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Inn of the Seventh Ray
Categories: Restaurants Canadian (New) Event Planning & Services Venues & Event Spaces Canadian (New), Venues & Event Spaces [Edit]
128 Old Topanga Canyon RdTopanga, CA 90290
(310) 455-1311
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 10 pm
Sat 10:30 am - 10 pm
Sun 9:30 am - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot, Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
301 reviews for Inn of the Seventh Ray
Review Highlights
-
"The atmosphere is very romantic and intimate at night." In 23 reviews -
"Even down to the honey & lavender ice cream." In 6 reviews -
"The filet mignon is tender and well seasoned." In 11 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
301 reviews in English
-
Review from Michael B.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
4/22/2012
We came here with a family-and-friends group for Momz 65th birthday. It's a bit off the beaten track unless you regularly use Topanga Canyon to get to the beach (or to the valley). Beautiful surroundings, nice and shady despite 85 degree weather to the north. Take care to avoid all the hippies walking on the road on the way in.
We were super late due to epic traffic, but apparently service was so slow that it didn't matter. Our party had been seated only a few minutes before we finally arrived, 30 minutes past our reservation. We were ready to relax on a nice Saturday afternoon, so the slow service didn't hurt too badly. It was noticeable though. I think it's really hard to get around inside the restaurant. Lots of stairways and tiny little terrace areas intended for a single table probably make the kitchen area a pretty long and challenging hike from the tables.
Mom is very photosensitive, and eating outdoors at this place was no problem for her. We were positively COVERED in nice white umbrellas.
There were a couple decent beers in bottle, though I skipped alcohol for this gathering, having just returned from Vegas. G and I split the basic salad (leafy greens, walnuts, a nice vinagrette) and I had a trio of lamb sliders. These were delicious, cooked perfectly, and came with this crazy chipotle mayo sauce that really completed the taste. G had the salmon and reports it was excellent as well.
There are a number of vegan-friendly plates, including some raw soups which we skipped, not being into most vegan dishes. For the extremely picky non-vegans in your life there is a burger, a steak sandwich, a turkey on ciabatta sandwich, and the aforementioned lamb sliders, so don't let this type of person bail on you when they see the menu.
The crowd was very light, and the noise level was so low you could hear the creek below our table. For whatever reason, there were NO issues with bugs, particularly bees, which through hearsay was apparently due to this mysterious monkey bowl of reddish powder on the table. I have no more data except to say it was effective in our case.
One more thing: G and I were concerned about attire, but forgot about the...nature of Topanga canyon. Shorts, running shoes, and a collared shirt was fine for me, and G brought jeans, a blouse, and sandals.
So yes, my only complaint is noticeably slow service. Everything else was great. A happy, sunny, relaxed occasion with fantastic food. I highly recommend this place for a very beautiful weekend lunch. Just be sure to check traffic on the 101 or PCH before starting out on your drive! -
Review from Olivia Z.
Los Angeles, CA
5/25/2012
I heard great things about this place, so decided to give it a try.
The place is beautiful. The ambiance is nice. However, the waiter was not very nice and the chef was not accommodating, which made the experience not so pleasant. The food was just okay. I had the tasting menu, and only one out of the six items was impressive: the risotto. -
Review from Lena A.
Chicago, IL
4/16/2012
This place is in a BEAUTIFUL setting! Right next to the creek, in the woods, intimate table settings surrounding a small fountain, and white Christmas lights all add to the romantic ambiance. The food and wine was amazing and the service was very nice.
My only complaints: A little bit pricier than it should be and the bread (rye, multigrain, etc with olive oil and balsamic???!?!? Weird and doesn't work....you can't taste the oil at all b/c the breads have such strong tastes).
I would definitely recommend this place for a romantic anniversary dinner or special occasion. -
Review from Romain G.
San Francisco, CA
5/25/2012
I heard a lot about this place... and basically it is cool but could me much better.
the good:
the atmosphere, being in Topanga, the waiters (cool, Topanga style)
the bad:
not well maintained, food is just bad (at least that day, no one at the table finished their plates), coffee (seriously guy??? last time I had a coffee that bad was in an airplane in the 90s...), buffet is outrageously expensive, the granola music
Overall:
Go there on a Sunday before a nice hike in the state park. Enjoy the vibes and don't expect anything in terms of food and efficient service. Just go with flow... -
Review from Dominique D.
Van Nuys, CA
5/21/2012
One of the most romantic and peaceful places to dine at. The scenery is to die for. Had the risotto and the white fish (not the talapia, can't remember the name) and both were very good but the portion sizes were for that of a child. Although the food is good, you really go here for the atmosphere.
-
Review from Michael R.
Oxnard, CA
5/21/2012 2 photos
Wow!
That pretty much sums up this place! When I started looking for a vegan friendly place I didn't know that I would find my new standard for vegan food..
