Wow! Absolutely Wow! 5 course meal was everything and more I could have imagined. Great staff and great food. Thank you read more

The Ranch House - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Ojai, California

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This restaurant was so lovely as all the tables were outdoors in a lovely garden setting. It was a bit windy the night we dined so we asked to be seated closer to the restaurant, but we still had a wonderful view of the garden. The Pate was a very nice rustic pate and a very generous portion. We also had the butternut soup, which was wonderful and creamy with a hint of nutmeg. I ordered the Honey Duck, but unfortunately the kitchen had run out of this dish, so I ordered the pork loin. This was cooked perfectly and very tender. This restaurant is simply one of the most romantic restaurants ever! read more

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Literally the worst dining experience I have ever had. So bad to the point my boyfriend and I were laughing. The food was inedible, we asked them to take one of the meals off the bill and they apologized and did so. Shocked they even served the food they did read more

Absolutely fantastic meal! Five course Valentine's Day dinner and every course was delicious! My new special day go to restaurant.

We had a dinner reservation for a Friday night. We were immediately seated in a beautiful area outside. We asked them to turn the heater on right away which they did. It made a world of a difference in comfort. Table had a cute potted succulent on it. Our server was very attentive. She answered all our questions and if she didn't know the answer she went and found out for us. They only offer a 3 course of 5 course meal option. I didn't know this beforehand but it ended up working out. All of the food we ate was good, but nothing was really great. The presentation of each plate was done well. We were disappointed with the wine list which is funny because we'd read how amazing the wine list is. Well, maybe for bottles but we felt the by glass selection was pretty poor. Plus, our server didn't know what any of the wines were that were listed under the house merlot, cab, rose, etc. I ordered the rose which was good but not a favorite. No beer on tap here. Our entree came out really late but our server apologized for a mix up in the kitchen. We weren't too worried about it because after the 2 starters we weren't starving anyway. The scenery in this restaurant is what I truly believe you're here for. Yes, food was good, service was good, but you just can't find that kind of outdoor seating anywhere. Definitely a fun place to check out and worth the price for a fun, romantic dinner. I would recommend anyone visiting Ojai to give it a try. It's closer to 3.5 stars than 3. read more

The Ranch House - Rosé before dinner - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Ojai, California

I went here for my anniversary. The place looks really nice, but we had lots of bugs flying around our table. The bread was probably the best thing we ate all night. The soups had no flavor, the beet salad was canned beets cut into circles, the strawberry risotto was really bad. I did like the vegan tart. I wish I could get my money back, I would never come back. read more

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Great date night spot. We always enjoy the food and on our last visit, local pianist Jimmy Calire was playing throughout our dinner. It was the perfect romantic atmosphere. As locals we are proud to bring out of town guests here. read more

The staff was so polite and helpful. Their service is impeccable. Food was delicious and fresh. Will definitely come back here again and recommend to other people. The vibe is romantic, chill and unique. Has a beautiful garden. IT 7thIS A MUST TRY! Special thanks to our awesome waiter, Trevor and his helper, Gresyon! read more

What a beautiful hidden gem. The dinner area is a beautiful garden. The food is fantastic! It was so good we ate there two nights in a row. They have an amazing vegan menu as well as a regular menu. If you are in town don't miss out on eating here. read more

The Ranch House - Dinner garden - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Ojai, California

I recently was promoted and choose The Ranch House as the spot to treat my BF and I. I regret it tremendously. I do not make a lot of money and was willing to spend a little more than usual but did not know what I was signing up for. I chose the 3 course and he chose the 5, being that we figured the portions would be smaller... however the meal turned out to be a total rip off. Not only do I make better food at home as a total amateur, but I could have covered weeks worth of food, even considering I buy all organic and from the farmers.. my bill with the two courses and one drink for each of us came to $160.00. I still tipped very generously. But for the amount of food this was a total SCAM. Either they are hurting from covid and needing to make it up by overcharging for some horribly small portions..or they are greedy. Either way I WILL NOT be coming back..and will steer the community of coming and wasting their hard earned money. As a local a read more

