Wangs In the Desert
424 S Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States
So Chinese food in Palm Springs is lacking, so I really do want the recently reopened Wangs In the Desert to succeed. But Ive got to be honest in writing this review. Hopefully mgmt. will read it and make some improvements.First, Ill talk about the atmosphere and service:Upon entering the host person was very nice and escorted us to a table for two. Unfortunately the table was set between the kitchen entrance and the bathroom hallway. So we were constantly skirted by staff going in and out, and also the host stopped at our table 3 times during the evening explaining to people where the bathroom was. There is an illuminated wall next to this badly placed table (see pics), which should just be eliminated altogether given the amount of traffic that flys around this table. And the fact the restaurant was only about 20% occupied, we could have been seated elsewhere. The overall inside dining room is quite dark, especially in the back of the restaurant; overhead can lights are very dim. One table of four was seated in the back and they constantly had to wave the waiters down for everything. Our service was actually good, our waiter was very hospitable but apologetic several times about the delay. Seemed to be the general mood at other tables.Menu and food:Upon looking at the menu, there were no beverages listed anywhere on the menu odd and we were not given a drink list of any kind. I assumed they had soft drinks so I just ordered that to be safe. The lemon lime soda arrived in a small glass about 1/3 the size of the water glass, had to ask for refills. The prices (see pics) are quite steep, so I began to think this may be some really great Chinese food! The hot and sour soup was good, although fairly standard. We ordered two spring rolls, ($9.00 for just two) that while crispy and delicate on the outside were gooey/slimy inside. I had the Kung Pao chicken, which had a fair amount of chicken, peanuts and bell peppers, that was good tasting but it had a huge amount of onion. The ratio of onion to the other ingredients was too much. Companion had Mandarin Pork, the menu said wokked pork that had a coating of bread crumbs or corn starch of some kind that wasnt mentioned on the menu. They felt it was fine but heavy on the sweet side.Overall, it wasnt a great dinner. In the end with two sodas, soup, a small appetizer and two main dishes, tax and tip it was well over $100 No alcohol drinks either!I will go back perhaps in a couple months to see if theres been improvement in some areas, maybe request to sit on the back patio in good weather instead of the dark cavern inside. Would I take my friends there? Nope, there are much better Asian food places in Palm Springs... but with a little menu tweaking, and atmosphere design upgrades perhaps Wangs could fill the Chinese category so badly needed in Palm Springs? And maybe elevate themselves to equal the prices they expect.
4
Elixir Pool Bar & Grill
333 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264, United States
Its nice enough and the bartenders are great but the prices are incredibly high. $9 for a can of beer!! They could really be doing a robust service but are losing lots of opportunities and its so easy to see why. Lots of things need fixing in rooms and around hotel and they dont meet expectations for the price youre paying. Shocking really. From construction noise to no hot water 1 day, dirty floors, sticky counter tops, have to pay for maid service, no dresser for your clothes (so inconvenient). It could be a really nice place but its just not there unfortunately.
4.1

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Crudo Cervicheria Palm Springs
515 N Palm Canyon Dr #9, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States
Ate here for an early dinner ~6pm on a Monday night and got an outdoor patio seat with a heated lamp. Food was excellent, my partner had the steak and fries and he said the cut of steak was one of the best he's ever had, no grisly bits at all and they cooked it medium rare without asking because of course it should always be cooked that way (haha his words). I ordered the special of the day which was grilled sea bass with a lemon caper sauce over pilaf and asparagus. The fish was cooked perfectly and the balance of the dish for flavors was excellent: salty, sweet, creamy. Daniel was our server and he was perfect, checking in on us without bothering us. The host that we were greeted at the door with was also very warm and welcoming. Overall a great experience during our road trip! We were originally going to go to chicken ranch next door, but were enticed by their menu and changed our mind, glad we did!
