California Lounge

Menu was switched to buffet, presumably for the volume. Buffet food was mediocre and bland. You're paying for ambiance.

It was unexpected, but there was a buffet only for this reservation date. In addition, the buffet food was not great and was a small selection. Definitely not worth $80 a person.

A very Christmasy vibe in the hotel, but the dining room area was a bit hollow . Great variety in food and overall a good buffet, but the salad selections were mediocre. If you are definitely wanting variety go for this buffet, but I ordered a dinner meal bcs I have food restrictions and the quality of my order was amazingly more fresh tasting than my partner's buffet selections

Made reservations for the Festival of Lights. Received and email that due to the overwhelming popularity of this season, the Mission Inn Restaurant would be offering an Elevated Dinner Buffet. Price per adult is $79+tax and the child price is $30+tax. This buffet was definitely not worth these prices. And to make matters worse, there was an automatic 20% gratuity added to the bill. For what? I had to hunt the waiter down multiple times to get a drink. Only thing he did is clear our plates, $65 dollar gratuity for that? Parking is no longer validated either, $40-$60 for self parking depending on how early you drive in to the structure. Save your money and just walk around the property.

We had breakfast here and it was quick and friendly service and the food was delicious and good portions. The waiter was even kind enough to double check on the ingredients for our son's french toast option to be sure he'd like everything. Wish we were here longer to try lunch or dinner options too

Such a beautiful environment! We sat outside on the patio. I was concerned it might be a little chilly, but it was perfect! It's always nice to revisit the Mission inn at Christmastime. They do such a nice job with the Christmas lights! Very busy time for this area.

Lovely venue, they really deck out for the holidays. Great food and service, patio location was beautiful.

The time we had together as adult siblings and our elderly father was wonderful! Wait staff and food was perfect. Thank you!

We love to eat at Mission Inn, this Season, Christmas, was excellent! With the lights, the climate was perfect, the service was superb and the meal was excellent. Hector, our waiter was professional and friendly. He was very polite and promptly answered our questions, served our table. The decorations were festive and jolly. We always enjoy coming to the Mission Inn no matter the season.

Seeing that our meeting in LA had ended much earlier than expected, I called in the mid afternoon to see if I could move my reservation for dinner from 6:00 to 5:00. I was on hold for 28.5 minutes before someone would pick up the phone. I was told there was no way to move my reservation as everything was taken. The Festival of Lights was happening and it was a Wednesday so I understood. When we arrived, over an hour early, we checked in with the restaurant to see if we could, by chance, be seated early. Again we were told it would be impossible. Not a big deal. We sat outside the restaurant but didn't notice many people coming and going. We were seated exactly at 6:00. The restaurant was half full at best. When the food eventually came out, one plate had been under a heat lamp so long that the mashed potatoes had baked again on top forming a crust and the chicken was dry. My plate was barely warm, and the rice was crunchy and dry in spots. The fish tasted extra fishy. The wait staff was awkward and slow. After the plates were cleared, it took forever for them to bring the check and then pick the check back up again. I can see why they wouldn't let us in a minute early, they can barely serve the few people eating there. Oh, I might as well mention that the stall door in the men's room was difficult to close because it needed sanded down the fit the frame. Once closed, the latch wasn't aligned so there was no way to lock the door. I think the Mission could use better management. There are better restaurants within walking distance.

This is our second time dining at the Mission Inn restaurant on the patio, both times we've been during the Christmas season. Last year I remember the food being pretty good. This year, it was not as good. My chicken breast was barely passable - it was manufactured-looking, rather dry, and the gravy did not seem homemade. The vegetables were overcooked and too salty. My friend's club sandwich turkey was not fresh roasted and sliced, but out of a storebought deli package. The drinks, however, were delicious, the ambiance was beautiful and our waiter was very accommodating, which is why I still gave it a four-star rating. This restaurant will have a built-in following because of its reputation and beautiful setting, however I don't think it's wise for the food quality to go down. Unless it improves, no matter how beautiful the setting, we may choose to dine elsewhere next time.

The food here is mediocre. I had the Caesar salad for $16 and it was fairly wilted lettuce with too much dressing and the croutons were out of a box. Also, to add shrimp was $17 and there were only 5. Overpriced for sure. My friend had the salmon which I could tell from looking at it was extremely dry. She confirmed that after trying it. We sat on the Spanish Patio during the Festival of Lights and it was, as usual, stunning. That's actually the only reason we chose to eat there. Both of us have been to this restaurant a few times and have never had a great experience with the food.

No nicer place to dine for an afternoon lunch than on their Courtyard Patio. Menu was a bit restricted, they said it was due to the Festival of Lights, not sure how that interferes but....

Went on on Tuesday evening at 6:00 and sat inside. Waiter appeared, took drink orders, brought bread and water and took our orders. Dinner companion wanted decaf following the meal. Meal was brought, eaten, plates cleared, no server. Time elapsed, no server. Dinner companion resorted to getting up and asking another server for her decaf. Original waiter finally came back and we advised him that we were celebrating my granddaughter's birthday. He suggested a dessert for her and we got the impression it was complimentary. The bill came and although we didn't get charged for the decaf coffee were charged $14 for the dessert. It would have been nice to know that ahead of time. Later, at 10:30 same evening rec'd call from an individual claiming to be a restaurant manager claiming the employee charged another client for our bill. He wanted my credit card info which I refused telling him I would take care of it later. The phone number came up as an individual not the Mission Inn. Later checked my receipt and the bill was charged to my card. Tried calling the restaurant back the next day to alert them of this but was put on hold and finally gave up after a five minute wait. If the manager was going to be delayed take a call back number rather than having a person wait.

If you want ambiance, this is a restaurant for you. High class. Romantic. Beautiful outdoor dining by the fountain. (Don't shortchange yourself by eating inside!) Food is gourmet delicious. Food pricing is more fair and realistic than Duane's. (Don't get me wrong because we love Duane's) Service was excellent !