sure no one believed a word I was saying because people always lie to get a last minute reservation on a holiday (I know first hand). Or at least offer a complimentary dessert. Something! Anything at all.Im giving them two stars instead of one, because a wonderful woman named Michelle was kind enough to search in the area to try and find something. The place she found didnt work out, but Im grateful to her for putting in that effort. She was incredibly patient and obliging. However, I shouldnt have had to call and complain to get the help. And Im sure she was plenty busy dealing with all that was going on.This place has amazing food. Excellent service otherwise. Despite what happened I wish them the best this New Year. I hope everyone gets healthy soon.

Review №69

2023-04-09 14:12:00

The place is amazing all the way around, the food was phenomenal, the service was just as good, the atmosphere is that of dinner in you own house, relaxed and so enjoyable!!!

Review №70

2019-08-08 17:13:51

I loved my dinner here. Absolutely fabulous, and each course was absolutely delicious. I had the 4 course which was a little too much food for me, however make sure you dont eat prior or you can order the 3 course, so you can finish everybite. The service was 5 star. Friendly and attentive staff. I will absolutely be back.

Review №71

2021-07-16 05:33:19

I join in my disappointment of this restaurant. I ordered the “truffle” risotto which they forgot to put truffle oil into. Maybe they thought this Hispanic person wouldn’t know what truffle is. Who knows? When I brought it up to the waiter, he didn’t offer either a minor discount on the expensive meal nor dessert. He offered to bring me a drizzle to put on what was then cold and uneaten. Overpriced for what you get.

Review №72

2017-03-20 21:08:24

Food, service, and atmosphere are all on point. Came here for dinner on a Saturday night. Loved the lobster, soft shell crab, and pork belly. And the cauliflower, beef tenderloin...you get the idea - not a bad thing on the menu. Very cute setting in the front parlor of a hotel in downtown Solvang. I would recommend and will be coming back.

Review №73

2023-07-08 04:24:10

Amazing service, pork was another level, sea bass cooked perfectly

Review №74

2020-03-05 16:13:22

Oyster and Syrah pairing; a little unconventional, but delicious nonetheless.

Review №75

2018-02-20 22:31:50

An update: to the review below: they have a new seasonal menu which is even better than the one before, and that is saying a lot!---------------------------------------------------------A beautiful ambiance, fantastic service, and, above all, great food.So tasty, full of creative flavors, wonderfully presented.A Michelin star quality in all aspects.

Review №76

2018-10-03 16:12:44

Intimate dining experience. Wonderful Prix Fixe dinner selection that flows nicely. My wife and I really enjoyed the meal and the service. The ambience is chic and elegant. The music however did not match the ambiance at all (50s oldies pop??) Hahaha. Easy fix, only mention because of the funny contrast to the ambiance. Highly recommend this spot!

Review №77

2016-05-31 23:49:15

Phenomenal. I dont eat seafood, but tried the scallops. It was amazing. I also had the duck breast for the main coarse and was floored by how great it was. There wasnt a single thing I, or my wife, had that was bad. I would recommend this place hands down. It was expensive though, as the $75 wine, added to the $125 meal, ended up being a little more than I would have liked. However, after eating the meal, I can say that it was worth it.

Review №78

2017-02-27 19:22:55

Dining at First & Oak felt more like an experience than a meal. The small plate concept allowed us to enjoy multiple dishes which came out looking like artwork and tasting just as good! Apparently the chef worked at a 3-star Michelin restaurant, which was really cool to hear. Overall - incredible food, service, and ambiance. Do not miss this gem while in Solvang!

Review №79

2018-09-23 23:56:56

First & Oak was truly an amazing experience from beginning to end. I cannot believe that they offer a five-course menu for a mere $80. I have done tasting and chefs menus all over, and believe me, it is never less than $100 per person. They offer premium ossetra caviar with an upcharge, it is literally less here than when ordered from Dean & Deluca! Same brand! Food was beautiful and delicious. Service was informative and warm. Wine list was exceptional. If you like a leisurely meal, where you can savor and enjoy, this is the place for you. We were never rushed, food was timed perfectly. We left completely satisfied. We will recur.

Review №80

2021-03-12 07:50:32

Ate outside in November 2020 but it was cozy enough with the heaters. Loved all the food but my favorite was the beet dish. I loved how a simple ingredient was made so complex. Super friendly service as well. Great night!