4.9
French Miso Caf
19 La Plaza, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States
Dining at French Miso in Palm Springs is akin to a delightful sojourn in France, where each meal feels like a masterpiece crafted by a renowned chef in the cozy confines of his own home. This experience is further enhanced by the warm hospitality that makes you feel like a cherished member of the family.From the moment you step into French Miso, theres a sense of timelessness and perfection. Its an experience thats simultaneously brief yet entirely fulfilling, leaving you yearning for more. The ambiance and service blend seamlessly to create a visit that's not just about dining, but about creating lasting memories.A standout memory for me was a lunch visit, specifically planned to savor the much-talked-about Chicken Pot Pie. The anticipation was built perfectly with a glass of sparkling wine, allowing for a moment of relaxation before the culinary centerpiece made its appearance. And oh, what an appearance it was! The dish that was presented to me is etched in my memory as the quintessential comfort food, perfect for a chilly day. The Chicken Pot Pie was nothing short of heavenly, boasting the perfect balance of tender chicken chunks, carrots, and peas, all enveloped in a sauce that was simply divine. The flavors and textures came together in a symphony of taste that was both heartwarming and exquisite.In conclusion, French Miso is more than just a restaurant; its a destination where every visit feels like a special occasion, every dish a celebration of culinary art, and every moment a cherished memory. Whether youre a local or a visitor in Palm Springs, a meal at French Miso is a must for an authentic taste of France.Thank you Tomoko Jones and Eric Bovy. We are ever so grateful to have discovered your Shangri-La.
4.7
TacQuila
415 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States
Tac/Quila is located in the heart of Downtown Palm springs. Owned by lawyers Liz and Mark Ostoich who instead decided to move into the hospitality industry because of their love of hosting and food. Tac/quila a mix of history, travel and tequila their made-up word for combining Jalisco style cuisines with specialty tequilas and mezcal. This eatery is modern and hip with extensive décor that favor the street fare and curated cocktails. This restaurant also offers two patios' although the back patio is a bit more private the front would be more appropriate for a larger crowd and both are dog friendly. Since we were family, we wanted to of course, have it “Family style” and it worked out perfectly. What we ordered;Drinks –Felipe Orlando – “Felipe Orlando“ -- Rosemary Infused Vodka, House Made Watermelon Lemonade Fresh Guava Puree and a Rosemary GarnishFrida Kahlo - Mezcal Gin Blend, Galliano, lemon juice, agave, and orange bitters “Most of life's struggles can be managed with a cocktail. Or two.”Flight of 4 Margaritas - Flight of 4 Tasting Size Margaritas (Kiwi Mint, Guavamente, Prickly Pear, and Avocado) Who says you have to pick one- try these four!JOEL RICHARD EXTRA ANEJO x2I really enjoyed the Felipe Orlando, prickly pear and kiwi mint margarita. I personally don't know much about anejos or mezcals nor do I have the palate for it but my cousin absolutely enjoyed his. Didn't care much for the Avocado one.SUGGESTION – with all the tequilas served here, adding sangrita to the menu (not sangria, SANGRITA) will complement the flavor of them. A bit of HISTORY… sangrita was invented in Jalisco. =)As for the food…Everything we had was amazing… check out the pics.I was looking forward to the short rib enchiladas unfortunately, this was the only dish lacking flavor. If you're thinking about it…. Get something else.
4.6
Koffi North Palm Springs
515 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States
Ok. I do not like to give negative reviews but honestly this experience kind of takes the cake. On the positive Kofi appears to be nice and clean. Its almost 2pm and I was able to order a dark roast. Now here is where they lose me. I asked for oat milk. Its an additional expense (that is fine its more everywhere) here it is 95 cents more. I asked for a good amount and showed the girl with my fingers how much. When my friend ordered she asked for cream and sugar. The girl asks is white sugar ok my friend said sure. Then as we head to the end of the counter there are multiple sweetener and sugar options including her preference raw sugar so she said excuse me could I get raw sugar instead then we mention it was very confusing because she made it seem as if there was only one sugar option. She just laughed and shrugged and said oh more laughter. So I get my coffee and its leaking and over filled bit hardly any oat milk.I pour out some coffee outside and I go back in and ask for some more oat milk.The guy grabbed the almond milk and is pouring it into a cup. I said is that oat milk he says yes and sets the container on the counter next to the oat milk container. Honestly I was over it. I had asked for napkins and no one responded. There are many places in Palm Springs for coffee I will not return to Koffi. I guess if you are not a local they just dont care about you. Anyway the reason we went was to sit in the gorgeous outdoor area. Even that wasnt a go. There is yellow caution tape everywhere and it smelled like a sewer. That is Im sure, not Koffis fault its the property maintenance but the smell matched the experience. If they know you and love you Im guessing they save all the good sugar and oat milk for you. Meanwhile if youre a regular visitor like myself or a tourist go elsewhere. The coffee was mediocre and the service was non existent. The prices are high and my experience says not worth it. Sorry I can not recommend Koffi. If I return and anything is different I will update.
