I loved this place!! We sat outside, beautiful. The food, ambiance, decor stunning! Very friendly and professional staff, the only thing I didn't like is that they were a little slow but didn't mind that much because we were enjoying the wonderful view. Great food! I can't wait to go back and try the amazing desserts and other things in the menu! I even took a picture of them they are impressive! read more

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The food and service were excellent!! Our server was amazing!! I highly recommend getting the king salmon, the brussel sprouts, and the Lilian's wonderland for dessert were outstanding! The perfect place for a special occasion or a weekday meal! Definitely will be back read more

We came here for their soft opening and were blown away. The Inn itself is beautiful but the bar and restaurant are breathtaking. We started at the bar and had some amazing drinks. My favorite was the SirBarton. Then we had some appetizers like the lollipop lamb chops and moved into the restaurant for dinner. The restaurant has a darker ambience so my photos don't do the food justice. The chef was amazing and took care of our dietary needs like being gluten free and allergic to shellfish and poultry. My husband was blown away by the ribeye and I can't stop talking about the dessert options. There was way too many yummy items to choose from so we will definitely be back. ( The table next to us got octopus and this massive lobster which we can't wait to try next time we go.) read more

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The atmosphere overall is great here I got the kale kavatelli and it's was really well done and flavorful Our server crystal was great, very attentive as well as the rest of the staff Churro beignets were delicious for desert read more

Some dishes were very good, (salmon, roasted brussel sprouts), some underwhelming and not well described on the menu or by our server. Speaking of service, it was pretty awful. Our server kept disappearing, entrees didn't come out together, etc. Beautiful venue, hope they can improve. read more

Lilian's has a beautiful atmosphere (sit on the patio), wonderful staff (thank you Filomeno!), and great food (filet, scallops, creamed spinach, and mashed potatoes). One of the nicest places to eat in the area with classic California charm and a perfect setting on a warm night. read more

Highly recommend! Hubby and I went for date night and were delighted. The location is idyllic, it's in the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe and we originally asked for a table inside but when we saw the beautiful surroundings of the patio seating we asked to sit there. The grounds are perfectly manicured and give off French countryside vibes. The amount of hummingbirds around all of the various flora was so charming. Our server Lexie was very attentive and helpful with menu recommendations. The cocktails were phenomenal, my husband had the "red fox" and I stole it from him because it was so good. We ordered the warm crab and avocado salad and the hamachi crudo to start and we loved the crudo. The salad was good but not as much of a standout as the crudo. For mains, I ordered the lobster tail pasta, and my hubby ordered the lamb chops with a side of the Brussels sprouts and seasoned fries. The lamb was great, it had chimichurri with a bit of blue cheese on each chop. The French fries were so good with the Cajun aioli, but the real standout was the Brussels sprouts. They have a drizzle that looked like a satay sauce with crushed peanuts on top. These must have some sort of secret ingredient because they knocked our socks off. My lobster pasta was really good but you need to bring your appetite because the portion is enough to share, which is rare with a dish like lobster pasta. For dessert we ordered the churro beignets that came with 3 dipping sauces, vanilla glaze, chocolate and dulce de leche. He had an espresso martini with something they call a "whip shot" which is a shot of alcohol in whipped foam. Very tasty. I had the vanilla cold brew Carajillo which was basically coffee-candy! Both went perfectly with the desert. The dining manager Don came by several times to ask us how we were enjoying everything and even bought my husband a drink he thought he'd enjoy. Service this good is rare and in a place this beautiful with food this good, it was like winning the trifecta at Del Mar! You must go! Enjoy!!! read more

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Ive heard great things about this place and finally decided to give it a shot. Not from the area but will absolutely go back again when wisiting rancho, food was delicious definitely a must if youre in the area read more

