We've been to Palm Springs many times, and this has quickly become one of our favorite restaurants! The food was absolutely amazing, and the drinks were perfection. The bartenders were so fun, engaging, and extremely friendly. They took the time to explain the menu, make great recommendations, and provided truly exceptional service. We were celebrating my husband's 58th birthday, and they went above and beyond to make sure he had an unforgettable dinner. From the delicious food and perfectly crafted drinks to the wonderful service and atmosphere, everything was fantastic. We can't wait to come back! Highly recommend! read more

The last time we were here was only for drinks which was great. We had to come back for a meal and more drinks. As we had friends in town, I did remember looking at the menu for happy hour which would be great to show them the restaurant and check it out. Well, apparently the happy hour isn't late night anymore. It's was still online which we thought and showed up in the evening. Last checked, it's back to normal hour now. Well, we found out that it isn't available anymore. They've moved it back to the normal hour which we didn't know as it was still posted online. Anyways, guess it's a late night dinner instead. As it was towards the end of the night, the place wasn't too busy in the dining area. Bar area was still lively but the dinner crowd slowly was finishing up. Mariam was taking care of us that night. Very sweet and friendly which is alway amazing. Not only her, everyone that was working that night was the sweetest. Started off with a couple of drinks while we scan the menu. Everything looked amazing which makes it hard to choose. As we didn't really know exactly what we wanted, we opted to share a couple of things instead. Started off with fries of course. Can never go wrong with that. And the salt cod croquettes with Calabrian chili aioli. Small bites size which was great for sharing. Their shrimp linguine, simply but so good. Calabrian chili, parsley and lemon with a good amount of shrimp. Served in a white creamy sauce and linguine i believe. Highly recommend. Also had the radiatori, all day lamb bolognese. Another simple dish but the flavors of the sauce and meat, wow. And the pepperoni pizza with 24 months Parmesan. Also the roasted mushrooms with fontina, taleggio, thyme and 24 months Parmesan. Their pizzas are wood oven thin crust and so good. Plenty of topping which is alway a plus in my book. We finally had a meal and I must say, it was delicious. Everything ordered was delicious and enjoyed by all. The service was amazing and the staff were all friendly and helpful. Now that we know about the HH is back to normal hour, we'll have to be back for that. Each time, the staff and experience was excellent. Until next time. read more

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Found this place on IG. Seemed like one of the popular spots to eat in Palm Springs. Serves Italian food. The restaurant is cute and chic. Love the interior design. Came for lunch on a Sunday. Didn't realize they had a brunch menu. Really wanted to try a specific pasta dish but it was for dinner only. They still serve pasta but it seemed like a smaller menu. My partner got the spaghetti and I got the Campanella. It was a white sauce pasta with sausages. It was really good. I enjoyed both dishes. For dessert we got the pistachio soft serve with raspberry sauce. It was refreshing especially when you're about to step outside in hot weather. If you're in downtown check this spot out. read more

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Recently visiting Palm Springs and had to come to Bar Issi twice ! Once for lunch and once for cocktails before dinner. The atmosphere here is just fun ! Such a good vibe, the room and the staff. Our server for lunch, Lyndie was so great, such a presence she has!! We may have talked her ear off, such a gorgeous, and lovely woman. Another outstanding server is Emilio, with his beautiful smile and green eyes... and such a gentleman! The food and drinks are great !! The pizza, amazing! This coming from a Chicago guy! The French Toast was not only delicious, but picture perfect! The bartender (Sunday evening September 20, about 6pm) was super nice and friendly. He made some great dirty martinis ! Overall I love this place ! Can't wait to come back to Palm Springs so I can visit Bar Issi again ! read more

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This is easily the best meal I've had in Palm Springs. Highly recommend the house made bread, lamb ragu (the star of the show), the agnolotti, and the pepperoni (or honestly any of the pizzas). We still talk about this meal and it has been a few months since we visited. The two-top tables were really small and close together and it felt like we were sitting on the people next to us despite booking a reservation way in advance. We were able to ask to move to a bigger table but we just happened to be lucky one was open because they were packed. Small issue with service - we got drinks quickly but then after an entire 30 minutes after ordering we had not received the bread appetizer. Several tables around us got theirs but our server kept saying it was coming right out and it didn't. We finally got ours basically at the same time as the rest of our food, which was a little irritating because we only got the bread to tide us over until our food came. Overall absolutely dying to go back, maybe to sit at the bar, which definitely got quicker service and the full menu is available. read more