Beautiful atmosphere and glorious food! Such a special treat! The soup of the day (one of them) was a carrot ginger coconut cream soup. Served slightly warm. It was a really hot night. The flavors were perfectly balanced! Delicate, yet my tongue was experiencing perfect balanced umami. I think I just drooled! We had not been here in awhile. It will definitely be in the rotation!!! read more

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Considering this was a three course meal we assumed it was fine dining- but it wasn't. A few things could have been done for me to be left with a memorable experience. There was no crumbing between courses, or removal of dishes we had empty glass ware and plates from our appetizer and leftovers from our main course when dessert was dropped. Also the dessert spoons were all dropped on top of a straw from a previous drink. The staff were kind and definitely tried accommodating our parties off menu requests- from my observation on how many staff were present and how empty the restaurant was we could have been attended to more. Additionally, the dish I had the pasta was cold and not really seasoned. I'm sure it was waiting a while for the other guests well done steak ( his choice) just feels it could have been timed better. It's a shame that such a stunning setting wasn't matched by equally satisfying dining experiences. Hopefully, the restaurant can improve in these areas to truly deliver a extraordinary dining experience read more

Great date night. Take a walk to the high school first, just beautiful, round trip is like a mile. Visit beforehand and select a table. Great by the water, but any view is so great too. Service is so good, they get hardworking high school kids or adults who know how to earn great tips by being super attentive and professional. And the good...I've never had a bad dish, and the menu changes often. It's a shame to live here & not visit, sometimes there's Groupon, or ask for a gift certificate as a gift?? Go at least once, you won't regret it. read more

The Ranch House - This is the view, not the food! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Ojai, California

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I love fancy places, but this places misses the mark. It tries. But falls short. Go to Ollivela instead. She first two courses were a bit clumsy and a bland. Main course was better, hubby filet undercooked. Huge portions (but more doesn't equal better). Atmosphere was the nicest part, but even that had negatives (ie rusty propane tank heaters are a bit of an eyesore). read more

The review will be strictly on service and the food itself since the decor and ambiance were all there!!! It felt like you were walking into someone home art studio and a massive backyard garden. The outdoor seating area was very beautiful, romantic, and intimate with private canopy dining area by the water. We had reservations at 730pm and literally were the last table to leave the restaurant at closing tells you how slow the service was. It's also a very cold condition to have dinner outside also end of February and the patio heater kept us semi warm. We ordered 5 coursed meal and the items took like 30 minutes for just appetizers then every dish rolled out very slow afterwards: Appetizers: Seared Shrimp- very small and one bite dish. Flavorful and not bland, but average Roasted Bone Marrow- arrived cold and no marrow fat to even spread onto the hard crostini. I was pretty shocked that they would even served a marrow that had nothing on it but a small fat on the side of the bone, no flavor either Soups: Moroccan Lentil Soup- Very flavorful, but was served lukewarm temp Soup Du Jour- Potatoes & leeks soup was very bland and served lukewarm temp Salads: Roasted Carrots- Nice flavor of the curry carrots mixed with the fennel and blood orange for balance Little Gem- good flavor on the charred lettuce, but too much dressing overpowered the whole salad Entree: Seared Barramundi- very bland and fish was not seared with a nice crust. seems like it was pan-fried. Miso ginger sauce made the dish tast better Grilled Filet Mignon- was average and also served warm also. Desserts: Cheesecake- tasted like it was store bought and it was nothing impressing Creme Brulee- The most popular dish at every restaurant and it would take a lot to mess up a simple dessert and they nailed it in that department. Creme brulee was very eggy taste and couldn't even taste the brulee sugar since it went soggy on top of the creme read more

Probably the best experience I've had in Ventura County. The atmosphere so welcoming! Purchased a Groupon for a dinner for two and brought one of my best girlfriends for a much needed lady date. We walked in, were seated in the section nearest the fountain. Lights were dimmed, heater was on, and we were immediately welcomed by our server. She helped us decide on a bottle of wine to split, and the manager suggested the Stag's Leap Cabernet (which was absolutely delicious). We had the five course dinner, where we were able to choose which items we preferred. My date ordered the shrimp, lentil soup, little gem salad, and the special of the evening, . I ordered the beef carpaccio, cauliflower soup de jour, roasted carrot salad and filet mignon. We both finished with creme brûlée. Everything was beautiful and perfect - a true homage to what the night was to be. A lovely evening with wonderful company and I couldn't rave more highly about the venue and all staff. read more

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A very romantic setting, food used to be really good, now ... good but not great. But who cares when you're in love, right?

