At First & Oak Restaurant in Santa Ynez Valley, your reservation opens the door to a dining experience filled with finely curated plates, balanced flavors, and unique surprises as you savor our culinary artistry through flavors and tastes. Our concept allows you the opportunity and freedom to taste multiple courses while not being restricted by an appetizer and entree format.
We encourage you to create your own tasting menu. Our recommendation is to select from each section of our menu for a balanced experience. We also offer wine pairings to your meals for the ultimate dining experience. Allow us to lead you through a culinary adventure at First & Oak Restaurant in Solvang, CA.
We encourage you to create your own tasting menu. Our recommendation is to select from each section of our menu for a balanced experience. We also offer wine pairings to your meals for the ultimate dining experience. Allow us to lead you through a culinary adventure at First & Oak Restaurant in Solvang, CA.
Services
First and Oak is located inside the Mirabelle Inn, in the heart of Solvang, California. We offer a seasonal menu that highlights local & organic ingredients prepared in a thoughtful manner. The Santa Ynez Valley boasts some of the most impressive produce you can find throughout the central coast and we love to highlighting small farms that share the same passion.
At First & Oak we believe that your special event should be unique and individually catered to your dining preference. Our culinary team brings passion, experience, and innovation into every detail of your special event. Our catering menus range from fine dining to playful dining and everything in between.
A wedding is a special time in one's life. We look at weddings and rehearsals as a way for our couples to showcase a part of themselves to their guests. Gathering around a table for a meal is something we have been doing for generations. Our approach is to interview our couples and find out what their favorite flavors and ingredients are.
Each season and type of event dictates the style of menu we will produce. We can create a menu for any occasion. We can keep it casual and friendly or add some caviar and go the fine dining route, to everything in between. We will however take the same approach as we do in our restaurant and apply our fine dining technique and skills that we have cultivated over the years, no matter the menu we make.
First & Oak is joined by a family of brands such as The Mirabelle Inn located in Solvang, Chateau du Sureau in Yosemite, Mansion on Sutter in San Francisco, and our winery, Coquelicot Organic Estate Vineyards in Los Olivos. We invite you to explore our properties and experience our passion for luxury boutique hospitality.
Reviews (20)
Quentin K.
Feb 01, 2022
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Teresa R.
Jan 25, 2022
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Well, I could have gone with a four on this review. I was sooo excited about eating here and that's probably why I had to give it a three. The menu was very small. I was hoping for the lamb or scallop dish. There were only four options for entrees and with Duck wings for an appetizer, because it came highly recommended, our meal was comprised of duck served two ways. We ordered the oysters, duck wings and the bread with avocado butter. We would do ALL three again. We both ordered the potato leek bisque - wow! The layers of flavor, the textures the presentation, it was a major win. The roasted
Silvia C.
Jan 17, 2022
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Excellent food and service. However, outdoor seating is more than basic and reminds of a tent hospital set up for covid. A pity for a Michelin rated restaurant. i had said it was for a birthday and they still seated us outside in complete silence but for some engine noise, and we could see the parking right outside the tent. Ask for a table inside the restaurant, or elae the atmosphere not worth the pricing.
Alyssa Sparks
Dec 19, 2021
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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 someone's 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 I'm sure that was stressful for them. When
I know they are taking a financial hit when they have to close on such a big day, so I'm sure that was stressful for them. When
Howard F.
Dec 16, 2021
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First & Oak is one of the highly recommended restaurants when I Googled "sit down Thanksgiving restaurant in Solvang", because my wife and I stayed in Solvang for this year's (2021) Thanksgiving . Unfortunately, their turkey dinners all sold out... but I reserved the night after. I'm glad I did. I am a huge fan of duck meat, I don't care in what style, if I see duck on the menu I am ordering it.
We returned to Solvang after an entire day of wine tasting and eating small bites so we did not order too much. We got the duck, a salad, some oysters, and some potato
We returned to Solvang after an entire day of wine tasting and eating small bites so we did not order too much. We got the duck, a salad, some oysters, and some potato
Charles S.
Nov 17, 2021
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The meal was enjoyable and the interaction with the staff made it the highlight of the evening. I had a previous off experience that has been easily forgotten. I'm glad we where able to get in a reservation on our recent trip to Solvang. The homemade bread, duck wings and New York stand out the most. I can't wait to try other items on the menu in a few weeks. Cheers!!!
Yulia N.
Oct 11, 2021
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This restaurant by far is the highlight of my trip to Solvang. Excellent food and service. My entree was Pan seared Corvina fish coconut butternut squash purée w/ sautéed squash & peppers. Fish was cooked perfectly with crunchy skin. My husband had the Wild Diver Scallops w/ handmade fettuccine, cilantro, soy and yuzu velouté. Fettuccine was al dente, sauce was amazing. Lianne was amazing server, thank you.
Jeanette Jane G.
Sep 29, 2021
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I dine out frequently in the Bay Area and LA, and I wasn't expecting much from little ol' Solvang; However, First & Oak has me wanting to come back often!