Bar Issi - Italian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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Elegant! A very beautiful restaurant, with exceptional service! Came to dinner with a couple of friends on our last night in Palm Springs and it was a nice to way to cap off the trip. We all enjoyed our meals and the drinks! Definitely would come back! Come try em out for yourself! read more

Bar Issi - Italian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Literally such a stunning place to have dinner! It is upscale and eclectic inside, gorgeous! My friend and I found it from TikTok and wanted to try it. I will say the reservations are extremely hard to get and fill up so fast, definitely make one well in advance. We couldn't get one so we walked in (ample amount of open tables by the way) and asked if we could get a table. The check-in people were saying there's no reservations for the next two days lol okay no worries but we asked if we could sit at the bar or on the open couches and order food & drinks and they said no. Finally a very nice worker at the bar said no you can sit here at the bar tell them I said you could. So they finally allowed us and had a stank face. Mind you we were dressed nice and were very polite from the jump. Confused more than upset as to why they were so opposed to us dining there when it was only half full. Aside from the service! The food was spectacular, no notes it was so delicious. Overall I would still come back for the amazing food, drinks, and ambiance. I just hope they are nicer to me next time and will definitely have a reservation! Haha read more

Bar Issi - Italian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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I was visiting PS for 4th of July weekend and my partner surprised us with a lovely date night at this restaurant. I absolutely loved the interior decor! As soon as you step inside, it almost transported me to a Miami Vice / Golden Girls era with a touch of sophistication and elegance. I loved the color profile and friendliness of the staff. Our server was very kind and pleasant. We ordered food to share and that included the bread with butters. Wow... I could eat that bread and butters daily. Amazing flavor and loved how soft and warm, freshly baked that bread was! The steak was also cooked perfectly with perfect flavor. I thought the food was perfect and would like to visit this place again when I return to PS. read more

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Bar Issi, a lively restaurant that offers an upscale vibe and exquisite decor. You can walk in however i highly recommended making a reservation. The staff are all very nice and helpful. Once seated the service is quite quick without feeling rushed. As for the food, now it was tasty however i did notice that the shrimp linguine recipe has been changed since last year. It was good this time but last year it was phenomenal, I would love to experience that version of the linguine again. The pizza was a great add on. Also had some French fries which i noticed the portion has gotten smaller since last year, they were delicious and i do wish the portion size didn't change. Did order one of their refreshing cocktails and it wasn't strong but somehow did the job, gotta live that ! Overall i do believe bar issi is an excellent place, i do plan on returning again next year! read more

Bar Issi - Margarita pizza - Italian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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I was really excited to visit this restaurant because it's such a beautiful and cool place. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed with the octopus. As you can see in the photo, it was clearly burned. What surprised me most is that something this overcooked and burned was still sent out from the kitchen. I understand that mistakes happen, but I would expect the kitchen to notice and remake a dish when an item is clearly not up to standard. The rest of the food and the drink were good, and I really liked the atmosphere. I just hope next time the kitchen takes a little more care before serving something that is visibly burned. Not cool, especially for a restaurant like this. read more

Bar Issi - Octopus - Italian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Bar Issi is my current Palm Springs crush. In a town with a lot of mid tasting food, Bar Issi is exceptionally good. I've been twice in the last six months and it gets better each time. It's located in the new Thompson Hotel and the restaurant is gorgeous. It gives Palm Springs in all the best ways. Of the starters, I liked Nonna's meatballs ($18.00). They're meaty and sit in a bed of tangy marinara sauce. On my recent visit, the tomato salad ($19.00) was giving. The thick slices are minimally dressed with a sherry vinaigrette and topped with basil giving them a chance to stand on their own. Given that it is tomato season, these heirloom tomatoes were juicy and delicious. The radiatori ($34.00) is my favorite pasta. It's an "All Day" lamb bolognese cooked with a really fun pasta shape. It's rich, savory, and the ridges of the radiatori catches all of the pasta sauce. Pizzas are great. I've tried several, but the one I think of often is a seasonal sausage with tomatoes. Tis very good. Oh! And don't skip dessert especially the Brontë pistachio soft serve ($19) is on the menu. It's refreshing and decadent all in the same spoonful. Bar Issi is so good. I like that their menu is adaptive to what's in season. I like revisiting my favorites, but it's nice to know that there's always seasonal items to look forward to. Highly recommend dining at Bar Issi if you find yourself in Palm Springs. read more