Review №81

2018-08-14 23:08:44

The staff seamed friendly, but too few for the number of people eating there on the night we went. We ordered a wine pairing with our meal, but the lag between each course was too long for the pairings to effectively be savored with the meal. It felt like 30 minutes between the second and third course.Hopefully our night was an abnormally.

Review №82

2021-11-03 02:25:15

Visited in May 2019 with parents during my college graduation trip.

Review №83

2022-01-17 12:38:40

I literally want to go back to Solvang just to eat here again. Worth it.

Review №84

2021-04-24 00:37:29

Our meal was top shelf. The service was stellar. The atmosphere was very comfortable. Our overall dining experience was memorable. We would definitely dine here again.

Review №85

2019-04-15 23:53:25

Hands down the best dinner and culinary experience youll have in Solvang... and just about anywhere else. My girlfriend and I made a reservation for dinner after a day of wine tasting in Los Olivos. Our server knew everything on the menu and at her suggestion we went with a 3 course & 4 course dinner, this way between the two of us we had an opportunity to try just about everything we wanted. I started off with the Duck Wings, they were spectacular, and I cant choose which I enjoyed more between the Halibut and Kampachi. All in all a great experience, we will definitely be back!

Review №86

2019-07-18 13:27:38

Service was cheerful. Food a bit over cute but not that tasty. Portions tiny but you can fill up on the great bread. If your value is from food art, youll be happy. Otherwise, very high price for great bread.

Review №87

2019-03-04 20:25:39

This is a must dine at location in Solvang. Make a reservation to ensure you can get in. The food is superb, and will leave a lasting impression. During our visit we chose from 5 starters, 5 entrees and 3 desserts. From the intimate setting, beautifully designed courses and superb wine list, it is clearly not just the best of Solvang but easily in the best of the west coast. I cant imagine any future trip to the area that wont include a stop at First and Oak. While every course was amazing, the lobster bisque and halibut courses were above all others.

Review №88

2020-02-21 07:54:30

Had a wonderful experience. I had the 2-2-1 and each course was divine. As a starter I had the Duck wings and kimchi cracklings. After eating the wings I will be hard pressed to enjoy chicken wings again. The cracklings reminded me of fried pork skin in appearance but they were light and airy and actually had no resemblance to the kimchi I have had in Korean restaurants. My two entrees were the pork cheeks with delicious mashed potatoes and the wagyu beef with roasted fingerling type potatoes. Both exceeded my expectations and my dessert was chocolate mousse with honeycomb brittle. Michael, our server, was efficient and helpful and didnt rush us through each course. It was a relaxing and thoroughly wonderful experience.

Review №89

2022-11-29 22:26:58

A good restaurant where you eat very well and where sometimes strange and magical things happen.

Review №90

2018-08-21 00:19:21

Big disappointment - super pretentious presentation and BS without any substance to back it up. Had 4 dishes and all were a big fail. Nothing was delicious, I dont get where these 4+ star reviews are coming from. I was here on a special occasion and thankfully my company made up for the really lousy food. Get the fundamentals right before getting so fancy!

Review №91

2018-09-23 02:44:52

Table service is excellent, food is comparable to serval other restaurants within Solvang proper, but terrible (read: rude) hostess- enough for us to not return. Try Frescos for lunch (incredible price point and so so delicious, but casual) or Succulent for dinner (amazing diversity of farm-to-table options, most of them organic or sustainable, and such incredible service) OR Mad and Vin at the Lansky hotel- who also also have an insane happy hour.****if you’re under 40 with a decently rounded/sophisticated palate skip the age-ism and cruise to Succulent : )

Review №92

2023-06-15 20:31:01

Great service, tasting menu was high quality.

Review №93

2019-06-08 15:37:43

I love, love this place, service is great, food is excellent, small and cozy if you are in Solvang do not miss it. My congratulation to the chef an April their keeping this place as #1 for me and my wife we just drive from San Jose to Solvang to eat in First an Oak.Keeping doing what you do. Thank you

Review №94

2022-12-16 03:18:53

One of the best food I have ever had!!! Every single thing we have tried from this restaurant is amazing. Highly recommended!

Review №95

2018-05-29 02:16:31

Hidden little gem in Solvang - the food really is world class. I was floored with the originality of the dishes, and of course the taste. From rabbit tacos to the sea bass, it was all tremendous. HIGHLY recommend!

Review №96

2022-12-22 02:47:39

Disgusting service. Staff attitude was like they did not care about the customers at all! Very long wait for food. Small portions, overpriced. Huge disappointment.

