Veladora

Love everything about Veladora! Probably my most favorite restaurant in San Diego! They have the best service and the food is absolutely amazing! If I have one complaint would be that I recently went there for my birthday and the carrot cake is ridiculously small (smaller than a cupcake)...and on top of that cost us $15. Other than that everything is top notch!

Wonderful meal experience. Creative, colorful food and decent value for this type of cuisine. Knowledgeable, professional service. Cool Californian "ranch" decor, featuring wood, metal, and angles. A "6 star" restaurant by relative measure on this platform.

The food was original and very tasty but the portion sizes were a bit small. They have many gluten free options. Service was very good.

One of my favorite places.

One of the great high end restaurants in San Diego. Great atmosphere, service, food on one of the greatest properties in the world.

We actually had dinner in the pony room area overlooking the valley and tennis courts. Service was amazing and food was excellent. They also offer 3 choices of dinner for our furry friends. Dogs are welcome at the Pony room. On Friday and Saturday night they have live music. Great place to go and relax.

Beautiful atmosphere, very nice and attentive staff, delicious drinks!! The food was very expensive, sparse and just okay in flavors. We got the local crudo, which was very bland, corn soup, had a nice simple flavor, farmer's market salad, decent flavors and interesting, and the filet, cooked to the perfect temp but was only 2 thin slices with a big skillet fried mash potato and mushroom I believe...nothing was amazing :(

Right next door to the Pony Room at the Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa. We had Thanksgiving lunch here and it was fantastic! The spread of delicious food was amazing and the service was spot on! They had everything you could want in a traditional Thanksgiving meal (turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, etc) but also had some other variety including a seafood bar.

I was asked two times recently (maybe because Del mar Meet is about to start) about this place and if I could show them pictures of what we ordered. Back then (2 years ago) I did not know how to attach photos to the review! Lol So someone told me that COPY N PASTE is the way to go to REPOST this review, and add pictures so they go together ;-) **************************************** Probably one of the most romantic restaurants I've ever been to! Beautiful inside and out!!! This is in the Ranch Valencia resort and spa. PONY BAR We started our night off with a glass of wine and took it to walk around the property! The scenery, lawn, flowers, walkway are all GORGEOUS! Very romantic and beautiful! VELADORA We had a party of 4 and although the dishes are very small, everything was so tasty!!! HONEY TORTELLINI Deserves to go first because we all agreed that it's one of the best things we've ever put in our mouth! Lol. Super tiny and not much to share but a great dish! Sexy! ABALONE I had the abalone as on of my starters. It was good. Wasn't different or outstanding but delish. OYSTERS These were the BEST OYSTERS IVE EVER EATEN! Ever! Maybe it was because I had so much wine earlier? LOL. No my friend agreed and we ordered 3 and he ate 1 I ate 2. The oysters were super small and a tease. Lol I wish we had ordered more! We think the toppings has a lot to do with the reason the oysters was so good. Just the right amount of horse radish, cocktail sauce and some house special hot sauce. YUM SEABASS My friend and I ordered the seabass (we share everything) and as soon as we took a bite we both thought it was WAY TOO SALTY! The presentation was amazing though! It's cooked in some type of bread bowl ish thingy lol and it was cooked perfectly! It was just way to salty for us. Good thing for us we had a pregnant couple with us and she wanted to switch with us. Score! Lol she ordered the filet mignon FILET MIGNON This dish was SCRUMPTIOUS! To top it off they had a homemade spicy sauce, in a little dropper, to top the steak with and that thing was sooooo amazing!!!!! We asked if we could buy and take some home the chef only allowed us to purchase one. It's the best sauce on steaks. Very garlicky and spicy. CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE We ordered 2 for our pregnant guest. I took just a bite and it was good. Nothing extraordinary though. I guess overall I rated this a 5 STAR mainly because of the ATMOSPHERE. The food is very good too though LOL If you guys are near the San Diego area, it is definitely worth driving here for at least one visit. Don't forget to order the honey tortellini;)

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa's in-house restaurant Veladora is anything but your typical hotel eatery. Tastefully appointed in a modern hacienda style, with expansive views of the grounds from every window, this place has "romantic date" written all over it. The seasonally inspired cuisine, which is very good, comes secondary to the ambience, although it does add to the quality of the overall dining experience.

Sophisticated dinning in San Diego; not following trends yet they manage to serve classic dished with a new twist in flavor and presentation. Our evening celebrating my father's birthday was exceptional largely due to Marshall whose knowledge and experience transformed our dinning experience. All of us had an enchanting evening at Veladora with exceptional food, service, attention to details and ambiance. Food portions could improve; but the shrive, ambiance, delicate flavors and quality of ingredients made up for everything.

