Sheri’s Palm Springs Area Blog

Dining Around The Desert: Bistro 60

The View From Bistro 60

Last year my husband Bill and I attended a party catered by the Bistro 60 Restaurant at the Golf Club at Trilogy in La Quinta. They did a great job, but we kept forgetting to go see them at the restaurant. Well, we finally made it a couple of weeks ago and it was really good. In fact, we went back two nights in a row.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner At Bistro 60

Bistro 60 is a casual setting where you can get breakfast, lunch or dinner, seven nights a week. Bistro 60 is best known for its laid-back atmosphere, great service, and fresh, eclectic food. They use local farm-raised vegetables, quality meats, and Santa Monica seafood. They also offer theme nights and live music in the evenings Wednesday through Saturday.

I had the Pear Salad of mixed greens, almonds, grape tomatoes and Brie in a Guava Vinaigrette both nights. It was perfectly dressed, and the pear was excellent. Bill had the Caesar salad which was good but if you don’t like anchovies then you probably won’t like it as it tastes as if they are added to the dressing even though it doesn’t come with them on it.

Fish N' Chips In Stella Beer Batter

Sheri At The Bistro 60 Bar

We both had the Bistro Fish N’ Chips the first night. It’s not something that we normally have, but our waiter sold us on it. We were not disappointed. They were light and flaky and not a bit of grease. They coat their Cod fish in a Stella Beer Batter and Chipotle Tempura served with a Jalapeno Tartar Sauce and French Fries.

The next night I had a perfectly cooked Pan Seared Steelhead Salmon served in a Spanish Achiote-Seasoned Beurre Blanc, with Cilantro Risotto and Squash. Great! Bill tried the New Zealand Lamb Chops in a Mojito Demi Glace, served with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and the Chef’s Choice of Fresh Vegetables. Bill switched out the potatoes for Asparagus, which the chef was happy to do.

Sampling Bistro 60's Desserts

For Dessert, (it is a three-course menu after all) I had the Butterscotch Crème Brulee both nights and it was very nice. Tasted just like regular Crème Brulee though. I didn’t detect any butterscotch.

Bill had the Flourless Chocolate Cake, which was a very dense slab of chocolate. I like chocolate as much as the next gal, but it was a little too rich for me. The second night Bill had the Tiramisu that was good, but I’ll be sticking to the Crème Brulee.

Both nights had good live entertainment. We heard a husband and wife duo one night and a keyboard player the next. Nice, relaxing dinner music which was a welcome change.

Good Food, Good Service & Great Views

Overall the food was very good, the service was welcoming and efficient, and the staff actually act like they enjoy working there. The Bistro 60 prices are hard to beat as well, and the views of the golf course and nearby mountains add to the experience. We'll be back!

Bistro 60 is located at The Golf Club at La Quinta at 60151 Trilogy Parkway, La Quinta (760) 501-0620

Dining Around The Desert: Adobe Grill At La Quinta Resort & Club

The Patio Area At Adobe Grill, La Quinta Resort & Club

This past week, my husband Bill and I along with another couple decided to visit the Adobe Grill at the La Quinta Resort & Club. It had been years since any of us had eaten there, so we were looking forward to the experience.

Entering the bright and cheery space that is upstairs and to the right from the main entrance to the Resort, we were promptly greeted and taken to a very nice table in front of the ten-foot tequila display.

More Than 100 Tequila's To Choose From

Keeping with the theme, we ordered a variety of different margaritas from our server Osvaldo, all of which were very tasty and not too strong. Mine was peach, and it was just the right balance of sweet and tart. You can’t go wrong with a margarita here as they offer more than 100 tequilas.

We started out with their signature guacamole that our server made tableside. Just the right mix of avocado, onions, tomatoes, jalapenos, cilantro and lime juice served with very good tortilla chips that came with two different types of salsa.

Sampling Fresh House Made Tamales

Bill asked about tamales, and the server had the tamale maker fire up a sample to try. The tamale was very good, so Bill and our friend Guy had some of these award-winning tamales served with rice and beans. They were moist and had just the right amount of masa in relationship to the fillings.

My friend Terri had a chicken quesadilla, and I had the combo platter of a chicken enchilada and chili relleno. I ended up only eating half as I had enjoyed too much guacamole before dinner!

Dine On The Large Patio

The Adobe Grill is a colorful and happy place with a nice bar inside and during the season offers one of the best outdoor patios in the valley.

On weekends, there is live music to enjoy outside among the citrus trees and a nice view too. It’s on the pricey side for Mexican food, but you are at a resort, paying resort prices.

Summer Hours: Wednesdays through Sundays: 5 PM to 10 PM. Happy Hour from 5 to 6 PM.

The Adobe Grill at the La Quinta Resort & Club is located at 49-499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta. Reservations: (760) 564-7525

Photo Credit: Waldoph Astoria Resorts

Dining Around The Desert: Putting On The Ritz At State Fare

My latest culinary adventure was joining my husband Bill at the newly opened Ritz-Carlton Resort in Rancho Mirage in The State Fare restaurant and lounge.

Set in a very cool, contemporary setting featuring panoramic views of the Valley, State Fare offers breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as brunch on both Saturday and Sunday.

Offering The Best of California, It’s Prized Harvest & Ingredients

State Fare features a California sourced open-kitchen concept allowing guests to see how their food is prepared, as well as charcuterie and cheese station with cured meats and terrines made in-house.

Our knowledgeable server offered some great suggestions on both food and drink. I started out with their signature drink featuring Rosemary. This savory lemonade style drink was both refreshing and full of flavor. At State Fare, they create their own syrups and mixers and also feature a California-driven wine list.

For dinner, I started with the chilled Sweet Pea soup, and Bill ordered the Tortilla soup. Both were excellent! The Pea soup was just what you’d want, cool, silky and loaded with fresh pea flavor. The Tortilla soup was spiced just right with a little kick.

House Specialty: The State Fare Burger

Sheri Dettman At State Fare

For our entrees, I went for the house specialty, The State Fare Prime Burger, which in true Ritz style is no ordinary burger. There’s Fiscalini Hopscotch cheddar, arugula, aioli and an onion bacon jam, all served on a yummy pretzel bun. This heaven on a bun came with a side of tasty Sweet Potato Fries.

Bill enjoyed the Spring Lamb Stew containing braised lamb, spring veggies and tomato jus, which fell apart to the touch of a fork. Very flavorful.

Recent Seasonal Dinner Selections

The State Fare dinner menu offers seasonal selections including Carlsbad Oysters and Pacific Halibut with Smoked Potatoes, Rotisserie Saddle of Lamb, Organic Pasture-Raised Chicken for Two, and, of course, the signature State Fare Burger.

If you are in the area, craving Ritz-style service and attention to quality and detail along with killer views, State Fare is truly worth a visit.

The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage: 68900 Frank Sinatra Drive in Rancho Mirage (760) 321-8282. Reservations suggested.

Luxury Real Estate Near The Ritz-Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton is located adjacent to the Palm Springs area real estate developments of Mirada Estates and The Villas of Mirada.