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Opening in 1958, Orange Hill Restaurant is a bit off the beaten track in the residential city of Orange, in the county of Orange, California.\u00a0 There is nothing exceptionally noteworthy about the restaurant, certainly not a Michelin starred restaurant; it is not world renown, or even nationally renown, for it’s food.<\/p>\n
But, OMG, the view!!!!<\/p>\n
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Located up a hill in the middle of Orange County with an outside patio that stretches 180 degrees around the facility, the view stretches from the north west to the south east and on a clear day you can see the Los Angeles skyline, south through Long Beach, and down to Newport Beach and Irvine.<\/p>\n
But back to the restaurant: my Michelin comments above notwithstanding, the food is really good.\u00a0 Their tag line is “Prime Steaks and Primo Views” which is absolutely apt.\u00a0 But their selection is more than just steak; their specialties on this day include Miso-marinated Chilean Sea Bass, Truffle Lobster Baked Mac & Cheese, Seared Ora King Salmon Cioppino, and others.\u00a0 Their Entrees today include Chateaubriand for Two, House-Cut Kurobuta Pork Chop , USDA Prime Rib-eye Steak, and several other steak selections.\u00a0 And of course the appropriate selection of accompanying sauces, sides, and enhancements.\u00a0 While I haven’t yet sampled all of their selections, what I have sampled was excellent.<\/p>\n
The staff was great, very helpful and attentive without being overbearing.\u00a0 The decor was comfortable and clean, very basic modern American, and definitely not over crowded with close tables and tight walk spaced.\u00a0 The restaurant and lounge both have an abundance of windows to enjoy the view but the outside patio I mentioned is a much better place to sit, relax, and eat.\u00a0 There are plenty of heat lamps around for those chilly southern California evenings.<\/p>\n
It is marvelous in it’s view and casual relaxed atmosphere with excellent food.\u00a0 I will definitely go back.<\/p>\n
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As far as the Martini’s go, they do a fine job, nothing spectacular or otherwise noteworthy, but just fine.\u00a0 My Martini was nicely shaken, adequately abundant, and served in a pre-chilled refrigerated stem.\u00a0 And their selection of Gins is also fine, actually just a bit less than fine (see list below) considering their upscale efforts elsewhere.\u00a0 They appear more interested in their wine selection; they are a 2011 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner.\u00a0\u00a0 And their selection of whiskeys is more than adequate with a very good Japanese selection.<\/p>\n
Overall a very good restaurant that sadly seems to get lost in the abundance of very good restaurants in the Los Angeles \/ Orange County area.\u00a0 Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.<\/p>\n
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A couple words of advice.
\nFirst, get there early as there’s only one narrow winding road up the mountain and it gets backed up waiting for the valet.\u00a0 There is no self parking.
\nSecond, as with many restaurants with spectacular view, the food and drinks are a bit pricey; $16.oo for my Martini.<\/p>\n
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Overall Orange Hill gets one stem.\u00a0 ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shakennotstirred.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Martini-Glass-Upside-Down-e1517970047989.jpg?resize=50%2C75\")
\nAs I mentioned above, their Martinis are fine.\u00a0\u00a0 Certainly not exceptional in anyway to earn my two stem award.\u00a0 However, the food and view are truly worth a visit.<\/p>\n
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For Gin selection Orange Hill gets a C.
\nTheir list of Gins includes Bombay, Bombay Sapphire, Hendricks, Nolets, Botanist, Broker’s, and St. George Terrior.
\nThese may change in time, of course.<\/p>\n
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If you like what you\u2019ve read, please subscribe.\u00a0 If not, please post a comment telling us how and why you disagree.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n For those inclined to visit The Orange Hill website for additional information: <\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious about what one vs. two stems means, Opening in 1958, Orange Hill Restaurant is a bit off the beaten track in the residential city of Orange, in the county of Orange, California.\u00a0 There is nothing exceptionally noteworthy about the restaurant, certainly not a Michelin starred restaurant; it … Continue reading
\nhttp:\/\/www.theorangehillrestaurant.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\nI refer you to the following:
\n*****\u00a0\u00a0 Rating Definitions<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 ****<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"