The restaurant is up in the Topanga Canyon hills, in between PCH and the 101. The atmosphere it has truly make it one of the most romantic restaurants in LA.
The food... the food was simply flawless, everything from the drinking water (alkalized) to the dessert was simply amazing. Yeah, their service was a little slow but isn't that what you want in a romantic restaurant?? less interruptions.. I would think so.
Their split pea and corn risotto is simply to die for! and their vegan duck was awesome..
I want to thank my good friend "la guera" she finally recommend a great place :) -
Review from Sandee T.
Beverly Hills, CA
4/9/2012
Dish (& its star ratings):
- My dish: Portobello omelette (3) = pretty standard...nothing to sing about.
- Fresh-OJ (3 for size) = in mimosa (teeny-tiny) glass.
When:
- Came post-hike so we were in less-than-dressy attire.
Crowd:
- Families. Wknd dates. Saw a semi-wasted celebrity here (not naming names here).
Interiors:
- Sat at outdoor patio. Surrounded by lovely greenery and breeze. Secluded feel. Quaint.
Service:
- 4 stars for the fact it didn't matter to the server that our group was in post-workout / dusty clothes...still good service.
Overall:
- Meh on food, great for views and relaxing atmosphere. -
Review from H M.
Los Angeles, CA
4/16/2012
This restaurant is absolutely beautiful. Very romantic. I can understand why so many couples decide to get married here. We were seated by the creek and it was quite charming listening to all the froggies croaking... kinda like being in a cute Disney cartoon.
The hostess very proudly informed us about the food being organic and local, which was a definite plus for me. Too bad the taste of the food got in the way. Dinner was, unfortunately, disappointing (especially for the price).
And the menu seemed a bit limited to me. I ordered the Vegan Tomato Basil soup and it honestly tasted like Campbell's - tomato paste-ish and no hint of basil, or any other herb for that matter. For the main course, I ordered the Crab Angel Hair Arrabiatta, which wasn't spicy at all. In fact, I did a mini excavation of all the noodles and couldn't find a single pepper flake! Boyfriend had the Mussels and Shrimp and he didn't like it much either. But then again, we're kind of food snobs.
Service was good. Our waiter was attentive and deep. Yes, you read that correctly, deep. I have a soft spot for the tortured artist type.
What I didn't appreciate was that even though we made reservations a week in advance, we had to wait 20 minutes to be seated when at least half of the restaurant was empty.
Would I return? I'm all about second chances... so, maybe for a meal other than dinner. -
Review from Brittany B.
Malibu, CA
3/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've heard this is the most romantic restaurant in LA... So I took the famous Katie B here for lunch :)
In reading through the reviews, I couldn't find one review on lunch-so I was nervous that there would not be much of a lunch scene. But I was wrong. This is the perfect spot for a ladies lunch!
It's a beautiful place to go for lunch any day of the week. We happened to go on a Friday and it was perfectly warm outside with a nice breeze. We sat over the creek and ordered their raw soup; a mixture of cucumbers, apples and avocado as well as the mushroom flat bread with creme fraiche, gruyere and spinach.
The soup didn't really do it for me but the flatbread was so delicious. It had the perfect mushroom to cheese to crust ratio and the the crust was thin with a bit of a crunch when you bit into it.
Service was a bit slow. They seemed a little overwhelmed as there were probably about 9 other tables and only two servers.
I would go back if in the area!Listed in: Date night, Vegetarian?
-
Review from Raymond H.
San Francisco, CA
5/10/2012
It would get five stars if the service was a bit more attentive and if the restaurant was a bit cleaner. Food was great
-
Review from Katie L.
2/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
I waited to write this review to see if others were as disappointed as I was for our Valentine's Dinner.... alas only one other has had the courage to write of the debacle that was February 14th....
We arrived 10 minutes before our reservation and waited in a freezing cold line for 15 minutes until being greeted. Then we waited another 10 minutes to be sat.
Our table was beautiful, overlooking the creek. We were kept warm by the plastic covering and heat lamps. It was comfortable, romantic and private.
We were not greeted by ANYONE for over 15 minutes... no water, no acknowledgement, nothing...
Finally, we received some water from a disheveled assistant, still no server. The assistant also brought some bread and said "enjoy" even though no server had been over to take drink orders or food orders, now it's been over 30 minutes of waiting...
Our server finally makes his way to our table, he is noticeably in the weeds and I would account this to poor management, he had over 12 tables.... I have been a server for 10 years and the most tables ever appointed at a fancy restaurant like this should be 4, he was way too overworked.
Needless to say, the entire dinner took 4 hours. They were not an enjoyable 4 hours because we were always waiting for something. Between our first 3 courses we waited well over 30 minutes. Then the last 2 courses were almost rushed to us.
