It’s official: After a brief hiatus, the Hobbit, the 50-year-old Orange restaurant named after J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel, will again offer its three-act dining experience when it reopens Tuesday, Nov. 28.
“Having spent almost 20 years here, I know what makes it special but also what will take the Hobbit to the next phase,” says new owner-operator Matthew McKinney, who spent the last 10 years as the restaurant’s general manager. “The experience is going to stay largely the same, but people can look forward to everything being elevated a couple notches, from the food to the ambience to the décor.”
Fans of the Hobbit can look forward to a gentle renovation of the Spanish Revival-style home-turned-restaurant, which includes a new paint job, restoration of the hardwood flooring, and updating maintenance issues. “The Hobbits” legend by the door, handwritten by the original owner in calligraphy, that reads, “love peace and quiet (and) dislike machines … they like to laugh and eat (six meals a day) and drink … they like pranks and the giving and receiving of presents” will also remain firmly in place.
Along with structural and design upkeep, the menu will also see an upgrade care of executive chef Nick Torgerson (previously at the Loft at Montage Laguna Beach and Marché Moderne).
“There’s a parallel path between breathing new life into the building and to the menu,” says McKinney. “The menu will still be French-inspired but with a progressive American seasonal bent.”
Winning acclaim and a cult following since opening in 1972, including Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence and top ratings in the Zagat Guide, the Hobbit temporarily closed in October after then-owners Mike and Debra Philippi announced their retirement. The dining concept features a multi-course prix-fixe menu, which starts at 7 p.m. sharp in the wine cellar then leads upstairs for the main courses, with only one seating per evening.
Booking has commenced at the Hobbit, with all weekends in December already filled up; weekdays are still available. The restaurant is at 2932 E. Chapman Ave., Orange. For more information, call 714-997-1972 or go to hobbitrestaurant.com.