Review №97

2021-05-11 01:17:26

I’m so happy that I brought my wife to have dinner here. The meal was very delicious and our server was amazing. This was the best place to spend our anniversary and my wife’s birthday 🥳

Review №98

2021-06-29 17:30:46

Great good (go for duck), good service, pleasant ambiance and outdoor seating with heaters for cool nights. The rack of lamb was not bad, but could’ve been better. Not cheap.

Review №99

2020-03-17 16:43:13

Ellen my captain aka camarera was an absolute delight. Im going to make up a reason to visit once this world challenge is dismissed. Every occassions Im visiting McClain Cellars in bulleton, Ill stop in at FIRST AND OAK. The dinning arena is comfortable, like eating at home with family. The complete staff was professionals and should give themselves a gold star and a cookie. On the merit of the staff alone you will come back. The food will make you a cult like follower. The end

Review №100

2021-04-30 16:41:05

Amazing Restaurant & Proprietors! We, at the Golden Inn & Village are truly so very grateful! Amazing food every single time...the love & care that go with it is TOP Notch! God Bless and thank you for the food blessings!!

Review №101

2021-08-14 04:16:52

Wonderful atmosphere and fantastic service. We will definitely make this a regular stop when walking about town. The duck wings and the cauliflower ate a must have!!!

Review №102

2021-11-08 23:40:59

Amazing dining experience. We stumbled upon the place during a roadtrip through California, we hadnt even heard about the place and it was one of the best meals of the whole trip.

Review №103

2019-03-10 03:37:46

Visited during restaurant week. A great dinner, wonderful ambiance, staff Wonderful. Best overall experience in the last few years. I will return as the menu changes seasonally.

Review №104

2023-10-25 08:22:08

Great spot for a romantic dinner. Get plates to share. Just be sure to get a reservation

Review №105

2017-06-18 15:23:46

Excellent tasting menu. Good selection of local wine

Review №106

2022-02-18 21:33:43

I think that people with a more refined palate than me might give it a 5 While my salmon was a 5 almost everything else had a seasoning that was not to my liking

Review №107

2021-05-29 14:34:08

Amazingly delicious food and tremendous ambiance and service!

Review №108

2020-01-25 01:35:26

Good food. OK service. Nice ambience. Wine prices are aggressive, corkage is excessive ($30, but waived if you buy one of their expensive bottles).

Review №109

2019-05-13 19:01:37

While this place is very expensive it is an amazing experience. It is eating a different way, slowly with small courses paired with great wine. It is an amazing place and a go to for special events in the family!

Review №110

2021-10-17 01:22:09

Best food in Solvang, great place for a Birthday or anniversary celebration. Wonderful wine list and fabulous service.

Review №111

2021-09-27 18:50:53

Very good staff and foodWould have preferred more local wine choices. One winery dominated the menu

Review №112

2021-09-29 03:51:38

Black cod and scallops were excellent dishes. Quiet atmosphere inside with low lighting.

Review №113

2023-05-03 17:52:53

Absolutely amazing. Must check them out if you have a chance.

Review №114

2017-12-08 04:04:56

The best oysters Ive ever had. Everything we ordered was amazing. The chef is a culinary master!

Review №115

2017-08-10 01:37:19

Reminds me of our bnbs in Europe. Lovely Inn and the restaurant is tremendous. The breakfast is not your usual frebbie, as good as the dinner. Ideal location for Solvang.

Review №116

2021-11-28 22:58:06

Fantastic food and friendly staff. Beautifully appointed. Must visit if you are a foodie.

Review №117

2017-04-04 02:55:10

Wonderfully done small plates. Amazing staff. Dinning room feels warm and welcoming. A real treat.

Review №118

2017-04-30 04:05:34

Go here. I dont understand how this place isnt in downtown San Francisco or New York. The food here is absolutely fantastic. If youre in the area, this is worth the trip.

Review №119

2018-11-16 04:04:53

Service was very good. Food was very creative but some item lacked flavor. Sorry. Rather pricy, thus the rating.

Review №120

2023-04-02 05:48:44

Really good, had the duck breast. I recommend.

Review №121

2018-03-17 04:43:45

Great food and service. Lovely tomato tea, what a fantastic surprise! Really interesting place, different.

Review №122

2018-09-27 09:20:46

Very surprised! It is a very small, cute place inside the inn in the tourist area. The food look good .

Review №123

2019-03-30 03:31:27

Superb! The food, wine and ambiance are always wonderful. One of my favorite places.

