Celebrating a Birthday Atop a Hill

For my birthday, I chose 📍Summit House — first glance and the atmosphere already won me over. This restaurant has been open for over 30 years, a classic old‑school American steakhouse in Southern California, with that timeless old‑money elegance. Many locals come here for birthdays, anniversaries, and family gatherings — a spot truly tested by time. The building sits alone on a hillside — doesn’t look like a typical restaurant at all. Almost no other structures around, and when the lights come on at night, the vibe is pure magic. Inside, it’s spacious and packed — mostly American guests. Families dining together, private parties in full swing. A large Christmas tree stands in the middle of the main hall — the whole feel is very Americana, nostalgic and warm. — 🦀 Chesapeake Bay Style Crab Cakes The crab itself was well‑made — real crab meat, not mushy filler. The white sauce underneath was a bit tangy, served with a small side of sea asparagus. 🦞 Lobster Bisque Soup A very American‑style bisque — rich and creamy with actual lobster pieces, topped with croutons. A bit salty and heavy though — the kind you enjoy a few sips of but wouldn’t finish the whole bowl. 🥩 Roast Prime Ribs of Beef Our top pick of the night 👏 Clearly not traditional high‑heat seared — more like slow‑roasted and finished. Tender, flavorful, and not greasy at all. 🐟 John Dory Pretty standard — not bad, but not memorable. Mashed potatoes were fine. 🎵 Live singing tradition A quartet in traditional American attire goes table‑to‑table singing for each guest. Since the server knew it was my birthday, they brought out a little dessert too 🍰 #BirthdayRestaurant #HiddenGem #RomanticDining #BeautifulMeal #VibeDining