I'm surprised to see this still on yelp. This restaurant has been closed for 3 years. They do use the space sometimes for the adjacent Pony Room which is an excellent restaurant. The server said they are planning on opening a tasting restaurant there towards the end of the year. I would think a tasting menu at this luxury hotel will be very expensive.

We came here with very dear friends who told us it was their favorite restaurant. After one meal here, I can without any question state that not only do they have impeccable taste in friends, they have it in restaurant choices as well!!! But I knew that. First of all, the atmosphere is amazing. An upscale yet comfy vibe that makes you feel welcome and well tended from the get go. Our server was a professional. Knowledgeable, accommodating, and attentive without being obsequious. We started with cocktails (always a good place to start) and my wife and I both tried their spin on an old fashioned which was distinctive with a touch of fig. From there it was on to scallops which were huge, seasoned perfectly and cooked expertly. The real bonus was that they were served over a bed of what might be the best risotto I've ever eaten. Wow!! Creamy, smooth, flavorful in a sublime way. I want more!! I just loved everything about this place and can't think of a single place where they come up short. High on my list for must do again!!!

Have you ever noticed that the best restaurants in and around San Diego are in hotels? Is it because local San Diegan appetites and restaurants disproportionately trend towards greasy cheeseburgers, effortless poké, bulging burritos, and now "toast" of all kinds, leaving confused visitors without many off-premises options for grown-up dining? Or is it because Jay K. is being grumpy about our local dining scene on Yelp again? I'll let you decide. Regardless, Veladora is one of the finest options for dinner in America's finest city. It is part of the Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa, one of two restaurants on the property. Its woodsy interior design includes massive wrought iron chandeliers hung from open-beam ceilings and a rustic fireplace. Large windows provide a glimpse into the resort, its impeccably landscaped grounds, and its lavish courtyard. Veladora's chef is Jarrod Moiles, a Massachusetts native who previously helmed the kitchen at the "Met Bar and Grill," a Boston-area restaurant that I intensely dislike. In fact, in one of my first Yelp reviews many years ago, I raged about the Met representing themselves as a restaurant serving high-end steaks with an in-house butcher shop yet offering sirloin and skirt steak as their only chops. Although I don't know the extent of Moiles' involvement in those shenanigans (he may have moved on by the time I got to the Met), I have been on alert for similar chicanery at Veladora, and I'm happy to report that I have found none. For lack of a better term, I would describe the cuisine at Veladora as "coastal ranch," a style more common in Santa Barbara than San Diego. The food is creative and colorful, though comes up short of the 'avant garde' experimental nourishment one may expect from a Forbes 4-star restaurant on a "Relais & Châteaux" property. Despite the posh environs of the resort, Veladora has attempted to stamp any and all pretention out of this restaurant. For example, there are no dégustation menus here, their absence philosophical, not because anyone didn't think to create them. If I had any general quibble with the food, it'd be the overuse of bright herbs as garnishment, often visually suffocating the actual food. A prime example occurs in the "Wood Grilled Scallops" dish, where the slick, black squid ink spaghettini can barely be seen in the dish under the layers of fresh microgreens and pea tendrils. This is a minor transgression, not a deal-breaker, as the flavors of each dish were well-balanced, and preparation was nearly flawless. Here, the scallops themselves were beautifully browned, bearing a buttery crust, about as good as you'll get scallop-wise on the west coast. The "63 Degree Farm Egg" is more of an asparagus dish than an egg dish, featuring also golden brown cracklins made of duck skin. The asparagus, sweetened and caramelized with a layer of honey until crispy, is sheathed in a rich, smooth velouté and topped with a soft-poached egg possessing a remarkable, unctuous texture and a custard-like yolk. Veladora's kitchen is capable of glorious things without making much of a fuss over it. Veladora is not cheap, but great dinners in San Diego hardly ever are. The "Brandt Beef Tartare" dish, a tartare of nicely-marbled beef accented with a briny but punchy caper aioli, was a first-rate plate of food, and perhaps the most egregiously priced item I ordered at $27. I also paid $17 for a negroni that, in fairness, I requested be made with St. George Terroir Gin -- but $17 is still a lot to pay for a glass of gin, even good gin. Excellent service was provided by my knowledgeable waiter, Rich H., who perfectly coursed out and paced the various dishes ordered without needing to be micromanaged. Rich is a true pro who knows the subtext behind every word printed on the menu and makes a great effort at connecting with diners to customize and evolve the meal and beverages as needed. The verdict? Veladora is a rare San Diego restaurant that has been deservedly added to my Yelp "6 Stars" collection. I encourage anyone to dine here, but especially local San Diegans who are willing to take a short drive north for a satisfying respite from our pedestrian dining scene. Food/Décor/Service: 4.6/4.5/4.7

They were quite busy when we stopped by but food was good and ambiance was also nice. Worth a try. Will go back.

