Sheri Dettman Entering Jillian’s Restaurant, Palm Desert
Jillian’s Restaurant, named for owners June and Jay Trubee’s daughter Jillian, is housed in a historic 1940s-era hacienda in Palm Desert. My husband Bill and I hadn’t been there in about ten years, and since it was my birthday, we decided to revisit it. We were seated in one of the smaller dining rooms located around the outside of Jillian’s interior courtyard patio.
Jillian’s Extensive Old School Menu
The menu features pasta, fresh seafood and meat entrées. I started with the Pear and Goat Cheese salad with organic field greens, slivered Oregon pears, goat cheese, candied pecans with a light balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Bill enjoyed the Spicy Corn Chowder, topped with a fiery salsa, cracked bacon and chives.
Our Main Courses
June Trubee & Jillian
Jillian’s Wine List
The wine list is lengthy, and there’s something for everyone. We sipped a nice bottle of Nickel & Nickel Chardonnay. We skipped dessert as a friend had dropped off an entire chocolate silk pie to my office. Regardless, we were brought a nice selection of dark chocolate, dried apricots and ginger cookies to nibble on to finish our meal.
Jillian’s is one of the few “traditional” places where they have a dress code so no shorts although jackets are not required. In keeping with that old school desert vibe, they are also one of the few restaurants that also closes during the summer months. Jay Trubee’s imaginative eclectic cuisine paired with June’s Scottish charm make Jillian’s a most unique experience.
Serving dinner with live entertainment Monday through Saturday from 6 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended. Jillian’s is located at 74-155 El Paseo in Palm Desert (760) 776-8242