Category: Dinner

  • Italica

    Italica

    82867 MILES AVENUE
    INDIO

    This speakeasy, hidden behind an unassuming door in downtown Indio, is one of the desert’s best – and sexiest! – restaurants! Offering such inspired dishes as Pinsa Romano (flatbread with prosciutto, goat cheese, fig jam and calabrian chili oil), Carciofi Alla Giudia (fried artichokes with yuzu roasted garlic aioli) and Bolognese (pappardelle with wild boar and fennel sausage ragu), as well as artisanal cocktails like the signature Mediterranean Sour (Bulleit Bourbon, Italicus bergamont, house-made lemon juice, burrata foam, bitters and a rosemary sprig), all served with true theatrical flourish , dining here is a full-blown (not to mention delicious) experience!

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    Website

  • Papa Headz

    Papa Headz

    82868 MILES AVENUE
    INDIO

    This popular food truck now operates out of the side window at Gabino’s Creperie each Wednesday through Sunday from 6 to 10 PM, offering up the best smash burgers in town. I’m talking perfectly crisped, with oodles of melted cheese and signature PH sauce! The fries, loaded with various toppings, including cheese, chicken, buffalo sauce, and ranch, are also not to be missed!

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    Website

  • Adobe Grill

    Adobe Grill

    49499 EISENHOWER DRIVE
    LA QUINTA

    While the food here is undeniably excellent (I find myself craving the Enchiladas Verdes at least once a week!), the striking ambiance is what makes this place a must-dine spot. Situated atop the main plaza at the La Quinta Resort, Adobe Grill’s sprawling elevated multi-level patio overlooks a meandering fountain, vibrant red rooftops, towering palms, and the gorgeous peaks of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Strung with twinkle lights and boasting a plethora of seating areas, it is one of the prettiest places in the desert to enjoy a meal al fresco.

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    Website

  • Grapefruit Basil

    Grapefruit Basil

    45000 INDIAN WELLS LANE
    INDIAN WELLS

    Located inside the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort overlooking the gorgeous olive tree grove, this eatery (which also made my breakfast list!) is glamorous, entirely affordable (surprising considering it is a hotel restaurant), and utterly delicious. The island-inspired menu, which features dishes sourced from ingredients grown right on the hotel grounds, includes a wide array of offerings for those with dietary restrictions. The Spaghetti Squash with veggies and pistachio gremolata is a personal favorite. Oh, and the drinks are stellar, too!

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    Website

  • Larkspur Grill

    Larkspur Grill

    45400 LARKSPUR LANE
    PALM DESERT

    A newer addition to the Coachella Valley restaurant scene, it did not take long for this one to become a family favorite. Featuring tasty dishes with fresh ingredients sourced from local farms, sleek but inviting décor, an expansive patio, as well as live music, Larkspur Grill is a truly happening spot!

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  • Armando’s Bar & Grill

    Armando’s Bar & Grill

    73260 EL PASEO
    PALM DESERT

    A Coachella Valley staple since 2001, Armando’s serves up some of the best Mexican food in the desert. As such, it is always packed! One visit and you’ll see why. The food is exceptional, the service friendly and the margaritas strong – so strong, in fact, that the restaurant limits patrons to two per visit. The front patio is a particularly pretty spot to spend a warm desert evening. And be sure to keep your eyes peeled for celebs – Armando’s has been known to attract its fair share.

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  • Porta Via

    Porta Via

    73100 EL PASEO
    PALM DESERT

    Stunning from top to bottom, this “neighborhood restaurant with a world-class feel” serves spectacular fare in an absolutely gorgeous environment. Designed by Sophia Goineau, who looked to John Lautner’s famed Elrod House and the Sunnylands Estate for inspiration, the restaurant is as picturesque as it is appetizing! From delectable fish to fresh pasta to gourmet sandwich options, you’ll be hard-pressed not to lick your plate clean at Porta Via!

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  • Fresh Agave

    Fresh Agave

    73325 CA-111
    PALM DESERT

    A friend clued me into this place’s amazing quesadillas, which come complete with buttery mushrooms sauteed to perfection, several years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since. In fact, when Covid restrictions were lifted and dining out became a thing again, Fresh Agave was the first place I headed. The tacos are also stellar, as is the ambiance, especially on the inviting front patio.

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    Website

  • Musashi Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar

    Musashi Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar

    72-785 HIGHWAY 111, SUITE B4
    PALM DESERT

    In the desert and craving sushi? This is the spot I’d head. Originally opened in 1996, Musashi is a beloved landmark to locals in the know, long renowned for serving exquisite rolls crafted with the freshest of fish in an elegant setting at moderate prices. Not a fan of sushi? The eatery also offers plenty of additional Japanese fare, including chicken katsu, shrimp tempura and yakisoba. Housed in a more intimate space and insanely popular, reservations are highly recommended.

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  • The Old Spaghetti Factory

    The Old Spaghetti Factory

    71-743 CA-111
    RANCHO MIRAGE

    Walking through the doors of The Old Spaghetti Factory is like stepping onto a highly stylized movie set. Towering red tufted booths, crystal chandeliers, and wood-beamed ceilings throughout (there’s even a dining room fashioned out of a vintage trolley car!), the place feels more like the Beast’s castle from “Beauty and the Beast” than a restaurant. Fantastical, whimsical, and oh-so-much fun, there’s truly no other spot like it in the desert. And the food is excellent, too!

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    Website