First Look: The Pony Room & Veladora inside Rancho Valencia

Remodel (photos below)

The designers at Rancho Valencia took a chance on change, and have transformed a tired and outdated dining room into an impressive new destination, for both newcomers and long-time regulars.  Gone is the detailed tiling adorning walls of the sun room, and replaced by a stunning art centerpiece created by Damien Hirst, with intricate designs of real butterfly wings, arranged to take your breath away from afar, or up close. A review of the two best restaurants in Rancho Santa, Fe, Ca inside Rancho Valencia. 

The Pony Room

Walking into the completely remodeled restaurant, The Pony Room is an invitation to relax and enjoy a drink in a country club atmosphere.  A new wrap-around bar greets your eyes, with plenty of soft chairs lining the perimeter, offering stunning views of the lush landscape and sunsets on the western horizon. Adding to the ambiance are black wrought-iron chandelier and sconce fixtures, embracing soft, faux candlelight for an Old-West feel.  The only remaining memory of the old room is the beautiful large wooden beam ceiling and rafters, refinished to complete the transformation. For an al fresco experience, check-out the patio terrace, complete with heat lamps and fire pits for those brisk evenings.

Once settled into your seat, admire the vast selection of distinctive cocktails, including the popular Hacienda, a blend of Silver Tree Vodka, freshly squeezed lime juice and torn basil leaves.  The massive craft tequila list, as well as a lengthy wall of other exclusive spirits, allows guests to imbibe in practically any combination imaginable. Master Court Sommelier Jayson Knack explains the unique availability of draft wine on the menu, supporting a "green" effort by the property to minimize impact on the environment, thereby reducing the carbon footprint. "I have created two distinct wine blends, including a light and fruity Chardonnay, and a Cabernet Sauvignon with tannins that are polished, leading to a smooth finish," he said. "We are also the only bar on the West Coast to offer a sparkling wine on tap, an Italian Frizzante, with just a touch of carbonation."  They also have distinctive and rare wines available by the glass, thanks to an Enomatic system that allows each opened bottle to remain in an oxygen-free environment.  Equally impressive is the list of craft beers, with over 30 choices available by tap, bottle or can.

Veladora Restaurant

For executive chef Eric Bauer, the newly remodeled Veladora restaurant offers a casual elegance in style, as well as a home away from home. "The new menu concept is a Mediterranean inspired coastal ranch cuisine using seasonal ingredients from both micro-local farms and various farms throughout California," he said. "The service is never stuffy, and the ambiance and location obviously sets us apart from other restaurants, giving our guests a really unique dining experience."

Bauer came on board two and a half years ago and within that time, he's helped to transition the restaurant from being a bit tired and dated, to a new and exciting place to dine and experience the best of California's local produce and products. "Seeing a smile on someone's face after a bite of food is what gives me the most satisfaction." he said. "The 30 million dollars in renovations didn't hurt us either."

Freedom of expression and never a day that plays out the same is what Bauer likes most about being a chef. Passionate about using sustainable, local and organic ingredients, he keeps things simple by using strong flavors that pair well, yet also gives the guest a bit of a surprise. "Organic is not that important to me, at least as far as certification goes, because many of the small farms we use just cannot afford getting the certification, but still grow organically," he explained. "As a whole, we source most of our produce from all over San Diego and other parts of California."

A perfect example of this philosophy is the Market Vegetable Salad, a simple but delicious combination of fresh produce from local markets, with just the right compliment of lettuce puree, herb pesto and decadent crème fraîche. My Italian heritage helped me appreciate the effort to create hand-made cannelloni’s, paired ever-so perfectly with a unique combination of grilled artichokes, braised baby leeks, charred endive, truffle cream and Reggiano cheese.  Another phenomenal Mediterranean-style presentation was the special of the evening, Swordfish Puttanesca, wrapped in a very thin layer of prosciutto and finished with stewed tomatoes and Kalamata olives. However, my favorite of the night was the Sautéed Salmon, cooked to perfection with a light, but crispy crust that is quite difficult to duplicate in a home kitchen.  Paired with Mediterranean Mussels and roasted vegetables, it is completed with an aromatic fennel and orange reduction that supplies a hint of bite for a strong finish.

I've always been a little leery of change in my life, as routine is a comfortable blanket on a cold night.  But in this case, the change at Rancho Valencia is a welcome renovation that invites everyone to create a new routine in the heart of Rancho Santa Fe. Located on 5921 Valencia Cir - Reservations call (858) 756-1123