Ugh. It was not the way I wanted to spend my Valentine's Day. My boyfriend tried so hard to find the most romantic place, we spent over $400 and at the end we wish we just stayed home and saved our money.
WHAT. A. WASTE.
By the way, the food was just alright. I hate truffle oil and I don't understand why restaurants use it. Especially fancy restaurants. The desserts were too rich and not flavor focused. The amuse bouche did not give a glimpse into what the rest of the meal would be, it was totally off base with the rest of the food. The salmon was too fishy and oily.
We will not be back.Listed in: BAD NEWS
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Review from Miki W.
West Hollywood, CA
2/4/2012
This is a truly beautiful place, and a great location for any special occasion, especially romantic ones! We have been here for our anniversary, we brought my parents for their anniversary, two of our friends even got married here! There is no place else in LA I can think of that is so lovely AND that has food options for everyone, meat eaters, vegetarians, vegans, raw foodists, etc! They also make a great effort to be as organic and local as possible. I do believe all of the wines are organic as well. I have eaten their Vegan Duck at least a dozen times over the years, and it is truly one of the best vegan "meats" I have ever had.
Also, be sure to try their Sunday brunch buffet! It is GREAT! And you will leave it pleasantly full, but not feeling disgusting, as you would feel after visiting your average brunch buffet! The food they offer for brunch is fresh, light and delicious, which is a real departure from a "normal" brunch buffet!Listed in: Vegan Dates
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Review from Cahaya S.
Playa del Rey, CA
3/4/2012
This is definitely a lovely setting and a fun spot to visit....so I'm a little torn as to how to rate it....
The pros are:
~ an elegant spread of brunch items -- my favourites were the papaya salad, the arugula salas, isreali couscous, the lox, eggs were yummy, the apple chicken sausage tasted more like a desert, the scones with the fruit and cream topping -- delish and the english trifle --yummm!
~ lovely surroundings, creek and forest were a nice backdrop, monarch butterflies sailing over the gurgling, pebbled creek, glints of sun peeking through the branches --
The cons:
~ we had a very tall and handsome waiter who was also very forgetful....so we did land up spending two hours, mostly waiting on our waiter....since it was self serve buffet -- all he really had to do for us was our drinks -- coffee and water refills, nothing else...but alas...
a spider actually weaved a web attached to my blouse while we waited....sigh.
~ for the price of the meal ($37 and for the both of us with coffee - the final bill was just about $100) -- one would expect that the buffet would be plentifully stocked and not run out -- and that presentation of food would be impeccable to match the surroundings. But strangely there were many items unavailable or un-replenished, like the scrambled eggs, eggs benedict and many of the salad items and even the English trifle
and certainly for the price of beverages like coffee -- refills were sparse and spaces in between were looonnngg.
~ there's only valet parking -- which costs much -- but we actually parked ourselves and removed our car ourselves -- so I guess we paid for parking...
~ major con: traffic getting to the location on a Sunday afternoon -- was just miserable (no fault of the restaurant) --
the PCH , 10 and 405 was crawling ....a 25 minute drive ended up being an hour and 15 each way. sigh.
Will I come back here again? hmmmm....verdicts out on that one.... -
Review from Jessica M.
Hancock Park, CA
2/16/2012
I'm not saying that the experience at Inn of the Seventh Ray is unpleasant because it's not. I do wish I'd visited their website before bringing someone I had been friends with for over a decade but had just begun dating there for dinner. "But it's so romantic and intimate and beautiful," right? My date was also awaiting the finalization of his divorce. This is pertinent not because we were disinterested in a romantic setting--in fact, that's exactly what we were seeking. It's just that the wedding vibe at this place is rather...off the charts? If I'd done more research I probably would've had a better idea--seen the tab for "Weddings" and probably noticed that practically all the photos on the site feature white flowers and lace.
Now look, I have no problem with weddings. I love going to them--tons of people, all in a good mood, many of them horny? Yeah!! I'd maybe even like to have a small one myself someday. However, I don't really care to go out to dinner at a restaurant where it feels like I'm at a wedding reception. Everything seems temporary, like it will be swept up by the caterers in a few hours while all the linens, chairs, tables, tents and patio chandeliers are returned to the rental company. We joked that we should pretend to become engaged during dinner and get all the other patrons to toast us. It's possible that they might even have engagement rings for sale at the gift shop (yes...they have a gift shop).
Our waiter was apparently recovering from the double reverse osmosis process used for the house water because he was soooo spacey! Or he was gearing up for a role? He was courteous, in a way, and didn't mess anything up but I swear that every visit he made to our table was after a solid nap in one of the sheds around the corner. It almost seemed like schtick it was so pronounced!
