I had the pleasure of dining at Speakeasy recently, and it was nothing short of a magical evening. The ambiance struck that perfect balance—chic, warm, and with an intimate vibe that makes you feel both transported and right at home. The menu is an absolute delight for any seafood aficionado. I enjoyed an incredible selection: Maine Lobster Tail, Poached White Prawns, Alaskan Snow Crab Claws, Oysters, and a divine Channel Island Sea Urchin. Each bite was exquisite, fresh, and thoughtfully paired with delightful accompaniments—the cocktail sauce and mignonette adding just the right note, and the SYR Lemons lending a beautiful brightness to each dish. Speakeasy offers not just a meal, but an experience, and it’s a place I can’t wait to revisit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brady Konya
It’s fine. We miss the Plow and Angel though, its intimacy, and its more substantive menu… The updated format didn’t really build on the things that made locals love it so much. Our visit was totally ok, but as a brand I just think OK kind of misses the mark. The Speakeasy concept comes off as maybe a little gimmicky for a property like SYR… left feeling a little unclear as to who this space was designed for.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
Steven Nguyen
The new speakeasy was great. Love music was great and ambiance was fun!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
SBGiGi
I love San Ysidro Ranch and the Plow and Angel. Ambiance, food and service usually all wonderful. Very pricey, but wonderful! So I chose the Plow and Angel for my birthday dinner (and it was a BIG birthday!! :-)). I have to say it's the first time I have been disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the food was fabulous, as usual. The service was very nice and although attentive, not overwhelming. The big problem was with the wine. My friend and I were quite shocked with the prices for a bottle of wine! We searched the wine menu for quite a while until we found a nice-sounding wine at $90. And that's what we thought we ordered. But, when the bill came, the wine cost was billed at $175!!!!! Almost twice the cost of what we thought we ordered. We questioned this and the sommelier came to our table with the wine menu and insisted we had ordered the more expensive wine. We both said that we thought we had ordered the less expensive one, but he was insistent that we did not! We could have argued with him, but that would have ruined what was a lovely birthday dinner. So we didn't argue and just paid. What's particularly galling is that the wine was just 'ok'! Both of us put that down to it being the $90 wine... but for a $175 bottle, it was not very good! And then, the final thing was that the restaurant and staff knew it was my birthday. They didn't even offer a complimentary dessert or after-dinner drink. For such an expensive establishment, you would think they could spare a dime to celebrate a birthday!! I am so sad to only give a 3* review of this wonderful restaurant. But their service really let down the food and ambiance this time around. Probably be a long time before I return.
Rose Yousefian
Did not take walking reservations
MOG808
First of all, this review has nothing to do with the food and service, both of which were excellent. I specifically booked a table at Plow and Angel. I received a text shortly thereafter confirming my booking at Stonehouse. I called back and I was assured that my booking was for Plow and Angel. The online menu for Plow and Angel was quite reasonable. We were seated on the patio and the menu prices were substantially higher than was shown online. I can only surmise that the online menu has not been updated or it is a bait and switch lure. I am hoping that it is the former rather than the latter. It just put a bit of a damper on an otherwise glorious evening.
Andrew Hewett
Gorgeous buildings and gardens. Friendly and professional staff. Delicious food. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amanda Holt
The Plow & Angel nice and chilled since we both sat outdoors on a beautiful day with some chill music playing in the background on a good volume so it wasn't too Plow & Angel.
Craig E
Outdoor dining at its best. We had a table by the fire under the stars. The steak Diane was prepared at our table. The dining upstairs in the patio is also exceptional. Reservations are a must as is valet parking. Located in the San Ysidro Ranch grounds (#1 Hotel in America). Very romantic location !
After a very enjoyable experience last year while visiting family, my wife and I were eager to return to this place while in the area for six weeks. When I called this week, the recording said that they are open but require reservations due to Covid restrictions, that they were currently busy, so please leave a message with date and time of request. However, despite leaving two voicemails within 48 hours, we never received a response. Not the customer service you expect from an establishment that considers itself 5-star.
Corinne Bell
We came here to celebrate getting married; the patio seating was beautiful, it is such a romantic spot! The service was poor and the food was pretty good but one would expect more than that for the price point. There were several slip-ups with the service but one example stood out: between courses I went to the rest room and so did my husband. When we came back, our next courses (hot dishes) were sitting, cold, on the table. I’ve been to diners and pizza joints where they won’t serve food if no one is sitting at the table. It was bizarre for what is supposed to be fine dining. Save your money, this place isn’t worth the hype, but take a tour of the gardens if you want!
Beth Kelley
Delicious food. Including delicious seafood. Hidden gem. Maybe best restaurant on Main St. if you're willing to spend the extra $.
Forrest Buchanan
A jewel of Santa Barbara. I recommend Plow & Angel to people looking to have a memorable dinner. 5-Star food and 5-Star service.
786chadc
You won’t find a more romantic yet casual restaurant. Perfect for special occasions or an everyday hangout if you have an unlimited budget. Historically the food was excellent but has slipped in an inverted curve to the prices over the last several years. If they could restore their cuisine and price point they would be once again the absolute best and earn a rating of 5 stars. FYI, I have been coming here on a regular basis for years, if one did not know how great it was previously, one wouldn’t be disappointed, all things are relative.
