First & Oak

absolutely loved our experience here! as 2 vegetarians we didnt want to both get the same main option so we called ahead. the chef was so amazingly accommodating and made us our own dish which was so delicious!! i still dream of the cauliflower dish

First & Oak in Solvang ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dining at First & Oak was an unforgettable experience! From the moment we walked in, the service was phenomenal. The staff took the time to ask about the occasion we were celebrating, and their attention to detail made us feel incredibly special. We were thrilled to be accommodated with a window street view, which added a lovely touch to our dining experience. The ambiance was perfect, with soft music that allowed for easy conversation, making the evening all the more enjoyable. The food was nothing short of amazing. Each dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. It was clear that a lot of thought and care went into every plate. First & Oak is a gem in Solvang. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply want to enjoy an extraordinary meal, this restaurant will exceed your expectations. Highly recommended!

One of those truly special food experiences. If you’re looking for unique dishes in a quaint, charming, romantic setting, First & Oak should be your top choice. Atmosphere I think another reviewer said it best: it’s like eating in someone else’s dining room. That’s a good thing. It’s intimate and personal. There are only a few tables, so reservations are a must. My lovely girlfriend and I sat in a corner table, which was the best seat in the house, in my opinion. Service Very good. Attentive enough to be there when needed but not too much so that it takes away from the experience. Food We chose the 5-course menu and we got all options so that we could try everything (basically making it a 10-course menu?) and everything was excellent. Since the menu is seasonal, the courses may change by the time you read this. Value For the food quality, flavor, and uniqueness, no complaints. Recommend? Absolutely.

From hearing, to seating, to service, everything was exceptional. All of the staff were interacted with were friendly and helpful, answering any question we had. We did the 5 Course Prix-fixe. From the Amuse Bouche to the Entrée, every course was delicious. Very flavorful and perfectly prepared. We also did the wine pairing, which unfortunately did not contain the dessert wine 😔 Overall, I would highly suggest this restaurant to anyone looking for the perfect Date Night or Special occasion.

What an amazing dinner celebrating the graduation of our daughter. We chose 5 courses meal and every dish was better than the other. Great, attentive staff, beautiful setting, and atmosphere. We were sitted in their private room with plenty of space for up to 12 people. Would definitely come back when staying next time in Solvang. Thank you for making our celebration even more special.

I came here with my mother when she was in town to celebrate, and it was probably one of the fanciest restaurants either of us had been to. The servers were excellent and attentive, and each course came at a comfortable pace, it didn't feel like they were too fast or to far between. The detail put into each plate was amazing! They also have a vegetarian menu if you make a note on your reservation, and everything from that selection was delicious as well!

We had a very nice quiet dinner here. We were looking for a dinner dining place in Solvang, and this didn't disappoint. It's in a quaint hotel. You can sit inside or out. The bread looked delicious, but we didn't want to fill up. I loved my scallops, and my friend loved her halibut. The side of potatoes and the cream were amazing. Don't forget to get he dessert as well. I'd love to come back here for sure.

Was visiting Solvang and this place was highly recommended, we decided to do the Tasting Menu created by the chef and it did not disappoint. We brought 2 bottles of our wine, a white and red and our waiter, George (who is very knowledgeable and wonderful) was able to pour our wine to compliment each dish without having to be told. We chose to sit outside and the weather was very cooperative. Food: Taste and presentation was on point and amazing.; Atmosphere: Very inviting. Service: 5 stars. I think at one point, the chef came out as well to check on us. Will definitely be back.

Quiet little restaurant in Solvang. Easily missed but definitely worth a try! We were seated quickly as we had reservations and the options were a three course or five course meal. We opted to try all the dishes on the menu and nothing disappointed. Our favorites were the roasted cauliflower, cavatelli, and the pan seared scallop. The wine cake was always fantastic - perfectly sweet and the ice cream paired well with it.