4.6
The Tropicale Palm Springs
330 E Amado Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States
The Topicale needs management and operational support.It's a huge restaurant and it gets busy! They don't offer valet service, but it would be perfect for them. I don't like doing valet, but parking here is a nightmare. Street parking is hard to come by. So instead customers are left to park in a dirt lot without lighting and covered in potholes. I watched a few Teslas bottom out and then a couple get out of the car in formal attire, only to then be covered in dirt from the lot.I had made reservations, but they were behind. Not a problem! I was asked to wait by the bar and have a drink it outside. I went to the bar and stood behind a lady who was finishing up ordering drinks. When I got up to the counter one of the bartenders yelled at me and said if I wanted to order I needed to move down. Come to find out I was in the server area (sorry!). But I guess for the cute girl it was ok. I stood there waiting for about 15 minutes making eye contact with the actual bartender but he never looked at me. The bar seats were full and there wasn't another place to just walk up and order a drink, so I had to wait for the bartender to see me. Mind you there was no one else standing and waiting for a drink. The customers sitting at the bar had to flag down the bartender who then acknowledged me.I was seated about 20 minutes after my reservation time. I loved the menu full of classics. I felt like I was in the 60's or 70's, but many dishes had a modern take. I ordered the coconut shrimp. Unfortunately they we're just average. I was expecting a more refined version, but they were not much better than the frozen shrimp I buy. I bet if I did a blind taste test with customers they wouldn't know.I was eating alone. After eating two of my six shrimp my entree arrived. I told the food runner I was still eating my appetizer and to hold off on the entree. I finished my appetizer and ordered another cocktail. The server never owned up to the early entree mishap.I ordered the fried chicken for the entree. It was immediately that it had been sitting under a heat lamp for the last 20 minutes. Being a former chef the congealed sauce and dry vegetables was a tell all. The chicken was actually not too bad, but I skipped the rest as it had dried out.While eating the server dropped the dessert menu. Not always a big deal, but at a nicer restaurant, I expect my entree to be cleared. At this point I had pushed my plate away and turned over my fork. It was clear I was done. After ordering dessert the server still didn't take my dinner plate. Actually the plate sat until I got my check.I requested the dessert to go. I guess this is a new concept. Instead of being handed the dessert in a bag with a fork, I was handed the take out container by itself.Overall the food is ok/good, the drinks were good, I loved the decor. But the service was terrible!! Address the parking, allow for people to walk up to the bar, and train the staff on basic customer service.