I tried their toffee chocolate bars at an event 3 years ago and they were so good! I have been wanting to check out their restaurant for a while now and finally got to do so during Restaurant Week. This eatery is located inside the Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa and is so fancy! Valet parking is offered and I'm not sure why they showcase Lexus', but the car is not available to test drive either. They also have another restaurant right next door, which is more casual. We decided to sit inside since it was getting chilly. The atmosphere is very cozy and romantic. We were offered complimentary bread and butter and some amuse bouche before we our appetizers arrived. I chose the hirame crudo and my friends got the summer asparagus soup, lobster stone and fruit, octopus carpaccio, warm king crab, and oysters on the half shell. The portions are tiny! Mine was essentially one bite, so I had to eat more of the bread to feel satisfied. I tried the lobster, which was pretty good too. For our entrees, I opted for the lobster tail, and my friends decided to get the scallops, sea bass, and salmon. The portions were still pretty small to me, but presentation was lovely! My lobster was delicious! It was very fresh and flavorful. However, I didn't like the pasta that it came with- it was a little hard too hard. I sampled my friend's salmon, which was tasty as well. I liked adding all the ingredients on the dish together, including the crispy skin. I was excited for dessert, since I have a sweet tooth and saw that the portions were bigger! I chose the salted caramel s'mores tart. My friends got the apple crisp, olive oil pound cake, fresh berries, and strawberry shortcake. The dessert I chose was good, but a bit too sweet. It would have been better if they added some gelato to it. We also received some dark chocolate salted caramels at the end of our meal, but it was similar to the dessert I had. Although service was nice and attentive, the portions were too small for me. I'm not sure if it's just the portions used for Restaurant Week or not, but I wouldn't mind coming back to check out the Pony Room or other amenities that are offered at this resort.

Tucked away in a nice gated community amidst the Rancho Santa Fe folks sits Veladora... This place is pretty much the quintessential RSF eatery complete with fantastic staff, nicely appointed restaurant, expensive art and a modern appeal. The restaurant is literally decorated to perfection. The food/drink is also pretty dang good, complete with a substantial wine menu (coravin options) and a very nice dinner menu. The food was cooked nearly to perfection; Brussel sprouts were delicious and a HUGE shoutout goes to the Hawaiian Seabass! I mean the Seabass literally melted in your mouth and on your fork, it was amazing. Skip the apple crisp as it wasn't all that impressive. Overall, extremely pleased with what Veladora has to offer. Pros- Menu Grounds Cleanliness Art Decor Service Seabass Wine list Waitstaff Friendly valet Cons- A bit off the beaten path Pricey Average desserts

Veladora is located in the beautiful grounds of Rancho Valencia and it does not disappoint. Service was amazing. We went during restaurant week. Food was delicious! The brioche bread was so good. I would eat five of them if I could. The butter it comes with is so creamy and just melts in your mouth. I would recommend this place for a romantic meal or with good friends. Just a delightful place and I can't wait to come back.

Veladora is one of our favorite date night places. The ambiance is amazing and it's nestled in beautiful Rancho Santa Fe. We like to get there a little early to grab a cocktail at The Pony Room. I much prefer going for dinner over brunch (two totally different experiences). The service is always impeccable. The food is delish. If you want something a bit off the beaten path, secluded, romantic ambiance...this needs to be your next date night stop. (The margaritas are my favorite). Bon apetit! Looking forward to going back for another date night soon.

This place is a foodies dream. The restaurant is lovely, the food is beautiful (and delicious) and the service is superb. It was hard to choose our starter since everything looked so good - so we ordered three items: the Hawaiian kampachi, the crab and the salad. All outstanding! By now of course I'm full, but I can't be somewhere so amazing and not get an entree. So I order the iberico pork and my hubby gets the filet. The pork is so different than anything I've had before. Apparently these pigs eat only acorns so the meat is dark and it looks and tastes like steak. Lastly the soufflé - give yourself an extra 18 minutes to prepare and cook it. Totally worth it! Perfect end to a perfect meal.

Gone downhill. After three attempts to reach out to Management at Veladora I was forced to write this review. While dining with a group of ten ladies The couple across from our table we're having a good time getting very romantic. When I say romantic I mean they actually should've got a room because they were having sex across the table from us.in Told the waiter if they could kindly asked the couple to go to their room but the waiter stood there smiling not handling the situation very well I know hard to believe at Veladora with rooms at $1000 a night . So we decided to video tape in case management did not believe us. So I reached out to Management to explain our concerns and then we called back again and after three times I decided to write this review happened.

The service was impeccable but, the food was over cooked, and overpriced. The portion was so meager and pitiful. They also overcharged my card and didn't tell me. I had to call twice to attempt to straighten the matter out, we will see if they fixed it or not. The ambiance is beautiful, the food was mediocre at best and the dessert was nothing to rave about either.