My girlfriend and I were visiting Solvang the weekend before Thanksgiving and happened to stay at the Mirabelle Inn. Part of the reason I booked our stay there was because I had noticed first and Oak was downstairs. We had made a reservation for Sunday night at 7:30. We arrived right on time and were promptly seated. The restaurant itself is on the first floor of the hotel right by the front entrance. It quaint, and cozy - perfect for an intimate dinner with your partner or dinner with a smaller group. The menu is split between two tasting menus - a three course option and a five course option, both of which showcase the ingredients native to the Santa Ynez Valley. We ended up going with the five course menu. One thing to note, the staff were extremely flexible with the menu and have alternatives for any dietary restrictions members of your party may have. My girlfriend is vegetarian and the staff effortlessly replaced items on the tasting menu with tasteful and elegant alternatives. Course by course breakdown: For our first course, I got the oyster and my girlfriend got a vegetarian starter of a watermelon crudo. This oyster was one of best oysters I've had in my lifetime - the tomatillo gelee was a perfect accoutrement that cut through the saltiness and brininess of the oyster. I only wish there were more on the plate. The watermelon crudo was refreshing and light - a good vegetarian alternative to whet the appetite In the second course I got the hamachi crudo and girlfriend got a little gem salad with green goddess dressing. The hamachi crudo visually was elegant and came together very well. The highlight of this course though was surprisingly the little gem salad. My girlfriend says she still dreams about that green goddess dressing. It was nutty, salty and rich - a salad has no business being this good. I'd try asking for this as an alternative if you can. The third course was our last starter - the vegetarian option was the truffle roasted cauliflower and the non veg option was seared scallop. The truffle roasted cauliflower was another stand out vegetarian option - the flavors were all super punchy while remaining well balanced. The scallop was also amazing - seared to perfection , and played really well with the creamy corn espuma. For our entree, I got the beef tenderloin and my girlfriend got the ricotta cavatelli. The pasta was fresh and had a good bite to it. The flavor profile was a nice balance between sweet and savory. The beef tenderloin was delicious - cooked to a perfect medium. It was extremely savory and went really well with the potato puree and chard. To wrap up our meal i got the wine cake with braised plum and my girlfriend got the chocolate and honey. Honestly ... it was perfection. On top of all of the incredible food we had during the meal - the service here was top notch. Everyone was extremely attentive and tended to any asks we had. All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience at First and Oak. Even if you are not staying at the Mirabelle Inn, this is a can't miss dining experience in Solvang and its place on the Michelin guide is well deserved. Photos do not do it justice, you have to try it for yourself. Do yourself a favor a stop by here.

What a total gem!!! Perfect for a date night, peaceful family dinner, or a fun night with your girlfriends. The service was OUTSTANDING from the moment you walk in and to when you order... but the best part was the awesome subtle 80s music playing in the background. My friend and I ordered the 5 course meal and it did not disappoint. Thank you for an amazing time!

Surprised a Michelin Star restaurant was located in Solvang of all places. The wait staff are professional and live up to the service standards expected from a Michelin Star experience. The host/receptionist were polite but cold. They acted like they're used to seeing particular regulars. I ordered a three-course dinner. First course: They didn't have the course I wanted. So we ended up getting cauliflower and beets. The cauliflower was excellent, which is surprising since I don't usually like cauliflower. The beets disappointed me, but I liked that they were topped with meringue. The second course I had a fish of the day and a beef tenderloin. The beef tenderloin was great. The fish was even better. Especially the soup that came with it. Dessert was a weak link as well. My cake was nothing special. The meringue with honeycomb was delicious.

Incredible food, great service and a very romantic restaurant. $90 for a 5 course Michelin star restaurant is amazing. I will 100% be coming here every time we stay at solvang!

Amazing meal. Very special treat for a special occasion. Flavorful and delicious. Nice service too.

We stopped here for the 5 course dinner on a Saturday night in Solvang. We sat outside on the patio. It was a lovely evening and there were heaters if we got cold. Sadly, there was no bar - but beer & wine are available. We each had a glass of wine, but skipped the pairing as we had been wine tasting earlier. Oyster was the first course. And everyone was happy with it. The Trufgle Cauliflower was amazing, maybe my favorite dish. I had the Cavatelli and Beef Tenderloin. Service was prompt and each dish was explained on delivery. It was a lovely evening.

DO NOT MISS THIS PLACE. What an amazing experience. Normally going someplace with a fixed menu isn't our style but the reviews were outstanding and figured we try something different to celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary. We choose to do the five course dinner. Very quiet romantic place inside with some seating outside. We were seated outside which was nice but got cooler into the evening. By the end of dinner I almost asked them to turn on the patio heater.... Anyway each course came out at a nice pace that wasn't rushed and each course was just incredible. From the kimchi crisp, the cauliflower, the scallop and everything else, was just perfect and amazing. The staff was knowledgeable of what they were serving and super friendly. If you're looking to celebrate a special occasion this place is a must try. Oh and don't forget to make a reservation. A few people were turned away to come back later.

