The Ranch Club — Local services in Newport

First of all, I plan to update my review once we have had a chance to return on a "normal" operating day/menu. So this experience is based on Supper time on Thanksgiving. This was their very first year in having a buffet.

When we walked in, there was nobody else in the place except for staff and one couple about to leave. The buffet was set up right as you walked in the door and being there was no entry room the cold air basically blows in right over the food area. Granted the hot plates were covered, had it been busy, perhaps not. In my opinion, a better place would have been in the lower seating section in front of one of the pellet stoves or along the side wall adjacent to the bar.

We were greeted warmly and welcomed to sit wherever we like. There were 2 pellet stoves so we chose the closest one by the door. The owner a waitress and the cook seemed to be the only staff present that night. The owner was very friendly and genuine. There were candles/lamps on the tables, but none were lit as if to say "why bother".

The cons: The restroom had no warm water to wash my hands. The floor was quite uneven in many spots overall causing me to question my footing. The rolls were pretty dried and hard. The gravy for the potatoes was pretty good but I got the feeling it was the same gravy they use for their biscuits and gravy at breakfast. The corn was more of a mexican style corn, while delicious, just seemed slightly out of flavor profile from the rest of the meal. The french cut green beans were canned and bland while the cranberry sauce (also canned, but fresh cranberries thrown in to give it substance) more tart than need be. The cook, I assume, came out to fill a plate for himself and if I were him, probably would have bothered to change aprons/shirts first. We had to grab our own silverware off another table and our water was never refilled. I finished my husband's. We each had one unloaded plate trip and had no desire to go back for more. The desert at the end was offered from the kitchen and was a very minuscule sliver of pie, although homemade. All said and done, with a $60 ticket including tip, we felt we could have spent it more wisely.

The Pros: Friendly and welcoming owner. They were open late on a holiday. The pellet stoves provided welcome warmth. The beer prices were very affordable and provided more than just a couple of choices. It was a nice quiet and relaxing time.

I have heard that the pizza and other food is good here so we will return to give it another try under normal operating conditions.

UPDATE: Ok, so we returned on a middle of the week slow day towards closing. We finally tried the pizza we've heard so much about. I have to be honest and say it wasn't the best around BUT...we did overhear the staff discussing with the owner/manager(?) that they were working on some new dough recipes and techniques. While the flavors were there, the crust was a bit on the chewy tacky side, kind of like a pita crossed with a bagel or something.

They have a new cook now, whom came out to greet us and chat a bit, nice guy with a clean appearance. The rest of the food we had was phenominal! Fresh and amazing clams, and we had dessert first. The flan was a real treat! Will be back again to try other items and follow how the pizza improves...

This time it's a Thai restaurant. And that's a welcome, fresh addition to the local eating spots. The menu is ambitious. It will take a few more visits to find my favorite. The dining area is segmented. While full of guests, the room remained quiet and comfortable. We shared the shrimp and vegetables which tasted as fresh as could be. In fact, the dish was so tasty, our conversation was muted by big mouthfuls! The Ranch seems to carry a tradition of wonderful starter menus which allow a quick visit for a pint in a pleasant setting. After the plates were taken away, the owner paid a charming, personal visit: a nice, professional touch. Pull over at the top of the hill, you'll love it.

[ From my first visit about a year ago: Check that number. I counted 21 clams in my bowl of "Steamed Clams" which I ordered from the starter menu, priced at $10. And they were tender and flavorful and drowned in a buttery soup of live, lemony garlic. I also ordered the IPA, but that was my mistake. Next time I'm going to look for the Chardonnay. If you can beat that dining out experience in the Sandpoint - Newport corridor, I'd like to know. Bravi! to JD's at the Ranch in their latest iteration of a quality kitchen at the golf course. Oh, and I almost forgot; the table is laid with cloth...

I didn't golf here but I did meet the owners at dinner at the Thai restaurant located at the golf course. The golf owners were very friendly and answered a few questions about the services they provide for the golf course. My wife and I will probably take lessons there in the future. I highly recommend the Thai restaurant. Food is cooked in the back by an older couple from Thailand and their daughter comes out and meets the guests and talks to them about their likes. Head expectations from Thai food. This is the best Thai food I've had in Three counties in the 5 years I've lived up here. The vegetables are fresh actually and crisp and not soggy like a lot of Asian restaurants. The pad Thai and fried rice were both delicious. I highly recommend the spring rolls as an appetizer as they are very...