I came here on a Friday around 11:45 a.m. I made a reservation through OpenTable, but there was plenty of seating available, so I don't think walk-ins would be an issue. Valet parking is complimentary, and there isn't any self-parking. When I checked in with the hostess, she gave me the option of sitting in the front outdoor patio or the back patio. I chose the back, and I'm so glad I did because the view is absolutely beautiful. I also had my dog with me, and they were incredibly dog friendly. They brought her a dog bed and a surprisingly extensive dog menu with some really great options. We ordered: *Lobster Tacos : Three generously filled tacos served with salsa and guacamole. They were absolutely delicious and loaded with lobster, topped with fresh avocado. *Rancho Burger: Easily one of the best burgers I've had. It was cooked perfectly, and we added Swiss cheese. They even cut it in half for my friend and me to share. The fries were fantastic too, crispy and somewhere between steak fries and thin-cut fries. *Shepherd's Pie (Dog Menu) : The menu listed it with beef, but they accidentally brought out the chicken version. Since my dog is allergic to chicken, they immediately apologized, took it back, and made a fresh beef version. The customer service was excellent, and my dog absolutely devoured it. The portion was generous, and it looked fresh enough for a human to eat. The service was phenomenal from start to finish. Our food arrived in less than 20 minutes, the views were stunning, and the menu had so many tempting options that I'll definitely be back to try more. Overall, this was a fabulous lunch, and I highly recommend it. read more

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The Pony Room has a beautiful ambiance. My husband and I have been here to celebrate a few anniversaries, to go on double dates and, more recently, to celebrate my mom's birthday. Their food quality is also very good. Of the several times we've been, we've struggled with food temperature not being warm enough about half the time. Servers are kind, but can be inconsistent. Again I would say half of our visits we've felt forgotten. My biggest irritation was during our latest visit, in which families with children were seated next to us not once, but twice. This was disturbing because on the booth side of the table where my mom and I sat, we felt the movement of squirmy children from the table next to us. Highly recommend more attention to table selection by the host staff. Given the classiness of this place, I find it silly that I'd have to go out of my way to ask for hot food and to be seated only around adults. We will be taking The Pony Room out of our rotation for a while. read more

Being seated in the Pony Room is like stepping into a movie set. The decor almost feels East Coast, very plush. The staff were extremely attentive. It appeared that many of the guests were part of The Golf/Tennis Clubs or homeowners. Many of the wait staff knew them by name. Great people watching for sure. We laughed at the possibility of hearing Robyn Leach talking in the background. The food presentation was lovely. We had Eggs Benedict and Chilaquiles, which were spicy but delicious. I would highly recommend the white sangria. This restaurant is hidden away through many twisting roads, but well worth a visit for something special. read more

The Pony Room - Table setting - Bars Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

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The Pony Room is my favorite restaurant in San Diego! From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with the sweetest, most welcoming service. The food is absolutely delicious, the drinks are incredible, and the views are simply amazing. Everything about this place feels special. The menu truly has something for everyone, and every dish and cocktail (virgin) I've had has been outstanding. Between the beautiful setting, exceptional service, and unforgettable food you will be one happy person! read more

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This is quickly becoming one of my favorite places in San Diego. The service is great, ambience is amazing and the food is phenomenal. They are always willing to modify dishes to meet my vegetarian dietary needs. Highly recommend it! read more

Love love loved the pony room! Was visiting rancho Valencia for a wedding this past weekend and came across this gem in the hotel. Sat at the bar for some drinks and later for dinner and everything was great. Cocktails are fabulous- made extra special by the amazing bartender Kevin! Shoutout to him! Definitely a great spot for date night, a quick bite / drink at the bar to watch a game or a girls night for a few drinks! If we lived locally, this would be our spot! I will say the only negative was that the soufflé was not good at all, but that's quite alright ! Get the butter cake instead:) read more

The Pony Room - Skewers - Bars Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

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The drinks were good, great ambience... they had a pretty cool coloring book for kids... It's a good north inland option for a nice night out read more

Wednesday at Pony Room is very nice with live music! I ordered the sword fish bites (expensive but delicious) and my friend has the "Chop Chop" salad which was enormous she had more than enough to take home leftover. HENRY, our waiter was super helpful he even brought out another bread order when our first on was not hot enough. All around great place to chill or take a date. read more

