This Italian Restaurant is off Highway 111 & Palm Desert drive. We got a reservation on Mother's Day last Sunday, as we enter we were warming & kindly greeted. As our host walked us back to our table. I noticed how beautiful, classy, chic, superb, super clean it was, and so wear the restrooms. This Italian restaurant is huge, Everything inside was super elegant! As we sat down, we were greeted by our waiter Jack. Jack asked us if we had any questions, he answered them all beautifully! So we ordered Bocconcini di Mozzarella Caprese, Shrimp Dijon della Casa, 2 Linguine alle Bolognese, Fresh Minestrone Zuppa, Gnocchi al Pesto, fettuccini Alfredo with chicken, Fettuccine Alfredo with sausage, Risotto Tutto Mare, Risotto con Funghi with chicken, 2 order king crab legs. Their signature Bread is so delicious!! Everything was so mouth watering & highly delicious!! Everything explodes in your mouth, the savory tastes, I wished I could have eaten more, I was full! I also want to make a note, I normally do not eat crab at all. Once I tried & tasted the king Crab I was floored it's the best crab I have ever had! On top of that, Uriel was constantly making sure are glasses of waters, sodas, alcohol were always full without us asking us he was on it ! Castelli's is now my #1 Italian place to go to! Highest quality of their food, portion size was incredible, hospitality amazing! Their price points are so spot on! I highly recommend anyone who looking a a fabulous & delicious place to eat please come here! Jack & Uriel were so polite, kind, sweet, caring, super down to earth ! These are your rare diamonds please treasure them well! I would love to Thank Castelli's & their staff for our wonderful Mother's Day Dinner, with deliciousness & awesomeness on the side! I would especially love to Thank Jack, Uriel, Juan for making sure we had everything we needed ! You guys Rock! We definitely will be back again!! Can't wait!! I'll tell all my Family & Friends to visit here! Please be kind & courteous to these hard workers read more

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Nice old style Italian Restaurant in Palm Desert. Our concierge recommended this restaurant and told us it was very upscale and we would have to dress appropriately. The food was good, but the ambience was more casual than our concierge described. We went on a Friday in March, so mainly stuck to seafood. Mussels were great and the minestrone was OK- it was very heavy on vegetables and too light on other typical ingredients. The Alfredo pasta was good and our excellent waiter, Jack, recommended it highly!! The shrimp dish was disappointed given the quality, quantity, and price of the dish. Was a bit overcooked, scrimped on the shrimp in the scampi, for the price. Desert was very good. I found it lacking the authenticity, but priced as if a NY, NJ, or Boston Italian venue, but was great for Palm Desert! read more

While I don't think Castelli's relies on Yelp reviews, I do think that the wayward 3 star (or below) review here and there impact their standing in that arena. Honestly this was only our second time here, and I would credit that to the fact we had four kids we were raising during the time we frequented the desert most. Our first time here was many years ago and I had heard about it from someone I encountered at a nail appointment (of all places). Castelli's really does have an old school kind of feel -- and outside of "peak dining" hours is where you are likely to have your best experience. The staff is very attentive and there is definitely a hierarchy in how they work and it flows. Gabriel was our server tonight. He has been there since 1996. He has wonderful recommendations and when I was torn between (what was admittedly likely considered basic) two dishes he said "why not both" and ordered 2 half potions of the Pomedoro and the pesto gnocchi (both were good, the gnocchi better). He took good care of us and his support staff aided in the entire experience. I watched the hostess lead guests to their tables, offering an elbow when further assistance was as needed. They accommodated families when necessary and were super friendly and gracious. We have been coming to the desert for 15 years and the level of expectation from patrons (when in this area) is elevated from other places and Castelli's was top notch. The food was delicious, the wine was wonderful and the staff brought things to another level. I think Castelli's is under appreciated (and perhaps that bodes well for us). Ignore the subpar reviews, make the reservation and go! I did not take photos of my food, but believe me when I say it was delicious and we will be back. My only regret is that we have not been here more often. read more