Veladora is a hidden gem in Rancho Santa Fe / Fairbanks Ranch area. We came here for my sister's birthday to celebrate and it didn't disappoint us in terms of service, food, and decor. We were first served with warm complimentary bread which tasted amazing, followed by spoonfuls of complimentary appetizers. They were yummy. We ordered the octopus salad which turned out to be the best octopus I've had in my life. Supple, chewy, and perfectly sauced, it was heavenly. Corn soup was delicious, as well. As for entree, I had Lobster Pot Pie which was absolutely scrumptious. The breaded top had perfect amount of crispness and butter to it which complemented the lobster soup that was filled with chunky lobster meats. Apple Crisp was our choice of dessert, and they added a nice touch for my sister by adding a lit candle to the ice cream and decorating it with chocolate. We enjoyed it, but thought it could have a bit less sugar as it was too sweet for us. Vanilla ice cream was great though, so I wonder how their other desserts taste. Overall, I was impressed. I will be coming back here for more.

Came here for San Diego Restaurant Week and was pleasantly surprised. Quickly became one of our favorite restaurants in San Diego/Rancho Santa. Everything was superbly prepared and cooked. Every dish we had was amazing! The Monterey Abalone was nice and tender, the Warm King Crab was sweet and juicy and the Hirame Crudo was to die for. As for our main dish, the Iberico Pork was perfectly cooked and juicy and and the best pork dish I ever had. The rib cap was tender and juicy and the sea bass was just cooked right and flaky and sweet. Will definitely come back and try there regular menu.

Outstanding! Went for dinner around the holidays. It was spectacular. Kinda reminded me of Gramercy Tavern in NYC. Decor for Christmas was lovely. Loved the Pony Bar! Can't wait to go back Everything we ordered was delicious

I'd pay $75 to sit on the terrace and soak up the atmosphere alone! For my $75 I also enjoyed a delicious spicy margarita, coffee, and two entrees. What a steal! Highlight of my visit to the area!

Love this place! Every visit is an A+ Definitely one of our favorite restaurants!!!! Everything from start to finish is amazing here!

We love Veladora as our special occasion place. The main dinning room is cozy, warm, and perfect for that chilly night. Our most recent visit we were truly blown away by the truffle chicken - perfectly cooked, moist chicken with truffle stuffed under its crispy skin and served with a variety of delectable sauces/glazes/accompaniments - pomegranate, sunchoke (with whole sunchokes as well), and black garlic. We also had the rib cap which was delicious but was overshadowed by the truffle chicken. The lobster bisque to start had an incredible amount of umami and concentrated seafood flavor and the octopus was yummy as well.

I know, I know. I'm a little late on getting this review posted, but if you're going to use this review to judge the usual quality of the food and service at Veladora, then just skip right over it. But if you're interested to hear what Thanksgiving is like at Veladora, pull up a chair and read on. This was the second time I've ever eaten out for Thanksgiving. And oddly enough, both of those were in Rancho Santa Fe. Anyway, the service was fantastic, as should be expected from such a high-end establishment. The food was served buffet style with the patio broken up into four distinct sections: main Thanksgiving dinner area, a kids' section, salads and cheese, and desserts. So let's break these down section by section. Mains: Excellent range of items, including lobster mac & cheese, brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green bean casserole, salmon, and roast beef. Oh, and there was turkey. We sampled a little bit of each and the turkey was expertly prepared (read, not dry) while all of the other dishes were absolutely amazing. Special mentions to the lobster mac & cheese and the green bean casserole. A plate full of either of those would have been fine by me. Salads & Cheeses, Soups & Breads: A few different types of salads were available, but when you have so many other incredible offerings, you may as well just skip the salad. I did. For those looking for meats and cheeses, there were a number of different selections available along with some locally grown honey to sweeten things up a bit. On the other side of this section were a few choices of dinner rolls. Again, may want to pass on those rolls since you're here for the good stuff. Finally, at the end of the patio was the soup girl serving some really good butternut squash bisque. Desserts: And dinner ends (or begins if you're feeling a little naughty) with the desserts. Here we had a selection of ice cream, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and a lemon tarte. We each sampled a different dessert, and the pecan pie was the winner with the pumpkin pie coming in a close second.

Dined at Veladora for sunday brunch during Thanksgiving week with my family. The restaurant and the grounds are gorgeous. The perfect place to dine for a special occasion. We dined in their outdoor space. In our case, it was my parents 60th anniversary. The service was excellent but the food was ok. I had the turkey bacon and avocado omelet. It was lacking in flavor and incredibly dry. Not pleasing to the mouth whatsoever. I requested salsa because it needed something to help it out. The component that was quite tasty was the diced bananas, pineapples, and blueberries. It literally saved me from the tasteless depths of my omelet. It is possible that perhaps I ordered the wrong entrée. My sisters ordered the huevos rancheros. They were pleased. My father had the corned beef hash and poached eggs in staub and he was happy as well. My mother ordered the 3 yolk egg white entree. She had the same impression that I did. In summary, our healthy choices were uneventful and a bore. Avoid them. Aim for the high caloric breakfast entrées and you will be pleased. An experience that's completely worth it because the restaurant is beautiful.