Review №124

2019-02-24 06:55:10

Such a wonderful little gem of a restaurant. Absolutely loved the dinner and service, so worth checking out.

Review №125

2022-09-24 22:39:41

Food was very creative here. Tasted as great as it looked.

Review №126

2022-03-16 19:10:32

Nice resto with delicious food and fast service and very kind servers. Recommended

Review №127

2021-05-21 17:22:47

My husband and I had the most delicious food and the service was excellent.

Review №128

2019-06-01 03:34:08

I would leave 0 stars if that was possible. They would not honor OpenTable reservation even though there were empty tables in the dining room.

Review №129

2021-06-25 21:01:50

They went above and beyond for our food limitations. Food was 5 star, cant wait to go back.

Review №130

2021-06-01 03:06:34

Amazing tasting food. Great atmosphere and the staff is great.

Review №131

2017-04-25 02:33:55

Food is great. Dont let them push additional dishes. Service slow!

Review №132

2021-06-27 03:08:38

This restaurants food is excellent and their service is exceptional 🌺❤️

Review №133

2023-04-25 04:13:25

Food and service was amazing!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!@

Review №134

2021-04-05 01:52:21

Top notch! Fantastic food, great service and beautiful setting!

Review №135

2017-11-29 21:28:25

Delicious food, great romantic ambiance. Very slow paced courses.

Review №136

2023-01-01 19:18:53

The Brussel sprouts and duck wings were to die for!

Review №137

2023-01-26 01:56:24

Food was exceptional and so was the service.

Review №138

2019-01-05 18:59:58

Its fantastic restaurant. Good pairing with wines.

Review №139

2018-09-12 16:34:46

One of the finest restaurants I have had the pleasure to dine in!

Review №140

2019-09-08 13:41:57

Fantastic dessert and very lovely people. Everyone is so nice!!!

Review №141

2022-08-21 17:45:59

Stellar food and service! Well be back for sure.

Review №142

2020-12-15 19:46:19

Quiet and romantic spot.

Review №143

2018-07-02 20:37:37

Yummy creative food.

Review №144

2020-10-10 02:49:17

Wonderful alittle pricey,but great food..

Review №145

2020-01-25 18:15:10

Food is good, not much of an atmosphere...

Review №146

2022-06-21 02:59:10

Love at first bite for Risotto!!

Review №147

2019-09-28 18:24:41

One of the best dining experiences of my life!

Review №148

2017-09-03 04:42:22

Absolutely outstanding. Try the dry riesling and duck wing

Review №149

2022-10-03 04:07:22

Super good for service and wonderful food

Review №150

2021-07-31 23:51:41

Great food and variety

Review №151

2017-09-16 04:29:46

Delicious. Delectable. Delightful. Groovy soundtrack.

Review №152

2017-08-10 04:09:51

Pretty place!!

Review №153

2016-08-22 19:17:42

Best menu ever

Review №154

2018-06-02 10:43:53

Exquisite cuisine, great atmosphere.

Review №155

2017-09-11 03:29:54

Absolutely FABULOUS!!!!! Cant wait to go again.

Review №156

2019-12-27 00:10:22

Very unique experience in Solvang

Review №157

2017-06-17 01:37:50

Exquisite culinary experience!

Review №158

2021-06-27 14:22:21

Incredible food and fantastic service

Review №159

2018-01-01 05:11:42

Fantastic dinner!

Review №160

2018-02-03 01:01:25

Amazing

Review №161

2023-09-15 02:27:36

A restaurant I didnt go to because of the unexpected location and atmosphere (outdoor tables)... The best food Ive had in Solvang or the best Ive ever had in my life. I gave it a try once because of the price, but I have no regrets... the best

Review №162

2021-09-02 22:48:00

Excellent restaurant for dinner! Exquisite dishes and very good serviceThe wine was first class, my wife ordered the duck and it was very good, I ordered escalopes with pasta and it was also delicious, everything was excellent!!

Review №163

2017-08-14 04:08:26

I came to the store with a baby and was told that there were no high chairs, so the atmosphere in the store was not suitable for bringing a baby into the store. By chance, the waiting room next door was empty, so I asked if we could eat there, and they happily agreed. The staff were very friendly and the food was delicious. I would like to visit again.

Review №164

2018-10-04 17:42:50

Place where there is Bed and Breakfast. Very pleasant atmosphere, great service!

Review №165

2018-09-15 05:54:38

Really delicious food!