This place offers a very interesting mix of culinary styles. Every bite was both mysterious and familiar. I'm not sure which I enjoyed more, eating the food or trying to figure out how they did it. I had a piece of fish that was wonderfully crispy on the skin side, yet still tender and moist right next to the skin.... More

We went to Ballard Inn for my wife's birthday. Everything was perfect from the appetizers to the main course and on to dessert. We enjoyed the service, fresh ingredients and a chance to talk with Chef Budi. We lived in Santa Barbara for a number of years but recently moved back to the Santa Ynez Valley and have always had... More

Beautiful little restaurant in the Los Olivos area with perfectly fresh ingredients and nice presentation. Good local wine list gives you the opportunity to try one more bottle for the day- maybe from one of the wineries you missed along the way. Black cod was perfect, though the hamachi was a bit salty due to the soy sauce. Filet was... More

Chef Budi's creative, elegant presentations in a warm and cozy atmosphere are special indeed. Don't miss the opportunity to check him out, chowhounds.

The Ballard inn and Restaurant is a must if you are in the Los Olivos area. The Inn is a delightful place to stay and the Restaurant is first rate, except...don't be in a hurry. We have eaten there several times and the food is always excellent, the staff is attentive, but the kitchen is very slow. We arrived on... More

Every dish we had was well thought out and balanced, all the way through to dessert. I even ordered another bowl of soup, and that was just the soup course! Even breakfast was perfect. I highly recommend eating here for a perfect romantic dinner.

Went to the Ballard Inn & Restaurant with family for dinner, while staying in Santa Inez. The dining room, while small, did not feel cramped. We shared appetizers, Hamachi and Pork belly, all very good, and our dinners were also tasty, the Cod, Lamb, Beef and Duck, a variety which we all enjoyed. We took our coffees in the back... More

I dimply don't understand the other reviews. I ordered the two chef "signature" dishes. Pork belly and Duckling. If you have ever had great Pork Belly,you know what an incredible experience it it. This isn't it! I didn't know there was such a thing as "processed duck". Is it turkey? Is it ham? Who knows,There was nothing to indicate it... More

We dropped into the Ballard Inn for dinner on a quiet Wednesday night, and we were not disappointed. The ambiance was quiet and relaxed, and the menu had just the right number of choices for appetizers and entrees. We loved the pork belly appetizer and our two entrees, the seabass and rack of lamb. We were too full for dessert!... More