Outstanding! Such a nice place, the crab salad was amazing, the Peaches made it a great combination. The bread tasted liked biscuits, melted in my mouth, so good! The sirloin was delicious, the meat was so fresh and good, one of the best sirloins I ever had. The lamb was beautiful! The combination with the pasta, the smell... hmm definitely one of the best meals we ever had. 6 layer chocolate cake is huge! The vanilla ice cream made a perfect combination. The baileys coffee was so strong, but it's good. The gin and tea was a exquisite drink! Loved it so much. The service is wonderful, it was totally worth it!

Fantastic, all around. I have been to The Pony Room for cocktails and the best carne asada this side of Mexico and I just got back from Sunday brunch at Veladora. Incredible. I went for the breakfast table, which included excellent oatmeal, fresh fruits, the best croissants I have had in years, muffins, cheese and top notch salami, and other goodies. For an additional $5, I added on a smaller portion of lemon souffle pancakes with Vermont maple syrup that was out of this world. On another occasion, I had a small portion of their three meat bucatini that was served with aged, 18 month old reggiano parmesan cheese that was out of this world at The Pony Room next door. I would pass on the desserts--while most everything else is reasonably priced, $13 for dessert is the one overpriced item(s) on the menu, even though the cheesecake I had was good. The ambiance is spectacular and the service was very good. Prices were fairly reasonable considering the zip code and valet parking is complimentary. I find the overall experience of Rancho Valencia to be quite a bit more quaint, less ostentatious, and more preferable to the vibe I receive at The Grande Del Mar.

Made a reservation for two (through Opentable) and since it is located in Rancho Santa Fe, you already know that it is either overpriced and shtty (excuse ma french), reasonably priced and just okay. IMO it's not really a culinary mecca but hey, why not give it a chance. We get to the hotel.. which was kind of an adventure. Pretty much isolated from the rest of the world. You probably have to drive about 10 minutes to get into the property and I wanna say it may be worth it. Reminded me of Pebble Beach resorts. There was valet, obvi. Also not too far from the country club. We got there at about 2:00 pm and there were a few parties at the pony room but absolutely no one at Veladora. There were also no hosts present at either side of the restaurants. - half a star just for that. We waited a few minutes and my party and another even joked around that we would just sit each other at the patio. tsk. Someone finally came to assist us and were seated at the patio at the Pony room. The guy who seated us gave us the wrong menu and traded us for the SDRW one. Okay sure, it's Sunday afternoon but come on people get it together. Note that I did make a reservation for Veladora and not the Pony room ( you don't really need to make a reservation for this one since it's more of a bar area across Veladora). We wanted to get seated inside Veladora but there was absolutely no one in there. so weird. FOOD: Margherita Flatbread - love the buffalo mozz on this one. Very subtle flavors but naturally tasty. Beef sliders - you get 3 little sliders which were a perfect size. love the crisped onions and bearnaise. noms. also quite filling. Rancho Burger - again a great size and also comes with frites. absolutely love pancetta and was glad to see it paired with a black truffle aoli. Fish Plank - fish of the day was swordfish. got a huge meaty serving of swordfish, cooked beautifully. I have nothing bad to say about this one. loved the succotash that came with it as well. However, eating out is not only about the food but also always about the overall experience. It being a world renowned resort and the only Relais & Châteaux property in Socal, you would expect a five star service in all aspects of the resort. Although the food was great and eventually service did improved, it could have been seamless from the moment we were seated. May or may not come back for dinner here but we do wanna make sure we get seated at the area that we made a reservation for.

Food it good, not surprised. I like the fact the restaurant is hidden from society. I just hate the restrooms are separate from it and it's a cold walk in and out.

I have had lunch several times with friends at Veladora, usually ordering the skirt steak salad (delicious.) Today I decided on the lobster tacos and enjoyed them, as well as the rice and beans that accompanied it. Our friends ordered soup and Caesar salad, and a French dip sandwich. (They liked their dishes.) The waiter we had was perfect! In addition to tasty food is that the wait staff let you relax as long as you want to at the table, so visiting with friends can occur without pressure. The wine list is also excellent! I'll return!!!

We had high expectations of Veladora given it is supposed to be one of the best restaurants in the area, what a disappointment it was. Although it's an elegant ambiance it fell short on food that was overcooked and overpriced.

