This is my go-to special occasion restaurant and it's a huge treat whenever I get to eat here.
It's not a vegan restaurant, but their menu is much more plant focused than most.
On our last visit we got the grilled artichoke appetizer which was unbelievably tender and is served with warm vegan butter for dipping, the paella and the king oyster scallops. All were excellent. My friend has never eaten vegan food before and was blown away. He said the king oyster scallops were one of the best meals he's ever had! We also got the warm chocolate cake for dessert, which was amazing.
Bonus - they have a fab mocktails menu including CBD drinks which were seriously delicious.
Can't wait for another special occasion to return here!
Updated from previous review on 2024-04-14
David Maling
Sat at the Bar and had a great meal, chose the Vegan options and the food was delicious! James from El Sereno helped us out and was very nice. Go Tigers!
Excellent selection of vegetarian, vegan, or omnivore options. Service was excellent, on the border of too much checking up on us, but that's not their fault, mostly just me being a misanthrope who was tired at the time. I casually said I was underwhelmed by a cocktail and they took it off the bill without my asking (the berry beauty--tasted very weak, like bourbon and ginger ale, nothing like a strong ginger beer, no sign of the mint, and the berries were just a garnish, not flavor-infused in any way).Chile relleno was delicious but could have been served at a hotter temperature.Elote shishito pepper starter dish was excellent.Beet salad was delicious, but for $18 at least give me more greens. I'm happy to pay, I just want to leave with a full stomach.The vegetable paella was delicious and filling, but it tasted more like risotto. Truly an excellent variety of vegetables, but creamy with none of the crispiness I associate with paella.Chocolate cake for dessert was delicious.Live music (not too loud) and just one TV at the bar made for a really nice ambience. It's in a regular shopping plaza with a ton of parking. (I prefer a denser setting in which you might be able to walk somewhere after, but parking lots are the American way, so I can't blame them.)Dietary restrictions: Lots of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. They were up front about asking for any restrictions and were happy to make substitutions.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Todd Johnson
Food is insane. Highly recommend the crispy avocado tacos and the fillet mignon. Great drinks and great service too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
RobertF
Upon learning that there were no patio tables immediately available for dining outside (our preference), Amber offered my party usage of The Wine Room. We had visitors joining us who traveled from Michigan. We were all very impressed with the food and service offered. We will certainly be returning!
Website looked great but the actual experience did not live up to expectations. Food was decent but expensive for what it was. Service was friendly but not high level—server didn't ask what kind of spirits we wanted in our cocktails or what size pours. Prob the biggest disappointment was the space. It was one big room that looked like a temporary restaurant was set up inside. Just not as “posh” as depicted online. But not at all bad. We just were hoping for a bit “more.”
First and most importantly, our server Paige was so delightful. By far the most experienced and personable server we've ever had. The food was amazing. Everyone loved their meals especially the braised short ribs! We will return again and again!
Lindalsd
I found the portions to be small. The Caesar salad was tasteless. The wine pours not particularly generous and the ambiance fairly mediocre. The quality of the Ahi entree was ok but resembled a poke bowl. Was disappointed overall.
The chef has the wrong perspective of his food. We had steak, salmon & scallops. Salmon had no flavor at all except for the skin which was very greasy, steak was very salty and other plated items were not tasty, scallops were ok, grapes were good but other plated items had no taste. The drinks were poor. We had a vesper which had to be sent back because it tasted nothing like the drink. The cucumber gin was very sour and barely drinkable. Service was very so so for having so many waiters. We were excited to try this restaurant as it boosted about local ingredients and healthy options. The food does not match the marketing. Would not return and recommend you not go either. The award winning hype could not be for the food, it had to be for the owners other non-cooking activities which by the way he writes about in great detail on the menu's.
Funtimes
Wonderful service from out favourite bartender Kelly. Food was good yet a bit inconsistent from our previous visit Love the Mushroom Calamari & the Mushroom Ravioli but the Shepards pie was extremely salty & not consistent with the week before. Ambience could be so much better if the lighting was turned down a notch. We will be back though & appreciate especially the bar & lounge area aeating.
AlwaysMemorable
This restaurant has an excellent menu. In our party of eight people we had people who were pescatarian, vegan, gluten-free, and meat eaters. Everyone had a wonderful variety of choices and all were delicious. We will definitely come to Wildest every time we return to Palm Desert. LOVE THIS RESTAURANT!
MelodyC
Amazing. Restaurant was flexible with our timing needs. Servers amazing. Grass fed meat which is awesome l. I have celiac disease and fryer is totally gluten free so yay! A little loud but only cause there was a great singer performing live. Note, we had sat at one of the tables closest to the singer. I think at the regular restaurant low tops noise would be low. Anyway it was great! Great music choices too! Just being clear for those whom noise matters.
We had an absolutely wonderful dining experience! We were lucky enough to sit in the wine room and it was so lovely and my other guests had never been . The food and the atmosphere was enjoyable! Also, the service was perfect , Jane our server was fantastic and so were everyone else that helped her!