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Beautiful Spanish-style restaurant tucked away in Rancho Santa Fe! Servers are attentive and food is excellent. I love to come for brunch and sit on the patio. read more

The Pony Room - Bars Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

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We had a table for 12 for dinner the other night. We were seated immediately. It is a beautiful restaurant with indoor-outdoor-patio seating and a very nice bar. The prices are not too crazy for dinner but the service could be a bit better/ clear off empty plates, glasses etc. maybe offer some sort of bread while we were waiting for our dinner. My prime rib was raw- not medium rare so I had them take it back- still very rare when brought back. They could invest in good steak knives. Nice place for dinner but needs a bit of sharpening up. read more

We visited the Pony Room to eat with some friends so that our daughters could visit and play. I was very apprehensive as we were at the San Diego zoo all day and our daughter was very active. We were seated next to a field and the two girls had a blast playing. The food was good but the highlight for us was Miles the waiter being so amazing to our girls. He not only asked them if they needed something to drink while they were out playing but also turned the fire pits in for them to stay warm as the sat on the floor drawing in their notebooks. He also held on to my daughters toy that she left behind and returned it to us when he realized we had returned to find it in the field. I will never be more appreciative and satisfied with an establishment that not only caters to the adults but also our children. "Miles is the best waiter in the world" (my daughter and her friends words) read more

First time at the Pony Room and venue. Loved it and the festive decor!! The food was delicious with a lovely presentation. Chilean sea bass was tasty. I was doubtful on the fried rice but it was good! The carrot cake is a mist if you like carrot cake... it was decorated with tiny carrots that still had its stems and leaves... so cute! This place is a must visit during the holidays and great place to celebrate special dates. Service was great. read more

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The Pony Room has everything from great food to a beautiful setting set in Rancho Santa Fe. There are tables inside and out on the front or back patios. Tonight we chose to sit inside by the bar. There was live music and people dressed in everything from tennis outfits just off the courts below to sundresses and casual suits for the summer heat. The servers were on top of our order from the moment we walked in the door. My group came for the Wednesday lobster night. Make sure to left the wait staff know if that is what you want - include it in your reservation if you want. That way you are not disappointed when they run out. The staff was also very conscious about food allergies. Before serving shellfish or nuts to the table we were asked if there are any allergies. The potions are large. We were able to split everything we ordered including the lobster with pomé frites. We started with the burrata and heirloom tomatoes. This was our least favorite of the night. It needed more salt and balsamic to pinch up the flavor. The lobster was cooked perfectly. We were given extra clarified butter to pass around the table. The fried rice with the egg on top is a great addition to the meal. Our waiter informed us that some people mix their whole dinner with the rice or add extra eggs. It is very filling on its own. The perfect end to the night was the strawberry shortcake soufflé. The macerated strawberries and the pipet increased the flavor of the soufflé. I could eat just that for dinner. The soufflé changed a week and a half ago. It used to be s'mores. Don't be surprised if it is a different version when you go since it changes regularly. Overall consistently good! The specials can run out so either go early or reserve yours before you get there. They are all highly recommended. The lobster ravioli is the newest addition to the specials. It replaced the meatloaf. read more

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As soon as we pulled in to the restaurant we were greeted by the valet and they were kind people. We walked in and were greeted by our server for the night, Scott. Wonderful guy, one of the best service experiences so far. The food was very good, a little more on the pricey side but well worth it. The mood of the restaurant feels like a Spanish, Tuscan, kind of. It's a nice feel. Overall 5/5 read more

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This place is a hidden gem inside of a resort and it has beautiful views and great decor inside. The server was super nice and was able to accommodate my wife's allergies Pros: PANCAKES!! And truffle fries Cons: chilaquiles were a little bit soggy Ambiance: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Value: 4/5 Taste: 4.5/5 read more