This review is long overdue. We used a LivingSocial deal for a 5-course dinner and a bottle of wine back in August to celebrate my wife's birthday. This restaurant is really unique, with a great property that's hidden from the street and parking lot. They have wonderful, quaint little outdoor dining areas to make it a special experience. We were seated next to a small coy pond with a little bridge over the footpath, set inside a bamboo forest. Our server was new (I wish I could remember her name, so you could ask for her on your visit), but she did an awesome job making us feel welcome, explaining the "special" LivingSocial menu, and keeping on top of all of our needs. The regular menu looked great and I'm sure we'll stop in again when we return to the area. BTW, they have plenty of easy access parking. The Ranch House is a definite must try when you're looking for a great experience in the Ojai area! read more

I've been going to the Ranch House for over 40 years. I don't live in California any more, but when visiting here I always would make a reservation and enjoy a spectacular meal in a one-of-a-kind setting. However, the restaurant is slipping. My fiancé and I ate at the Ranch House the other night and were looking forward to another memorable meal. The food could only be described as pedestrian. My bacon-wrapped shrimp actually were dry and begging for some sort of sauce. They were accompanied by bleu-cheese mashed potatoes, which seemed an odd choice. My fiancé's dual filets were good but, again, not spectacular. We used to be able to share a 3 or 5 course meal, but sharing is no longer allowed. For us that means more food than we can consume, and a much pricier dinner than necessary. Service seemed rushed...not the pampering, leisurely pace we'd experienced in the past. The garden-like setting is still magical. I've never seen anything that can compare to it. However, as always, it's cold sitting outside in the desert after dark and the heaters don't help much. I'm not willing to be uncomfortable anymore if the food doesn't transport me like it used to. I truly am sad to say this, but we won't be going back to the Ranch House. It's good, but no longer the wonderful, sublime restaurant it was even two years ago. read more

The perfect outdoor location for your intimate Covid event (or anytime just for dinner - the food is excellent) My wife and I recently threw our wedding here during Covid and I cannot say enough good things about "The Ranch House" and it's staff. At times throwing a safe Covid wedding seemed like an impossible task but "The Ranch House" made it happen. The staff was awesome to work with. The general manager, Russ was our point person and he really delivered seamless service. He obviously knows the space extremely well and made himself very available for questions and communication at all times. It wasn't like working with a traditional wedding venue that is covered with regulations and red tape. It is evident that these people want to make the space work best for your needs. I really appreciated the intimate, family run feel and attention to detail. The food is top tier. Locally sourced ingredients on a seasonal, chef driven menu. The Duck and Filet Mignon were both stand outs. The space is 97% outdoors, and it is equal parts beautiful and surprising. The grounds are impeccably maintained, a combination of multi tiered patio and secret garden vibes. It's romantic and moody and you can feel the history that the space holds. It is a truly special place. I would recommend it to anyone. We will definitely be back for dinner and anniversaries. read more

The Ranch House - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Ojai, California

Beautiful garden setting. Feels unchanged since 1972. Wonderful food well prepared. Perfect for romantic quiet dinner. Chill.

