Fat of the Land - Santa Ana, California

Kayla H.

My husband and I came here for a date night and we absolutely loved it. The owner is SO friendly! Hearing about how he opened the restaurant was so cool, we love supporting local small businesses that really care about the quality of what they’re putting out.

It’s a rotating menu so you might not see these, but these were by far our favorite dishes of the night:
- seasonal veggies (served cold which is interesting but the pesto is sooo good)
- pork in piquillo peppers
- pork shank (we ate these down to the bone)
- and of course the basque cheesecake for dessert

I think you have to try the ham butter & bread because it’s a staple there, but if I’m being honest I wasn’t too impressed by the flavor of the butter. I tasted parsley and mustard more than ham.

Only downside about this place is the parking situation. We ended up having to do one hour metered parking and just risked getting a ticket for staying longer. That won’t stop us from coming back! Thank you for an incredible dinner, we’ll see you again soon.

Reagan P.

This place is unbelievable - nothing like this in Orange County. Truly!

From the beautiful, intimate ambiance/interior (most of the decor here is thrifted, which is so awesome) to the incredible food and Spanish wines, we were so impressed. The owner Robert is a gem and is so passionate about his menu offerings.

The anchovies, sardines out of the tin, and basque cheesecake were my favorites. Oooof. Craving it again now!

We can’t wait to come back and try brunch now!

Misti K.

For weeks, I passed by this establishment and was very curious about what it was.
Let me tell you something, this place should never be passed, this place is more than the equivalency to a Gem!!

A small quaint space and small plates, but full of warmth and charm, add to this perfection of a culinary experience

I felt as if I were frequenting a Spanish or English eatery.
The owners, as well as the chef and sous chef, have enveloped an understanding and love for the epicurious and deliver!
We are very lucky to have "Fat of the Land", in Sanat Ana, and the word needs to be spread.

This restaurant embodies what "going out to dine", and "sharing a unique culinary opportunity with the ones you love", is about.

Pauline N.

A very intimate and creative environment. The decor is nice and well-thought out.

The dishes were all very well-seasoned. The shrimp and mushrooms were our favorite tapas. All very divine!

We enjoyed talking to the owner. He and his wife seem to be off to a good start with this restaurant.

Armand

You have to check this spot out. This location is only beer and wine. However, they have a decent selection of wines and beers, both pair well with the food. Absolutely, Definitely try the food. The best way to approach the food menu is to order several items and share. The food is well presented and delicious! The items on the food menu change periodically, which means something differently delicious will always be available. Also, check out the various seafood tins available. Definitely save room for desert, as you have to try the basque cheesecake, and definitely follow up each bite with a sip of port. The basque cheesecake is delicious alone, but the port adds an extra zing to the flavor. The location is small, so definitely look into reservations. They may be able to accommodate small party walk-ins, but play it safe with a reservation. If you like good people and service, accompanied by good drink and delicious cuisine, definitely drop in and try the flavors!

Jenna L.

What a gem! The kind of vibe that’s hard to find in OC… we need more spots like this! Intimate tapas style wine bar with incredible bites. Owner was super friendly and service was quick. The ham butter and bread was a standout starter. We also did the pear prosciutto frisée salad which was fresh. Steak tartare was incredible and the stuffed peppers were so flavorful yet balanced. And the BASQUE CHEESECAKE. Just do it.
Highly recommend!!

Colton B.

My husband and I went tonight for our date night and it was a fantastic experience. We really loved that the owner, Robert, and his wife, Iris, and they are they are actively engaged with patrons and sincerely love the community they are creating. The restaurant only seats about 25 people so it's always intimate and like the restaurant in its coziness, the menu is specific and not an expansive, one size fits all option. The menu is mediterranean and the primary carb is bread....which frankly, I thought was amazing with the ham butter. For the meal, we had the olives (which, by the way, I really don't like but my husband insisted I have them, and they were actually delicious!) and white asparagus as appetizers, octopus and shrimp as our main courses. AMAZING. We will definitely go back and this will be a staple in our local restaurants.

Rachael C.

We visited for their new brunch experience July 13th. It was amazing! I had the orange French toast and it was maybe the best French toast I've ever had It wasn't too sweet, it had some kind of filling, just try it. My partner had the Parisian. Everything was so fresh and delicious. Another delicious meal at Fat of the Land ✨