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Bar Issi exceeded my expectations all around. The service, the food, the ambience, everything was 5-Stars in my opinion. I've always felt like the food in Palm Springs was just OK, but maybe that's because I'm spoiled in Los Angeles. I came to Bar Issi expecting that it would just be Ok, but I was wayyyy wrong. It was AMAZING! We had reservations and were seated immediately. The ambience and decor was a vibe. I can't remember our server's name, but he was super friendly and we had a nice conversation about plants lol. For the food, we started with the Crispy Octopus - So good. Cooked perfectly, and the romesco paired so well. I could have eaten multiple plates. For our entrees we got the Shrimp Linguine and the Pepperoni Pizza. I was very impressed with both of these. The Shrimp Linguine was very flavorful. The noodles were cooked nicely. Plenty of shrimp. All around it was a great dish and I would definitely order it again. The Pepperoni Pizza was very good, packed with pepperoni, the cheese tasted so good, the dough was perfect. Honestly this pizza was better than many pizzas I've had at LA restaurants. I will 1000% come back to Bar Issi next time I'm in Palm Springs! read more

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You must go!!! Every time we visit Palm Springs, we make it a point to try a new restaurant, but Bar Issi is one place worth returning to every single time! We ordered the bread with assorted butters, shrimp linguine, pepperoni pizza, and flank steak with fries. Everything was absolutely delicious! The shrimp linguine was hands down, top 3 pasta dishes I've ever had! From the bread and butters to the pizza and steak, nothing disappointed. Bar Issi has officially earned a spot on our must-visit list whenever we're in Palm Springs. Can't wait to return! read more

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Amazing! I've seen this place many times and finally actually got a reservation. It was so cute indoors and honestly was a vibe. The food was great, we got a few things to share with the table and loved all of it. The drinks were great and strong! I would definitely come back. read more

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Breakfast pizza. That's it, that's what you get. Fresh made with a soft warm crust. Actually a lot of what we got was good but the pizza stood out as #1. I liked the white beans which had a slight sour/lemony touch to it. The interior was beautiful and very elevated retro inspired like a lot of Palm Springs. They have outdoor seating in front patio that allows dogs. Service was at tentative and gave great descriptions and recommendations of the food items. (Shout out to our server that recommended the breakfast pizza and changed out lives) read more

Bar Issi - Italian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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We were initially hesitant to return to Bar Issi after hearing mixed reports about service over the past year, but our recent visit was wonderful. Our waiter was attentive and charming, and the food arrived promptly. We shared the Pepperoni pizza to start, followed by the Shrimp Linguini and Spaghetti Cacio & Pepe, and finished with the Pistachio soft serve ​ice cream for dessert. Everything was delicious, and the atmosphere and decor were outstanding. It was a fantastic experience overall, and we are glad to keep Bar Issi among our favorite spots in Palm Springs. read more

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Bar Issi is a really cool spot and definitely has the Palm Springs vibe down. Pink chandeliers, funky wallpaper with alligators on it, and a trendy atmosphere that makes this a great date night spot. We started with the house bread and butter trio, and this bread was GOOD. Airy and soft on the inside with a nice crispy outer layer. I'm pretty sure it's just their pizza dough, but when the pizza dough tastes this good, I'm not complaining. The burrata with oranges was also really good. My only complaint was that I wanted something crispy to go with it. Give me a crostini, grilled bread or something! I wanted to scoop up every last bit of that burrata and orange goodness. For entrees, we had the branzino and caccio pepe. The branzino isn't served whole, which is normally how I prefer it, but it was still really flavorful and perfectly moist. Definitely something I'd order again. The caccio pepe was excellent. They make it with fresh pasta dough, so you get a thicker, chewier pasta, which is exactly what I like. Really good pasta and probably my favorite dish of the night. There are a bunch of other things on the menu I want to try, so I'll definitely be back. And special shout out to our server Rodney. I almost never mention servers by name because I try to keep my reviews focused on the food and the restaurant, but he genuinely stood out. Super attentive, welcoming, and just made the whole experience better. Great food, cool room, and definitely a place I'd come back to for another date night. read more