From the moment we walked in, the service was absolutely terrible. Our waiter took her time coming to our table and was very dismissive. When our food finally came, it was undercooked; the steaks were, (I'll say being generous,) 4 ounces when they were supposed to be 8 ounces that's a huge difference at the price point. The sides were OK at best. I ordered the lobster with fries and the lobster was tasteless, like rubber, and to make matters worse, the fries that came with the lobster were directly underneath the lobster! Are you kidding me? They were terrible. They were soggy and very unappetizing. I wasn't offered an extra plate for the sides or a warm towel to wash my hands from the mess of the disgusting lobster. Oh and we ordered lamb chops for an appetizer and they were completely undercooked . Disgusting! We also ordered the salmon as an appetizer and the serving was so small for the price. It was embarrassing. Mind you we were there for my daughters birthday as well as mine.. We share the same birthday. The ambience was also lacking, without updated decor, and dim lighting that made it difficult to even see our food. The prices were exorbitant for the quality of the meal we received. The waitress offered us dessert and when we declined, she said that we get a free one for our birthday and she seemed irritated. That too was embarrassing. Overall, I would not recommend Lillian's restaurant to anyone looking for a special dining experience. It was a huge disappointment and a complete waste of money over $400. My daughter and I had two drinks and my son-in-law and husband had two soft drinks just FYI.. read more

Food was ok, service was extremely slow. We had food left of our table from appetizers while watching the staff stand around and talk. The drinks were tasty. I only recommend if you sit at the bar for drinks but do not order food unless you have two hours to wait on the staff to serve you. The location is also beautiful. read more

Lilian's - The lamb lollipops are amazing but the entrees were not so great - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

What a beautiful setting! The patio was a wonderful way to enjoy the incredible dishes from this fine restaurant. The lobster and the filet were outstanding and cooked perfectly. The lamb appetizer was so flavorful. You have not lived until you've tried the Wonderland dessert. So many incredible flavors on a special wood platter. I highly recommend Lillian's and I will be back soon. read more

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I was so hoping I absolutely loved this place as I had read so many wonderful reviews. We made a reservation and headed here to a 7:45 dinner, not realizing it closes at 9. The atmosphere was beautiful and sitting at the bar enjoying a Dixie Lee was delightful. Our friends were delayed so we were seated a little after eight. Our server was attentive. we ordered the Cobb salad to share and the beets. Both were good. I ordered the filet which was well cooked and came with three sauces. I think next time I would ask them to just put one. One was quite spicy and cut through the steaks flavor. My husband ordered the chicken and ended up taking it home as it was not his cup of tea. He found the sauce on the top off-putting, but it was definitely a generous portion. I would probably give this place another try maybe earlier in the evening as I was conscious we were the only people left inside by the time we left. Overall I was hoping for something stellar and I got something that was good but not something to write home about. read more

Had a lovely dinner there last night! Now they have sushi on the menu, definitely will be back again when visiting rancho

Best halbut we have ever had! Dinner was absolutely delicious and our server, Lexi, made our experience that much more special.

The food was absolutely amazing we had: The octopus - quite possibly the best cooked octopus in our lives Lamb chops - were perfectly cooked The oysters - great flavor not to briny Filet - perfectly cooked and the 3 sauces were excellent Veal Milanese - had excellent crust The desserts were so amazing our waiter Trajen was fantastic and Greg made sure we were well taken care of. We will be back very soon 10/10 reccomend to anyone looking for a top notch meal in north county read more

I rarely say that everything was cooked/ prepared to perfection but my meal this past Saturday was truly that. I have had octopus in many countries and US cities but Lilian's was the most tender and flavorful yet. The yuzu marinade in the tuna tartare made it superbly light, tangy and delicity's. The mushroom sauce for the filet menu was packed with flavor as was the bone marrow butter for the ribeye, both cooked exactly right. The texture, creaminess and flavor of the potato puree made you want to lick the bowl . The beignets were crispy on the outside, moist and airy inside. We couldn't get enough of the accompanying sauces. The service from Nicholas was impeccable- patiently addressing our dietary restrictions, describing the dishes well, and meeting our needs. He was warm, personable and interesting. Loved this place! read more