In my opinion this is one of the best restaurants in Solvang and worth to visit. Came here with a reservation on Saturday night and it was pretty busy. Opted with their pre-fixed menu with wine pairing. The atmosphere was nice and quiet to have some conversation. It's a great romantic spot for a date night or special occasion.

We made reservations for our anniversary dinner after researching romantic restaurants in Solvang. Quiet ambiance, good service, nice food presentation but the taste didn't meet our expectations. We expected better considering the Michelin rating. Christmas decor was pretty cool. Corkage fee was $30. Eliona, the food runner, was the highlight of the night. She was super cute, patient, knowledgeable and very friendly. Her dad George was our server. He was very nice and professional.

Oak Religion Located on the bottom floor of the charming Mirabelle Inn lies a multiple Michelin recommended restaurant that served us what quite possibly was our favorite meal of 2023. While French fine-dining isn't really in our wheelhouse, we were drawn in by their intriguing, ever-changing menu that purports to take humble ingredients, like a head of Cauliflower, and transforms it into a tastebud tantalizing tap-dance. And that's not to downplay their simple, and yet dazzling presentation that'll leave you awestruck at every turn. From the Sabayon Amuse Bouche that was served inside real egg shells and presented in a "nest," to the mahogany crusted Scallops and Halibut that gives way to a perfectly cooked and flavorful flesh below it. Their desserts are also to be acknowledged, as the Passionfruit Tart was possibly the best use of the ingredient outside of Hawai'i that I've experienced. Tangy, sweet and creamy as it gets, the Passionfruit flavor really shined. Service is another hallmark of these types of establishments, and First & Oak brings it and then some. The staff are neat and thorough as one would expect, but without the slightest bit of hoity toity snobbery which usually comes along with it. In fact, they were all downright pleasant and a joy to speak to about the menu, the restaurant, and whatever else came up in conversation. The one drawback to fine-dining is the cost, but honestly, First & Oak's pricing ($65/three-course $90/five-course) is almost a bargain. Yes, I realize I've lived too long in Cali in order to say $90 is a bargain, but when you compare it to Michelin-starred restaurants, you could certainly do a lot worse. And, despite them not technically having a Michelin Star, the food here was on-par--if not superior!--with Michelin-starred restaurants we've eaten at. Conclusion: Destination dining spot that's surely on its way to an eventual Michelin Star at some point in the near future.

Day 1 of 3...kicking off with a special - 3 course dinner menu for our Anniversary celebration. The waiter was very gracious and attentive. Appetizer, Entree and Dessert were delicious!

I came back here for the second time and had a Phenomenal experience. The service was great and ambiance was intimate. The food treated extremely fresh and it was a wonderful dining experience.

We had a great dinner here! Food were amazing, service was spectacular! Just make sure to book your reservation!

By far our favorite restaurant! We travel here a few times a year and it's always the most delicious food! We always do the tasting menu and OMG! They deliver every single time! We love adding the wine pairing because why not! As for the service, you will never meet a better staff! Tommie is a wonderful person and Leanne is the best servicer on the planet! The place is beautiful and kept clean at all times. We always prefer to sit outside to enjoy the night. If you have the time please do yourself a favor and go check them out. You will not be disappointed.

It's great food. The seasonal soup I got inspired me to try to recreate it. The service is descent. Sadly when we went we were seated outside and an ant was on my food the waiter didn't let me finished when I pointed to the plate she said yes the flowers are edible when I wast trying to point at the ant but she left before I could say anything. The ambiance is quaint. It's like you're eating at your friends house but having 5 star dining. My wife and I try going here when we are at Solvang!

