Desert Dining Scene

Where food often defines high culture

By Alison Elsner

The culture of a region is generally measured in terms of its arts, nature, history, geography and – yes, food. Food often becomes the most prominent, as it reflects the personality and ethnic heritage of those who create it while allowing us to all join together in common ground. It’s like a delicious thread that connects us all, bringing a sense of unity.

The Coachella Valley culinary culture is a major contributor to its allure to visitors and those who are fortunate enough to call the area home. From steakhouses to modern Mexican and from European wines to local tequilas, the greater Palm Springs area embraces them all with bold flavors and the flair of forever-evolving recipes.

Our springtime collection of foodie favorites here celebrates the best of the Coachella Valley culture.

Arnold Palmer’s

Not only is it lively and delectable, it’s close to the action at the BNP Paribas. The restaurant is a tribute to the King, Arnold Palmer, displaying a sizeable collection of memorabilia spanning Palmer’s decades-long professional golf career.

Diners can choose from the landscaped, live entertainment patio with a fire pit or inside at the Masters Dining Room or in Arnie’s Lounge.

After a favorite glass of chardonnay or an ice-cold martini, starters such as grilled shrimp chimichurri and hamachi sashimi set an enjoyable tone. The seafood menu serves ravioli shrimp scampi and whole roasted branzino, and signature entrées prepare braised prime beef short ribs, Palmer’s chicken marsala, and pappardelle Bolognese, among many others. Signature meats include 12-ounce New York strip and slow roasted prime rib.

A tantalizing dessert menu includes house made coconut cream pie and peanut butter torte, proving that everything about Arnold Palmer’s offers a taste of the good life.

78164 Avenue 52, La Quinta, 760.771.4653, arnoldpalmersrestaurant.com

Azucar and Sugar High at La Serena Villas

Azúcar continually receives rave reviews from southern California food writers. Part of the Kirkwood Collection, this charming eatery located on the premises of La Serena Villas in Palm Springs serves contemporary cuisine with an emphasis on modern Mexican and intense flavors. The upper level Sugar High Rooftop Bar combines boho vibes with cool, crafted cocktails and stunning views of the San Jacinto Mountains.

Specialty cocktails feature Frida’s palette mimosas and Mexican coffee martini. Starters such as yucca fries and ahi tuna tartare set the stage for mains such as pollo blanco, king salmon, ribeye with tiger prawns, Brandt beef tenderloin and patatas brava stuffed poblano. Desserts are fresh and inviting, serving toffee brownie with salted caramel gelato and mini key lime cheesecake.

A delicately curated selection of wines has servers presenting pours from Spain, Argentina, France, Italy and Greece as well as California and Oregon within the U.S. The red or white seasonal sangria is also a dependable treat.

Seating overlooking the pool is simply sublime.

339 S. Belardo Road, Palm Springs, 760.932.8044, azucarpalmsprings.com

Enzo’s Bistro and Bar

This neighborhood Italian restaurant showcases authentic flavors of old world cuisine, with locations in both Rancho Mirage and La Quinta. Chefs feature family recipes, handmade pastas, and artisan pizzas along with California and Italian wine selections. Happy hour takes place daily between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and bar bites are available each day from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Antipasti serves creations such as arancini (risotto balls and fontina, Reggiano Parmigiano and mozzarella, breaded and fried), homemade meatballs, calamari fritta, housemade salsiccia (pork sausage), oysters on the half-shell, and more.

Piccolo piatti offers insalate mista and Caesar salad, and pasta fresca e secca presents melanzane parmigiana stack, lasagna and ravioli con ricotta e spinaci. The dinner menu includes rotisserie oven selections such as pollo fettuccine alfredo, piatti di pesce choices between salmone and branzino, and carni miste offerings such as dry aged rib eye steak, sautéed veal medallions and 16 ounce New York steak.

Squishito!

70030 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 760.321.7635, enzosbistroandbarranchomirage.com;
78121 Avenida La Fonda, La Quinta, 866.261.8552, enzosbistroandbarlaquinta.com

Farm

The experience at Farm is like being transported to the south of France, straight to Toulouse or Bordeaux. Diners can expect a sensory experience, starting with the garden-like patio, the floral landscaping, and the authentic menu.

From the same proprietors as Tac/Quila, the cuisine is every bit as inventive. The crêpes are a revelation, featuring specialties such as champignons et fromage (portobello, shitake, gruyére, crème fraîche, and shallots), banane et chocolat (Nutella and bananas), and saumon epinards
(smoked salmon, spinach, créme fraiche, and sunny egg). Brioche French toast includes bacon and cheese and aux fruits.

Tasty omelettes include eggie, forêstiere (wild mushrooms and goat cheese), Parisienne (jambon and Gruyère) and canard (oven roasted duck, and goat cheese). Greenery is served tossed and dressed, including Farm chicken salad and canard salad. Other treats include pepper tuna sandwich, vegan wrap, and bacon, chicken and waffle.

And to put your mind at ease, Farm definitely serves croque madame and croque monsieur.

6 La Plaza, Palm Springs, 760.322.2724, farmpalmsprings.com

Navigator Palm Springs

Navigator, located at the Palm Springs Surf Club, is a modern American eatery inspired by global surf culture. The chef-driven menu blends flavors from iconic surf regions like Portugal, Morocco, Australia, Hawaii, and California.

Starters feature California field green salad, pair of fried quails, and braised butter beans, among others.

The “prepared to share” menu features 10-ounce crispy pork schnitzel, seabass grilled on banana leaf, vegan stuffed pepper, pan-roasted bavette steak “bobotie”, pan roasted whole rainbow trout and more. There’s even a 20-ounce ribeye steak platter served with bone marrow gremolata.

There’s ample liquid refreshment as evidenced on the “day drinking menu.” Selections include a variety of red and white wines such as Carmel Road chardonnay (Monterey, California 2020) and La Crema pinot noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon). A snappy cocktail menu serves Palm Springs Paloma with tequila, grapefruit and agave and big kahuna coco-limeade with Milagro tequila, coconut and pressed lime.

It’s the perfect escape from everything ordinary.

The Palm Springs Surf Club, 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, 760.205.3643,
navigatorps.com

Wildest Restaurant + Bar

Owners Bill Hay and Charissa Farley-Hay, in partnership with Executive Chef Trilby Trato, have designed a unique dining destination featuring Napa-style cuisine with a Palm-Springs-flair-farm-to-table dining experience.

Charissa Hay says “I’m so excited that we’ve found our vibe. We are rocking so many special events this spring like the caviar and champagne dinner including vintage Cristal and some mind-blowing prix fixe dinners. We are looking forward to plans for an outdoor patio, and our regulars know that we have great entertainment every night and fun on the weekends with Soulful Sunday.”

Healthy foods take prominence here along with superlative flavor, evident in dishes such as ricotta stuffed squash blossoms, English pea and black truffle ravioli, filet mignon, pan-seared Bristol wild scallops and Colorado grass-fed pasture raised lamb chops.

There are plant-based options, and Hay points out that one third of the menu is allergen-friendly. As Hay says, “We have something for everyone.”

72990 El Paseo #3, Palm Desert, 760.636.0441, wildestrestaurant.com