A New Year and Mellow Reflections at the Ranch

Mellow. That seemed to be the word used most frequently when I asked friends and peers about their New Year’s Eve. 

Other years have seen glittering, largely silly, soirées that wrap with a costumed walk to East Beach as the year’s first sun rises. And sure, I had some friends raging in the rain this year, but mellow is what I sought to usher in 2026. 

With that pre-NYE resolve, a dinner with my dad at San Ysidro Ranch seemed to match the intended mood for the final meal of 2025. There was still plenty of glitter as the walkway to the storied Stonehouse was lined with its holiday flair. It may have been raining outside but the lights overhead brought the sensation of stars filling a clear night sky.

Couples and groups bounced by in holiday frolic as we entered the inviting masonry of the Stonehouse. Sitting at a window-side table, we were welcomed by a waiter holstered with blinis and dishing out caviar with the ease of a card dealer. The night started with the honeysuckle sparkle of Perrier-Jouët and those beloved pearls of flavor embodying the sea.

While the lobster ravioli my dad ordered may have been the better follow up to the caviar, I opted for the crisp comfort of pork belly. Braised in soy and topped with pickled shallots, the salty snap accented the intricate layers of contentment in pork form. Earthy choy sum and the inherent sweetness of a carrot purée helped put the dish to rest. 

Each of the four courses came with their own highlights, yet it was the carpaccio that stood out to us both. A bed of edible flowers and mixed greens sat atop the crimson slices of venison and thin, marbled rounds of Périgord truffles. Crumbles of salt delicately dotted the dish like a motif. As rain gently flecked the window, each bite brought a thoughtful reflection to the year and moment. The dish embodied the nuanced layers of emotion that a whole year can bring… rich and meaty underneath, moments of bitter crunch, and the dash of color and flowers foretold by the current storm and emerging spring. 

The main course brought buttery yet lean bites of a Japanese Miyazaki A5 striploin. A swirl of truffle pommes purée soaked up the experience with braised asparagus, a Scotch quail egg bringing its own unique texture to the ensemble. The rack of lamb was a savory dream; an herb-crusted crunch enfolding each pink, tender morsel. Small pieces of a hearty lamb sausage and stacks of purple potato pavé brought structure to the dish, au jus produced from morels melding the flavors together. 

All years should end on a sweet note and even with the rain, it was hard not to feel the sunny disposition of the classic SYR Meyer Lemon Meringue Parfait. Sweet, bright joy is found in each bite as you delve deeper into the glass, digging your spoon through the strata of soft meringue, lemon curd, and ice cream. 

While I was seeking the softer side of the New Year, there was still plenty of spirited merriment surrounding San Ysidro Ranch. As we walked through the pitter-patter of rain to our Lyft, we could hear the ornamented cheer coming from The Speakeasy at Plow & Angel. Some years are best begun not with a bang, but with a comforting hug… and in that mellow glow of the Ranch, the year ahead felt ready to be met with open arms, but mostly a full belly.