Lilian's - Octopus - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

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Recently enjoyed an enchanting lunch on the patio overlooking the beautiful gardens at Lilian's. What a serene retreat from the city! Welcoming atmosphere, accommodating service, and the food and presentation were vibrant and full of flavor. Our server, Sam, was personable and well attentive of our dietary restrictions and communicated our needs with the kitchen. We also really appreciate the menu's focus on sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. As somewhat of a salmon connoisseur, I could really taste the quality of the fish as it was prepared to perfection and showcased rather than masked by overwhelming accompaniments. The brown butter roasted mushroom medley and artichoke hummus with house-made gluten-free crisps were also highlights. Overall, my experience at Lilian's was a dining oasis for the senses, and I look forward to returning again soon! read more

If you're expecting what was here before- this is nothing like it. After 5 visits, I have to say it's so uninspiring and disappointing. The wait staff is finally coming along. Initially, it was a group of folks who couldn't care less about service and the patron's experience. I had one waiter just leave - I guess?? No one could find him and we asked three other employees! My guests left while I waited another 20 minutes. Finally the bartender looked for my bill so I could pay at the bar. The food is tasting better but it's nothing special. I was hoping for a top notch go-to place. So much potential. I'd have to sum it up by offering that it may be an inexperienced staff / management coupled with just a standard hotel chain kitchen - all trying to give off a luxury vibe. If it's not in your team's DNA, then it's just going not a memorable dining experience in any way. Even if the food is dynamite and the servers are okay= memorable! And vice versa. You just get a very middle of the road everything here. So it's just okay. Side note: always love the bartenders and their drinks! 4.5 stars for them. read more

We had a great brunch. From cocktails (don't miss out on the 24 Karats) to the warm crab salad, to the tomato toast with pimento cheese, to eggs Benedict to dessert, so good. The service was warm, friendly and efficient. Much better than the last time I was here. Heard there is a new chef in the kitchen and it shows. Looking forward to our next visit. read more

Amazing food!!!! Amazing place !!! Can't go wrong with the lobster frites or the steak fries . read more

Very Inconsistent. Some times food is great, sometimes not. Service verrry bad....tonight even the bartender was rude. Atmosphere is nice. Outside grounds are beautiful. read more

Was invited for a pre-opening meal. What a great experience. Anna was our server and she did a great job as well as the rest of the team. Food was outstanding. Our table had top notch lamb chops, a salmon crudo, and stone fruit salad and cheese as 1st course. Entrees were lobster with Bernaise sauce frites, kale cavetellii, and outstanding scallops. Sides of asparagus and creamed spinach. The Desserts were beignets and Lilian's Garden (don't miss it). Everything was so Chop, Really a great experience and one you should try for a great night of food and conversation. read more

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The ambiance was great. But the food quality was subpar. Similar items such as veal or lamb lollipops in other restaurants in the area have much better quality. Service was fine, but not the best service you expect from a restaurant at Inn at Rancho Santa Fe read more

First timers, heard the buzz had to check it out. Lillian's is inside the Rancho Santa Fe Inn. Stunning interior design! Up tempo bar/ lobby and really well appointed dining rm./ outdoor patio. You have to check it out, just the right mix of historic hints & New. Food was on point. We ordered Cesar Salads, Lamb pops, filet & pasta. All perfectly done. Deserts are unique not to be missed. We had the "forest" tasty, artful, whimsical, fun. Kitchen was on point with entre timing, preparation. Crystal, our server was super professional, personable. Beverage service. Bar, water, coffee, very attentive. Highly recommended. Special place. read more

This place is like a little get away for me, I come in on Tuesdays and Thursdays just to see Brittany and have couple of drinks at lunch time. She takes care of every request or need I have and I always have a great conversation with her, she makes this place worth coming to. The food is great! I highly recommend the duct tostadas, the Caesar salad with salmon and the steak frites. Brittany completes the experience with her uplifting and funny personality! I look forward to coming back for the food, the ambience, and definitely to see her! read more

