Night at the Ranch(o)

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The barn, silo, and mountains of Rancho Cielo are situated on a sun-drenched landscape. We’ve arrived early for our reservation so we order two drinks and sit on the patio, taking in the vast view of the Salinas Valley.

The Drummond Academy at Rancho Cielo was started by a judge who had seen too many kids in a bad system. With donated land, supplementals, and local beer/wine, Rancho Cielo’s restaurant serves fine dining meals made with love. Donated spirits profit the students and the academy.

Ranch Cielo boasts a holiday dinner for special events, but my husband and I both wanted to try the standard menu. Brussels sprouts salad with sous-vide pork belly was my husband’s favorite, and the smokiness was a welcome shock to the senses.

The energy is addictive in this dining room. Volunteers love being here, and everyone enjoys chatting about the Academy. We spent time talking with our server, Jose, who shared his experience making a Beef Wellington during his time at the Academy.

Sunset falls, and we watch the lights of the Salinas Valley Mountain Range from our tables. After the dessert of crème brulee and crepes, a survey is presented so you can rate your experience. The survey is an integral part of the Academy since it provides honest feedback on what the students can improve upon. As much as you want to give them five stars, you help them by being as honest as you can.

With only four dinner seatings on Friday nights, the serving season for reservations is October through June (approximately) each year. For holidays, they likely will have a special menu, but normally it is a 3-course, fixed-price meal. Visitors can bring a bottle of wine for a $15 corkage fee, but we prefer to purchase there and provide the profits to the students.

We’re already enlisting more friends to bring back for another round before the Academy stops serving dinner in June. When are you going?

Drummond Academy at Rancho Cielo