My boyfriend and I came to First & Oak for our anniversary dinner. Our waitress was very hospitable and offered us the choice of the 3-course or 5-course tasting menu. We were excited to try the 5-course as it included an oyster and dessert. We were advised to do one of each menu option since we'd mostly be splitting each course. After the oyster, we opted for the asparagus and cauliflower. Both came out in a timely manner and looked beautiful. after splitting each vegetable on share plates, my boyfriend took a bite out of the asparagus only to notice a caterpillar crawling out of the middle of the plate. We called over the waitress and calmly mentioned that an unwelcome "friend" had joined our party. We didn't want to cause a scene and freak the rest of the restaurant out of courtesy. The staff seemed to brush this off without much of a resolution other than a fresh plate of asparagus. We weren't able to eat much of it, but it the cauliflower was very tasty. Over the next several minutes, they brought us out 2 pieces of bread with avocado butter. This was delicious, although a very small portion. We noticed the tables next to us (also parties of 2) received orders of bread twice the size of ours. For our entrees, we ordered the lamb and halibut. About a half an hour later, entrees came out, only for a different waiter to realize he gave us the wrong things and they were meant for the table next to us. That table finished their meals before our proper meals touched down on our table. When they finally did, my boyfriend couldn't take more than 3 bites from the salt bomb of a halibut. It was prepared very nicely with crispy skin, but we both could not handle the salt. Our kind waitress noticed something was wrong and kindly brought us a complimentary glass of wine. By this point, the tables next to us whom had started 30+ minutes after us had completely finished and paid their bills. Meanwhile, our waitress thought we had already ate dessert when it hadn't even come out. The dessert came out without an apology for the wait. The passion fruit tart was delicious and the chocolate was very good. When the check came out, we were expecting some kind of apology for all the mistakes of the evening. This did not happen. When we called out the bug situation, our waitress immediately said she'd take care of part of the check without question. When she brought back the check, she said she messed up the original charge and took 25% off the new check. Suspiciously, she threw away all original checks and only left the credit card receipt so we couldn't see what we were charged for. After leaving the restaurant, we ran the calculation of what we ordered and what we saw on the original receipt. We were discounted approximately $20 instead of 25% of the bill. Although the service was friendly and hospitable, I cannot recommend this restaurant with the disorderly chaos of the evening. Extremely unfortunate.

Seating inside or outside. On a nice day request a table outside under an olive tree, great ambianc. Food was good but a bit pricey for what you get. Hours were better than most restaurants in the area

One Michelin star restaurant in the little town of solvang! This cute quaint restaurant is hidden in the neighborhood of Slovang. You can get a 3 or 5 course tasting menu. We ordered 5 courses which is only $90! The first course was the beet with Cara Cara and pistachios which was ok honestly. The next course you can pick and I ordered the roasted cauliflower. Get it!!! The cream is actually a cauliflower puree! The truffle vinaigrette is not too strong just perfect. We both ordered the seared scallops and that was perfection with a carrot puree. Next course was the braised lamb shoulder which looks dry but it's so tender you don't need a knife to cut it! Finally the two desserts were excellent. The passion fruit tart was huge! It came with a nice coconut cream and flakes. I didn't like the apple pineapple but the tart and coconut cream paired perfectly. The chocolate mousse and honeycomb crumble was soo delicious. There's also Oreo under which was delicious! Definitely recommend and would come back to Slovang just for this!! Service was friendly and attentive. Great place to go for dinner.

I had been dying to try First & Oak since our first trip to Solvang. Knowing that we were going back to Solvang, the first thing I did was make a reservation for First & Oak. It's walking distance from most things of note in Solvang, and is attached to the Mirabelle Inn. The outside of the restaurant is absolutely beautiful. The walls are covered in ivy, and there's string lights outside that make it feel like a fairytale. Upon arrival, we were quickly seated for our dinner reservation, and given a choice between inside and outside. We opted for outside since it was a beautiful night. Our service was quick, kind, and attentive. We never were left wanting for anything. We opted for the à la carte menu, because although the tasting menu looked good, there were some things on the à la carte menu that I had really wanted to try. We started with the duck wings and tuna crudo, and for our entrées, got the burger, which was new, and the duck breast. Everything was delicious and we had no complaints about the food. The only slight disappointment is that the price & portions definitely feel very fine dining. Though we eat a Michelin star restaurants fairly regularly, this was the first place where we really felt like the portions were just a little TOO "fine dining." Nonetheless, all was good and we enjoyed our time considering it a splurge meal. If I were to go back, I'd probably opt for the tasting menu. My favorite thing we ordered by far was the tuna crudo. The buttermilk sauce that it comes with is absolutely incredible. I could have eaten at least three dishes of that just on my own. I probably would skip the duck wings next time - I wasn't crazy about the sauce and would've honestly rather gotten two plates of crudo!