Saturday afternoon was our first time back since the remodel and new chef and menus. As regulars, we expected the level of service to improve, as well as the interiors, as they were both worn and shabby. The interiors are now beautiful, functional, and comfortable. Sadly the poor service is what brings our review down to 2 stars. When I approached the hostess stand there was the hostess and a manager (tall, slim man, brown hair, bad attitude, approximately 40). I smiled and greeted them. Neither of them smiled or were the least bit welcoming. The manager looked at the hostess and put his hand out toward me in a stop motion and said "hold on"; not, "welcome, how can we help you, party of 2?" Then he proceeds to discuss cutting certain servers...for 7 minutes. After it happened my husband thought about talking to him, but we had made a special trip to try the new menu and I decided to focus on that goal. This was after lunch, and the restaurant was virtually empty. There was no reason he couldn't have welcomed us and seated us before going into a conversation that was unprofessional in content and tone to have in front of customers. When he was done discussing the plans for each employee for the rest of the afternoon with the hostess, he brushed by us without even apologizing at the very least, and the hostess still could not bother to crack a smile or be gracious or apologetic either. When we were seated it took 10 minutes for a server to finally approach our table. He was very sweet, unfortunately not well trained. He came up to the table many times when it needed pre-bussing (empty cocktail glasses, appetizer plates, menus still on table, and yet he never did any. The food runners and bussers were actually great at their jobs, more professional and friendly. They should promote the food runner we had (Latino, mustache) to manager and fire the actual manager, as whoever hired him made a big mistake. The menu is a great improvement, and I look forward to trying the seasonal changes of both the food and cocktail menus in the future. To the new Corporate Management: Training is key. The basics of service that your servers are not doing; greet a new table in your section within 2 minutes of being seated offering water, serve from the left, clear from the right, pre-bus, do not clear a dinner plate until everyone is done, never stack dishes and silverware on the table as you clear the table, offer second rounds of cocktails as soon as first round is empty, upsell coffees, teas, dessert wines, and cocktails when taking dessert order, etc. We hope you can pull it together as a corporation and treat guests with respect and generosity to earn the prices you charge, but as family owned hotels like this become corporate (as Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott continue to buy up boutique hotels around the world), they tend to lose their human touch and accountability goes out the window with a high turnover over of employees. read more

The food was very delicious and serving size was very good. The ambiance was beautiful. It was a nice sunny day and to be able to look out and enjoy the location while you waited for your order made for an enjoyable experience. read more

Such a disappointing Valentine's Day experience. I had visited Lilian's once before for brunch and decided to book a stay at the inn and do the valentines day experience another time. The one star represents the ambience because the place is pretty cute. My husband and I are big foodies and will spend however much to have a nice meal, but this was terrible. The food runners kept mixing up our meals, along with the two tables aside us. The couple to the left of us was far annoyed as well. But that is the least of the issue. The food was extremely mid and my entree was inedible. I ordered the red wine braised short rib. You think pull apart meat that is extremely tender, and instead I was served strips of meat that were so chewy that even my husband who will eat any meat couldn't do it. Our meal came out to $550 and was worth a fraction of that. Now, icing on the cake - about 30 minutes after we are in our hotel room my husband and I got extremely ill from dinner. He was laying in the bathroom floor all evening, I had to call the front desk to get him stomach seltze. Before posting this review I spoke to the manager who was apparently going to speak to the director and get back to us to help the problem but there has been no word since. A very unpleasant Valentine's Day due to this restaurant solely. // Multiple people from management reached out and helped resolve the issue. I appreciate the willingness to make things right, even though we can't take back the evening. read more

Ambiance is amazing! Service is not that great. Hostess made us wait 7 min to be seated, when it was not busy, we had a reservation and the table she sat us at was ready the whole time...very odd. Did not make any sense. Server was slow and anything we needed we had to chase her down. Soup arrived without a spoon and had to ask twice until someone brought it. The guy we asked came out with other peoples food before our spoon as if he forgot. Wanted another round of drinks and server was no where to be found. 2nd time there for lunch and food is not bad, but not memorable in any way. Management needs to better train their staff and be present as I didn't see anyone that looked like a manager anywhere to be found. Heard other patrons saying the same things and all had different servers. read more

I'm bummed because I really liked the vibe of this place but the food and service were terrible. It look forever for our server to come and take our order and then a very long time for our food to arrive. When it finally did, no one in my party enjoyed their food. The butternut squash pasta tasted extremely smoky and strange (you could make better from Trader Joe's in my opinion) and all the other dishes were very bland/lacked flavor. Save your money and try a different spot for dinner. read more

