Category: Dinner

  • The Local on 50th

    The Local on 50th

    I’m something of a chicken strips aficionado, and this place serves the best ones in town! Made fresh daily in-house, crisped to perfection, and served alongside homemade ranch and the most divine shoestring fries, I crave them like almost nothing else. So much so that they’ve officially become my celebration meal of choice—from my birthday and wedding anniversary to the closing of my first real estate deal. And while I’ve yet to venture beyond ordering anything other than the chicken strips, my husband swears by the tacos and nachos, and I’ve heard the Happy Hour grilled cheese is next level. Bonus: Trivia Night here each Tuesday is one of my favorite activities in the desert.

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  • Trattoria Tiramisu

    Trattoria Tiramisu

    New to me, but by no means new to the desert, Trattoria Tiramisu has quickly become my family’s go-to spot for elevated Italian cuisine. Established by the Corsetti brothers in 2004, the restaurant serves exquisite Sicilian dishes, from homemade pastas and rich, flavorful sauces to decadent desserts. I’m partial to the Pollo alla Piccata, while my mom swears by the Carpaccio di Manzo and my husband always orders the Pappardelle alla Bolognese. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, and the warm, attentive service is some of the friendliest in town.

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  • Italica

    Italica

    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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  • Papa Headz

    Papa Headz

    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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  • Adobe Grill

    Adobe Grill

    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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  • Grapefruit Basil

    Grapefruit Basil

    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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  • Larkspur Grill

    Larkspur Grill

    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

    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

    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

    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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