02/11/07

Great food, but...

by dotsize

Had dinner last night for the first time at Stonehill Tavern. First and foremost, the food is awesome! No nitpicking or exceptions, just excellent food.

However, when I spend $300+ on dinner for 2, I expect a more complete experience than just good food. So here are my nits;

The long row of tables for two. If you're seated anywhere along the row other than at the very end, every waiter, busboy, server and customer that comes into and out of the room is brushing along your backside as they come in/out of the place. It's a long narrow room so there's not a lot of options, but the present layout is not comfortable for tables of 2.

It's waaay too noisy. Yes, I know the word "tavern" is in the name, but come on, at $300+ for dinner this is no more a tavern than I am a restaurant reviewer. Turn down the music, lower the ceiling and put some art on the walls so we can hear each other talk.

Speaking of tables for 2, the tables have very wide pedestals, which is great for table balance. But, if you're 6'2" there is nowwhere to put your feet execpt on top of the pedestal. It's too wide to straddle and put your feet on the floor.

Would I go back? Yes, but next time I will request one of the "semi-private" booths that are off to the side of the bar. There's only 4 of them, so make your reservation early.

JH

06/22/06

Finally!....a foody's haven in OC

by kris_wynn

This is the FIRST amazing restaurant in OC (second is Bluefin) in which I'm proud to send my foody friends to! The food is clean, and delish'; the presentation is fabulous; and cocktails and martinis are ridiculously good! The ambience has that cool LA vibe and the interior is sleek, modern, and clean--how refreshing after the influx of typical OC chain-restaurants with no originality and no international flare. The service is straight-forward and impeccable without the pretense. The seafood stew is sick! It's as though they had just reeled in the seafood--so good, so clean, so flavorful.

03/24/06

Impeccable service....

by mirak

The St. Regis has always been a place where service is top notch, but Mina's new place takes it a step further. I threw a surprise b-day party for my girlfriend and the staff @ Stonehill did everything in their power to make it a memorable night (b-day card, desserts on the house, chef samplings). Every single employee was just nice and down to earth, something that is hard to find at upscale OC restaurants. The food was amazing. Mina's little "appetizer" creations are awesome, tried the Lobster Trio with bisque and fritters which were just perfect. For the main course we had the Filet and the Halibut which just melted in my mouth. Others @ the table had the Beef short ribs which just fell of the bone and melted into their mouths. Overall it was an awesome experiance and I will be back over and over again.