Powered By OpenTable: Restaurant Reservations. Right this way.
Restaurant Reservations - Free • Instant • Confirmed

  • Kula Ranch Island Steakhouse

  • Online Reservations

Reserve at Kula Ranch Island Steakhouse

Date

mm/dd/yyyy

Time
Party Size

  • on 1,234 lists
  • Keep track of the places you want to try and share wish lists with friends!
Kula Ranch Island Steakhouse
Kula Ranch Island Steakhouse

Kula Ranch Island Steakhouse Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Dining
  • Website: http://www.kula-ranch.com
  • Email: Joe@kula-ranch.com
  • Phone: (831) 883-9479
  • Hours of Operation: Lunch: Tuesday - Sunday: 11:30am - 4:00pm; Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 4:00pm - 9:00pm, Friday - Saturday: 4:00pm -10:00pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Steakhouse, Hawaiian, Sushi
  • Executive Chef: Darrell Rose
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Entertainment, Fireplace, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Smoking Area (patio only), Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Catering: We Offer On-Site and Off-Site Catering - Build your own Menu - No Room Charge - No Setup or Breakdown Charge - Accomodate up to 130 Guests - Ocean Views - Excellent Service
  • Private Party Facilities: On-Site Catering: - Build your own Menu - No Room Charge - No Setup or Breakdown Charge - Accomodate up to 130 Guests - Ocean Views - Excellent Service
  • Private Party Contact: Darroll Newton (831) 883-9479