This is a wonderful brunch spot. Fun, bright & lively. It's not nearly as stuffy as I had pre-judged. And not too expen$ive either. I had the most flavorful burger!! and my gf had the crab louie. Everything was scrumptious and our appetites were satiated (which always concerns me with fancy places). Friendly and attentive staff. I am in love with Damien Hirst's butterflies. It inspires me, that awkward chubby caterpillars become elegant beautiful things :)

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary/Thanksgiving at Veladora last week. We usually just go to the spa at Rancho Valencia to celebrate our anniversary, but since we were there on Thanksgiving this year, we decided to splurge on the $89/person buffet. Food: The food was very good and not your regular buffet, but a very upscale one. They had a nice take on traditional Thanksgiving dishes and even had carving stations with turkey and ham. There were plenty of sides to choose from including marshmallow sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans, roasted veggies, brussel sprouts w/pancetta, cranberry sauce, roasted squash soup, mac and cheese, made to order risotto, turkey penne pasta, and more. They also had a nice selection of salads, shrimp cocktail, crab legs (the claws), lobster rolls, cheeses, meats, and breads. And the desserts included a donut station where they are made fresh and you can choose your toppings along with cheesecake pops (covered in chocolate), creme brulee, cookies, and more. I didn't take pictures of all the food, as I was stuffed by my third plate. I wanted to try everything, so I left very, very full! My husband and I both really enjoyed the food and if the food was this good for a buffet, it is probably even better when dining off the regular menu. Service: They had plenty of staff on hand for the buffet. There were two servers that were taking care of us. They made sure we had enough to drink, cleared our plates quickly, folded our napkins, and brought us new cutlery when needed. They were very friendly and prompt. The staff working the buffet were also very friendly and made sure that the food was replenished quickly. Atmosphere: I thought the ambiance was very nice and for a nicer restaurant wasn't pretentious at all. We really appreciated the relaxed environment because my husband wasn't dressed up as much as he had wanted (he forgot his pants at home and wore shorts to the spa, so that's what he wore to dinner). Fortunately, the staff didn't care and our dinner was earlier in the afternoon. All in all, it was a very nice buffet and definitely a splurge. We were a bit surprised when we saw that 22% gratuity was automatically added to the bill, but then again, it was Thanksgiving and we were in Rancho Santa Fe. I knock it down a star because of the large gratuity for a buffet, but everything else was great.

NOT impressed by the food at this place at all. The only reason it even got 3 stars was cos the staff was attentive and friendly. However, the food was nothing exceptional. We ordered pasta dishes and steak and had the beef tartar. All dishes were really just meh. Sad to say that Old Spaghetti Factory's pasta dishes tastes better than here. Their cocktails were really good though. We ordered the Geisha as well as the Caribbean Mule. Both were great.

I recently dined at Rancho Valencia's restaurant with 13 other family members for dinner and it was one of the best experiences I have had dinning in a large group. The wait staff did a fantastic job delivering the food to the table so that everyone received their plates at once, the presentation of the plates and especially the Corn Soup was fantastic, the portion sizes were plenty generous and everything tasted amazing. I could go on but I think the photos speak volumes!

We tried Veladora for breakfast and it was good with great service! They have a nice selection of breakfast options including healthy and not so healthy. I had the Belgian beer waffle with Apple butter. Great flavor but if you don't like very crispy waffles you won't like this one. It's very crunchy! I also tried the apple chicken sausage which was good. I'd come back again!

Sadly disappointed by the food at this beautiful, stylish, romantic place. The dishes were hit and miss. Our favorite was the steak tartare and it went downhill from there. The carbonara was barely lukewarm. The chicken entrée was so-so, definitely not worth the $43 price. As long time residents of Rancho Santa Fe, we've found better places! Note: We intended to eat at the Pony Bar but they don't take reservations. The menu there was more appealing. When we arrived at 5:30 we were placed on a waiting list, but we were never called to go in. There are very few tables unless you care to eat outdoors on a winter night. No thanks! You can't order anything from the Pony Room menu in Veladora. Another disappointment.

You HAVE to go! This place has such a great environment, beautiful views and awesome people watching! Obviously, the hotel grounds are just absolutely beautiful (it's in Rancho Santa Fe)...but this restaurant/bar combo is a treat in which you deserve! The menu is seasonal and consists of top of the line food whether it's directly from the farmers market or a local ranch, it's all worth it! The service is impeccable (if Chip is working, it's a good idea to ask for him, he'll take care of you and give you a true professional experience!) The restaurant overlooks the stunning RSF grounds and if you're there at the right time, you'll catch a beautiful sunset or even a hot air balloon landing! The Pony Room attached to this place also has amazing drinks, good live music, and fantastic people watching. Just go and you'll know what I mean! If you are sitting out by the fire pit, you're probably better off going to the bar for service on a busy night, the servers can "forget" that you're there at times. I highly recommend checking this place out for a fancy date night followed by a night cap at a fun bar.

First time and will go back again! Tucked away behind the gates in Santa Fe With beautiful grounds, service and food was amazing.

