We had a great time overall at Fort Oak. Our server was pleasant, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu. The food was excellent. The Ahi Tartare, Gem Salad, and Lamb were all 5-star dishes, and the Halibut was cooked to perfection (a solid 4.5 stars). The only real miss was the NY steak, which was unfortunately very tough. We didn't end up eating half of it. Our drinks were really good. We ordered the Hugo Spritz, the Camaro, and the Farelane, and each was creative and well balanced. The only hiccup was timing since both rounds took over 20 minutes to arrive, but it sounded like there was a guest bartender that night, so we'll chalk it up to that. Everything else was top notch, and we'll definitely be back. I would not be surprised if our next visit earns a full 5 stars.
Fred
Fort Oak is unique. The space is really cool, with a nice bar and a choice of al fresco or inside (with a big opening to the outside). The menu is on the smaller side, but there is good variety and everything we had was super tasty. They cook over wood, and the food has an interesting smoky quality. The standouts were the lamb kefta (an absolute flavor bomb) and the pork chop. There's no place else like Fort Oak!
ReviewWho
Food and service was great, will definitely be back. Fairfield cocktail was delicious, and so was the food. We ordered the little gem salad, ham & raclette, cavatelli and beignets. Everything was so good. Our serve Johnny was great too.
Opentable Diner
Great happy hour! Many shareable items which makes it fun to try all the yummy items. Would definitely recommend.
Gregg
Had reservations for an anniversary dinner. When we arrived, the hostess had a phone in her hand, looked at me, the phone, me... I told her her we had a reservation and she told me she'd be with us in a minute and walked away. We did get seated but by a waiter. The wait staff was honestly, not the friendliest. They were a bit put off that we preferred to not be seated in the farthest, darkest corner of the restaurant next to a large party. We ended up outside. We really came for the food, and for the most part was good. The prawns were tough and overcooked, but the salad, halibut and pork chop was very good. All in all, the whole experience gets a C, mostly based on the staff. Rare Society, another Trust Group restaurant is a much better experience if you've shelling out 250.00 for dinner.
Patrick
Geoff was a fantastic waiter. He was knowledgeable and walked us through the menu. Some chose to share some plates, other got an entree. Everyone was happy and full by the end of the meal.
George
Typically very good service here but this night was off. We dined around 6:30pm maybe because it was prime dinner hours but I think I saw our waiter twice, usually they check in or at least ask if I want another drink which I would've ordered a few more drinks instead of the one glass of wine. Either way food is great.
Erika
Excellent service, excellent food. The ambience was lovely, intimate and elegant in the heart of Mission Hills. Loved it!
Erick
The place is totally worth it, my favorite dish was the Almond Joy dessert, which was a perfect ending.
Bradford
Just a wonderful experience. Ahi tartare was exceptional. A must is the chicken liver mousse with those hush puppies. Light an indulgent. Tomato salad was a great third course. NY strip was amazing as well. Kudos!!!
Jeff was amazing and really created such an enjoyable meal (we let him orchestrate our order). The food was phenomenal and the atmosphere was so fun and relaxing. Very much enjoyed and highly recommend. Every dish we had was spot on fantastic.
Felecia
We didn't have an option to eat inside. The menu understates the delight of the different spices and combinations. I'm not a very adventurous eater and I can't do spicy hot. I was so delighted with the food. If you're booking a table, you want to be inside unless you're okay with dogs being right behind you and all around you. The patio is too small for dogs to be at multiple tables. I forgot there was a dog next to us cuz it was white and blended with the concrete and on my way back from the bathroom stepped on it. It wasn't her, thank goodness! And the owner was so gracious! Still, I wouldn't sit outside again. As far as temperature, we didn't have our heater on but the people around us did and we were quite comfortable. The inside seating is still open, in that one whole wall is open. Very nice! We would definitely go back. But not often, because this is the very top end of what we are willing to pay for for one meal.
Hanae
Fabulous, spacious restaurant (lots of outdoor seating) tucked away in the neighborhood. Seats outside were comfortable. Service was fine. A little inattentive, but within normal bounds. Duck was ever so slightly overcooked (for me), but the beans were GORGEOUS. Everything was a bit salty, put together. Their steak knives need sharpening desperately. Sawed at a tender-ish piece of duck for quite some time to break through. It was flattened by the indignity.
Moppy922
Food is amazing Steamed Clams and oysters were my favorite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Red Dog
$30 happy hour. The bean dip with braised lamb was exceptional. Soft chunks of lamb. Happy I asked the waitress abt the al pastor tostada and She sd it was huge. No! It was the flattest Tostada I every had.