I'm not sure how this place earned a Michelin star in 2024. We celebrated my husband's birthday here, and the food was mediocre and overpriced. The restaurant's interior design was confusing, blending French, modern, and country home styles. We tried the five-course dinner. The oysters were bland, with an unpleasant sauce that they used in almost every dish, and the roasted cauliflower was a disaster--overpowered by truffles, raisins, and honey mustard. The ricotta cavatelli was great, but the scallops were overcooked and chewy. The beef tenderloin was decent, but the mashed potatoes were too salty. Desserts (passion fruit tart and chocolate mousse) were tasty, and the gratin potatoes were good. Service was spotty; we waited a long time for coffee, which arrived after our dessert. Overall, I've had much better experiences at other Michelin-starred restaurants. I'd recommend looking elsewhere in Solvang for better food at a reasonable price.

Came back for dinner again since I had such a great meal the day before. Made an reservation in advance since I wanted to sit indoors. Highly recommend to make reservations since this is a popular place with limited indoors seating! Ordered: 1. Truffle toasted cauliflowers: Seriously, I still can't believe cauliflowers can be this delicious and so enjoyable!!! Such a burst of flavors with every bite and this is just so so so yummy! 2. Pan seared local sea bass: Since the sea bass itself is very lightly seasoned, use the spoon to drizzle a little bit of the green sauce onto every bite! 3. Passion fruit tart: Definitely leave room for desserts because everything on the dessert menu looks absolutely amazing! This passion fruit tart with coconut cream and fresh fruits has hints of natural citrus sourness from the passion fruit interlaced with the rest of the flavors that make it so intricately delightful! They also have a five course tasting menu that is really popular with options to do wine pairing. Service is absolutely amazing as always!

Ive been hesitant to right this review because it was an interesting experience. But after having a few other dinners at other restaurants with similar price point, i feel confident enough in my rating for this one. We came to take advantage of the restaurant week special to finally try this place. Staff and atmosphere: lovely, ten stars if I could. The inn is set back into the more quiet neighborhood and the setting is very romantic. Ambience is great for a date night. Fab selection of wine and beer. Like another has mentioned, we are fortunate we have quite a few Michelin acknowledged restaurants in the area and this one leans fine dining portions. For the price point and portion size, the food was ok. I found the plates to be too simple. The salad was just cut up persimmon and cheese tossed together. Really that simple. Nothing more unique than having a cut persimmon from home. Halibut was good but again simply cooked with leek and kale, not even sure if the fish was seasoned beyond salt and a bit of flavor from the leek. However the honey chocolate dessert was delicious. Maybe our experience wasn't enough to judge the food, considering we got a once a year restaurant week special. We wouldnt come back before trying other places but it seems the people who can afford to come and try their full regular menu, really enjoy it. So if you can afford to try it out, give it a shot and take my review with a grain of salt!

Excellent food. Perfect presentation. We sat inside and enjoyed the Victorian feel of the dining room, which suited the experience nicely. The service was casual yet totally professional - exactly on par for Central California. We enjoyed the five course tasting menu - which might be the best value in Santa Barbara county! We will be back.

We visited First & Oak based on a recommendation from Crawford Family Wines and we were very happy with our meal! My boyfriend and I decided to order one of each on the menu to try everything. The halibut was a dream, along with the persimmon dish, definitely my two favorite. The scallop and bread were tasty, the short rib unfortunately was a bit dry and the gnocchi texture was a bit off for me. Presentation on the mushroom sabayon was so fun and the tart was definitely my favorite dessert! Service was excellent, the staff were friendly and attentive! The restaurant, which is housed in a hotel is quaint. I can't speak for the dining room as we were seated outside and while the night was chilly, the heaters kept us nice and warm. Overall, very enjoyable meal!

Looking forward to come back here in December during the holiday festivities! Updating because not all the photos loaded.

My friend and I had dinner here during restaurant week. We chose this restaurant based on their menu compared to the others participating. We definitely chose the right one! Everything was excellent: the service, food, and wine! We ordered the butternut squash soup, beets and blood orange endive salad, breast of duck, halibut, and both chose the chocolate mouse with honeycomb for dessert. We added the wine course with each item which I highly recommend. It really elevated the food and overall experience. We will definitely be coming back!