We had a lovely lunch outdoors under the blue skies, protected from the sun with umbrellas. The atmosphere was truly beautiful and an escape from our regular lives. We had a gift card and ordered quite a few dishes. Some highlights: Rancho Mezze: the muhammara (red pepper dip) was sweet and rich; the avocado labneh was tangy; the marinated olives were a bit sweet and not overly salty which is rare. Salmon and kale salad: the salmon was crispy and not overcooked. The components of the salad worked together nicely, no one element too overpowering. I don't usually like raw kale, but the goat cheese, tomatoes, and red wine vinaigrette made the combination tasty. Lobster tacos: these were delicious, and there was enough lobster to actually taste the lobster among the other components. Rancho burger: my husband got this and he finished the whole burger. That's all I can say there Side note: all the dishes were larger than I had expected, even the appetizers. We took 2 of the 3 lobster tacos to-go. Service was prompt and responsive. I was happy we got our food quickly too, since I needed to get home in a reasonable amount of time to feed the baby. read more

The Pony Room - Rancho mezze Cocktail shrimp - Bars Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

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Came here one weekend with my friends and noticed their Saturday prime rib dinner special. I ordered one rare with uncut/raw horseradish, and it was prepared perfectly. The best I've had in a long time! Our server resembled the new host of Jeopardy! He was wonderful. A+++ read more

One of the best meals ever! We went for my moms birthday on April 19th and everything was perfection. They helped me with a special cake order before we got there and the whole staff was amazing. I love the cozy atmosphere so much. It's fancy without being pretentious. Every dish was spectacular! They were very accommodating for gluten free options. read more

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OMG! Our absolute favorite restaurant for breakfast when visiting SoCal. The resort is absolutely beautiful and The Pont Room is such a lovely restaurant to enjoy breakfast. The servers are wonderful. Always helpful. Always smiling. The food? Goodness! Over the top and very creative. Highly recommend when in the area. Beautiful. Very tasteful. A must!! read more

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If Hallmark made a movie about food, this restaurant would be the setting, the soundtrack, and the happy ending. We came on Christmas Eve and were immediately swallowed (in the best way) by cozy holiday magic--twinkling lights, festive décor, and just the right amount of seasonal sparkle to make you feel like you accidentally walked into a very chic snow globe. Let's talk appetizers, because wow. The swordfish was so good it briefly made me consider changing my entire personality to "swordfish enthusiast." Perfectly cooked, flavorful, and clearly made by someone who understands that appetizers should not be underestimated. And the buffalo chicken bites? Crispy, spicy, comforting, and gone in approximately 0.2 seconds. I would like to formally apologize to anyone at the table who didn't get enough because I absolutely went back for seconds. Now, dessert. Because it was Christmas Eve and restraint had left the building, we ended with a gingerbread and chocolate soufflé, which felt like Santa himself had personally approved it. Warm, rich, festive, and borderline life-changing. The kind of dessert that makes you stare at the empty dish afterward like, "So... we're really done here?" And the service--phenomenal. Attentive without hovering, warm without being overbearing, and genuinely kind. Everyone made the evening feel special, like they knew it wasn't just dinner, it was a moment. In short: incredible food, magical holiday vibes, and service that deserves a standing ovation (or at least a very enthusiastic five stars). If you're looking for a place that delivers flavor, festivity, and feels--this is it. read more

The Pony Room - Truffle fries - Bars Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

The Pony Room truly impressed me from start to finish. The dining area, bar, and outdoor patio are all beautifully decorated in a stunning Adobe style that makes the entire space feel warm, stylish, and inviting. It's the kind of setting that feels perfect for a date night, celebration, or just a great evening out. The service was absolutely amazing -- hands down one of the best experiences I've had in a long time. Attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming throughout the entire meal. The food was great across the board, but two things really stood out to me: the starter peanuts assortment and the ending chocolate -- both were next-level and might honestly have been my favorite parts of the night. Also, their house gin and tonic is officially one of my new favorites -- perfectly balanced and incredibly refreshing. Beautiful atmosphere, outstanding service, and excellent food and drinks. The Pony Room is a must-visit and I'll definitely be back. read more

The Pony Room - Seared Swordfish and Wagu Bolognese - Bars Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

What an amazing experience, I enjoyed the atmosphere the people and the staff, highly recommend this place to anyone in San Diego. Enjoy Mikey V Mercedes Benz read more

The Pony Room - Great place - Bars Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