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Reservation Road
  • Parking: Private Lot
A word from Kula Ranch Island Steakhouse
Restaurant Description: Kula Ranch Island Steakhouse (in the former AJ Spurs Location) is located at the Sanctuary Beach Resort, next to the Marina State Beach, just off Highway One at Reservation Road. As you drive up the brick-paved entry of the Resort, and circle around to the palmtree… lined entry to Kula Ranch, you will begin to feel the Hawaiian Paniolo feeling of the Islands. The beautifully remodeled Kula Ranch, brainchild of popular local restaurateur Joe Loeffler (former General Manager of Baja Cantina)features a soothing Island feel, mixed with a little up-Country Western Maui! Executive Chef Darroll Rose (formerly of Fresh Cream Restaurant) has developed an enticing menu of Pacific Rim inspired fresh seafood, steaks, prime rib, exciting Sushi Bar creations, exotic salads and fabulous appetizers and desserts. We look forward to seeing you soon….and often!! Mahalo! Continued
Foodspotting photos
See all photos >
Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerSteak
Diner Reviews
  • "This restaurant is pretty good. For the area it is probably the best option. I think it is best to get here for the sunset because the deck has an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean. They have outdoor seating and if you have a dog they allow you to sit out there with your dog. Nice. The bar is great and the snacks on the bar menu I have found to be a better value than the entree menu. I really like the bar area the best here. The drinks are usually pretty strong, especially the rum drinks. Its island casual and can accommodate large parties."
    Dined on 1/25/2014
  • "Waitress shorted us on change and did not apologize. Food was poor, and none of the 3 people in our party finished our meals and the waitress did not even ask how it was. Awesome atmosphere, nice vibe. If I owned the place firing the staff would be the first thing on the list. Then replace the chef."
    Dined on 2/23/2014
  • "I went there on a business dinner. We were sat at an extremely dark table, and I had to use my phones light to read the menu...This was not the prize of the night however. There was obnoxiously loud music playing at a wedding reception, in a connecting room to the restaurants eating area, closed off with a sheet! We literally could not have a conversation. We got to see the groom do the electric slide though, cool!! Very bad form for a business."
    Dined on 2/22/2014
  • "We went on a Sunday night to celebrate a couple of birthdays with friends. The food was GREAT ! No problems there. Fish and beef, were quite good. Sides were quite good too. The noise level was robust but tolerable. It's good to see a local spot that busy on a Sunday night and people were having a good time. The atmosphere was ok and might seem to offer better ambiance in the daylight. But in the evening, I think they could overhaul the lighting, add some additional paint colors and bring in more green plants and flowers."
    Dined on 2/16/2014
  • "Food was great, good service, nice restaurant slightly pricy but worth it. My wife has food allergies and they made her meal just the way she likes it and the food quality was very good."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "I was a first timer and was greatly pleased with my experience. I made a reservation for valentines day and they went all out. They gave all the woman in the restaurant a beautiful rose once seated, they had a young man come around and sing love-songs with a ukulele (I got a Bruno Mars song and it was fantastic!), and at the end of your meal you and your date received complementary chocolate roses perfect touch to the delicious meal! The steak was on point, best steak I've had in a while. Would defiantly recommend."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Food quality was ok. Didn't care for the coconut flavored rice. Would like to have server give options to go with the entree. Food portions too small. One small slice of skirt steak just not enough. Menu should expand some for vegetarians. Very relaxed atmosphere. I didn't feel rushed. Drinks were good and the server was friendly and provided service with a smile. There is just enough good to bring me back again, but if my next experience isn't better I may not go back."
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "Great survive, food was wonderful. Drinks were great and they didn't skimp on anything."
    Dined on 1/1/2014
  • "This was our choice for a Christmas holiday dinner. It definitely was a bad choice. At first, when we arrived for our reservation the host was outside hanging around with someone. She ran inside when she noticed us. The host just blurted out "Hi" just two? It felt like we were disturbing her free time. Then the server was worse. I really do not want to fully itemize all the service errors. This place is overpriced for what is being doled out."
    Dined on 12/25/2013
  • "i like to sit in the booths away from the bar. setting feels romantic and comfortable. everyone loved their dishes- rib eye well seasoned, macadamia nut mahi-mahi is delicious, and sushi good as well. there's a little bit of everything for everyone- not just a steakhouse. service was very good."
    Dined on 12/14/2013
  • "Food was good. Service was okay, but overall factor is that we were freezing. We never took off our coats, scarves, etc."
    Dined on 12/5/2013
  • "First off Kula Ranch has gone thru several changes in ownership.. We can tell the current owner is trying to work on the quality of the overall experience at the restaurant . The food is not quite there yet but our server, George, was excellent, attentive yet not overwhelming knowledgeable about the menu. The meal that we had was about the quality you would expect for a ‘group’ event.. steak.. over done tough,, potatoes warm.. you get the picture. Our guest had the salmon and said it was ‘ok’.. the Fillet and Lobster passable. There are many wonderful choices in the Monterey Peninsula for fine dining. Kula Ranch would be a moderate choice."
    Dined on 12/4/2013
  • "Steak way overcooked Charged a different price for sushi than was on the menu Restaurant was too cold Ferns were too large and blocked tv"
    Dined on 11/24/2013
  • "This was one of the main reasons we came here and it was so good we went back the next night!"
    Dined on 11/14/2013
  • "Went here for an early dinner--had one of the Sunset Dinners. Started with a crab bisque--presentation was beautiful, but it didn't have enough crab flavor for me. Then had the sand dabs. The fish was a little dry, but the vegetables (carrots and zucchini) were perfectly cooked and full of flavor. And the coconut rice was divine! Service was very friendly, but it took a while for my soup to appear. Then the entree was brought out when I was only part way through the soup. There were only two other parties dining in the restaurant at the time, so didn't understand the timing issue. Overall, I really enjoyed the meal and thought it was a great value on the Sunset Dinner ( $12.95)."
    Dined on 10/23/2013
  • "From the information on Opentable.com and the restaraunt website, I expected something with an island atmosphere...decor, layout, perhaps with menu or drink selections keyed to specific islands. Alas, too much to hope for. The decore seemed to be a quick redesign from a previous theme. The was a "palm tree", and some tacky "bamboo" along the walls, but the atmosphere was decidedly not island-like. Service was satisfactory. I ordered a Bloody Mary, which turned out to be the absolute worst tasting drink I have ever been served. The food however, was prepared well and tasted good. The NY strip was juicy and prepared to the level of doneness I requested. Overall, I would probably not return."
    Dined on 10/20/2013