The Michelin star restaurant served impeccable food that was cooked to perfection." The presentation of the dishes and explanation of each dish made it very enticing. George our server was very polite. We enjoyed the quaint outside patio seating that was dog friendly along with the romantic music piped in from the old fashioned Inn located above. Now to the food. The appetizer was a truffle roasted cauliflower that was delicious. The bread with the avocado butter dip was awesome, I only wish that they would have refilled the 4 pieces, that gave us each a slice. The Kimchi Cracklings with the heavenly dip were out of this world delicious. My main dish was the Braised Lamb Scallion and a Petite Cut of Lamb Chop. I prefer the chop a little more golden brown rather than raw. The asparagus were crunchy and the Kumamoto Oyster was flavorful even though there was only one. The Passion Fruit Tart Dessert was a bit tangy for my sweet tooth but I liked the texture. My wife enjoyed the light and creamy Chocolate Mousee. We paired the food with a bottle of Viongier ( pronounced vee-aa-nyay) from Fess Parker's Rodney's Vineyard in Santa Barbara County. The dress was casual which made for a delightful and comfortable evening along with the space heaters that kept the night cozy since it was a bit windy and chilly outside. And that's the rest of this Danish Storybook Story. Godnat !

This is my 2nd review, but I couldn't resist in adding another because of how damn delicious our meal was! This time we sat inside and it was much more comfortable than the patio! The whole place has a really nice vibe to it along with an excellent wait staff! We started with the duck wings and found them to be lacking actual meat and were overly cooked/fried. Let me tell you though, that roasted cauliflower starter was probably one of the best things I've put in my mouth in a long time! So delicious and complex! Husband got the beef tenderloin and he got goosebumps from how well it was cooked and how it tasted. I had the gnocchi which was so light and pillowy, just delicious!!! This will go on our repeat dinner destination when coming to Solvang!

The food was superior and delicious! I had the five course meal which is an amazing experience. I loved very bite of it and had great service from the staff. I couldn't leave without and extra order of the duck wings + angel cake dessert. I would definitely recommend this experience and restaurant! Great atmosphere and mood (special occasions, dates, or even if you want to taste just great food). Will be coming back!

We originally had 6pm reservations but needed to change to 7pm and when I spoke with Tim, he said that would not be a problem at all (I was so grateful that they could be so accommodating). I wish I could give a 10 star review on our experience last night. First, I want say what a pleasure our server was (I am so sorry that I forgot her name). She had the most infectious smile and beyond attentive. Started off with delicious bread and butter puréed with Avocado & Olive Oil ( I was yearning for more). We then started with the 5 course tasting menu (see attached menu) and everything was cooked to PERFECTION!! The food was so delicious I only took photos of the Beef Tenderloin & the Chocolate and Honey dessert. I never tried Caviar and was quite hesitant, but to my surprise it was not salty at all. It was paired with Crème Fraîche & Chips. Our server also had an attendant who brought out all of our dishes and explained each component which was a very nice touch. Finally, the ambiance was so peaceful and the background music was just perfect. If you venture to Solvang, you must go to First & Oak Restaurant, your experience will be top notch. Reservations a must. They have outdoor seating as well. Thank you to everyone for a memorable evening!!

This is my absolute favorite restaurant! Ever! I have been here 4 times and introduced a new friend each time. We All LOVE IT! So this last time not only were my tastebuds tantalized, surprised, titillated and more than satisfied. My man who (like me) has a palate thats hard to please, was electrified with excitement at how DELICIOUS this place is. Michelin stars were well deserved. Absolute YUMMINESS oh and the wine pairing was Spot On!

Amazing atmosphere. Very hospitable and customer service was beyond 5 star. The food is so delicious and artistic. This is the second time I have been, I have done the 5 course and now the 3 course and I am blown away. I will definitely be back.

If you get the chance, run, don't worry walk to First & Oak. And do the chef's tasting menu! But make a reservation first. I can't sing the praise of this place enough. The atmosphere, the service, the wine, and THE FOOD! Oh my gosh- perfection. A tasting menu for $85 is a heck of a deal- especially at a Michelin star restaurant. It is a tasting menu with not only quality food, but a lot of it! You leave feeling so satisfied. It was fun to hear other tables around us trying their food- especially the cauliflower (which you have to try because this is what they got their Michelin star for). Everyone was loving every bite they took. The menu is brilliant. The flavors and texture are next level. Perfect date night.

First and Oak was simply amazing! They sat us outside as they welcomed our dog and we loved sitting under the bistro lights sipping wine and eating the 5 course menu! The food the chef prepared was absolute PERFECTION along with the quaint ambiance made our dinner at First and Oak the highlight of our entire Solvang trip! If you're planning a trip to Solvang, First and Oak must be on your list!