Great food and drink options for most dietary restrictions. The only thing that our group didn't care for was the very odd music being played.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Caramalized Banana Split with Vanilla Cherry Raspberry Candied Pecans, Pan Seared Jidori Airline Chicken, Crispy Trumpet Mushroom Calamari, Truffle Fries
Great menu, good service, nice dining experience!
This is my go-to special occasion restaurant and it's a huge treat whenever I get to eat here. It's not a vegan restaurant, but their menu is much more plant focused than most. On our last visit we got the grilled artichoke appetizer which was unbelievably tender and is served with warm vegan butter for dipping, the paella and the king oyster scallops. All were excellent. My friend has never eaten vegan food before and was blown away. He said the king oyster scallops were one of the best meals he's ever had! We also got the warm chocolate cake for dessert, which was amazing. Bonus - they have a fab mocktails menu including CBD drinks which were seriously delicious. Can't wait for another special occasion to return here! Updated from previous review on 2024-04-14
Sat at the Bar and had a great meal, chose the Vegan options and the food was delicious! James from El Sereno helped us out and was very nice. Go Tigers!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Trumpet Mushroom Calamari
Excellent selection of vegetarian, vegan, or omnivore options. Service was excellent, on the border of too much checking up on us, but that's not their fault, mostly just me being a misanthrope who was tired at the time. I casually said I was underwhelmed by a cocktail and they took it off the bill without my asking (the berry beauty--tasted very weak, like bourbon and ginger ale, nothing like a strong ginger beer, no sign of the mint, and the berries were just a garnish, not flavor-infused in any way).Chile relleno was delicious but could have been served at a hotter temperature.Elote shishito pepper starter dish was excellent.Beet salad was delicious, but for $18 at least give me more greens. I'm happy to pay, I just want to leave with a full stomach.The vegetable paella was delicious and filling, but it tasted more like risotto. Truly an excellent variety of vegetables, but creamy with none of the crispiness I associate with paella.Chocolate cake for dessert was delicious.Live music (not too loud) and just one TV at the bar made for a really nice ambience. It's in a regular shopping plaza with a ton of parking. (I prefer a denser setting in which you might be able to walk somewhere after, but parking lots are the American way, so I can't blame them.)Dietary restrictions: Lots of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. They were up front about asking for any restrictions and were happy to make substitutions.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Food is insane. Highly recommend the crispy avocado tacos and the fillet mignon. Great drinks and great service too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Upon learning that there were no patio tables immediately available for dining outside (our preference), Amber offered my party usage of The Wine Room. We had visitors joining us who traveled from Michigan. We were all very impressed with the food and service offered. We will certainly be returning!
Website looked great but the actual experience did not live up to expectations. Food was decent but expensive for what it was. Service was friendly but not high level—server didn't ask what kind of spirits we wanted in our cocktails or what size pours. Prob the biggest disappointment was the space. It was one big room that looked like a temporary restaurant was set up inside. Just not as “posh” as depicted online. But not at all bad. We just were hoping for a bit “more.”
First and most importantly, our server Paige was so delightful. By far the most experienced and personable server we've ever had. The food was amazing. Everyone loved their meals especially the braised short ribs! We will return again and again!
I found the portions to be small. The Caesar salad was tasteless. The wine pours not particularly generous and the ambiance fairly mediocre. The quality of the Ahi entree was ok but resembled a poke bowl. Was disappointed overall.
Restaurantji Recommends
The chef has the wrong perspective of his food. We had steak, salmon & scallops. Salmon had no flavor at all except for the skin which was very greasy, steak was very salty and other plated items were not tasty, scallops were ok, grapes were good but other plated items had no taste. The drinks were poor. We had a vesper which had to be sent back because it tasted nothing like the drink. The cucumber gin was very sour and barely drinkable. Service was very so so for having so many waiters. We were excited to try this restaurant as it boosted about local ingredients and healthy options. The food does not match the marketing. Would not return and recommend you not go either. The award winning hype could not be for the food, it had to be for the owners other non-cooking activities which by the way he writes about in great detail on the menu's.
Wonderful service from out favourite bartender Kelly. Food was good yet a bit inconsistent from our previous visit Love the Mushroom Calamari & the Mushroom Ravioli but the Shepards pie was extremely salty & not consistent with the week before. Ambience could be so much better if the lighting was turned down a notch. We will be back though & appreciate especially the bar & lounge area aeating.
This restaurant has an excellent menu. In our party of eight people we had people who were pescatarian, vegan, gluten-free, and meat eaters. Everyone had a wonderful variety of choices and all were delicious. We will definitely come to Wildest every time we return to Palm Desert. LOVE THIS RESTAURANT!
Amazing. Restaurant was flexible with our timing needs. Servers amazing. Grass fed meat which is awesome l. I have celiac disease and fryer is totally gluten free so yay! A little loud but only cause there was a great singer performing live. Note, we had sat at one of the tables closest to the singer. I think at the regular restaurant low tops noise would be low. Anyway it was great! Great music choices too! Just being clear for those whom noise matters.
We had an absolutely wonderful dining experience! We were lucky enough to sit in the wine room and it was so lovely and my other guests had never been . The food and the atmosphere was enjoyable! Also, the service was perfect , Jane our server was fantastic and so were everyone else that helped her!