  • "Dined during Happy Hour, Sliders were amazing, really good sweet potato fries, beer selection was great. My Girlfriend really enjoyed the fish tacos especially the mango salsa."
    Dined on 10/18/2013
  • "I would equate this to an Applebees. It's ok; more for convenience if anything."
    Dined on 10/2/2013
  • "1 out of 4 steaks at our table was cooked as requested. Steak was bland and not seasoned at all."
    Dined on 10/6/2013
  • "If you stay at the beautiful resort at Sanctuary beach you expect a restaurant befitting the experience. Calling itself a steak house is also false advertising...mine was tough & not well cooked. The sushi & our server were good but entirely a disappointing evening."
    Dined on 9/24/2013
  • "This is not the first time we've dined at Kula Ranch. The service is excellent and the food is consistently excellent. The owner of the restaurant is very friendly and is usually out on the floor greeting the guests. I highly recommend Kula Ranch. I don't have any problems recommending this restaurant to anyone who is looking for quality at a fair price...."
    Dined on 9/13/2013
  • "The waitress was very helpful with our meal selections. We all had a great meal and a relaxing time."
    Dined on 8/30/2013
  • "We go to the Monterey/Carmel area every 3 to 4 months and have been to many restaurants in the area. Wanted to try something different and this had decent reviews. We were pleasantly surprised as the food was very good. The only complaint is that the restaurant could've been cleaner. Great service too!"
    Dined on 7/5/2013
  • "Great pupu platter, not so good key lime pie. Would get the platter again (the platter for 4, filled two people up!)"
    Dined on 7/17/2013
  • "We were famished & ready for dinner earlier than our res. Great table, service & ono-licious food!! We'll b back again!! ;)"
    Dined on 7/14/2013
  • "Pleasant experience all the way around. Good mai tais"
    Dined on 7/8/2013
  • "If you want to stay at the resort, but not cook this restaurant is very convenient it is on site. We arrived a little earlier than our reservation, but were quickly seated. Given a menu and water. The only issue we had was with our waiter, he noticed us but did not come to our table. We waited a while, but nothing. A female waitress passing by pause a monent and asked if we had been helped. We said no, so she said she would get our server. She returned and said our server was busy, but she would take our order even though it was not her table. There was a Spurs basket game on and clearly the waiter was more interested in the game than serving customers. Other than this, food was fantastic and our waitress attentive."
    Dined on 6/20/2013
  • "Excellent food and service. Highly recommend this restaurant..."
    Dined on 6/8/2013
  • "Vastly overrated. If you want a nice evening with your wife or date, go somewhere else. The server did not know the difference between Sashimi and sushi and the sushi chef was not much better... serving Unagi cold with all the skin still on it and dripping the fat was gross, and when we complained, the server could not have cared less. Having a school prom party with a 100 screaming kids, very loud music and a DJ about 10-20 feet away from a dozen tables with the door left wide open by the staff and manager over half the time was awful. Spent $150 for the two of us and the only thing I can say positive about this place is that it is convenient if you're staying at Sanctuary Beach Resort."
    Dined on 6/1/2013
  • "We stayed at the Sanctuary and did not want to drive 7 miles for dinner. We read the reviews showcasing the service issues and decided that we would try the restaurant because it was convenient. We had a good experience and the food was very good. We decided to stay at the bar and not be seated in the restaurant. We had very attentive service and it was an enjoyable experience. We had a minor hiccup when I looked at my email and saw the restaurant had cancelled our opentable reservation. We contacted open table and the problem was promptly taken care of by OpenTable."
    Dined on 5/26/2013
  • "My wife had a great meal at Kula Ranch. We had a reservation and had our table within two minutes of arrival. The waiter was very attentive and took are drink orders right away. The appetizers were awesome. The downside of the evening was a bit of wait for the main course. I had the prime rib & my wife had the swordfish. Both dishes were outstanding. We will be coming back again. Thank you Kula Ranch Island Steakhouse for a wonderful meal a great time."
    Dined on 5/17/2013
  • "When we arrived there was no hostess and we had to wait 10 minutes to be acknowledged. We were never offered the highchair that we requested when we made the reservation. A lot of the buffet food was overcooked and bland. The pastries and desserts were store bought. Two hours after they opened they ran out of cheesecake and the only dessert left was Boston Creme pie and a chocolate cake. The chocolate cake was just a cube of cake, no frosting, no sauce or anything, just a dry piece of store bought cake. The waitress hardly ever showed up at our table never offered me a refill for my coffee, I had to ask. Keep in mind she didn't serve us food. Even though there were only three of us, including one toddler we were charged 18% gratuity."
    Dined on 5/12/2013
  • "We can't have any food with gluten in it. Restaurant was able to make adjustment to menu items in order to make them gluten free."
    Dined on 5/11/2013
  • "Kula Ranch is convenient if you are staying at the Sanctuary (which we were) or Wyndham time shares. However, that is the only positive attribute I can think of regarding our recent dinner there on a Saturday night. While other diners have had a problem with spotty service, our main issue was the food, which was bland and poorly plated and presented. The Kalua pork was one of the most tasteless pork dishes I have ever had. My son's Mac and cheese came in a white runny soup that resembled and tasted like light cream or half-n-half. My wife's dinner, Mahi Mahi in a curry sauce, was borderline tasty. The portions as huge, which given the obesity and diabetes epidemic in the U.S., is NOT a plus. Consider dining in Monterey!"
    Dined on 4/19/2013
  • "Service was very poor the minute we walked in the door. We were ignored by the hostess for about 5 minutes standing right in front of her. Then our waiter treated us like we were bothering him by being there especially after searing a party if 8 that received all of the servers attention. Our food took a long time and I figured it was ready way before it got to us because it came out cold. Then we had to flag our waiter down to ask for a dessert menu because it was my husbands birthday and he wanted cake. Then when we left not one person said a word when we walked out the door. I will never return despite the quality of food and I'm disappointed I chose this place for a special occasion."
    Dined on 3/23/2013
  • "I had been waiting to try this restaurant since it changed from being AJ Spurs. What a let down. I love Hawaiian fusion but the service needs to step their game up. I don't know if our server was just new or simply more focused on her larger table. She tried to talk me out of the kalua pork which she described as "plain", I had to inform her that I knew exactly what I was ordering. When she gave us our iced teas there was no lemon, so we had to ask for that and when we ran low she said she said she'd bring the pitcher back with her. Simple things that could have been avoided with proper training. As a Guest Experience Supervisor at a five star Resort, I know I'm picky. But... simple service is not that hard to find."
    Dined on 3/8/2013
More reviews ›
Larger map ›
Smaller map ›
Diners' Choice Awards
  • California Central Coast Winners
  • Steak
Learn more ›