Huge disappointment last night for family dinner of 6 including out of town guests. Terrible service (dinner took 2.5 hours), portions were very small, my chicken was delivered luke warm so I returned it. I'm a 30 year Rancho Santa Fe resident. For having the highest prices around, this was certainly not worth the money. I was saddened for our v.i.p. guests who had a flight out in the morning and had to wait, wait, wait for each course... Jim

Since its opening in 1989, this award-winning Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa located in southern California are my friends' favorite SoCal resort. They recommended we should have dinner here. When we arrived we checked out the 1BR and 2BR casita's for a possible future stay. My party of 4 had an early 6:00 PM dinner reservation. Almost no one was here at the time of our arrival so we had the pick of the tables. I ordered the $37 NY strip steak, which was a big mistake, since it was one of the worse looking and tasting steaks I have had recently. My friends ordered the $34 lamb loin and two ordered the $38 scallops. They were all happy with their entre's. The scallops looked very nice. I was the only disappointment. Two of my guests are regulars here and they continue to love this place so I guess I ordered the wrong entre. My 123 blanco margarita 555 was $14. An apple tini was $12. The total bill less gratuities was $244.

Veladora has set my heart aglow. THE DINNER REVIEW Yes, Rancho Valencia is back... and not a moment too soon. Sunday mass was never the same without the promise of passing between its whitewashed gates and up a winding road to an adobe hacienda where a lovely brunch would break my fast. First communion parties, weddings, high-school dance date dinners... Rancho Valencia has always been a special place. Now it is even better. Yes, it has gone upmarket. Yes, the decor has been radically reinvented. But the heart and soul remains, and the changes... all for the better. If romance were a resort, it would most definitely be Rancho Valencia. As is typical with my Friday night shenanigans (as my lady friend has come to learn) things change on a whim. Dolce, Pane, and Vino was the target, but I conveniently missed the parking lot and kept driving. Winding through orange groves past cottages nestled in hushed glens, the valets greeted us with a smile and a flourish. Already things seemed different - wrought iron lanterns glowed warmly in the courtyard, and every square inch was fresh and vibrant. Arm in arm, we made our way to the new "Pony Room" and found the local gentry had filled the place to the brim. This is my kind of bar - deep leather armchairs, soaring ceilings, grand windows and wrought iron chandeliers offer a powerful complement to top-shelf cocktails of the highest order. College kids don't know this place exists... and I wouldn't have it any other way. Yes, we were the youngest by 15 years, but that meant we caught an admiring glance or two. And the staff loved us. We had a delightful server, kick-starting our evening with libations in a romantic, candlelit corner of the west terrace. My lady's 2010 Andrew Lane Cab and the grapefruit-tequila goodness of my Neck Shot vindicated my decision to forever swear off the red solo cup. Our server took great care of us, and before we knew it a hostess arrived to whisk us away to our table. And then I fell in love again. The dining room maintains its Spanish flair, but with a twist. Blending elements of eastern architectural accents with the vaulted, open beam ceiling works beautifully. Plush leather booths, vibrant throw pillows, intricate iron chandeliers, and candles galore ignite the senses, coming to a grand climax with the spectacular butterfly "fractal" that graces the eastern wall. At once both new and familiar, the dining room itself demands a visit. Once seated in our cozy booth for two, we were greeted by an old friend. We were served by a veteran Rancho Valencia waiter, and his enthusiasm for the new look and menu was infectious. And we couldn't help but work hard to linger for as long as possible. Our menu choices would allow us to do just that. Thankfully, one other thing that hasn't changed at Rancho Valencia is Chef Bauer... whose dedication to incorporating local products and doing as much as possible himself (he has his own beehives on site for honey production and grows his own olives for olive oil) makes for an experience unlike any other. We shared an unbelievable beef tartare and carpaccio roll as an appetizer - an intriguing blend of citrus and cheese flavors mingled with wild mushroom. This was soon followed up with a complimentary second appetizer of asparagus croquette. I should've purchased a second plate of those. Then there was the main course. We went surf-and-turf, sharing a divine Maine Lobster Spaghettini; light and infused with white wine, it was to die for. My lady's pan-roasted Filet Mignon, ensconced in a borolo wine reduction and paired with a 2009 Chateau Toumilon was rich. And then my berkshire pork tenderloin, complete with a rich fig-derived sauce and glazed chestnuts, is my new last meal on earth... especially when paired with a 2009 Ministry of the Vinterior Pinot Noir. But that's not all. Although we were descending into a food coma by this point, we HAD to order dessert. The house "chocolate bar" called our names, balancing our desire for death by chocolate with our craving for something orange (this is Valencia after all). Unbelievable. And to make things even better, one last complimentary "course" of petit fours was thrust across our table. By the time we finished dessert, the resort had become our own private Rancho adobe. Content, we lingered by the fire pit and then retired to the courtyard. Just as the staff began extinguishing the courtyard's candelabras, we rose to leave... finding that the valet had our car ready and waiting without my prompting... as if he read our minds. Veladora. Amazing service. Culinary bliss. Welcome back Rancho Valencia! You sure know how to make an entrance! We shall soon meet again!

