The name Rothschild's evokes the Old World, not Italian food. Helmut Reiss named his restaurant after his mother's family.
Until its recent remodel, when a large sign was put up advertising "Fine Italian Food," people often wondered what kind of restaurant it was. Actually, it was one of the first, and one of the few, fine dining establishments along the Orange Coast. Rothschild's has just celebrated its 35th anniversary serving traditional Italian dishes in a warm and charming Old World atmosphere.
Helmut, originally from Munich, Germany, via St. Louis, opened a deli in this very location featuring fine wine and cheese. He was the first to carry Far Niente wines because the winemaker was a friend from St. Louis.
Several other St. Louis cronies had opened Italian restaurants in the area, namely Ferrantelli's and Andreinos, and Helmut was not to be left out. He expanded and converted the deli into a full-service restaurant in 1977, featuring housemade pasta using Andreinos' original recipes. At Rothschild's, they continue to make these pastas fresh every day.