The food is pretty darn fresh n' tasty. I mean, it had better be with all the fuss about its provenance. I had the Raw Flax Crackers. Surprisingly filling. The crackers were zesty and rich. The tapenade and nut cheese had some effect on my palate while the pesto was kind of on the flavorless slime-fluff side. I also had the Farm Greens salad which shares the name of my date's ex-wife making it an awkward order but it was simple and delicious. My date had the short ribs and they were absolutely awesome. If you partake of the flesh, order that!!!!
Robert Trujillo (current bassist for Metallica, formerly of Suicidal Tendencies) and his fancy French family were our co-patrons, so that was kind of a perfect addition to the Haute-Granola Canyon scene.
*Pretty please, IOTSR, could you re-paint that fountain? It probably looks rustic during the day--shabby-chic or whatever--but at night when it's lit, it just looks neglected and more attention is drawn to the visible plumbing than the cuteness of it. -
Review from Carmen H.
2/8/2012
This is a very romantic place - The ambience is just amazing! This restaurant is nestled in the mountains. There is a brook running alongside the restaurant. On occasion you can also be fortunate to see a deer.
The food is very organic and healthy but I would go back just for the ambience.
This is the place for a nice romantic evening with your significant other. -
Review from Mukesh V.
Los Angeles, CA
2/20/2012
Great place. heat lamps!
food was decent. some courses were better than other. the ambiance was amazing and relaxing
the crab angel hair pasta was delicious. they brought us so much food i thought we were going to die! we took most of it home in boxes.
great place. good for a date on a special occasion. -
Review from careen k.
La Crescenta-Montrose, CA
4/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
My boyfriend took me here for our 1 year anniversary...beautiful setting and as romantic as it gets. It felt a bit "Mid Summer Nights' Dream" to me with the woody forest surrounding you and the mellow music. We were sat down in the gazebo which is usually for proposals but since it was a Friday night they let us have it. We ordered the tomato basil soup which was delicious. I got the filet mignon and my boyfriend got the pasta. Everything was so tasty and well proportioned. Finally, the dessert, there is absolutley nothing bad I can say about the dessert. It was a heavenly cheesecake that both my boyfriend and I could not get enough of. The service was great and they did not rush us at all!! We milked that gazebo for all its romanticness for 3 hours =]. This was the best date night I could have asked for!
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Review from Laura S.
Los Angeles, CA
2/21/2012
lovely setting! It meanders along the hillside and overlooks a creek.
Went for brunch and had a nice assortment with a glass of champagne included. I was happy to discover gluten free treats like date bars and apple persimmon cake! Would love to go at night ...must look like a fairy land! -
Review from Paris M.
Santa Monica, CA
2/5/2012
One of my favorite restaurants in LA. The menu features local, in-season fare categorized in order of ecological impact from macrobiotic and vegan to lamb, rabbit, you name it. The menu is delicious, creative, inspiring. Great for vegetarians and meat eaters alike.
For dinner, the atmosphere is intimate and romantic. The seating is mainly outdoors amongst oak trees and overlooking a small stream bed. We've even had deer spottings while dining. Heaters are also provided, should the weather be chilly.
The Sunday brunch is perfect for Easter, Ladies' Brunch, a get together with Mum. The high-end buffet features various salads, quiches, vegan fare, lox and more. Try the Raspberry Trifle and the scones with real cream. You won't be disappointed!
And don't forget to check out the bookstore while you are there! -
Review from Vanessa C.
Beverly Hills, CA
11/27/2011
This place is gorgeous. I don't even care about the food, even if they served me cold things that were supposed to be hot or iced tea in a trough I'm pretty sure I would be happy.
I haven't been here in a few years, but it popped in my head and I literally had to call my brother for the name of this place because the place stood out in my mind as I was trying to think of places to go to for brunch today.
I plan to go there SOON and will update my findings then. Brunch food was decent, but I'm not much one for buffet as I have mentioned in other posts. I don't like the idea of people going back and back for multiple helpings. The atmosphere here helped me NOT notice that about anyone. Sit outside, you won't be sorry, in fact you will be thrilled.
I imagine an evening dinner here would be incredibly romantic too! -
Review from Shannon R.
Los Angeles, CA
10/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is the hardest review I've ever written. I don't want to give it 2 stars, I wanted to give it a hundred million stars for everything it is, but my first visit just didn't cut it.
We went on a Tuesday evening, having made reservations only a few nights prior with absolutely no problem. I was inspired to finally trek here because it was dineLA Restaurant Week and the Inn was the only restaurant on the list that had vegan items listed in the prix fixe menu, including dessert. Pretty awesome!
No question, this is a gorgeous location. The twinkly lights catch your breath as you enter the dining area, and the whole setting is just incredibly romantic. Up in the mountains, you could hardly believe Los Angeles is just miles away, it was so quiet and beautiful at night.
