Following $30 million in renovations, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa reopened with two new dining venues, Veladora, the resort’s posh signature restaurant, and The Pony Room, a laid-back eatery with a country-club vibe. Executive chef Eric Bauer, who creates coastal-ranch-meets-Mediterranean-cuisine, helms both spots.
Fresh seasonal ingredients, some of which are grown and harvested on Rancho Valencia’s very own secluded 40 acres, form the inspiration for Bauer’s menu at Veladora. He has a flair for combining simple elements, such as garden-fresh produce, rich spices and bright herbs, with the finest cuts of meat, poultry and fish for delectable dishes with a fine aroma and a strong finish.
Fresh seasonal ingredients, some of which are grown and harvested on Rancho Valencia’s very own secluded 40 acres, form the inspiration for Bauer’s menu at Veladora. He has a flair for combining simple elements, such as garden-fresh produce, rich spices and bright herbs, with the finest cuts of meat, poultry and fish for delectable dishes with a fine aroma and a strong finish.
Things to Know
- Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa’s signature upscale restaurant, Veladora, is nestled within the resort’s lushly landscaped property at 5921 Valencia Circle, in San Diego’s posh coast-meets-countryside community of Rancho Santa Fe.
- Veladora, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa’s upscale Four-Star restaurant, is open six days a week, Tuesday through Sunday, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- The ambiance at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa’s Veladora is casual elegance, and the dress code is the same. Diners tend to reflect the vibe with chic, relaxed attire.
- During dinner, the San Diego restaurant becomes a bit more dressed up. Gentlemen in tailored suits escort ladies adorned in little black dresses and towering statement heels. While the nighttime hours draw a more glamorous set, casual attire is still acceptable.
The Food
- In the morning, order the flatbread topped with San Daniele prosciutto, sunny-side-up eggs, asparagus shavings and truffle-chive cream cheese, or opt for the signature Breakfast Table, a buffet of housemade granola, Irish oatmeal, Greek yogurt and more.
- For a midday meal, try dishes like the lobster salad roll with butter lettuce or the spicy cioppino with shrimp, mussels, white fish and more.
- Dinner offers entrées like roasted loin of California lamb with sweet pea agnolotti and morels, and Maine lobster risotto with mascarpone, truffle butter and tarragon.
The Design
- The recently renovated Veladora is awash in stunning hacienda-inspired décor. Stately iron chandeliers hang from masculine open-beam ceilings while a glowing fireplace finished in cobalt-blue plaster flickers in the corner.
- Plush banquettes and sofas are replete with pillows covered in vividly patterned fabrics — they lend an element of softness to the scene.
- Candelabras and lanterns add to the shining ambiance, but a centerpiece by renowned artist Damien Hirst is perhaps the most intriguing detail of all. Created from a vast collection of real butterfly wings arranged in a kaleidoscope pattern, the stunning masterpiece seems illuminated from within.
- Outside of the lovely dining room, two beautiful patios beckon. One overlooks the resort’s world-class tennis courts and lushly landscaped grounds, while the other offers views of the resort’s splendid courtyard.
Amenities
Bar
Breakfast
Business casual
Dinner
Kid friendly
Lunch
Private dining
Reservations recommended 
Self-parking
Getting There