Over the years, we have spent many special occasions dining at Rancho Valencia....Mother's Day, Easter, New Year's, Thanksgiving, etc.....so we were looking forward to another family Thanksgiving there this year. Unfortunately, we were sorely disappointed. The buffet food was good but the service was horrendous. The only thing the waitstaff had to do was take a drink order, clear dirty plates and fold your napkin when you went to the buffet. They couldn't manage to do any of those things. We had to yell our drink order across a large table because the waiter was either not trained or too lazy to walk around to each guest. Dirty dishes sat on the table through out the meal. They never once folded our napkins when we got up. We had to get up from the table and find a service person when we needed something. To makes matters worse, they automatically added 20% to the bill for this horrible service. The price of the buffet has always been expensive...$85 per person (plus 20% service this time). In the past, the price at least included a beverage, and I even remember not too long ago when they included a glass of champagne. Clearly the new owners/management are trying to recoup their renovation costs by nickle & diming their customers because now they don't even throw in tea or coffee. Our bill was well over $1,000 and when one of our guests ordered a hot tea at the last minute, they brought another bill for it. We have been loyal patrons for years but our entire table was so disgusted with the dreadful experience & felt so 'ripped-off' that none of us will ever return.

This is the finest restaurant in San Diego. We have had dinner, lunch and brunch at Veladora since the new launch and remodel at Rancho Valencia and everything has been absolutely amazing. The quality of the food, and service are without comparison anywhere in San Diego, and the one-of-a-kind contemporary art work (Damien Hirst) on display puts the ambiance in an entirely different lane than anywhere else. Although it is not an inexpensive restaurant, it is probably one of the best high-end dining values anywhere. The Pony Room is also fantastic and should be your first stop before going to the Veladora. Don is one of the most gracious and professional mixologists and makes some of the best drinks in town. I highly, highly recommend Veladora. The new owners and management have created a truly special dining venue and experience. If I could give them 6 stars I would!

Way overpriced and the service was horrible. The food was ok but the portions have become miniscule. I will not go to restaurants where I feel violated after eating there. Our server was not qualified to work at Denny's let alone a gourmet restaurant.

This is definitely one of the best experiences in haute cuisine. Deliciously balanced flavors, different menu every season. Wonderful service!

The food is delicious and prepared very well!! Delicious and unique. The portions are nice as well. Our server Chip was wonderful. Thank you, we will be back!! We tried so many things but our favorites were the octopus and the lobster spaghettini

Went here for Sunday brunch. Food is awesome but service sucks and is extremely slow. The slowness of the food showing up at the table made me rate it 3 stars instead of 4. My party of nine arrived today at 930am...we put in our orders by 945 and didnt get our food until past 11!. However the american brunch food tasted excellent. I ordered the corned beef egg and hash and man it was good especially the crispy hashbrowns. The kids silver dollar pancakes were fluffy and savory.

We came here to celebrate a birthday on a Sunday Brunch with some family and had such a nice time. It is such a great all round experience that starts on the drive in. Coming in through the quiet and green RSF and then through the lush property of Rancho Valencia. This sets the mood perfectly as you make your way to the restaurant from the valet through the gorgeous hacienda main building with a nice open courtyard. We were seated at a large table adjacent to a huge window with a gorgeous view overlooking the property. The decor, building, and artwork along with the live spanish guitar made and awesome and comfortable ambiance. Everyone at the table tried different things on the menu and we were all impressed, this is one of my favorite places in san diego so far. Get the soup de joir it is going to be amazing. They also have one of the best huevos rancheros ever. Flawless service on all aspects, worth every penny.

Had the best breakfast ever at Veladora! I had the standard two eggs any style with sausage and perfectly prepared fried potatoes. Hubby thoroughly enjoyed the Huevos Rancheros along with a side of pancakes. Nice rustic ambience and relaxed vibe on a drizzly weekday morning. Our new favorite breakfast spot!

Came here for restaurant week thinking it was going to be really apptizing but was not. Service and environment were fabulous but the food was subpar. The 18 year old parmasean was good, but my salmon on flat bread was dry, salmon entree overcooked and my apple crisp dessert was very sour even with ice cream on top. And my girlfriends pork was overcooked on the outside and still pink on the inside...just overall disappointed and not to my liking.

Celebrated a friend's birthday. I had the chicken which was phenomenal. Wife had the duck which also very nice. Friends had the filet mignon. Wine list was extensive.... Over 900 different wines. This place is very nice and extremely pricey