The Hobbit

Review summary

1. H

   Hoan my

   VIP

   Orange County

   16 reviews

   5.0

   16 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   What a fantastic dinner we had on 12/22/24 to celebrate my daughter’s birthday at the Hobbit! The menu was fantastic!
   

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2. J

   Joseph

   VIP

   San Diego

   25 reviews

   5.0

   25 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This was an awesome, unique experience. The building itself is unassuming but once you're inside it's fun seeing how this home was transformed into a fine dining restaurant. The staff was extremely attentive, polite, and accommodating. The transformation of specific rooms to house couples, quads and large parties was unique and worked well. The food was incredibly well prepared and the flavor was incredible. I highly recommend it as a unique dining experience for an intimate birthday or special occasion celebration.
   

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3. M

   Michael

   Orange County

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   If you’re a fan of LOTR or The Hobbit, don’t expect rounds doors, Longbottom leaf or a bottle of 1296 Old Winyards. What you can expect is one of the most spectacular dining experiences around. My wife and I dine out rather often, maybe too often, and we don’t do fast food or chain restaurants. So we’ve had some pretty memorable dining experiences, but The Hobbit has arisen from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great. We’ll certainly be back. P.S. Frodo lives!
   

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4. R

   Roy

   Orange County

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on 12 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Actually I really enjoy going to hobbit very much. It is my way of spoiling myself. Price is not cheap but if you consider going to so so restaurant twice it should be about same. Service staff is very knowledgeable and friendly, and food is most time very good. I would like to bring good friends who would enjoy hobbit since not everyone will and can enjoy 3 hour meal. But this time I traveled from Atlanta and this is one of my favorite place. BTW I also love wine pairing and Mat does hell of job explain about wine and how good it would be with paired food.
   

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5. C

   Charles

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   10 reviews

   5.0

   10 reviews

   Dined on 9 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   There are many reasons why I consider The Hobbit my favorite restaurant, but at it's core, it is the overall immersive experience of being there. It is not just a meal, it is a three - four hour experience that begins in the historic wine cellar. Amazing new cocktails that are seasonal combined with the classic cheese and mustard pastry appetizer. I can eat way too much of that!
   

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6. J

   Janat

   Los Angeles

   8 reviews

   5.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on 8 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The restaurant was very nice. The experience was great, however the extra cost for change in the menu I disagree with. Customer service was A+
   

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7. J

   Jackie

   Palm Springs

   4 reviews

   4.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on 7 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Customer service was excellent but the food wasn't worth the cost. The halibut had a weird texture and the pistachio crust was too much. The medium rare steak was almost too raw and the sides were not good at all. Also the wine pairing wasn't worth the extra money. Probably won't be back. But the staff was nice. Maybe need an extra bartender during appetizers down at the cellar. Line was long.
   

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8. W

   William

   VIP

   Palm Springs

   4 reviews

   4.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on 4 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 2

   First time at The Hobbit for an Anniversary Dinner. The Food and Service were excellent. The wine pairing worked with our meal and was well explained . Don't know what the original decor was but the remodel does not feel very cozy. However, the wine cellar was charming and the drinks outstanding. Major distraction was the music choice - an intimate fine dining experience should not have songs of any kind with singing - soft music only! Also a table should not be placed right across from the main entry door.
   

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9. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   VIP

   Cincinnati

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 9 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Such a great experience, probably our next go-to for anniversaries!
   

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10. S

    Sharon

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    2.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 9 November 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 1

    This used to be mine and my husband’s “special occasion” restaurant. It was a magical experience and no other place could compare. But there have been a lot of changes and unfortunately we do not think we will be returning again. One of our favorite things were the cocktail hour upstairs and hors d'oeuvres in the cellar. Hors d'oeuvres are now three small bites served at your table, rather than the incredible spread that used to be in the cellar, including steak tar-tar. Dinner is still good but since our first visit it has nearly doubled in price but not in quality. It used to be that every course was exquisite. But it has dropped significantly. The worst part is the ambiance. For our special occasions, we prefer a nice, quiet time together. Especially when we indicate when making reservations this is dinner for 2 for an anniversary (for example). And the last few times we have gone, we are surrounded by extraordinarily loud groups. This last visit was the worst. One party near us got more and more intoxicated throughout the evening, all shouting over each other to the point of literally screaming at times. Another party near us also had shouting matches, trying to outdo each other in a very loud conversation. The noise never once let up until everyone in the room left for intermission. Another table even blasted a sports game on their phone during dinner. It just made the whole experience very unpleasant. It truly felt like being in a bar or sports lounge rather than a nice restaurant. And at the price you’re paying to be here, it should not feel like a cheap, loud sports lounge. It was disappointing and we have noticed that has become the norm over the last couple years. Unfortunately for us, it seems the magic is gone. This used to be an occasion unto itself and it just no longer lives up to our expectations from prior visits.
    

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