There weren't many other tables seated, maybe about five, but while Sam and I were still looking over the menu, the chef (I believe) came out and started speaking very loudly with the patrons next to us. I normally have no problem eavesdropping (c'mon, it's fun), but they started talking about slaughtering animals. And then they KEPT talking about slaughtering animals, for an extended period of time. I almost completely lost my appetite. I know we're all lovers of food here, but even my meat-lovin' fiance was raising his eyebrows and giving them looks of disapproval.
Our waitress was perfect, I have absolutely no complaints about the service. I had a glass of Chardonnay which was the highlight of my evening. Sam had a "China Cola," which was this awesome soda that tasted like coke but was a blend of all these amazing herbs and spices. Highly recommend, especially if you're not indulging in wine!
I was bummed to learn that I could not participate in the dineLA menu, because everyone at the table had to get it or no one at all. Sam has a small appetite and is incredibly picky, so it didn't make sense for us both to do it, especially at $44 a pop. We passed and stuck with the normal menu.
I went with the Crispy Vegan Duck, and my feelings about it are conflicted. It tasted like the Shake n' Bake chicken my mom used to make. I love my mom, and kind of enjoyed the trip down memory lane, but her chicken is the reason I could give poultry up so easily. It was dry and not all that crispy, and the same can be said for my meal. The herbed soba noodles and the baby bok choy that came with it, however, were delicious and perfectly cooked.
Sam had the Vegetarian Angel Hair Arrabiatta. He is a penne arrabiatta FIEND, and I was very proud of him for not making a fuss over angel hair being his only pasta option (I told you, he's picky). Unfortunately, the dish did not hold up to his standards. For one, it was not at all spicy. It was covered in what appeared to be a creamy pink sauce, which was very heavy. For whatever reason, Sam decided not to complain, but to his own regret - he had an incredible stomach ache for the rest of the night. Why say you're offering arrabiatta when it's not spicy and light, but rather bland and heavy?
For dessert, I had the Almond Milk Brulee. I haven't had creme brulee in a decade at least, and was really excited to try a vegan version. The top was lovingly caramelized, but it all basically tasted like burnt marshmallows. That's not a bad thing, but it's not creme brulee, either. The inside was too thin and not enough like custard to really pull it off. I enjoyed it but wouldn't feel compelled to order it again.
For a $100 meal for two, not even the twinkly lights made up for the slaughtered animal talk and mediocre food. Sam's subsequent stomach ache that kept him up all night near the toilet was the nail in the coffin, as he made me promise never to take him here again.
I, on the other hand, would love to give them a second chance, especially for their vegetarian brunch, but since it looks like I have no one to go with me, that won't be happening for a long, long time.Listed in: Vegan Foodie, Ooo...fancy.
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Review from Sam L.
12/15/2011
This place is lovely! I've always seen it while driving on Topanga (which I always take the back streets to get to any place... so my route to Santa Monica... or just to drive to clear my head...) and finally went one day.
It's lovely. It's all outdoor seating... but it's covered with these "tarps"... which don't detract from the romanticism at all. Other than that, we had to wait for them to "officially open" so you can explore the surroundings. There's a creek on the right side of the restaurant...and when ever I took pictures there, they always had these blotches on them... or blurs. Urgh.
Anyway, the food is all organic and the chicken or turkey they do serve is free range.. um... I don't know. The food was okay... but I really think this place is more about the atmosphere. It's been a couple years since I've been here.. and the food obviously wasn't memorable. -
Review from Li J.
Los Angeles, CA
10/2/2011
Enjoyed an A-OK brunch with a friend this afternoon. I've heard so much about the restaurant over the years and had very high expectations....
Unfortunately it did not live up the hype.
The atmosphere was rustic as opposed to serene and we were fighting off flies and bees our entire meal. The food was just okay, the riverbed was bone dry, some women brought her huge dog which barked non-stop the entire time we were there, I got slightly car sick on the long, windy road that I had to take to the get to the restaurant, the bread served to the table was dense and hard, my fruit juice was flavorless.....
Need I go on? Actually, seems like 3 stars is being generous.....
Well, the service was very good and they did give us the secret to shooing away bees - ground cloves. Even their Raid is organic! -
Review from Anna H.
10/11/2011
It seems as though almost every year for my birthday I choose some quirky/unique place to eat at with my friends-the girls love it, the guys hate it (especially that one time I took us all to a raw vegan place in Redondo Beach which is sadly now closed. I don't think ANYONE enjoyed that place besides me and my bf hehehe). One year I decided I wanted something quiet, romantic, and healthy. A party of 15 came here for morning buffet brunch to celebrate with me. I was scared it would be expensive and not good, but surprisingly- everyone enjoyed the vegetarian brunch! The carnivores were getting up to get second and third helpings. You know you've succeeded when the pickiest veggie haters are complimenting the food and venturing to try the vegan options.
