Sheri’s Palm Springs Area Blog

Eureka, Indian Wells (Dining Around The Desert)

If you enjoy dining out you likely also enjoy checking out new and interesting restaurants. Eureka is a new ‘American Craft’ concept in several California locations. Their newest location recently opened here in Indian Wells at the former site of Le St. Germain. Desert burger lovers will soon likely be exclaiming ‘Eureka, I have found it!’

Basically this is a craft burger joint and more offering, and I quote “handmade food, locally sourced produce and fresh baked breads found throughout our chef driven menu. Eureka offers 100% vegetarian fed, hormone and antibiotic free, all natural beef burgers, hand cut fries plus gourmet salads and signature salads.”

Opening Night At Eureka

My husband, Bill, and I just happened to visit Eureka on their opening night after about a week of soft openings including a night when one of my team members was able to sample the menu and gave it her thumbs up.

The entire space at Eureka is new and tastefully done in earth tones and they offer a small patio out front with misters for those warm summer days. We chose to dine at the bar inside where we ran into about a half dozen friends and associates. It seems that the word spreads quickly here in the desert when new food and drink is offered!

Catalina Island Bison Burger

Bill ordered the Catalina Island sourced Bison Burger with tri-color peppers, Bermuda onion, and smoked mozzarella, finished with their house made bacon infused jalapeno jam. Bill will tell you that this combination was one of the best Bison Burgers that he’s sampled and that the Bison makes for a healthier choice than a beef burger. I told Bill that if I were to have a burger this would likely be the place I’d have it.

I went for the strawberry summer salad that featured grilled chicken over a bed of mixed greens tossed with you guessed it, strawberries, diced onion and tomato, cilantro, bleu cheese crumbles, candied pecans, basil and a strawberry vinaigrette dressing.

Knowing that it’s my job to sample other fare and report back, I ordered a side of Eureka Truffle Fries. Good, rich and likely enough fries to feed three or four. And again in the interest of gathering information Bill and I shared a Golden Gate Butterscotch Pudding. This dessert was really tasty but a bit grainy which was really our only complaint during the evening.

Wines, Craft Beers & Cocktails

Eureka offers a nice selections of wines and a couple dozen craft beers on tap in addition to a full bar and a few specialty cocktails. No reservations at Eureka so it’s first come first served and I’ll add that the place was packed on our Monday visit.

Eureka is located at 74985 Hwy 111, Indian Wells at the intersection of Cook and Hwy 111. (760) 834-7700. Be sure to say hello to Eureka's General Manager; Mika Tanimoto.

Dining Around The Desert: Wolfgang Puck Pizza Bar, Palm Desert

The Wolfgang Puck Pizza Bar is Wolfgang’s first Pizza Bar on the West Coast and offers another good dining option on El Paseo. Just opened this year, this new restaurant features a patio out front, an attractive bar area and two inside dining rooms. All of these features allow it to accommodate the full spectrum of guests, including sports fans, who can take advantage of four large screen TVs behind the bar.

Back In The Day, I Worked For Wolf

My husband, Bill, and I recently visited Wolfgang’s for dinner and drinks at the bar. I was especially interested because, back in the day, I worked for Wolf at his original Spago Restaurant in West Hollywood. Wolf’s Pizza Bar is of course considered casual dining compared to the fine dining offered at Spago.

I ordered the spinach and smoked mozzarella salad with red onions, crispy potatoes, and a warm pancetta vinaigrette dressing. It was excellent! Bill and I shared Wolfgang’s classic smoked salmon pizza with dill cream, salmon roe, red onions and chives. This pizza, while a bit different at Spago, was always one of my favorites and I was not disappointed on this visit.

A Variety Of App's, Salads, Entrees And Of Course, Pizza

Even if you're a picky eater, the menu at Wolfgang’s features enough variety for you to find something you can love. It includes an array of appetizers, salads, pastas, and entrees including chicken paillard, steak, salmon, hand-rubbed roasted pork and Ahi tuna. Fifteen individual pizzas also offered quite a variety to choose from; gluten-free and vegetarian dining options are also available.

As far as beverages are concerned, Wolfgang’s offers an interesting list of specialty cocktails, including my personal favorite, the Gin Basil, which is made with gin, fresh basil, cucumber, lemongrass and grapefruit juice. I changed it to vodka instead of gin and it was just as good as the original. Bill enjoyed a glass of New Harbour Sauvignon Blanc wine from New Zealand, which was featured on Wolfgang’s varied wine list.

Wolfgang Puck Pizza Bar offers a Happy Hour from 3PM to 6PM daily, along with their new Bar Bites menu. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and is located at 73-130 El Paseo in Palm Desert. (760) 568-2700