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We were recently in the area for Coachella and this was the cutest brunch spot before a full day! The interior is super cute and funky. Lots of pinks and greens! We were in the mood for some pasta and went with their Shrimp Linguini and Spaghetti. Both were sooo yummy! I'm usually not the biggest fan of a cream sauce, but the Shrimp Linguini really surprised me. It featured calabrian chili, parsley, and lemon. The citrus notes were really forward and cut a lot of the cream. So good! The Spaghetti was a classic pomodoro with lots of basil. Simple and done right! All of their pasta is made in-house. So fresh! Love the unique shapes and textures! read more

Bar Issi - Shrimp Linguini & Spaghetti - Italian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

We had the opportunity to stop by this restaurant a few weeks ago to celebrate my sister's birthday and we invited a few of our closest friends to a weekend getaway in Palm Springs. DISCLAIMER: we ALL knew it would be hot. We are not ignorant and we were willing to battle the heat however, we made a reservation and when it was done we specifically requested a table INDOORS. We were very specific and my sister was adamant that she did not want to sit outside cause we were celebrating with a friend of hers who she suspected would not do well in the heat. It was NINE PM and it was still above 100. I get it. Its the desert. But when we asked the staff that we had specifically requested a table indoors (mi d u w more than 2 weeks in advance) they simply told us there was no space and that they couldnt do anything. My sister was obviously upset and she almost begged the manager, they simply told us no, and thats it. I was observing this and we all told her it was fine, even our friend who doesnt do good in the heat, but she was visibly so upset she decided not to eat. At this point it was almost 10 So we didnt want to walk around and lool for a place to eat, so we stayed even in the boiling heat of the Palm Springs NIGHT. The food was alright, fresh ingredients, the drinks were tasty. The issue outside is that we barely had light and the ceiling fans are more like an ornament at this point cause we felt NOTHING. We finished the night, sweaty but full of pizza. Hopefully this place has better ambient in the winter time, cause I really would love to give it another try. read more

First visit and had a fantastic experience. Wonderful décor and ambiance. It's the kind of place that feels elevated, thoughtfully designed, and perfect for a special outing, brunch, or dinner. There's valet parking available at the adjacent Thompson Hotel for $10, if you can't find something on the street. Service from the bar staff was excellent. Friendly, attentive, and made sure we were taken care of for the entire visit. We tried the La Fresa Rosa ($19), a no-alcohol Palm Springs Vice ($12), a Milano Boulevard ($19), and a House Martini Dirty ($21). All the cocktails were very well made, and my wife claimed that her dirty martini was one of the best she's had. Unfortunately, we arrived in between their brunch and afternoon/evening food service, so we couldn't try anything this time. Another visit is certainly warranted. Overall, a great experience. We'll most definitely be back for more! read more

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If you're looking for a great happy hour in Palm Springs, then head over to Bar Issi on Palm Canyon Drive, right in front of the Thompson Hotel. Friendly bartenders, excellent cocktails, and tasty bar bites. Recommendations: (1) For drinks, try the House Old Fashioned and the House Hugo Spritz. So good! (2) For bar bites, try the Pizzeta Rosa with tomato, garlic, oregano, and parmesan. Especially loved the crust and red sauce. read more

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Days later and I'm still dreaming about the Nonna's Meatballs from the appetizer section. Truly, the best meatballs I have ever had!! If you stop here, this is a must order. Bar Issi was recommended to me by a resident in my family's condo and had I not been given the recommendation, I am not sure I would have stopped. Being a yearly traveler to Palm Springs and already knowing my spots, I was skeptical to try Bar Issi being a newer establishment. My friends and I made a reservation online for outdoor dining and got seated promptly on Palm Canyon Drive. To my surprise, the layout of the exterior patio allows for a very serene dining space and far less noise from the cars the I anticipated due to some plants, the rod iron fence, etc. In addition to being able to see the mountain landscape from outside, those who have their back faced to the mountain can get a great view by looking at the glass window as the reflection shines nicely. The service is high end and quick to come with waters and review the specials. The cocktail menu is robust and I was so thrilled to see a nice variety of mocktails including a mocktail espresso martini which I purchased and adored!!! It was tiny and just the right size topped with espresso beans just like a normal one would be. Fantastic!! My group ended up splitting 3 dishes as everything sounded jaw dropping. As mentioned above, the meatballs were our starter along with the burrata. The burrata was outstanding and uniquely made unlike anything my group had ever tasted. It contained citrus, chili, pistachio and mint all on the cold citrus fruit and was pleasantly amazing!! We kept raving how we would have never thought of this recipe and even have quite the homemaker in the group. For our main dishes we split the Angolotti Pasta and Margherita wood fired pizza. Both dishes were out of this world and every bite kept getting better and better. Needless to say, we tried to make a reservation the very next evening and every seat in the house was already taken. We ended up going to another local Italian restaurant on Palm Canyon and were very underwhelmed coming from Bar Issi to it. Bar Issi sets the bar very high for Italian food now. I wonder if the bar in the name is part of this phrase??! Funny. Palm Springs: you have got yourself a real winner with Bar Issi. I cannot wait to return next year. Thank you for making such a memorable meal for my friends and I!!!! Grazie!!!!!! read more