Food was great. The problem was we had a 5 course meal & it took 2.5hrs. We weren't slow on ordering or eating. From entree to dessert we waited 30minutes. Between courses we were waiting a bit longer than we expected.

The food was delectable and the plating was phenomenal! Yet, it was the service that spearheaded the experience. Eliana took pride in every dish that came out of the kitchen as she was extremely knowledgeable during her presentation of each course. Her father set the stage with his exceptional service and pleasant demeanor.

Food was sensational...Service was sensational... GREAT EXPERIENCE We were too tired to drive back to Beverly Hills after wine tasting all day so we booked a room and heard about this dinner spot from the winery that my friend is a member of. It did not disappoint..caviar, avocado butter/bread, pork, beef tenderloin, and insanely delicious Passion fruit tart. I can't recommend this place enough.... GO EAT! Thank me later

My friend wanted to try out a fine dining experience she'd read about. Reservations were available online and easily updated as plans changed. The entrance was a little difficult to find but once inside we found an intimate, quiet setting. Service was hushed and swift. Each of us enjoyed our chosen entree but the desserts were out of this world. My only hesitation with returning is that the entrees weren't memorable as you'd expect with the fine dining price tag.

We had the five course menu and the first three were outstanding, oysters with tomatillo sauce, sourdough, hamachi crudo, cauliflower(so good!), scallop and ricotta pasta (my favorite). We waited about 40 minutes between the third and fourth courses, so likely something went wrong in the kitchen. The mains were very poorly seasoned, steak had no salt and the sauce and potatoes it was served with had so much salt that they were almost inedible. The pan fried catch of the day was a bland dish with the main flavor being salt- some herbs, wine and lemon/acid would be most welcome there. The desserts were a mixed bag, the chocolate was good but the passion fruit tart was excessively sweet. I suppose the first courses set a high standard and the later ones were disappointing. The meal took over 2.5 hours and by the end we just wanted to leave. Four stars because the restaurant is very cute and the first three courses were so good, but very close to going down to three stars.

Lovely outdoor dining on a mid-summer night. We ordered roasted cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, risotto, sea bass, and the chocolate honey dessert. I got cocqulieot Sauvignon blanc and my husband got the Malbec. We didn't order the breads because ... carbs, but it looked delicious. Ok. Let me just say. The cauliflower purée is the reason this restaurant has a Michelin star. I want to eat that everyday for the rest of my life. Like, it's "deserted on an island and you can only bring 5 foods" good. The risotto is your favorite soup and a warm slice of buttered bread all tossed into a bowl of rich creamy comfort. Even on a summer day, you can eat this. It's that good. The Brussels - meh. The menu said it had manchego but it had Parmesan on top and no other cheese so who knows what happened? Sea bass - light tasty. The summer squash and corn side dish was delicious. I could just eat a bowl of this and be happy. The chocolate honey is a mousse served with a side of mousse. The honeycomb cookie made me *almost* go to the back of the house and ask for the recipe. All told, this was a lovely way to spend $156 plus tip.

The Best of the Best and you deserve it!! Quaint memorable experience will have you returning sooner than later!

Great food and ambiance, but surprisingly bad service. We arrived late and I called at 5PM when restaurant opened to push our reservation to a later time due to unforeseeable travel surprises. They were very accommodating over the phone and pushed the time from 7 to 8:15. We went with a 3 course experience with wine pairing. Very little explanation of the dishes and zero explanation of the drinks... thankfully the food was great - no complaints at all. We did feel that they probably had to squeeze us in which we are very appreciative of, and were probably short staffed. But in the service industry, what makes or breaks a restaurant is these "difficult" or "unusual" circumstances - or I shall say a truely stellar restaurant. We felt that compared to the other tables, our table was quite ignored and the servers basically dropped off the plates and left... sad. Hope things can be improved in the future! Again, food was great.

it is our second time here, the food is so delicious and unforgettable. I would say it is the Michelin standard food. Hope we can visit here soon in our next trip.

Saturday dinner with friends. It's a nice walk from the center of town to this restaurant located in a quaint and chic hotel. We dined al fresco. It was a perfect night to do so. This was one of those meals in which you wished you had an extra stomach or two so you can try the other items on the menu because the items you just ate were SO GOOD! So good! I can't tell you which was my favorite. I enjoyed everything. I will always favor the oysters and the bread service. Every course was delicious. The wait staff was also great and knowledgeable. In fact, they gave us a voucher for their sister company -Coquelicot Tasting Room in Los Olivos! Recommendation: Plan a trip to Solvang. Book a dinner reservation.

