The Ranch HouseOutstandingThis is one of the most wonderful restaurants period. The setting is spectacular, the food delicious and uncomplicated. Freshest ingredients and delicious bread!6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderfully RomanticHaving moved to the area this past year, we had no idea about this restaurant. We ate at The Ranch House for the first time the other night and were totally surprised by the outdoor dining it had to offer. Surrounded by bamboo, tucked away in little corners across a wooden bridge over a pond filled with gigantic coy fish were numerous little tables! The service was impeccable, and my wife said that this impromptu dinner was one of the most romantic I had ever taken her to. I HIGHLY recommend The Ranch House!6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMRan out of starsThree family members enjoyed every aspect of The Ranch House, very notably our stroll in their hillside gardens..., herb garden, bamboo forest....
The wine meister displayed a phone book-length wine list and said he would be happy to discuss the offerings. But when I said we just wanted a half-bottle of simple wine, I was not made to feel embarrassed at all. When next in Ojai...!6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMRomantic, and RelaxedMy partner and I were celebrating our anniversary. From the beginning to end everyone was gracious, professional yet not stuffy, very attentive and made us feel totally at home. I requested our favorite table on the bridge, which sits by itself among a wall of bamboo and greens. Michael, the somalier is so knowledgeable and was gracious with our champagne. l Carol our server for the evening was lovely and Brice our busboy was adorable. We had everything show up on the table before we even realized we needed it. (My guy drinks a lot of water!)
The food was fabulous, fresh garden vegies and subtle flavored sauces.
It is a charming spot and definitely one of Ojai's treasures.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful for a special occasionMy husband and I went here for my birthday. It's not impressive from the road, but once you enter the gardens, it is wonderful. The service was great. Not overbearing, but attentive. All of our food was great and the wine we chose was superb. We will definitely go back for another special occasion.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMEnjoyed Every MomentThe Ranch House experience is best enjoyed outside in their garden. Nice music, outstanding service. Ordered a nice wine that the server sent back before tasting because the cork had an acidic smell. Problem quickly and happily corrected.
Great roasted quail salad and diver scallops.
Service was attentive and friendly during a "slammed" night. Certainly one of the top restaurants in the Ojai, Ventura, and Santa Barbara area.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful ambience, friendlyWonderful ambience, friendly knowledgeable servers, exceptional food & wines - we had the best dinner in a long time! Highly recommended!5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMRanch House never disappointsThis is only my 5th or 6th time to the Ranch House but every time it has been excellent- the food unbelievable, the service excellent, and the setting is still gorgeous. This is my favorite place to go for a special occasion, because it is so special.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMOjai SupriseIt did not register in my mind that I had seen the Ranch House featured on The Best Thing I Ever Ate until we were there and I saw it mentioned on the menu. The outdoor ambiance is terrific and not at all what I expected with a name like the Ranch House. Everything we had was very good. My wife had the special duck breast with cherries, which was extraordinary. I had the famous scallops, which were delicious, but probably did not live up to the best scallops I ever ate level - not quite enough sear on them for my taste. All in all, quite a lovely dinner.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWe couldn't have had a betterWe couldn't have had a better dining experience. One of the best meals we've had in a long time. My wife had the duck and I had the lamb. Both dishes were outstanding. Service was excellent and the setting was beautiful. A great choice for casual dining or a special occasion, as it was for us.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMA gemBeautiful magic garden --- as though you are dining in the outdoors.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMRelaxing atmosphereWhat a lovely setting! Beautiful, semi-wild garden, stream with large koi, distant water running over rocks-- peaceful setting for quiet, romantic dinner with that special person. Food always tasty & interesting, eve though not many vegetarian options. Servic attentive but not intrusive. A bit on the expensive side but nice for a special occasion.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMUnmatched environmentOur food was very good, all though I expected more from the menu than was delivered. The ambience was just wonderful, which is the reason we will return.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat for a special occasionWe have been going to The Ranch House for special occasions for more than 10 years, and each time we have thoroughly enjoyed the food and the setting.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a good time!We've been going to The Ranch House for decades. It is reliably delicious, charming and peaceful and their Koi Pond is amazing.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Ranch House is OUTSTANDING!My family and friends have enjoyed dining at The Ranch House for more than 35 years. The gardens are always breath taking, the service is always superb and the food is always too fantastic to adequately describe with mere words. In the last 45 years, I have enjoyed dinning in the very best restaurants in major cities throughout the U.S. (including Hawaii), yet I have never, ever found any place that can come close to the extraordinary experience of The Ranch House.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat restaurantWe went her for Mother's Day brunch. We were only able to select from their dinner menu and they had seating times at 12, 3 and 6. Average price was about thirty dollars for a main course, fifteen for appetizer and dessert. Seating is limited and not good for large parties. The food was great. My salmon and my wife's sea bass were cooked to perfection as was my mother-in-laws beef tenderloin.