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I was alone and they had open two tops that were never seated but made me stand there for over 45 minutes which is how long it would have taken me to eat. And repetitively pushed me to order a cocktail which was uncomfortable. Then once I did get a seat a bar still 1/3 of restaurant not seated at 9 pm I ordered squash blossoms- under stated with nearly no flavor and too much lemon in the cheese mix. And no sauce. Super basic but I'm spoiled with excellent food They got me sauce and salt and reheated the item it was better. Next I got the aglonotti which was super hot at the edge of the pasta and cold inside. It was also the exact same filing as the squash blossom. Epic fail! Wine was good and service at the bar was great. Hosts were not aware of the room. read more

Bar Issi - Italian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

The food recommendations were perfect We had the pepperoni pizza Greek salad and lamb ragu pasta We did not have reservations, but were seated fairly quickly. My only complaint would be when asked if I wanted feta stuffed olives with the House martini I was not informed that there was an additional charge for that read more

Wow and wow. I felt like I was in White Lotus. The decor was to die for and the lively vibe was beyond amazing. Sat at the bar and our server was not only amazing but easy on the eyes . He took care of our needs and answered all of our random questions. Does this have this in it, what's this like, what's that and more (he moved to PS with his wife from the another state). Then the food came another WOW . From cavier, pizza, lamb chops, pasta not one dish was just ok. It was a amazing experience. Price is high but worth it all... read more

Bar Issi - Italian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Hot summer afternoon....great ambience inside Bar Issi...yummy happy hour delightful decor..so fun! Even the ladies room is 5-star! Such a vibe that adds to Palm Springs charm and whimsy! read more

Super cute restaurant in Pam springs, food was great. Really enjoyed the squash blossom and skirt steak Service was pretty slow. Asked for ranch/ketchup for my fries and didn't receive it until after I was finished with my food... read more

No notes. From the perfect service and first dish (pizza) to desserts.. everything was exceptional! Can't wait to visit again. read more

Bar Issi - Shrimp linguine was perfection. - Italian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Bar Issi has been one of our favorites since it opened. The ambiance is beautiful and the service remains enjoyable, but unfortunately, we've noticed a steady decline in the quality of the food--both in preparation and portion size. The first year was exceptional, which is why the change has been so noticeable. The Greek salad has always been one of our go-to dishes and originally came with a generous brick of feta. A year and a half later, the portion of feta is literally about half the size. We also regularly order the meatballs, and during our last few visits several have arrived dehydrated, hard and unpleasant to eat--the kind of texture you get when something has been reheated too aggressively. Most recently, we ordered the salmon and were honestly shocked by what arrived: a very small, overcooked piece of fish simply plopped onto a plate of red sauce. The presentation was disappointing, and unfortunately the taste wasn't much better. We also tend to dine early, usually around 5-6 p.m., so these experiences aren't happening at the end of a busy night when the kitchen is overwhelmed. It's genuinely disappointing because Bar Issi was such a welcome addition to the desert and quickly became one of our favorite places. We keep returning because we remember how exceptional it was when it opened, but after several disappointing meals in a row, it's becoming a place we're more likely to skip. When you're spending hundreds of dollars on dinner, you expect the quality, preparation and presentation to reflect that. I really hope they get back to what made Bar Issi so special in the beginning, because we would love to make it one of our regular favorites again. read more