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Service was attentive, polite, helpful and cheerful. Room is somewhat rustic -- sound tends to bounce off of all that wood. Prime rib special was a perfectly prepared medium rare, tender and juicy -- and the crust on the edge was well seasoned. Strawberry salad was refreshing. Lamb chop appetizer was very fatty, but the rest of the meal was so delicious that I'll let that go. Grand Marnier soufflé for desert -- what else can I say? We brought a 2010 Hermitage which perfectly complemented the prime rib. Had never been: will come back for sure. read more

Charming place. Complimentary valet for your car. Quiet ambiance. Ask for a table near the window if you can. The weekday special was lobster and it did not disappoint, big enough portion to share with another. Came with a blue cheese lobster dip. Would come again to try the other weekday specials! read more

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Absolutely love this spot. It is a staple in my family to go to for special occasions. Staff is super professional and the space is beautiful. My top recommendation is definitely the brussel sprouts and the buffalo popcorn chicken. read more

The Pony Room initially felt like a great find, tucked within a beautiful resort in Rancho Santa Fe. Our first visit was excellent -- the Prime Rib dinner arrived hot, flavorful, and memorable. Unfortunately, subsequent visits did not live up to that first experience. On later occasions, the meat arrived only warm, and during our most recent visit, the Prime Rib was served cold. We kept hoping the consistency and quality would return, but the experience never matched the standard set during our first dinner. For now, we'll take a break and perhaps revisit in 2027. With so many outstanding dining options throughout North County, The Pony Room currently does not rank among them. read more

Great food and great service! The setting was really nice. The calamari was really good. Scott was very nice, accommodating, and took photos for us. Definitely recommend! read more

If I could give this place 6 stars, I would. Ambiance, service, food, and drinks were all spectacular. We came here for our anniversary dinner and could not have been more happy. The menu is built to share with your table and I love this concept. We tried the Brentwood street corner and the swordfish bites as our starters. Get the swordfish bites!!! They melt in your mouth and were so good. For mains we had Wagyu bolognese and orecchiette al pesto. We loved both but preferred the bolognese. They even surprised us with a sweet treat to celebrate. The Pony Room, we'll be back! read more

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We decided on the Pony Room for a birthday dinner and it didn't disappoint. I was a little confused about their food origins but I believe it to Mexican. We ordered steaks, fish and more steak. I have been to a lot of steak restaurants and I believe this to be one of the best steaks I have had in years. My kids ordered NY, one order filet and I order the $100 bone in ribeye. All were the most tender I have had. Next to a Thai French beef dish I had in Garden Grove some years back, this was absolutely the best. We also had lamb lollipops, chips and guacamole and oysters. Unfortunately my wife and I didn't get to taste the oysters as the kids ate them all. The lamb lollipops were delicious and tender. And the chip and guacamole were amazing and perfectly seasoned. The chip were especially good. Service as excellent and on top of things. Bathrooms spotless and valet very attentive. We also had a quick drink in the bar and it was warm and inviting. The whole place was. This is a must attend place but be aware, the prices are as advertised. Family of six with a few drinks I'll drive $600-800. But every bite was worth it. read more

The Pony Room - Bars Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

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I love this place. Food: Poke is SO Fresh. Highly recommend. And the sauce that comes with this is amazing. The lamb is also incredible. They char the outside with an amazing flavor. I've had the burger before that was also very good. Their dessert have been amazing, specifically the apple crumble. I've also had the chicken lettuce cups and cauliflower. Pretty good, but I don't know if I'd get either of them again. I've come here many times now and I'd say the service is a bit hit or miss. We've had waitresses that have forgotten us in the past, been spacey, not given us the attention we've needed. But we've also had very kind servers. Our latest time at the Pony Room we had a wonderful server, I think his name was Stuart? He was training another server. He took very good care of us, was so kind, and went out of his way to make us feel comfortable and enjoy our experience. Ambiance wise, we always like to be sat in the back patio, but even when requesting, we're often not given it. We don't like the front patio or inside. I wish we could guarantee or select back patio in reservations read more

