The Ranch House - OJAI

We drove all the way from Los Angeles, which is over two hours away to spend an anniversary dinner here. When we came to our reservation (first waited and until our reservation), we were told that they had a wedding that booked the whole restaurant and that OPEN TABELLE made our reservation. I booked months ago and received a confirmation of our reservation a week before going. This is RIDICULOUS!!! I would like to speak with a supervisor of OPEN TABELLE!!!!

It was a wonderful evening. the server consulted the cook and brought over a menu that the cook had marked with all Gf elements. it was great that she remembered bringing a special gf dessert for me.

Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was disappointed. They started badly with a warm split of Prosecco (they were from the Blanc de Blanc). We both ordered the $55 price. The bread was excellent. The first course pig belly was perfectly prepared and plated. The second course salad was well plated, but must have been made a bit before the time since it was not freshly sown and childa flat. The rack of the Lamb was ordered two lambcuffs medium. Small without much taste. Maybe. I should have asked what a rack is? The biggest disappointment was the dessert selection (three small desserts on a plate). You seemed to have been embarrassed for a long time and maybe kept in a cooler? The service was very good and the ambience was beautiful. With such a rich history it was sad, only some of the foods had lives.

We live in Michigan and flew to CA for our anniversary dinner....my criticism in a shell, It was worth it, amazing ambience and incredible food. The diver's scallops are worth the entrance fee. Thank you. Ranch House for a special evening!

My favorite restaurant anywhere! Discovered in the '80 's and still go whenever we are in the area.