Went for my sisters birthday brunch. It was good, however I wasn't feeling too well, so I kept to basic's. I got a shrimp cocktail & a simple fried egg. Now, that simple fried egg was worth it, & let me tell you why. The yolk was a rich amber gold. If you know eggs & egg farming & chicken keeping, you know the chickens get a lot of sun & are probably open pasture raised. Now service & cleanliness is different. We got a waiter who was maybe not so excited to be at work that Sunday. His attitude was very short & rude. Then, our silverware was not clean. When my sister was for new ones, she was met with side eyes and hugging and puffing. Overall, I would try it again, maybe on a less busy day. read more

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Went during happy hour and loved it. Beautiful design and atmosphere. We sat at the bar of course and I had the aperol spritz and tried the hibiscus spritz both were great. Food was delicious we had pizza, prosciutto and the truffle arancini. Definitely coming back to try their dinner menu. read more

Bar Issi - Pizza Rosa, prosciutto and hibiscus spritz - Italian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

We are so thrilled to have another amazing restaurant in downtown PS. The food is phenomenal, the drinks unique, and the service superb. We loved the vibe, decor, and music too - overall just a great spot. We can't wait to come back! read more

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We really wanted to love Bar Issi. The margherita pizza was solid (hence the 2 stars), the salad was nice, and then came... the chicken. One person at our table took a bite, looked at us completely seriously, and said, "This tastes like coins." Naturally, we thought she had lost her mind. Then we tried it. She had not lost her mind. The chicken tasted distinctly metallic. So did the creamed spinach. All three of us agreed. We will be discussing this chicken for years and not in the good way. Honestly, a weird dish happens. What made the experience disappointing was how uncomfortable we were made to feel for mentioning it. The response felt oddly dismissive rather than concerned that three people were all tasting the same very unusual thing. We ordered the agnolotti instead, which somehow arrived approximately 30 seconds later. Alarmingly impressive speed, if nothing else. We were celebrating a birthday, and unfortunately the whole experience really put a damper on the night. We were also charged in full and then presented with tip options of 20%, 22%, and 25%, which felt like a slightly ambitious finale to the evening. I called the next day genuinely hoping to have a constructive conversation and come to some sort of understanding, but unfortunately found the conversation with the manager similarly dismissive. The pizza was good enough. The chicken will live rent-free in our memories. And the way the situation was disappointing. I wish there had simply been a little more hospitality and an effort to make an unfortunate situation right, and chicken-tasting chicken! read more

Bar Issi is very impressive you walk in and you feel like your in one of the Episodes of White Lotus Italy. I love all the designs a cool art around the restaurant to take pictures with. My favorite dish is the spaghetti pomodoro the sauce is so good. Once you finish the item from the menu you feel full. My favorite thing is their dessert, which is this pistachio soft serve. It is served with a raspberry sauce or a chocolate sauce you have the choice. The service was great and the waiters truly care about your dining experience. The service was great and I was able to enjoy the night and the meal read more

We had dinner at this place, we honestly had big expectations about this restaurant, 3 stars is taking into account service, taste of food , portion size, we had a couple of appetizers, The Burrata and Tuna tartare and as main entres we had The Branzino and a Pepperoni pizza This place serves the burrata over a bed of citrus, orange and grapefruit, 2 slices of each. IMO did not work, Grapefruit was very bitter, Tuna Tartare was good, Branzino was cooked well but was lacking flavor Pizza was just alright. Prices are reasonable for the area. Overall food was just ok. We had to tell the bussing guy to find our server a couple of times since he was not checking on us often enough. read more