Ambiance is spectacular (if you're into the outdoor romantic thing). You're secluded in an area with trees and a small brook nearby. It feels like you're having high tea in some fancy garden in the old days in England. LOVE. I'd come for dinner if the food is anywhere as delicious as the brunch options.
Only downside is that there was traffic coming here, and I would imagine traffic would be heavy whether you come for weekend brunch or night time dinner.
If my dream autumn wedding in Oregon doesn't come through if/when I'm ready to plan a wedding, I would definitely consider Inn of the Seventh Ray as a venue. Romantic, elegant, simple, and naturey. -
Review from Becky K.
Culver City, CA
8/27/2011
We were married in November 2010 at the Inn of the Seventh Ray, and have only the most positive things to say about Wedding Coordinator Kelly Hancock and the entire staff of the Inn. We had an incredible experience there and recommend the Inn very highly. Both our wedding ceremony and reception were held at the Inn.
From the very start, it was apparently that Kelly was entirely organized and on top of her game. Both before we booked the Inn and after, she returned emails and phone calls promptly, and was always available for questions, no matter how small. The pricing breakdown for the Inn was sent to us in a clear and concise spreadsheet that was much more detailed than many other venues that we looked at. Budget discussions were met with a can-do attitude, without any judgment. Kelly clearly wanted us to have the best day possible, and did everything she could do make it happen within our means without pressuring us to spend more than we were able.
The Inn has a unique, magical feel to it, and Kelly took the time to make sure that each wedding was a unique arrangement. Her suggestions were very helpful but never pressing, and she was open to any ideas or requests that we had.
Kelly provided recommendations for many vendors who worked with the Inn in the past in various different price ranges, all of whom we were thrilled to work with, and will provide separate reviews for them.
On the day of the rehearsal, with our wedding party in from out of town, and all of us excited and nervous about the upcoming celebrations, we were all very distracted, but Kelly kept us all focused in a very friendly, gentle way, and was kind and courteous to our parents and family. We could tell that she'd worked with many wedding parties before. On that afternoon, we brought Kelly boxes of things for the following day (i.e. our programs, seating cards, favors, iPod for DJ, etc), and she took care of everything.
The wedding went beautifully, and Kelly and the amazing staff at the Inn took care of everything perfectly. They were available for our requests and needs at a moment's notice, and our guests felt well taken care of in all regards. Absolutely everything was wonderful, and we couldn't have been happier. We were truly in good hands, and would highly recommend working with Kelly Hancock and the Inn of the Seventh Ray. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions, we'd be happy to chat. -
Review from Tana R.
Topanga Canyon, CA
4/15/2012
sundayfundayBRUNCH!
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Review from LeAnna C.
Los Angeles, CA
7/26/2011 4 photos
A truly magical place!
From what our waitress told us there have been a few chefs to pass through in the last few years...lots of menu changes. Whatever they've done...it was a huge improvement. This time around I was not only blown away by our surroundings and the overall feeling that you get from visiting this hideaway...but I truly enjoyed the food.
We started with the Crispy Jaime Farms Squash Blossom with Goat Cheese, Balsamic, Smoked Sea Salt, and Espelette (chili pepper). I probably wouldn't need to order it again although it was very creative...we actually ate flowers!
Along with the blossoms came our Beef Tartare (65° Egg, Soy Mustard, Paprika Remoulade, Capers, Espellete Coated Fingerling Potatoes and Crispy Toast).
Now this was my very favorite dish of the evening! Beef tartare is not for everyone...but if you like it...you HAVE to try this one. Since Saturday I have found myself thinking about it randomly...and salivating.
I ordered the Chicken Breast with Achiote Essence (Soft Polenta Crème Fraîche, Spring Pea tendrils, Turnips, Roast Beets, Ramps, Pimento Granulate and Himalayan Rock Salt). Awesome dish!
My husband ordered the Crab Angel Hair Arrabiatta with Blue Crab, Trio of Basil, Tomatoes, Chili flake and Zoe Extra Virgin Olive Oil...which was fabulous. I'd recommend that to anyone that even remotely likes crab.
Our dessert was very pretty and tasted nice but wasn't anything we would order again. The lavender vanilla ice cream is great though.
Overall 5 stars for ambiance, service, and food. If you haven't been here...you MUST GO ASAP! -
Review from Saarah S.
10/5/2011
One of my very favorite restaurants....the food is so fresh and yummy....and the energy in the area shakes me to the core. I absolutely love coming here....The trees....the creek....everything.
They change their menu each season so it gives you the opportunity to taste all the different organic foods the local community has to offer.Listed in: Best Foodie
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Review from Lisa R.
Chatsworth, CA
11/28/2011
I have been here twice now for brunch and both blew my mind!
