One of the casualties of the pandemic was AC3 at Hotel Paseo in Palm Desert. While we were sorry to see it go, the new Larkspur Grill is in its place, and we are loving it! The room has been slightly redone, and they’ve added a stage for live entertainment.
On Thursday nights, they have a fantastic band called Fun With Dick And Jane Band that plays everything from Woodstock to Coachella. On the weekends, they have a jazz group. Hopefully, once season gets here, they’ll add more nights to the lineup.
The first night we went, it was me, Betsy, and Kayla from my team. We started with a cocktail and were brought Skillet Cornbread with a shallot herb butter and roasted jalapenos. It was so good that I will never not order it!
I started with a County Line Harvest Roasted Beet Salad with oranges, quinoa, avocado, toasted hazelnuts, wild arugula, Humbolt fog goat cheese, and a lavender honey citrus vinaigrette.
Betsy had the Organic Mixed Greens with heirloom tomatoes, English cucumber, red onion, and a toasted torn bread sherry vinaigrette.
For entrees, Kayla and I had the Honey Garlic Glazed Skuna Fjord Salmon with toasted fregula, roasted onion, heirloom tomatoes, and season roasted veggies. Betsy tried the Heirloom Tomato & Artichoke Crusted Alaskan Cod with celery root puree, seasonal roasted veggies, and a citrus beurre blanc.
Michael and I have been twice, and we started with Bacon Wrapped Dates stuffed with goat cheese and rosemary honey. This is a quintessential California appetizer and one that I always make for parties. Fabulous!
We’ve also had the Classic Shrimp Cocktail with tangy cocktail sauce, Mary’s Fred Chicken with applewood smoked bacon, braised collard greens, mascarpone mashed potatoes, and a honey thyme jus. Also, a 14 OZ Grilled Herb Brined Pork Chop with those same decadent mashed potatoes, seasonal roasted veggies, balsamic maple-glazed apples, and a celery parsley salad.
The girls and I shared a Crème Brulee. Michael and I were too full to dare.
Everything was prepared wonderfully, came out quickly, and the service has been excellent every time. The general manager is visible, makes his rounds, and the staff has a great attitude, from the hostesses to the bartenders to the servers. Some of which you will no doubt recognize if you go out at all in the desert.
We’ll all be back and are very happy with the new Larkspur Grill. If you go, tell them we sent you!