The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch (RKR) is Cal Poly Pomona’s hidden treasure. High on a hilltop, a fine dining experience like no other at CPP awaits.
The restaurant is fully run by The Collins College of Hospitality Management students who manage both lunch and dinner services. RKR is giving hospitality students the perfect hands-on experience while giving diners an experience they won’t forget.
RKR is lined with windows that offer a beautiful view of its well-stocked herb garden that chefs use in daily dishes. During dinner hours 6:00-7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays-Fridays, the view is spectacularly lit by the city lights of Pomona.
(Kelcie Hartley | The Poly Post)
The intimate ambience is perfect for any occasion. The gray tones in the room complement the sleek lines of the furniture to create a modern, minimalistic look.
The restaurant’s menu is small but diverse — three appetizers, four entrées and three desserts. No dish is like another.
The fall salad bursts with cranberries and pomegranate seeds which were accompanied by pecans and goat cheese in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. It was crisp and sweet, perfect for the fall season.
Chowder was another appetizer choice on the menu. It tasted like the ultimate comfort food with yellow corn, bacon, pickled jalapeños and cornbread croutons. This warm and creamy dish made high marks as a fall dish.
The salmon entrée was exquisite; it tasted of lemon, garlic and rosemary. The tender piece of fish was laid on top of a bed of lemon pilaf with haricots verts. This garlicked vegetable tasted amazing with the lemon flavors in the pilaf.
The entrée was well proportioned; however, consumers will still be left wanting more because of its delicious taste.
Finally, the most exciting part about any good meal: dessert.
A sundae is usually very basic — you have vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, nuts and whipped cream. RKR has combined two favorites, coffee and chocolate, into one unique sundae.
The sundae was layers of perfection in a mason jar. Expresso ice cream with coco crumble and cacao nibs, brownie and thick expresso whipped cream. This is every coffee lover’s dream in a jar.
For those who aren’t particularly fond of chocolate or coffee, there is another amazing option.
RKR offers a dessert called crisp. It is a delightful combination of sweet and sour. On top is a scoop of lemon sorbet. The flavor is very light, fresh and sweet. Underneath the sorbet hides a warm cherry tart and an oatmeal crust.
All the flavors combined to create a mouthwatering dessert that is light and doesn’t leave you parched like its chocolate counterpart.
The Collins College should be proud of its students’ ability to provide service that is just as good as its food.
The staff was knowledgeable about the menu, attentive and diligent. The overall dining experience was the best I’ve had in a long time.
The RKR exceeded my expectations and I give them a five-star rating.