My boyfriend and I have been eating vegan for the past few months and sometimes we occasionally eat fish. We ordered the full brunch menu which included a free glass of champagne each! Most of their menu is vegetarian so we figured there would be some things we could eat as vegans. I was surprised that when I went to the buffet that there were vegan signs posted on a lot of the dishes, sauces, and desserts. This made me so happy and love the place even more. We also had some lox, poached salmon, and crab legs (not too much of any).
This time we sat by the creek but it was covered with plastic because for the past few weeks it has been colder at night. It was a beautiful day on Sunday and the server was nice enough to move some of the plastic out of our view.
I had a great time and this place is wonderful. -
Review from Michelle F.
Irvine, CA
7/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here for a wedding so my review will be based on a wedding venue versus a restaurant. The location is very quaint and it's tucked away in Topanga Canyon. It had a rustic meets zen vibe to it which was slightly conflicting, but still worked. The getting ready room (women's restroom) was very small, but workable. The area was very clean and they had these really neat toilet seat covers that rotates. I've never seen this before, but you press a button and the plastic over the toilet seat cover rotates into a "new" one.
The venue is nestled in the canyon with a stream/creek in the back where you can walk to when you walk down some stairs. Across the way also has an empty field that has potential for great wedding photos.
The food was really good. The service was quick and the wait staff was excellent. They don't serve diet sodas because they are all "natural." Their cola was bottled and "natural" cola, which was said to be "better for you." They served bread and butter, crab cakes, a bunch of finger foods and you got a choice of salmon, chicken or pot roast. I think it was slightly above average wedding food. The nice thing was that there was plenty to eat.
The area itself could have been done up nicer but that could be up to the planner. The place has potential. It has a fountain in the middle and there was a canopy over the seating area.
All in all, it's definitely worth checking out if you're on the hunt for wedding venues! -
Review from China B.
Los Angeles, CA
8/24/2011
This place has a magical atmosphere, and healthy, delicious food. So far, I have been here about three times.
I like the lemonade and strolling in their bookstore after a meal is nice as well. I enjoy sitting near the creek and listening to the frogs. Once I sat inside by the fireplace; that was lovely.
I also really like their soups and their breads. I don't know much about their menu because I think it changes. I had a beet salad and carrot soup and that was so good. I ate every single bite. -
Review from George T.
Burbank, CA
10/8/2011
Came here for DineLA and was it amazing. The choices for the meals were great. I don't know where to begin, so let's begin at the beginning.
The name of the restaurant sounds like a bad gay acid trip. anyway
The fresh baked bread is by far one of the best bread I have ever tasted.
Appetizer: Smoked Yellow tail Spread Market Radish, Celery, Onion and Tabasco Pipette
- Delicious, though we couldn't tell if it was tuna or not.
Entre: "Mole Braised Prime Short Rib. Honeycomb Polenta, Pickled Vegetables, Radish and Crispy Carrot"
- There was an orgasm in my mouth. The fall off the bone, rich in flavor short rib was simply butta' and the combinations of the flavors gave you this light yet crispy feel.
My friend had the "Sous Vide Chicken Breast with Achiote Essence. Soft Polenta Crème Fraîche, Pea tendrils, Turnips, Roast Beets, Baby Leeks, Pimento Granulate and Himalayan Rock Salt"
-By far the best tasting chicken I have had in my life. It was fresh, light, full of rich flavor and begging you to have more, especially the Polenta.
Deserts: Well...we each ordered the 3 options. By far the best one was "Potted Carrot Cake Chocolate Soil, Ginger Ice Cream, Carrot Cake,Vanilla Panna Cotta and Pop Rocks" I can't even begin to describe this earthy desert. It is unbearably good and the pop rocks give it that fun surprise. Second choice: "Butterscotch and Coffee Cake Shattered Meringue and Smoked Sea Salt" great and not dense at all for a coffee cake. Finally, we weren't a big fan of the "Almond Milk Crème' Brûlée"
If you read this this week, drive over the mountains and to the woods to try this amazing 3 course meal...Though the service is pretentious. -
Review from Brett D.
Los Angeles, CA
2/16/2012
Decided to bring my wife here for a Valentine's dinner. The food was great but it must be the worst dinner of my life. We waited for nearly an hour to be seated with no heaters or drinks available. Once we were seated we discovered that our gas heater wasn't working so we froze for the entire dinner. We literally had steam coming out of our mouths, it was that cold. $310 later, I can't think of a single reason to come back next year. I think this place is for summer only.
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Review from P K.
Venice, CA
10/10/2011
I just attended a wedding at the Inn of the Seventh Ray last night. I've only been to the Inn one other time, and that was about 15 years ago, so my memory is sketchy. The Inn has a beautiful and serene atmosphere, hidden among the oak & pine trees of Topanga Canyon. It's very romantic and has excellent service and staff.