The food was phenomenally fresh, colorful, and tasty. You can tell that each dish is carefully crafted and the textures and tastes complement one another. I highly recommend the scallops dish with linguine and their burrata salad, and you must save room for dessert (you can thank me later)!
Not to mention, the service was friendly and top-notch, which added to my experience. A huge shout out to our host, Thomas, and server,
The food was phenomenally fresh, colorful, and tasty. You can tell that each dish is carefully crafted and the textures and tastes complement one another. I highly recommend the scallops dish with linguine and their burrata salad, and you must save room for dessert (you can thank me later)!
Not to mention, the service was friendly and top-notch, which added to my experience. A huge shout out to our host, Thomas, and server,
Charles Lee
Aug 11, 2021
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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!
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!
Julissa R.
Aug 08, 2021
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Glydia C.
Jul 30, 2021
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We arrived at 6:10 for our 6:30 reservation. We were told that we would be seated in 10 minutes, so we sat in the reception area. We were not seated until 6:28. The table was empty the entire time. I have no idea why we had to wait in the lobby area. Unfortunately, this set the tone for our dinner.
We were seated outside, which was fine but the chairs are like spiders nests. There are definitely webs in those, so beware.
Kimchi cracklings, heirloom tomato, brussels sprouts, wild diver scallops, chocolate and honey were all just okay. Server was good, I was expecting much less.
We were seated outside, which was fine but the chairs are like spiders nests. There are definitely webs in those, so beware.
Kimchi cracklings, heirloom tomato, brussels sprouts, wild diver scallops, chocolate and honey were all just okay. Server was good, I was expecting much less.
Amber K.
Jun 23, 2021
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The food was good definitely heavy on the sauces for the brussels sprouts and salad. Our waitress ignored us- it took at least 15 minutes to get water when we sat down and waited for 45 minutes to get the check after being there for 2 hours. Maybe they just have European style service but other people seem to come and go.
Doriee L.
Jun 23, 2021
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Came here last month to have dinner with my husband and puppers during our vacation. Yes! They are dog friendly and have outdoor seating! We made reservations online for dinner at 5:30PM! We were seated right away and each table has a heater nearby so you can stay warm. The outdoors area is super charming and cute too.
We decided to share several dishes:
Homemade bread - This came with avocado butter! The bread was really delicious and done quite well. Though I'm not sure if we'd order this again. While delicious -- it's not super special.
Butternut squash bisque - Yummy and
We decided to share several dishes:
Homemade bread - This came with avocado butter! The bread was really delicious and done quite well. Though I'm not sure if we'd order this again. While delicious -- it's not super special.
Butternut squash bisque - Yummy and
Rebecca S.
Jun 20, 2021
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Came here on my birthday for dinner last week, while in Solvang. Cutest little restaurant in a 13 room hotel, which makes you feel like you are in Europe!
The service is great and the atmosphere is beautiful. We ordered the risotto and the salmon they had on special and both were scrumptious. The salmon was cooked skin on and topped with a delicious cream sauce, sprinkled with edible flowers and corn. Every bite was perfect!
Presentation on all the food was gorgeous and everything paired together perfectly. This is definitely a place to go to celebrate an occasion!
The service is great and the atmosphere is beautiful. We ordered the risotto and the salmon they had on special and both were scrumptious. The salmon was cooked skin on and topped with a delicious cream sauce, sprinkled with edible flowers and corn. Every bite was perfect!
Presentation on all the food was gorgeous and everything paired together perfectly. This is definitely a place to go to celebrate an occasion!
Susan Bugelli
Jun 17, 2021
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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
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
Brock Goodman
Jun 15, 2021
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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 I'm 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. I'd 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
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 I'm 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. I'd 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
Smrithika Appaiah
Jun 14, 2021
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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 wouldn't 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
Gary I.
Jun 08, 2021
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First & Oak is in the charming Mirabelle Inn. Outdoor sidewalk dining during the Pandemic in a quiet side street in the fantasy Danish Town of Solvang.
Devon was our friendly, warm, hospitable waitress who made our stay comfortable and enhanced our culinary experience.
1) Confit Potatoes are like small new potatoes fried in light cooking oil until they are firmer yet become creamy as you chew. Almost whipped airy Crème Fraîche/fermented cream to dip the potato. Grated Manchego cheese & diced green onions add a slight dairy Umami & sulfur based funk.
I would have sprinkled some
Devon was our friendly, warm, hospitable waitress who made our stay comfortable and enhanced our culinary experience.
1) Confit Potatoes are like small new potatoes fried in light cooking oil until they are firmer yet become creamy as you chew. Almost whipped airy Crème Fraîche/fermented cream to dip the potato. Grated Manchego cheese & diced green onions add a slight dairy Umami & sulfur based funk.
I would have sprinkled some
FXstudio
May 31, 2021
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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
Allen Biehle
Apr 10, 2021
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The food was good, and had unique flavor combinations, but the overall experience didn't 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
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