Not the old ranch house. Food mediocre, service terrible. It's just not anything anymore. No wine list, menu sucks. No tablecloths. It's lost it. Cheesecake was cheap, low quality. Sorry to see this happen to an iconic restaurant. Degraded like everything else. No class read more

Lovely venue with good service, but a bit overpriced for overrated American fare. Ambience: Been here twice for dinner reservations for 2 and was seated outside both times. Both times we were welcomed by the friendly host who delivered the same jovial script (*hushed tone*: feel free to grab a smooch in the garden). The second time, on Valentines day, we were annexed to a cobblestoned corner at the very last table and there was no heater :/ but honestly it was no biggie. They were pretty understaffed yet our server was busting his ass to check on us all the time--very attentive and huge kudos. Food: There is a fixed menu for 3 or 5 courses. 1. Ranch house pate, nothing too special 6/10 2. Octopus marinade: probably one of the best things I've had here, the octopus was cooked to perfection! 9/10 3. Baby kale salad: pretty good! 6/10 4. Baby gem salad: good but not too memorable 6/10 5. Rabbit carbonara: great sauce and tasty meat, probably my favorite main 8/10 6. Herb slow roasted porchetta: pretty good but not well balanced. the sides were pretty scant 7. Ranch house lemonade cocktail: painfully sweet, tasted like overprocessed lemonade with vodka Honestly can't remember what I got for dessert or any of the other proteins but they didn't blow me out of the water Recommend coming once if you're around but not my top choice in Ojai tbh read more

Havent been in years but theyveere fabulous when we went . Nice srmodphere. Beautiful gardens surround you. Food was natural, organic. A friend of mine had her wedding and reception there read more

This restaurant could be great but it was one of the worst. 1970's time warp food, which wouldn't be so bad if it were presented beautifully or tasted amazing. Our server asked for my order, got half of it, but then admitted she wasn't actually listening. The garden is tired, there's no music playing - apparently their 'iPod' was broken (iPod?? Please sort that out!). It feels as though no one cares about this business anymore. read more

What a great place. Ambiance is amazing. Bamboo jungle with tables scattered about. Food was very good, as well the service. Not sure what some of the complaints I've seen about this place on yelp but for us it was grest. read more

My three girlfriends and I had reservations at the Ranch House at 730pm on a Sunday night and we were about 20 minutes early but seated right away! The seating is predominantly outside so if you're planning to eat here late, dress warm! There are heaters outside but they don't quite reach your legs haha! They also had blankets for us to use. I had a five course meal and it was absolutely delicious. I only had a chance to take pictures of the main entree and the dessert! There was a slight ringing sound from the heaters but that didn't bother us! read more

The Ranch House - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Ojai, California

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We were able to make a last minute reservation for 10 people Labor Day weekend. The food was delicious as were the cocktails. The atmosphere is pretty and romantic, reminding me of Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga. read more

My family and I used to come to this restaurant for every big family event and gathering ~7+ years ago - and it never disappointed. We learned today that they are under a different ownership and unfortunately the food has subsequently suffered. Our party of 5 each got the 3-course menu and we all ordered different items to share. Each course lacked flavor and fell flat. Under-seasoned and low quality proteins and produce. The ambiance and garden are beautiful and our server was great, but that did not make up for the subpar culinary experience. read more

When in Ojai we always go to the Ranch House but that will not happen again. The service is still outstanding and the ambiance is still magical but that doesn't make up for how disappointing the food has become. Only one out of the five prix fixe courses was great, the other four were meh and one was inedible. Don't know what happened but it's very pricey and not worth it. Very sad. read more

No better place to celebrate your birthday than at The Ranch House! Great food! Fabulous ambiance! Wonderful service! Everything about our dining experience was flawless. Thank you to Russ and your fabulous team for making my birthday so special. Hugs from your 4 favorite girls!! read more

The Ranch House - Best. Cocktails. Ever. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Ojai, California

Service: A+ Atmosphere: A+ Food: A+ Over all wonderful experience at the Ranch House can't wait to return! read more

The Ranch House - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Ojai, California

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My wife and I had a great experience here last night. Russ, the manager, was super accommodating, and the food was awesome. We enjoyed the atmosphere, too. Watch out if you go around happy hour, they are tight on staff, so you wait a "minute" for your order; this was not enough to foul the evening.....we really loved our time at the Ranch House. read more

This restaurant was great. Our server Ruby was very nice and attentive. She answered all of our questions and really make our night great. The food was amazing and fresh. They have an herb garden there with fresh herbs they picked to cook with. We chose the 5 course meal. The steak and the duck we ordered was made perfectly. I was hesitant on the pixie cheesecake but it turned our to be great. The atmosphere was amazing. The presentation of the food was beautiful. The lights, the music, the staff everything was just great. read more