This is a very nice place and highly recommend.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMReview for "The Ranch House"This restaurant is by far the best restaurant we have every been to. It has the most delicious food, superb wine list, exceptional service, and great ambience. It is in a most beautiful setting, set in the garden and trees. We love coming here, we just don't get to too often as we live in San Diego. But we will certainly come again.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful!Atmosphere and food was absolutely wonderful. Can't wait to go back.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat food and service, andgreat food and service, and nice location. Only crimp - they sat us next to a beautiful family with two young kids....not as romantic as I expected, especially with a reservation.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMReviewOverall a great dining experience. Staff was friendly and food (I ordered the New York steak) was excellent. The outdoor setting, while romantic; however, a few bugs kept flying around.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat!!!We were a party of six..there was a slight problem with one of the meals and the staff and chef handled it immediately to our satisfaction. I would reccommend going in the early evening when the gardens are lighted it really adds to the view and atmosphere. As always we enjoyed ourselves.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMWe decided to try this restaurantWe decided to try this restaurant through a Groupon opportunity and we're very pleasantly surprised by EVERYTHING! The patio was very intimate and romantic, the servers were very pleasant, and the food/wine were delicious! We can't wait to book our next meal! :)4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMreally enjoyed the diningreally enjoyed the dining experience. a little pricey but great for a special occasion. would go again.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMOur first time there and nowOur first time there and now our new favorite restaurant.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were agroup of 6, someWe were agroup of 6, some of us who had not been there in 30 years. How wonderful to find the food still exceptional, the service attentive, and the setting simply lovely. We were outdoors, near the herb garden.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMThe beautiful gardens addThe beautiful gardens add to the enjoyment of the wonderful food and great service. We've eaten at the Ranch House several times and have had a good experience each time. I look forward to our next visit.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMAbsolutely a lovely placeAbsolutely a lovely place with a romantic ambiance. You must go and see for yourself what this inconspicuous little gem holds in store.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst time visiting this localFirst time visiting this local venue. We had a wonderful brunch, I had the pork loin which was cooked to perfection. Really enjoyable afternoon, and don't forget to try the fantastic desserts! We will be back again for sure! Very friendly staff.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMThe neighbor was mowing theirThe neighbor was mowing their lawn, which was loud and inconvenient (but not really the fault of the restaurant). Other than that, A++!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMA must goThe best restaurant anywhere, service is always impeccable, grounds beautiful, food fabulous, music perfect for the setting, never a disappointment4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMMy steak was incorrectly cookedMy steak was incorrectly cooked and when I pointed it out to the waitress she said "Are you sure?" When the steak came back, corrected, she went on about how the chef said the original steak had been cooked the it was ordered. No apology, ever. I've been ordering steak for 35 years and I know the difference between medium rare and medium. I would expect this kind of service from a Denny's maybe, not from an alleged 5 star restaurant.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMWe enjoyed our dinner andWe enjoyed our dinner and the ambiance. It was a cool evening and the outside heaters made it nice and warm. The food is very good but a bit pricy. We enjoyed the crab cakes and rack of lamb. The lamb was perfectly grilled and luscious.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMThere are a number of areasThere are a number of areas to sit. Each has a different view. We overlooked the "back yard" and watched hummingbirds in the flowered bushes. Next time, I want to sit closer to the bubbling fountain. Our waitress was very efficient and friendly. Pricey, so we can't do it often-but certainly worth it for special occasions! I had scallops that Cat Cora said was the "best thing" she had ever eaten. They WERE tender and delicious, as were the vegetables (asparagus & carrots with lemon butter sauce) and mashed potatoes (too small a portion for me). The pate was lacking in flavor for my taste, but accompanied by crisp pickle chips and olives that added flavor. My husband really enjoyed the Nest salad but the portion was small for a big man.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMIf you're looking for a romantic,If you're looking for a romantic, garden setting, quiet with excellent service, food cooked to perfection then this is the place for you.