The food is all right. I must say that they may have been a bit overextended due to the fact that it was a wedding, and thus they were mass-producing the food. However, we found the food a bit bland. There was a chickpea salad, some mixed vegetables, home fries, salmon, and chicken. The veggie dish was a little overcooked. The home fries definitely needed salt. The salmon was perfectly cooked, but needed some sort of seasoning. The chicken was actually quite good, though it didn't sit well with my stomach.
Overall, I would recommend the Inn for its atmosphere, and I'm sure that the restaurant experience steps up the food a notch, but I wouldn't say it was the best food experience. -
Review from Pat D.
Redondo Beach, CA
9/23/2011
This is a very beautiful restaurant tucked deep within the hills. Went for a valentines day dinner and it was all lit up and quite magical.
I dont fault the restaurant so much but it was very very crowded, they obviously added heaps of tables to capitalize on the night, but once we were seated no bother.
The menu isnt vegetarian, but "veggie friendly" with the vegan duck being the main entree. It was quite good. A huge piece of meat with nice texture and flavor. Their bake their own breads on site and that really was one of the highlights. All the salad, apps and zerts were equally as good.
We didnt order wine as I dont drink, the waiter seemed to be slightly annoyed by that, but was friendly.
This is a fantastic place to take a date and I'd love to dine here again. -
Review from Betsy R.
9/3/2011
One of my most favorite places for a romantic evening or sunday brunch. My husband and I have been coming here for years and we have never been disappointed. The ambiance is amazing. It feels as if you are dining in someones backyard garden. You will be surrounded by fountains, trees, and flowers. It's a peaceful setting that is perfect whether you dine during the day or at night. The service is always pleasant. Many times we are able to get in without a reservation but I would recommend making one before hand if you can.
The menu consists of fresh, local, organic dishes that focus on seasonal ingredients. They offer several vegetarian and vegan dishes, raw options, and meat options. Dishes like the vegan duck will baffle a carnivore. I think they said it takes 2 days to prepare. My husband was blown away by it. I couldn't eat more than a bite b/c I swore i was eating meat. It even had "skin" on it.
No matter what I got on any given day or night, I seriously have not been unhappy. The food is delicious and the surroundings are sure to impress whoever you come here with. -
Review from Anthoni L.
Orange, CA
6/30/2011
This was just a plain old good find, one year after an evening of horseback riding for Valentine's. Though that gf didn't last, my memory of the restaurant still does.
As described in the other's reviews, we were able to get an outside table next to the creek. We were lucky enough to see two deer(s) come down and take a drink from the creek.
Definitely a romantic setting off the beaten path. -
Review from Jon R.
7/5/2011
This review was created through the vibrations of each day.
As an East Coaster, this was as hippie-dippie as you can get, but it was unparalleled and unmatched in its decor and beauty. When I first saw Inn of the Seventh Ray on an LA trip several years ago (saw it but did not eat there), I knew my next time in LA I had to bring my girlfriend. A restaurant in the woods? How romantic!
We went for lunch with my girlfriend and another awesome couple. We were amused by the hippieness of the menu, but entranced by the quiet, serene surroundings. Lunch is an amazing time to hit up this restaurant - it is empty and the service is attentive. It might have also helped that it was a weekday... :)
I ordered the lamb sliders, which were DELECTABLE! The meat was succulent, the roll was wheaty, and there were three of them (YAY!) It was a very enjoyable experience. Coupled with a fun time shopping in the cute shops of gorgeous Topanga Canyon, this was the PERFECT outing in our plastic LAdventure!Listed in: California Trip June 2011
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Review from Lysander R.
Los Angeles, CA
2/5/2012
I took my GF here on a date and this place has a special touch no other restaurant has in L.A and that is Unique and Personalized..we tottally had a wonderful time together and the service was very consistent and prompt..I will always have a special spot for this place. and anyone thinking of a unique place for a very special someone should bring them here..Best spot I have been for a while..
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Review from Amy F.
North Hollywood, CA
8/30/2011
Ate dinner here Sunday night with my husband and another couple. It's definitely very magical here at night, makes you feel like you're far away, Neverland far away but more upscale :) Twinkle lights everywhere, in a little nook of an area in Topanga.
The food was all delicious, I had the squash blossoms, didn't taste too much like squash, more like fried goat cheese but hey that's still pretty good. I had their crab arribiatta pasta which was delicious I ate every bite. I had cabernet by the glass, also delicious and their Blueberry Financier for dessert which I was suprisingly disappointed with. My husbands cheesecake was fantastic. He also had unbelievable beef tartare and hangar steak, out of this world. I wasn't expecting to spend so much, I wasn't totally sold on the price but you won't be disappointed, definitely have to check it out at least once.
