Italian Fine Dining, Bar, Pasta & Wood Oven Pizza On El Paseo
My husband Bill and I had a return visit to newcomer Il Corso this week. Open just shy of a month, we tried it the first week, and there were a few issues at that time to be worked out mainly with regards to the staff knowledge of the product.
The interior is very inviting, and hip that you would expect since the chef’s partner is developer John Wessman who is well known in the valley. They used a variety of materials and textures such as reclaimed wood, metal and glass. The bar has large flat screen TV’s that are well placed and don’t distract from the space itself.
Dining In The Stylish & Busy Bar
Part Of The Dining Room (A Small Patio In The Front)
This visit was a much better experience overall. We sat at the busy bar and it was packed as usual, as was the inviting dining room. The bartenders were attentive and helpful with suggestions when we asked. We had a bottle of nice chardonnay called Notes from California in a style that we like which is un-oaked. The last visit I tried a Maison Premiere Absinthe Colada, a mouthful to pronounce, but very refreshing!
I started with a spinach salad featuring mushrooms, nuts, dry ricotta and warm pancetta in a balsamic dressing. Good size, fresh ingredients and the dry ricotta was a nice touch.
Time To Enjoy Our Main Courses
Sheri At A Bar Table. Decisions, Decisions!
I then had the gorgonzola and pear pizza from the wood oven which was perfectly cooked. The crust was about as thick as a tortilla with a very thin layer of gorgonzola and then very thin slices of pear. It was not at all heavy and very tasty. Bill had the pork chop in a juniper sauce, and it was about three inches thick. Perfectly cooked, moist and served with heavenly mashed potatoes.
We followed it up with a cannoli because we have no will power. As usual, the pastry was crisp, and the ricotta filling was tart and sweet at the same time.
We’ve heard that Il Corso’s bar menu is likely in the works. That will be a good addition for some smaller bites. We’ll be back!
il Corso is located at 73520 El Paseo, Suite B, Palm Desert (760) 341-6700. Complementary valet parking out front. Note: We arrived at 5PM to take photos, and the bar was packed by 5:45 PM and the dining room by just after 6 PM so reservations are suggested.