Sheri’s Palm Springs Area Blog

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.

Dining Around The Desert: Chez Pierre, Palm Desert

Sheri Dettman And Chef Pierre

Our Two Recent Visits To Chez Pierre

This last week we had the pleasure of dining twice at a restaurant that we’d never been to before, mainly because it had been in a strip mall that was a bit of a drive for us. However last October they changed locations and now are next to the Chop House in Palm Desert on Hwy 111.

The restaurant is Chez Pierre and yes, Pierre is the chef and owner along with his lovely wife, Esther. Pierre is a chef who knows how to run a restaurant. He comes out several times a night to meet and greet his patrons, to make sure they are happy and that the food is to their liking. By the responses we could see all around us, he is succeeding nicely.

Cute, Simple And Friendly Atmosphere

The space is cute, simple and a friendly atmosphere. There is a bar but it and the restaurant are small so you’ll want to make reservations. Every time it was filled up by 7:00 PM.

The whole experience was easy-going and delightful from booking the first reservation online, the greeting from the hostess, the very attentive service from the three waiters, the delicious food, very good wine, and last but not least, Pierre himself.

When you first sit down you are presented with a basket of crusty bread to have along with the butter and pate you are served. The bread was great both times and they mix it up with the variety, as the second time they served an olive bread that was my favorite.

Dinner For Two, Cooked Perfectly

The first visit I had a goat cheese salad and my husband Bill enjoyed the Organic greens salad. Both were very fresh and dressed just right. For entrees, I had the poached Skate Wings in a Dijon, caper, butter sauce, which was one of the specials that night and Bill had the Pot Roast. Both were cooked perfectly and came with sides of decadent scalloped potatoes and sautéed asparagus.

The second visit I tried the soup of the day, a cold, red bell pepper puree with a dollop of goat cheese. Bursting with fresh vegetable flavor! We both had the Saturday only special of Coq au vin featuring lots of mushrooms, pearl onions and chicken that was falling off the bone on a bed of really great, perfectly al dente pasta.

Must Try Fabulous Desserts

Great as both dinners were, the desserts were simply fabulous. You must try the Apple Tart, which is about 8 inches of thin, flaky crust, tasty apples and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Probably the best we’ve had. The Beignets with fresh whipped cream, chocolate and caramel sauce were the best I’ve had outside of Café Du Monde in New Orleans.

If you get the opportunity and want some authentic French cuisine, be it Frog’s Legs, Sweetbreads, Liver, Escargot or any of the fresh fish, this is the place to go.

Chez Pierre is located at 74040 Highway 111 (corner of Portola) in Palm Desert next to the Chop House. Complementary valet and self-parking. Reservations suggested. (760) 346-1818