I had the pleasure of dining at Speakeasy recently, and it was nothing short of a magical evening. The ambiance struck that perfect balance—chic, warm, and with an intimate vibe that makes you feel both transported and right at home. The menu is an absolute delight for any seafood aficionado. I enjoyed an incredible selection: Maine Lobster Tail, Poached White Prawns, Alaskan Snow Crab Claws, Oysters, and a divine Channel Island Sea Urchin. Each bite was exquisite, fresh, and thoughtfully paired with delightful accompaniments—the cocktail sauce and mignonette adding just the right note, and the SYR Lemons lending a beautiful brightness to each dish. Speakeasy offers not just a meal, but an experience, and it’s a place I can’t wait to revisit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It’s fine. We miss the Plow and Angel though, its intimacy, and its more substantive menu… The updated format didn’t really build on the things that made locals love it so much. Our visit was totally ok, but as a brand I just think OK kind of misses the mark. The Speakeasy concept comes off as maybe a little gimmicky for a property like SYR… left feeling a little unclear as to who this space was designed for.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
The new speakeasy was great. Love music was great and ambiance was fun!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I love San Ysidro Ranch and the Plow and Angel. Ambiance, food and service usually all wonderful. Very pricey, but wonderful! So I chose the Plow and Angel for my birthday dinner (and it was a BIG birthday!! :-)). I have to say it's the first time I have been disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the food was fabulous, as usual. The service was very nice and although attentive, not overwhelming. The big problem was with the wine. My friend and I were quite shocked with the prices for a bottle of wine! We searched the wine menu for quite a while until we found a nice-sounding wine at $90. And that's what we thought we ordered. But, when the bill came, the wine cost was billed at $175!!!!! Almost twice the cost of what we thought we ordered. We questioned this and the sommelier came to our table with the wine menu and insisted we had ordered the more expensive wine. We both said that we thought we had ordered the less expensive one, but he was insistent that we did not! We could have argued with him, but that would have ruined what was a lovely birthday dinner. So we didn't argue and just paid. What's particularly galling is that the wine was just 'ok'! Both of us put that down to it being the $90 wine... but for a $175 bottle, it was not very good! And then, the final thing was that the restaurant and staff knew it was my birthday. They didn't even offer a complimentary dessert or after-dinner drink. For such an expensive establishment, you would think they could spare a dime to celebrate a birthday!! I am so sad to only give a 3* review of this wonderful restaurant. But their service really let down the food and ambiance this time around. Probably be a long time before I return.
Did not take walking reservations
First of all, this review has nothing to do with the food and service, both of which were excellent. I specifically booked a table at Plow and Angel. I received a text shortly thereafter confirming my booking at Stonehouse. I called back and I was assured that my booking was for Plow and Angel. The online menu for Plow and Angel was quite reasonable. We were seated on the patio and the menu prices were substantially higher than was shown online. I can only surmise that the online menu has not been updated or it is a bait and switch lure. I am hoping that it is the former rather than the latter. It just put a bit of a damper on an otherwise glorious evening.
Gorgeous buildings and gardens. Friendly and professional staff. Delicious food. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Plow & Angel nice and chilled since we both sat outdoors on a beautiful day with some chill music playing in the background on a good volume so it wasn't too Plow & Angel.
Outdoor dining at its best. We had a table by the fire under the stars. The steak Diane was prepared at our table. The dining upstairs in the patio is also exceptional. Reservations are a must as is valet parking. Located in the San Ysidro Ranch grounds (#1 Hotel in America). Very romantic location !
Fun nook to grab drinks and a bite.
Restaurantji Recommends
After a very enjoyable experience last year while visiting family, my wife and I were eager to return to this place while in the area for six weeks. When I called this week, the recording said that they are open but require reservations due to Covid restrictions, that they were currently busy, so please leave a message with date and time of request. However, despite leaving two voicemails within 48 hours, we never received a response. Not the customer service you expect from an establishment that considers itself 5-star.
We came here to celebrate getting married; the patio seating was beautiful, it is such a romantic spot! The service was poor and the food was pretty good but one would expect more than that for the price point. There were several slip-ups with the service but one example stood out: between courses I went to the rest room and so did my husband. When we came back, our next courses (hot dishes) were sitting, cold, on the table. I’ve been to diners and pizza joints where they won’t serve food if no one is sitting at the table. It was bizarre for what is supposed to be fine dining. Save your money, this place isn’t worth the hype, but take a tour of the gardens if you want!
Delicious food. Including delicious seafood. Hidden gem. Maybe best restaurant on Main St. if you're willing to spend the extra $.
A jewel of Santa Barbara. I recommend Plow & Angel to people looking to have a memorable dinner. 5-Star food and 5-Star service.
You won’t find a more romantic yet casual restaurant. Perfect for special occasions or an everyday hangout if you have an unlimited budget. Historically the food was excellent but has slipped in an inverted curve to the prices over the last several years. If they could restore their cuisine and price point they would be once again the absolute best and earn a rating of 5 stars. FYI, I have been coming here on a regular basis for years, if one did not know how great it was previously, one wouldn’t be disappointed, all things are relative.
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