The Restaurant at VentanaIsreal was great!We had lunch at ventana and thoroughly enjoyed it. Three of us ate the California salad and one of us ate the chicken mole. The chicken mole was mediocre. Not great, but not bad either. Isreal, our waiter, was the highlight of the meal. He was polite, prompt and very knowledgeable about wines and the menu. We will definitely return.6/3/2013 12:00:00 AMSpecial place!The Restaurant at Ventana was a very special dining experience. Not only was the food delicious, the service was attentive and the view is spectacular. Whenever I am in the Big Sur area again, I will be sure to stop there again for another special dining experience.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect lunch settingIt is hard to beat the spectacular view from the beautiful patio at Ventana! The fabulous setting was matched by a top-notch lunch where the offerings included a salmon sandwich with perfectly cooked fresh wild salmon from nearby Half Moon Bay.The menu was varied and had lots of options and every dish we tried was a success.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways deliciousWe went with a few friends to introduce them to the Big Sur experience. They loved it!! I would have given the food 5 stars, but my duck was very overcooked. I didn't mention it to the waiter because I didn't want to upset the evening.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThere is only one thing keepingThere is only one thing keeping me from making the overall rating spectacular - we arrived for our 10:30 reservation, and were told that the kitchen closes at 11:00 - kind of made us instantly feel like we were being rushed. I wouldn't mind, except if you are closing your kitchen at 11:00, then you should probably make your last reservation for breakfast/brunch at 10 or 10:15. Otherwise, food was awesome - service (except for being made to feel rushed) was superb, and the view was spectacular!5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMVentana lunchWe arrived at 11:20 just before opening time. The staff was rushed due to setting up the patio for a wedding reception.
I gave my full name and said I had an internet reservation at 11:45, but we were seating immediately on the outside deck under an umbrella. Omar was our waiter, but there were two or three other servers who were also very attentive. Food was excellent, and the view, quiet surroundings, and good company made for an enjoyable two-hour lunch. This was a really good experience for a weekend day in Big Sur when other venues were clearly overcrowded.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMFantasticA dining experience doesn't get much better than this. Fantastic all the way through from service to scenic views. The food was beyond delicious. Highly recommend.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMheaven above the PacificWe have been going to Ventana for about 27 years. Over the years the Inn had lost some of its magic. Happy to say the magic has returned in spades. Great food, great service. Highly recommend this wonderful experience.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMa beautiful hotel...The Ventana Inn is a beautiful hotel. It is set in the woods and the views are outstanding. The service at the restaurant is fabulous. The food was good... not great. I didn't think it was anything special. Very lovely.. but I would try someplace else the next time I am in the area.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMIt's been a while since weIt's been a while since we had had dinner here, and still found the ambiance and food great. Had a choice of a fix price dinner menus with 4 course (including desssert) or a la carte.
There were 4 of us dining & 2 did a la carte & 2 fix price. The beet salad was very ggod and the scallop course was excellent. Everything beautifully presented. Artichoke & prawn dish very good as well. The entrees, 2 hailbut with fennel puree , duck dish , and short rib & NY strip - excellent.
Cream brullee dessert & lemon with berries both excellent.
Service was great. Def would go back for a special occasian.
Note- nice ofr lunch stop on Big Sur coast, esp if a clear day & dine ouside.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful dining experience.Wonderful dining experience. The 4 course menu offered a variety of choices and everything was prepared well. My date has food allergies and the waiter did a great job with suggestions and offered a choice not on the menu. The setting was very romantic, quiet, and I am sure the view would have been wonderful if not for the fog. I highly recommend stopping in if you are visiting Big Sur.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMGenerally fine but it tookGenerally fine but it took a very long time for the food to be brought to the table.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was inventive andThe food was inventive and delicious, the service impeccable. Casual atmosphere, peaceful, with breathtaking views. Choice of cozy room or one more open, overlooking view.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything was excellent butEverything was excellent but the service was amazing. The waiters and service staff were very attentive, professional and it was wonderful that they could speak Spanish as well. One of the best dining experiences I've had.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AM