It was perfect for my birthday dinner.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMI had the sea bass and itI had the sea bass and it was phenomenal. I can't wait to go back! This place is a hidden treasure! My boyfriend had the scallops which he said were the best he ever had. The garden was beautiful at night with lights and the smell of orange blossoms.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMspecial placeFamous and deservedly so, this is a special place, for sure4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMI never write about dessert.I never write about dessert. And I normally do not like Chocolate, but my wifes Brownie with McConnell's Vanilla Ice Cream and a lucious house made chocolate sauce was amazing. Ps. My House made Cheesecake, made with Hoop cheese was also amazing. Great wine list: the Okanawan Valley Dessert wine was amazing.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place to relax & enjoy brunchWe had never been here before, so we were very pleasantly surprised by the ambience. We had a table right near the garden, where we could see our waiter cutting herbs for our lunch dishes. All that was missing were rabbits sitting in the grassy area. Food was great, prices reasonable, and quantities quite acceptable. We will return.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMNo Full Bar. Wine And BeerNo Full Bar. Wine And Beer With Some Mixed Cocktails Made From A Form Of Rice Vodka. the GardN IsBeautiful, the food delicious and the staff very pleasant. great place for a romantic dinner with some secluded tables.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMStill the bestOne of my all-time favorite restaurants, every experience I've had at the Ranch House has been amazing. At the top of their game, year after year.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMBest to go early for a moreBest to go early for a more peaceful and relaxing experience and a chance to absorb the extraordinary beauty of this fabulous place. Once the evening crowd arrives the din (and people's perfumes and after shaves) gets a bit overwhelming. The food is exquisite and elegantly presented.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMEvery time that I go to theEvery time that I go to the Ranch House, I expect a gorgeous outdoor setting, attentive service and really good food. We tried the baked potato soup and the crab cakes. They were both good but the crab cakes were to die for, so light and full of flavor. Our steaks were perfect and the overall atmosphere was excellent.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMVery friendly atmosphere.Very friendly atmosphere. Fresh, good vegetables and salads.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our first time atThis was our first time at your restaurant. It was a complete surprise. and a wonderful one at that. Every thing was more than perfect.
Thank you.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was even more beautifulIt was even more beautiful "in-person" than the photos on their website. The waitperson was attentive but not intrusive. She was so helpful. It was a truly memorable dining experience. I want all my friends to go there.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Experience At The Ranch HouseWhen we arrived the parking lot was full, so we had to park on the street, not a problem as the restaurant is in a residential neighborhood. We checked in at the bar, told them we had a reservation, we were immediately brought to our table outside in a beautiful garden setting. Koi Fish, fountains, lots of trees & bamboo. This is when I found out why the parking lot was full... There was a wedding reception going on with about 80 guests. I said to my wife "I bet service is going to be slow because of this". Well, I was wrong... Service was top notch! The food was great, The water glasses were continually filled. A great evening!
Will I come back? YES!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThe wine was delicious andThe wine was delicious and the somalier was very helpful. Overall a very nice experience.3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful brunchWonderful spot for brunch with a group of friends. Menu offers great variety of different foods - not the same old same old. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for something out the ordinary.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is one old-timer thatThis is one old-timer that is still clicking! We had been there when it first opened in 1971 at the beginning of the natural foods movement. The grounds are the same although the herb garden is smaller (could have been the time of year) and the decor unchanged. The food was excellent. My rack of lamb was a first class cut and cooked exactly as I ordered it. Husband had the scallops and he said they were also great. Out of the way but if you're staying in Ojai an excellent choice.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AM