3 of us had lunch at Lilian's yesterday. We were seated at a comfortable table indoors (a little chilly for their lovely patio). 2 of us had the Crab salad - a generous portion of crab served in a bowl with butter lettuce; very flavorful, light but filling. We also had a Cobb Salad which was larger and also fresh & delicious. As a treat, we shared an order of French fries - crispy and hot! For dessert we shared the Churros Beignets which were warm and tender and had just the right amount of sugary cinnamon & were served with 3 dipping sauces - chocolate, vanilla and caramel. Angel, our server, was EXCELLENT; very attentive and helpful. Can't wait to come back! read more

The food was incredible!!! The staff was on point!!!! So attentive and knowledgeable! Portion sizes were spot on!! Not to big not to small just 'enough! read more

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Truly the worst service EVER! Drinks took 50 minutes and that was after asking 3 times. I am truly lost for words. Our drinks arrived just as we completed our meal. I cannot make this up... we asked our server, and two others after 30 mins... I will never come back and cannot recommend this establishment to anyone. read more

Ambiance, waiter, service was great but food had to be sent back two times and refired.... They removed from bill just deleyed out meal so long my wife had to box it because had little ones just there way to long.... and they didn't even box the full meal, literally took refried meat and put box and gave it to us no sauce or sides that cane with it, for the price and location I expected more but I still tipped waitress more than 20% she did nothing wrong... Honest take on the place . read more

Beautiful atmosphere and delicious food. Impeccable service as you would expect but more affordable than you'd anticipate.

The TLDR is the food was good, not great. Ambiance and decor are very fun. Service could be better. I stopped by here for an early dinner. My companion and I had the tomato basil soup for an appetizer. It arrived warm, but not hot. Combined with the long wait between order and arrival, I got the impression it was waiting under a heat lamp to be served. Flavor was good though. Both my companion and I had the steak and mashed potatoes. We both ordered our steak medium--hers was perfect and mine was quite rare. Not inedible but definitely rare. Mashed potatoes and steak all came out a little cold. Again, combined with the wait time, it seemed like our food was probably done for a while before it was actually delivered to our table. We had to wait for a few extra minutes even then because we didn't get steak knives either. I was disappointed with the rare steak that was served rather cold and after a long wait. For dessert we had the chocolate mousse fairy garden. It was gorgeous--so creative and fun to look at, but it definitely fell short on flavor. The various elements on their own tasted bland...mellow chocolate taste, mellow berry flavors, etc. Combined together the flavors didn't really harmonize into something amazing either. I give the kitchen lots of points for creativity and presentation, but less for actual flavors. The decor is really fun. I appreciate the obvious thought that went into the interior design of this restaurant. The indoor eating area feels a little loud but that's okay. 10/10 on ambiance. read more

Wife got food poisoning 2 nights ago from the tuna tartare (6/20/2024). Severe vomiting and diarrhea. Never going back. read more

Food and service were outstanding! The scallops showcased an unrivaled level of excellence! Our server, Crystal, exhibited a commendable level of attentiveness! From recommending items demonstrating her knowledge of the menu and her ability to make personalized suggestions based on customers' tastes and preferences. This for us enhance our dining experience and made us feel valued! Would definitely be coming back. read more

My husband and I had a lovely time at Lilian's. Sitting outdoors was so peaceful. The overall ambience was very calming as you look out on the greenery. The food was lovely, but what really made the experience was the service. Our server, Authur, was superb. Probably the best service I've ever had. The experience he brought us alone is a big reason we'll be coming back. I highly recommend Lilian's for a lovely evening out, excellent service, and delicious food. read more

Great dinner at Lilian's. The service was the best part! Fil was our waiter and was super attentive and helpful despite it being very busy! Albert also helped us and was so kind and friendly. The service made the night!! Food was good. Highly recommend the octopus and salmon. Some of the other dishes were good but could use some editing. Tuna tartar with fried avocado...had not enough flavor and too much going on. Octopus is amazing but came with olives, puree, etc but should just stand on its own. read more