Gorgeous interior. The entertainment the night we went was exceptional. Everything else was an extra-mediocre experience. Service was slow, disinterested, and dismissive (I asked to hold on to a menu to consider my next drink and it was quite literally snatched out of my hand). Food (steak and pasta) and cocktails (many, many) both underwhelmed. Maybe if you are a person who wants to do a glass of xyz (wine, booze on the rocks, something super simple that you just get another of over and over), and have a snack (the apps were decent) in a gorgeous environment, especially if you're already at the property, this might do. If you're local this is absolutely not a dining destination. read more

Delicious food, a beautiful atmosphere, and excellent service. The sea bass was perfectly flaky, the rice was crispy and buttery, and Scott made the experience even better. Highly recommend! read more

The Pony Room - Perfectly cooked sea bass and buttery, crispy rice. Everything was flavorful and delicious! - Bars Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

After many years I came back , to watch the super bowl, and is day and night the staff are all new ppl super nice attentive, they even remember your name after a few moments,the old staff ppl are all gone they were rude and unpleasant... I'm definitely going back to this beautiful place, love the food too. read more

The Pony Room - Bars Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

Food was amazing from the appetizers (lobster nachos and lamb lollipops are a must) to the main entree and desserts. Sea bass was perfectly cooked, I would get it again. A couple of people in my group got the wagyu spaghetti, not something I would recommend. It tasted like regular spaghetti. Since we had to wait a pretty long time for our entrees, the staff gave us free desserts. The customer service is absolutely amazing. They kept on checking on us and giving us updates on our food. They also offered dog beds if you bring in your dog and have their on dog menus. The restaurant is gorgeous. read more

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So delicious - two of us ordered the filet mignon and one ordered the prime rib special. Everything was cooked to perfection with excellent flavors and huge portions. Veggie sides were huge! Our servers were very attentive and helpful. Definitely recommend for a date night or celebration. read more

We have been regulars at The Pony Room for years. The service, ambience, and food is amazing. We never feel disappointed. My most recent visit I tried the Rotisserie Chicken and Frites with a Dijon sauce that you can drizzle or dip the chicken in. The chicken was incredibly tender and juicy, seasoned to perfection, and was definitely a large enough portion to split or take home as leftovers. read more

The Pony Room - Rotisserie Chicken and Frites with a Dijon sauce - Bars Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

This place has delicious food, yummy cocktails, and great service. It's definitely a nice restaurant, with food that is on the more expensive side, but it's a fun special occasion place. The staff is very nice and friendly, great recommendation. This is a fun place to celebrate a birthday or graduation, with a celebratory crème brûlée. The resort this restaurant is located is very beautiful, the view from the restaurant are very nice too. read more

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Had the best time. The servers are kind and caring. They do everything possible to make it a good experience. The ambiance is just amazing! the spanish architecture, the tucked away feel. So well maintained. Food is killer good! I could go there and order the lamb chops over and over again. read more

The Pony Room, which used to be only on the back right corner of the main building and with outside patio dining, has been expanded into space that once housed a gourmet restaurant (which staff say may nor may not return) and now covers most of the back half the building -- a good thing, given the less than gourmet pricing in the Pony Room. The menu is divided into sections: from the field, from the farm, from the sea, Pony Classics, serious plates, and Baja street plates. The latter includes tasty crispy, chicken taquitos, $29; grilled fish tacos, $29; and Carne Asada tacos, $32. We went for the crispy calamari, $19; the brussels sprouts, $17; and the 8 ounce fillet. The brussels sprouts come with Parmesan on top and smoked bacon. The portion is large enough for two or more. The calamari was a little bit more crusty than we would like. We enjoyed the fine cut of meat, done perfectly. Service was skilled, and attentive, including the busing service. The beverage list includes zero-proof cocktails, beer, and wines. The wine list is short, but has a good array of selections from different countries. Wines by the glass go from $16 for a Pinot Grigio to $44 for a Cabernet from Paul Hobbs ($169 for the bottle). Corkage is $35. This has been a local favorite for many friends and family. We can see why and plan to return after the holidays when the menu changes. read more

I love the pony room for the ambiance and food but had to come on here to leave a review for our server the other night to give credit where it is due!! Elise was absolutely wonderful, not only knowledgeable about the menu but so kind and fun. She made our experience 10x better and as a business owner in the service industry, I hope management and ownership knows what a gem they have in her! 10/10 for the food and grounds and 12/10 for Elise! read more