We had a great time overall at Fort Oak. Our server was pleasant, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu. The food was excellent. The Ahi Tartare, Gem Salad, and Lamb were all 5-star dishes, and the Halibut was cooked to perfection (a solid 4.5 stars). The only real miss was the NY steak, which was unfortunately very tough. We didn't end up eating half of it. Our drinks were really good. We ordered the Hugo Spritz, the Camaro, and the Farelane, and each was creative and well balanced. The only hiccup was timing since both rounds took over 20 minutes to arrive, but it sounded like there was a guest bartender that night, so we'll chalk it up to that. Everything else was top notch, and we'll definitely be back. I would not be surprised if our next visit earns a full 5 stars.
Fort Oak is unique. The space is really cool, with a nice bar and a choice of al fresco or inside (with a big opening to the outside). The menu is on the smaller side, but there is good variety and everything we had was super tasty. They cook over wood, and the food has an interesting smoky quality. The standouts were the lamb kefta (an absolute flavor bomb) and the pork chop. There's no place else like Fort Oak!
Food and service was great, will definitely be back. Fairfield cocktail was delicious, and so was the food. We ordered the little gem salad, ham & raclette, cavatelli and beignets. Everything was so good. Our serve Johnny was great too.
Great happy hour! Many shareable items which makes it fun to try all the yummy items. Would definitely recommend.
Had reservations for an anniversary dinner. When we arrived, the hostess had a phone in her hand, looked at me, the phone, me... I told her her we had a reservation and she told me she'd be with us in a minute and walked away. We did get seated but by a waiter. The wait staff was honestly, not the friendliest. They were a bit put off that we preferred to not be seated in the farthest, darkest corner of the restaurant next to a large party. We ended up outside. We really came for the food, and for the most part was good. The prawns were tough and overcooked, but the salad, halibut and pork chop was very good. All in all, the whole experience gets a C, mostly based on the staff. Rare Society, another Trust Group restaurant is a much better experience if you've shelling out 250.00 for dinner.
Geoff was a fantastic waiter. He was knowledgeable and walked us through the menu. Some chose to share some plates, other got an entree. Everyone was happy and full by the end of the meal.
Typically very good service here but this night was off. We dined around 6:30pm maybe because it was prime dinner hours but I think I saw our waiter twice, usually they check in or at least ask if I want another drink which I would've ordered a few more drinks instead of the one glass of wine. Either way food is great.
Excellent service, excellent food. The ambience was lovely, intimate and elegant in the heart of Mission Hills. Loved it!
The place is totally worth it, my favorite dish was the Almond Joy dessert, which was a perfect ending.
Just a wonderful experience. Ahi tartare was exceptional. A must is the chicken liver mousse with those hush puppies. Light an indulgent. Tomato salad was a great third course. NY strip was amazing as well. Kudos!!!
Restaurantji Recommends
Jeff was amazing and really created such an enjoyable meal (we let him orchestrate our order). The food was phenomenal and the atmosphere was so fun and relaxing. Very much enjoyed and highly recommend. Every dish we had was spot on fantastic.
We didn't have an option to eat inside. The menu understates the delight of the different spices and combinations. I'm not a very adventurous eater and I can't do spicy hot. I was so delighted with the food. If you're booking a table, you want to be inside unless you're okay with dogs being right behind you and all around you. The patio is too small for dogs to be at multiple tables. I forgot there was a dog next to us cuz it was white and blended with the concrete and on my way back from the bathroom stepped on it. It wasn't her, thank goodness! And the owner was so gracious! Still, I wouldn't sit outside again. As far as temperature, we didn't have our heater on but the people around us did and we were quite comfortable. The inside seating is still open, in that one whole wall is open. Very nice! We would definitely go back. But not often, because this is the very top end of what we are willing to pay for for one meal.
Fabulous, spacious restaurant (lots of outdoor seating) tucked away in the neighborhood. Seats outside were comfortable. Service was fine. A little inattentive, but within normal bounds. Duck was ever so slightly overcooked (for me), but the beans were GORGEOUS. Everything was a bit salty, put together. Their steak knives need sharpening desperately. Sawed at a tender-ish piece of duck for quite some time to break through. It was flattened by the indignity.
Food is amazing
Steamed Clams and oysters were my favorite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
$30 happy hour. The bean dip with braised lamb was exceptional. Soft chunks of lamb. Happy I asked the waitress abt the al pastor tostada and
She sd it was huge. No! It was the flattest
Tostada I every had.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
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