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The worst food I've had in many years. Maybe I'm spoiled with generally having at least edible food, but this is not it. Their filet tasted like a poorly cooked hamburger soaked in vinegar and over cooked on a charcoal grill. The filet mignon was inedible. If you're going for the ambiance, don't waste your time. You only have a 10% chance of getting a seat near the "herb garden," which by the way, isn't really pleasant and is not well maintained. If you're going for the food, that's a laughable proposition. On the plus side, the staff is generally nice and parking was no problem. But, those are the only plus this place has. Stay away. read more

I've lived in Meiners Oaks for some time and have seen this place go from a gorgeous fine-dining establishment to a sad gimmick. The ownership of the Ranch House has changed several times, and the current owner seems to be the worst. The Ranch House is breathtakingly beautiful, an excellent venue that has untold potential. Its front of house staff are kind, knowledgeable, and fast. BUT, the food is terrible, tiny portions and ridiculous prices for mostly mediocre stuff. I asked about the crab that was claimed to be fresh, and a member of the front of house admitted to me that it was from a can. Dishes often seem to be made in bulk and then reheated, which gives them a disgusting texture and flavor. I also have a quite potent nut allergy, I made this clear when asking about a dish and was assured by Russ, general manager, that there were no nuts on the plate. After eating only a small amount, I began going into anaphylaxis, and had to use an epi-pen and go the hospital. Turns out, the ROMESCO that was on the dish was made with cashews, a mistake that could have been fatal, fucking unacceptable and such a shame. read more

Attended a wedding party here this past weekend. What a beautiful location nestled in Ojai. The property is breathtaking and so peaceful! Plenty of outdoor patio seating. For our event, lunch was held out on the main patio. Wonderful location to sit outside and take in all of the natural beauty. Food was delicious! fresh greens, fillet mignon (cooked to order and superb!) , mashed potatoes and risotto were served alongside. Dessert was a decadent "flourless" chocolate cake that was awesome! The staff made the event that much better! The manager and the team really focused on the customer experience. Alcohol is served. Beginning soon, there will be a Happy Hour on Wednesday evenings with live-music. So if you are a already an Ojai local, or visiting from out of town, I highly recommend you make this a evening dinner stop. Check the website or call directly to follow up on schedules and specials. Bon Appetit!! read more

The Ranch House was recommended by a friend and we came the night we arrived at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. It was late, about 8 or so and we called to see if we could still get a table. They were very accommodating and asked when we could get there. We arrived about 10 to 15 minutes later and a very welcoming gentleman was waiting for us. He ushered us through the garden and over a bridge with a cool stream. The ambience was charming and fun. The table was awesome. The staff was super attentive and great. We ordered the 5 course meal which was very good and the portion sizes were perfect. We had a great time and will definitely be back. It is a must for anyone coming to Ojai. read more

The Ranch House - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Ojai, California

The Ranch House has gone to a fixed price "course menu". 3 courses for $45, 5 courses for $55. There were 5 or 6 appetizers, and at least 12 main courses to choose from, but only 1 soup, 2 salad courses and 1 desert. All the choices were innovative and wonderful to contemplate. My wife had the charcuterie, pixie salad (especially tasty!) and the scallops. I ordered 5 courses and loved the honeyed porkbelly with broccoli and a balsamic redution and my beet salad. It was a hard choice for the main, I finally decided on the fillet mignon with gorganzola sauce on herbed mashed potatoes with asparagas. It was fabulous! And what about the soup, you ask? I don't know. The staff were crushed by an influx of Tuesday walk ins ( like us...) and spaced out my soup course. Which worked out nicely, as they charged me for 3 courses and so my wonderful desert was free! It was a mini creme brullet, cheese cake and flourless chocolate cake bites. Overall, I rather enjoyed the new format, although it meant you saw much more of your server than before. read more

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The ambiance is wonderful. The service friendly and responsive. The setting covid safe. The food however was not good. Very sad as has so much potential. read more