eating out by tony reverditto
SUMMIT HOUSE RESTAURANT A PINNACLE OF FINE DINING
F
or those of you who may not have heard of the Summit House Restaurant, it is a marvelous fine dining establishment and event venue that opened in 1991. Known for its astounding architecture and panoramic views, this gem serves up thoughtful “Old World”
English food accented with an inventive wine program. Back in 1989, owner Gary Parkinson climbed to the top of a grassy hill
in Fullerton that was inhabited by coyotes and rabbits. His vision that day would soon be realized and would become the site for the award-winning Summit House Restaurant. Since then, it has become an esteemed eatery and renowned gathering place for special occasions for people from Southern California and beyond. The spectacular grounds and stunning scenic views
have accentuated full-service accommodations for countless festivities that have taken place over the years. Since the beginning, it became a go-to destination for everything from a romantic dinner for two to a 250-person garden wedding. During the height of the pandemic, they made it work by offering curbside take-out of their fine fare, and loyal customers stepped up by ordering in droves. Even in the toughest of times, Parkinson and his team gave back to the community by arranging the donation and delivery of their finest menu items to front-line healthcare workers. Not too long after the restaurant opened, the Summit House captured the talent of Executive Chef Timothy Plumb. Before destiny brought him there, he had accumulated 25 years of restaurant experience. As a Milwaukee, Wisconsin native, Chef Plumb grew up with a passion for the culinary world and
worked as a cook and then chef, which exposed him to many classically prepared ethnic cuisines. After attending the Culinary Institute of America in New York in the late
1970s, Chef Plumb worked his way up the ranks by honing his skills at some of the finest restaurants and hotels in the United States. He has an impressive list of accolades, including the Epicurean Society, the Platter Award, Southern California Restaurant Writers Gold and Sterling Silver Awards, and Zagat Survey recognition. His right-hand man, Chef de Cuisine Jeremy Fox, plays a vital role in the overall operation and adds his unique flair to the kitchen. In fact, the entire team in the front and back of house are quite extraordinary, personable and extremely professional. On our recent visit, a wedding was taking place, as well as a reception for 150 people. The 2½ acre property lends itself flawlessly as a magical setting for any special day. This way, if you are planning on getting married or renewing your vows, you can visualize yourself in this setting. The wedding party that day had a lovely quartet playing romantic music as the underscore to their blessed day. It was also beautiful to see that at the same time the wedding was happening outdoors, indoors the restaurant was buzzing throughout, and everywhere I looked people were smiling and laughing. Social media doyenne and our dear friend Patty Mitchell joined us for our dining adventure. We
were seated at a booth and immediately greeted by our bubbly server Maria, who is currently pursuing her master degree in history at Cal State Fullerton. You could tell she respected the history of the Summit House. She took our drink order, and I went for a thirst-quenching Summit House Margarita concocted with Tres Generations
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ragemonthly.com | JUNE 2021
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