Ambiance and service were excellent, harbingers to the simply delicious entrees which followed our very unique and tasty appetizer- petite potato pancakes and deviled eggs. Main course was lamb shank Wellington (outstanding) and crab cakes (delicious), both presented with a gourmet flair, by friendly and attentive waitstaff. A truly wonderful dining experience, in this bistro-like gem of a restaurant, situated in a rural country area. Highly recommend this great place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Braised Lamb Shank Wellington
Matt Caddy
Great food, great atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Our Own Stuffed Pork
guymard
Local people, local fresh food, friendly atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Toby Gunn
This was our first visit, and we WILL be back!The food was outstanding - incredibly well-cooked, great balance of flavors, and such a wonderful variety.We had apps, a meal and half the dessert menu.The staff was friendly, responsive and such a pleasure. Truly cannot say enough about Chianti Cow. HIGHLY recommend it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
TobyG
This was our first visit, and we WILL be back! The food was outstanding - incredibly well-cooked, great balance of flavors, and such a wonderful variety. We had apps, a meal and half the dessert menu. The staff was friendly, responsive and such a pleasure. Truly cannot say enough about Chianti Cow. HIGHLY recommend it!
Jonathan Talbot
What makes Chianti Cow such a pleasant dining experience is that CIA-graduate Chef/Owner Keith O'Connor really cares. He cares about the food he serves and he cares about his customers. The Chianti Cow is not the most pretentious, nor the most expensive (far from it), nor the fanciest restaurant in Orange County, but in many many visits to this out-of-the-way bistro, we have never had a meal, or even a dish, that we didn't enjoy.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Susan Beveridge
Our servers were very polite and friendly. Will come back!!
Last minute google search while travelling landed us here. Our only regret was too many road snacks. The meal was fantastic. We left food on our plates and the chef stopped over to make sure we liked the food. The wait staff was very friendly. The menu was a great combo of unique preparations. The food was prepared and presented beautifully. We will definitely make the trip again.
cHells Bells
Nearly everything was room temperature or lukewarm. Based on other reviews, this isn't uncommon. Don't order a cappuccino.Item descriptions were lacking.I had salmon that was swimming in a sort of, pureed fennel sauce that was not mentioned in the description, only that fennel was an ingredient and not how it was prepared.My desert was described as a custard, it was more like a cobbler or a tart. It was probably the best thing I had, next to the bread or the cauliflower appetizer.The pasta special had a strange astringent flavor to me. The same kind of astringent you get from using too much nutmeg.I was concerned by how cold my chicken dumpling soup was, but I let it slide. It was a beautiful soup, regardless of the temperature. But the food safety side of my brain was screaming at me to not eat a cold chicken soup. I also didn't think that nearly everything else I ordered would be the same temperature.My salmon dish was just.. weird. The piece of salmon was perfectly cooked though, which made it worth it.A good portion of the ingredients were bitter and starchy, it did not compliment or contrast the salmon in any way. I thought the fennel puree was very nice, until I became absolutely overwhelmed by the third bite. It would do much better as an accoutrement, rather than be such a large portion of the dish.There's lots of great quality ingredients, but the flavors don't mesh well. Myself and my partner left full, but unsatisfied.I admire what's being attempted, but I don't think I'll be back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Scott H (Scott)
Awesome farm to table experience. Staff was friendly and the food was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Arancini
Sarahy Marin
It my #1 restaurant to have great quality food! Would not dissapoint to celebrate any special occasion!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Braised Lamb Shank, Pan Seared Salmon
Pamela Nathan
Pumpkin raviolis the best I’ve ever had. Crab cakes awesome. Desserts are the best.
Ambiance and service were excellent, harbingers to the simply delicious entrees which followed our very unique and tasty appetizer- petite potato pancakes and deviled eggs. Main course was lamb shank Wellington (outstanding) and crab cakes (delicious), both presented with a gourmet flair, by friendly and attentive waitstaff. A truly wonderful dining experience, in this bistro-like gem of a restaurant, situated in a rural country area. Highly recommend this great place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Braised Lamb Shank Wellington
Great food, great atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Our Own Stuffed Pork
Local people, local fresh food, friendly atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
This was our first visit, and we WILL be back!The food was outstanding - incredibly well-cooked, great balance of flavors, and such a wonderful variety.We had apps, a meal and half the dessert menu.The staff was friendly, responsive and such a pleasure. Truly cannot say enough about Chianti Cow. HIGHLY recommend it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was our first visit, and we WILL be back! The food was outstanding - incredibly well-cooked, great balance of flavors, and such a wonderful variety. We had apps, a meal and half the dessert menu. The staff was friendly, responsive and such a pleasure. Truly cannot say enough about Chianti Cow. HIGHLY recommend it!
What makes Chianti Cow such a pleasant dining experience is that CIA-graduate Chef/Owner Keith O'Connor really cares. He cares about the food he serves and he cares about his customers. The Chianti Cow is not the most pretentious, nor the most expensive (far from it), nor the fanciest restaurant in Orange County, but in many many visits to this out-of-the-way bistro, we have never had a meal, or even a dish, that we didn't enjoy.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our servers were very polite and friendly. Will come back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
The food was excellent. Service well done.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was ok. Possibility won't go back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Last minute google search while travelling landed us here. Our only regret was too many road snacks. The meal was fantastic. We left food on our plates and the chef stopped over to make sure we liked the food. The wait staff was very friendly. The menu was a great combo of unique preparations. The food was prepared and presented beautifully. We will definitely make the trip again.
Nearly everything was room temperature or lukewarm. Based on other reviews, this isn't uncommon. Don't order a cappuccino.Item descriptions were lacking.I had salmon that was swimming in a sort of, pureed fennel sauce that was not mentioned in the description, only that fennel was an ingredient and not how it was prepared.My desert was described as a custard, it was more like a cobbler or a tart. It was probably the best thing I had, next to the bread or the cauliflower appetizer.The pasta special had a strange astringent flavor to me. The same kind of astringent you get from using too much nutmeg.I was concerned by how cold my chicken dumpling soup was, but I let it slide. It was a beautiful soup, regardless of the temperature. But the food safety side of my brain was screaming at me to not eat a cold chicken soup. I also didn't think that nearly everything else I ordered would be the same temperature.My salmon dish was just.. weird. The piece of salmon was perfectly cooked though, which made it worth it.A good portion of the ingredients were bitter and starchy, it did not compliment or contrast the salmon in any way. I thought the fennel puree was very nice, until I became absolutely overwhelmed by the third bite. It would do much better as an accoutrement, rather than be such a large portion of the dish.There's lots of great quality ingredients, but the flavors don't mesh well. Myself and my partner left full, but unsatisfied.I admire what's being attempted, but I don't think I'll be back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Awesome farm to table experience. Staff was friendly and the food was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Arancini
It my #1 restaurant to have great quality food! Would not dissapoint to celebrate any special occasion!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Braised Lamb Shank, Pan Seared Salmon
Pumpkin raviolis the best I’ve ever had. Crab cakes awesome. Desserts are the best.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5