One of the top 20 meals I think I've ever had. My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate our 5 year anniversary, and we were hoping for a timeless dining experience. First & Oak pulled through for us! We got a beautiful table inside the dining room, right next to a window. We decided to do the 5 course seasonal tasting menu. Amuse Bouche: Potato and Leek Bisque with homemade bread and avocado butter. The soup was so creamy and delicious. It was served in a small bowl meant to be sipped so we were not given spoons. After hearing our waiter explain this to practically every table in the restaurant, I'm not sure why they've committed to this plating since there's a hefty garnish in the middle that made it a bit challenging to finish. From the Garden: Roasted Cauliflower. Loved it, I get why they're famous for this dish. Not sure it needed raisins, but still great. From the Sea: Pan Seared Salmon. It was a little unevenly cooked, I have to admit. One end was pretty medium-well, while the other was medium-rare (how I prefer it). From the Land: New York Strip. Wonderful and the perfect portion. I don't know who can eat an entire smoked shallot on its own, but it tasted great for a few bites. To Finish: Meyer Lemon Cheesecake. I wish I wasn't so full by the time we got to dessert! I couldn't finish the cheesecake, but the vanilla bean whipped cream was so lovely and light. Overall, the silliest thing that confused me was their plating techniques. 3/5 dishes were served in bowls. Salmon? Bowl. Steak? Bowl. Cheesecake? Bowl. All things that required you to cut something. It was just oddly clunky and made it difficult to eat. I would love to come back next time I'm in the area. I probably wouldn't do the tasting menu again, because at the end of the day we could have spent the same amount of money and gotten full size portions of many more dishes to taste. I also was secretly hoping there would be scallops on the tasting menu, but I didn't get lucky. Next time!! Thank you for a wonderful and memorable meal!

I was expecting a lot from First & Oak, and was pleasantly surprised by my dinner there. The one regret was that my wife wasn't feeling great and decided to stay at our hotel, so she missed out on this excellent dinner. I guess my other regret is that my photos were too dark and not worth sharing. The place is elegant. Definitely a special occasion worthy restaurant with elegant ambience and excellent servers. I started out with some fresh oysters and bread. I usually don't rave about bread, but their house made butter-avocado- sea salt spread is worthy of its own review. The oysters were fresh and had a pesto mignonette on top. Subtle, but allowed the freshness of the oysters to shine through. They were fresh and briny, like when you take a swim in the ocean and have that taste of saltwater in your mouth. My main entree was a poached halibut. Again, so subtle and elegant. At first, I thought it was kind of bland. But as I kept eating it I realized how rich and flavorful it was. The roasted vegetables and the daikon flavored sauce complimented it so well. I was expecting the traditional grilled halibut with some sort of lemon garlic butter (how could that go wrong), but instead got the freshest piece of halibut that I've ever tasted. To top it off, the wine cake with cinnamon ice cream was again so subtle and rich. Oh, and great champagne and wine with my meal too. If you're in Santa Ynez and want something special, give First & Oak a try.

This place made me wish I'm a vegetarian. All of the vegetable components are amazing. BUT they can't cook the protein to save a life. Don't let the rosy pink in the picture fool ya, the duck breast is beyond dry and can only be enjoyed with the carrot purée. The cauliflower and the rest of the vegetables are delicious, but I've had better meat from any generic markets. The environment and the service are great, too bad the meats missed the mark..

Just happened to be in town during SYV Restaurant Week and picked First & Oak since they had the most interesting menu. $50 for an appetizer, main and dessert - we probably would not have come here if it weren't for this deal and I'm glad that we did! Their usual 5 course tasting menu is $85 and I would definitely pay that if I were in the area again and looking for a fine dining experience. Pretty affordable compared to other tasting menus I've done in the LA area and the food did not disappoint. Butternut squash soup and beet + citrus salad were both unexpectedly delicious. It's not easy to make soup and salad interesting, but First & Oak hit the nail on the head. The duck was perfectly cooked and the accompanying saucy farro paired well - the roasted grapes were intriguing. Catch of the day (halibut) was moist and buttery (sous vide) but the truffle dashi was the star of this dish. Desserts were tasty, but I was less impressed by them (although, I'm hardly ever impressed by desserts). The honeycomb crumble was a fun treat - it reminded me of the center of a butterfinger bar, but fancier!