Has the new darling of downtown Desert dining lost its sparkle? I was pretty disappointed with my visit for Sunday supper. It was really a mixed-bag with more negatives than positives to be frank. This was a major letdown especially since my previous visit last November was a 5-star experience. I genuinely wonder if the regular staff were all away since this is the "low season" in the Desert? It was pretty obvious that our server was a stand in. While he was very nice he did not seem to have much experience with fine dining. It also seemed like he was spread way too thin to adequately tend to his diners. Our cocktails that we ordered immediately upon being seated did not arrive until well after our appetizers came to the table (pizza and meatballs). We also didn't have silverware when our entrees came after they had been taken away after the appetizer course. It took forever to bring replacements and our food just sat there. Even though the original appetizer order was wrong our table of four were so hungry we just went with it. Bottom line: If you're unable to perform due to staffing issues, then shut down like many other reputable established restaurants for the season rather than operate as a haphazard or ad-hoc venue. I do appreciate that management was able to adjust the price for a substitute wine bottle when our preferred selection was out of stock and made the recommendation for a more expensive replacement. Our 3 pasta entrees were good (cacio e pepe, lamb bolognese, and lemon ravioli). The grilled chicken was dry and flavorless, however. We ordered a side of white beans that were totally inedible. The beans were literally undercooked and tasted like they had been boiled without salt or any seasoning whatsoever. Our server was at least astute enough to take the beans off of our final bill when we brought it to his attention. There was a light buzz going on in the restaurant at 8:30 on a Sunday evening but it seemed muted compared to what it has been previously (at least as of several months ago). It seemed like few of the table lamps were properly charged so management seemed to be having major difficulty shuffling the table lighting from table to table - for what would have contributed to a chic dining experience. Also, it was uncomfortably hot inside the restaurant. While I can only imagine what cooling off a restaurant in 116 degree heat might be like, however, being less than a year old I find having air conditioning issues to be concerning when I would imagine most diners and employees would be uncomfortable with the ambient temperature of the restaurant. I'd have to guess it was probably close to 80 degrees or higher inside the restaurant. The impression I got was this was a deliberate "cost saving" measure rather than some mechanical issue. I think the $600 price tag for 4 cocktails, a bottle of wine, 4 entrees, and 2 appetizers along with a single dessert was fair if everything was running properly. However, given the serious operational issues that appear to be happening the likelihood of repeat return visits by any diner will be greatly diminished. It seemed like all around the restaurant was cutting corners and it definitely shows. I will have second thoughts before making a future recommendation or choosing to return anytime soon. read more

Second time visiting Bar Issi, with a much better experience this time around. Delicious drinks, great food flavors (the burratta is a must) and service has improved for the most part from last time. There was a couple off paced moments but generally speaking was good. The restaurant was busy; one thing I still don't like is how close they seat you to others- you can hear everything everyone is talking about. Also went to celebrate my birthday (which was noted on the reservation) and they didn't do anything for it which was a bummer, not sure I'd go here to celebrate anything. read more

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Bar Issi had an amazing happy hour with affordable drinks and an elegant upscale ambiance. We ordered the margarita at $10 and it was delicious. This margarita was definitely a crafted cocktail made with higher end ingredients and $10 is a bargain for this drink. We also ordered the Rose at $5 a glass and that might be the best deal in Palm Springs. Last, the bartender provided excellent service and made sure we were taken care of. 5 stars for happy hour! read more

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About an hour before we arrived on a Wednesday, we called as there were no openings on open table before 8pm. They told us they had 2 seats on the patio at an earlier time, so we booked it. When we arrived, 2 seats opened up at the bar so that is where we ended up. Service: Excellent. The host has to be one of the happiest people on this planet and our bartender, Josh, was attentive, helpful and had a great sense of humor. The other bartenders checked on us also, leaving me with a feeling of a cohesive team who respects their coworkers. Food: The Greek salad had tasty, sweet tomatoes, olives, cukes and other deliciousness with a light vinaigrette that made this a very yummy salad. The slab of feta on top was quite generous. The mushroom pizza was savory, thin crust and very well made with quality ingredients. Bar: Comfy, oversized seats with the bar top being backlit, highlighting gold specs which look like chopped basil leaves. It gave off a cool vibe. The double sided menus were printed on thick, translucent paper, which was challenging to read without the backing also showing through due to the underlighting. A glass of chard is $24, a generous pour. The beautifully presented craft cocktails are often served in a small martini or coup glass. Atmosphere: Fun, uniquely decorated with a matching music track, which was not overly loud. The people volume was a bit loud when the restaurant was completely full, however, you could still carry on a conversation without shouting. Parking was available in the lot 2 blocks away. Bar Issi has been open about 5 months, and a lot of the Thompson Hotel guests seemed to be hanging out here. read more

Bar Issi - Mushroom pizza, thin crispy crust, loaded with mushrooms and quality ingredients, excellent. - Italian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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I vaguely described what I wanted. He nodded and made this amazing concoction of Gin, Orange Curaçao and Cardamom. Perfect. read more

Bar Issi - Alexander's Breakfast Martini. - Italian Near Me - Palm Springs, California