4.5
Rooster And The Pig
356 S Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States
The Rooster and The PigMy partner and I had a chance to experience dinner at “The Rooster and The Pig”Echoing other reviews, the line upon arriving at 4:50pm was quite long, but we were able to get seated right away. They open at 5:00pm, so I definitely suggest getting there at 4:30-4:45PM if you want to get seated right away. Otherwise you may have a little bit of a wait.The menu was very interesting seemingly taking a more gourmet take on traditional Vietnamese food.For Starters we had the following:1. Fish Sauce Wings: A nice light crispy finish on the chicken wings and the right amount of sweet and savory between the fish sauce and sugar. I would get these again.2. Calamari: Excellent. Crispy battered finish, with just the right amount of ‘chewiness'. The spice was excellent… just a bit spicy and the right amount of saltiness.3. Vietnamese Crispy Rolls: These were OK. Between the jicama and glass noodles we found those to be a bit overpowering.For the Mains we had the following:1. Pork Belly Fried Rice: This was good, overall. A little more bland, but definitely had some great starting tastes. The chunks of pork belly and crispy shallots were awesome.2. Shaking Beef: Pretty good. Would have enjoyed a little more flavor in the sauce, but the meat was very tender, and high quality.The Experience:Overall pretty good. The waiter was attentive. The dishes were on the smaller sides. Echoing some of the other reviews, the food is good overall, but there wasn't anything that struck us as amazing.At the beginning of our meal, we asked out waiter if we could place an additional order of Pork Belly Friend rice to go, and he was a bit hesitant saying that the manager was very picky about placing to go orders. This didn't make any sense to us, but we remedied the issue by placing two orders of fried rice right away and taking the extra to go.We also ordered two Vietnamese Iced Coffee's. They were a little strong, so my partner asked if we could have just a little extra condensed milk… again the waiter was very hesitant, but said he would ask the bartender if we could have some… to which he said no. We found that was odd. Would have gladly paid extra for it.Interesting place. Food was good, but the overall experience seemed a little… interesting.
4.5
Smoke Tree Village
1775 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264, United States
Contains a number of great shops and restaurants including Pho533 - an excellent Asian fusion restaurant. Also an nice Ralphs grocery store and a surprisingly stylish TruValue.
4.4
Boozehounds Palm Springs
2080 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States
As a frequent visitor of the Palm Springs area, I was hoping I had found a great new spot to brunch with and without my pup. But as much as I wanted to give this place five stars, at this moment I cant.Walked in with no reservations on Sunday memorial weekend. Everyone was very kind. And the hosts had walked away for about a min. Not unusual long, and in that time we had servers and supporting staff inform us someone would be right with us. Host came up. Friendly told us it would be 45 min wait. But bar was first come first serve. Took the bar option.Sat at the bar. Was acknowledge in a appropriate amount of time from the bartender. Bartender was kind. Placed our drink order. Received our drinks rather quickly. Placed our order and then waited about 40-50 min for our meal. Placed a burger order. Wasnt asked how we would like the burger, I state this because if we had ordered it well, I could be a little more understanding on the wait. Not that I would order it well to begin. Also ordered the tuna seared salad.We waited, after the 30 min mark we thought about asking for our food. Especially because Im not sure if its the whole bar area but where we were seated it was freezing. The air vent feels like it blows straight down. The couple next to us also commented on how cold. They debated if to grab a sweater. That is when I started looking around and realized we werent the only ones showing concern for their food order. Everyone who had sat down at around the same time were waving down staff to ask about their food. Couples and bachelorette parties. With pups and without pups. We ate our food. And the people next to us order the same thing about 15 min after us and still hadnt received their food, till after we had finished eating.Once our food arrived it was good. Nothing in particular to rave about. Especially after such a wait. Burger was cooked perfectly. Not over done and served hot. Salad lacked a crispness to the greens. But the crisp onion helped bring a little texture to the plate. Dressing was pretty basic. Tuna was of a decent quality. Bartender was pretty attentive. Especially because we werent drinking alcohol. But he was busy. Asked someone else for hot sauce and it got lost. Never received it.Space is clean and simple decor. Lots of patio space for pups. The pup menu is cute. Staff is kind. Seems a little understaffed. Both in bar and kitchen. But they are trying their best and staff doesnt relay that to the customer. I just am hyper observant and noticed it wasnt an isolated incident to us. I only gave it 4 stars because of how well the staff did with such unfortunate circumstances. But this was very close to a 3 star review if it werent for them. Im hoping it was just an off day and we can visit again to a better experience. Because it does have all the potential for a 5 star review.We have no issue coming back if friends were to suggest it to give it a second shot. But we will not be recommending this restaurant for the time being.
4.4