Guest User
December 19, 2024
The San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara is a spectacular setting – mountains looming above, the sea and views of the Channel Islands below, tall hedgerows, lush herb gardens and charming cottage hideaways for luncheons or teas. Our rather large group had a long standing reservation for tea. When we arrived I ran into friends who were finishing their lunches with beautifully crafted and presented tarts, so I was filled with anticipation for the tea we were about to have. First, we were informed several of the teas on the menu were not available. I ordered a glass of champagne – at $30.00 – which, when it arrived, had not a bubble in sight. The tea I ordered was very nice. But, alas, the food was not. The sandwiches were sloppily piled on a cake plate and we had no implement with which to pick them up but our own forks and fingers – so were left grabbing our selections. The tartlets, the little petit choux pastries and teeny tiny macarons were good – but, again, we were left picking them up off a flat plate with our fingers. Every item was counted to deliver one per person – so the offerings seemed skimpy. As for the scones listed on the menu. Only two sweet scones appeared (we were a group of 12) and no butter or lemon curd. The savory cheese scones were a rubbery glob that was just not good. Finally, another cake plate of ordinary cookies appeared as if to apologize for the lackluster meal. Unfortunately, this was a total disappointment