Great little Italian place! A bit pricey, but the service was wonderful and the food was delicious. My husband ordered the Linguine Di Mare and I ordered the Linguine Alle Bolognese. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals. But the cheesecake we ordered for dessert was the hit of the evening! Highly recommend. read more

Castelli's - Linguine Di Mare - Italian Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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Typical Coachella Valley Italian. Cool old place. But, serving size way too big. Doing it to justify the price for average Italian food. A favorite of many, I found it lacking in a strong flavor profile. Just did not evoke flavors that you say I have to come back here. Pretty average with a big ticket menu. read more

Best dirty martini w blue cheese stuffed olives EVER! This bartender is legit! These servers are professional, just slow tonight. We finally were served bread, then came a great chopped Cobb salad. By the time this came, I finished my drink. The best meal was the night's special- sliced ribeye on fettuccine Alfredo. Wow! Unfortunately, we've had better lobster ravioli. Tonight, it was dead average. Don't worry, we are big fans of your restaurant Michael & John! We'll be back. read more

Castelli's - Great wines! - Italian Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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We met friends there so that was special but for me the food was fine, the service was attentive, but it was just too loud. It was a huge bill and I just didn't think it was worth it. read more

Excellent Old School Italian restaurant. It took them 15 mins or so to seat us past our reservation but the service was great once seated. The complimentary garlic bread is excellent, and they brought us sharing plates to split the salads we ordered. The salads feed 2-3 each. The entrees were very large portion sizes. I liked my ravioli florentine and others enjoyed a chicken piccata, a veal Parmesan, and a linguine bolognese. For dessert we split the tiramisu and NY cheesecake - for me the cheesecake was the winner there. The water service was great and the cocktails were large. read more

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Just an incredible old-school, perfect-vibe incredible Italian cuisine with impeccable service where you want to just sit for ours and enjoy a romantic date and take it all in. I absolutely loved everything about Castelli's - the service and attention were top shelf! Water was constantly full and they even brought me more garlic bread - WHICH IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST EVER. I ordered a caesar and the Godfather, and couldn't be happier with my choices. Did I mention the bread? Lol. Ridiculous. Five stars. My bride ordered the linguini de mar (spelling?) and gave her dish 3 stars - she thought the shrimp and lobster were too chewy. Overall we truly loved our night and highly recommend patronizing Castelli's! read more

Stopped in last night for an early dinner with the girls and once again top notch service and excellent food!!! I've eaten here dozens of times and have always enjoyed the food and drinks. Tonight was exceptional, and we all raved about our food. Bravo to the chefs Monday evening and the wait staff for taking such good care of us. Hard to find old school service and detail to attention. Whenever I'm in town, Castelli's is always number one on my list!! read more

We never go out on the actual Valentines night, we go the day before instead, when the servers are less stressed and the kitchen is a little less slammed, so we honored this practice with a 5:30 reservation at Castelli's, a fabulous old school Italian restaurant, complete with a delightful menu, an abundant staff and a live piano player. We were greeted warmly, immediately seated, had water and menus in a flash, and asked about drinks. The staff is the most attentive you will find anywhere, chatty, knowledgeable and a joy to interact with. I am not a drinker but my sweetheart likes a Prosecco, and they had a split which was the perfect size for her. We shared a Caesar salad on separate plates, nicely dressed and with small croutons, along with their yummy garlic bread. We had the Cannelloni and the Fettuccini Alfredo, the house specialty, this time with chicken, which they dice and mix into the sauce. A great idea. For dessert, we chose the chocolate mousse, though the spumoni also caught our eye. Next time. We never felt hurried, even as we realized that they probably needed to turn their tables as the night moved on, especially being in the first seating. We look forward to a return visit to sample other parts of the menu and see those friendly faces once more. read more

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I'm so glad I came back! My first time was very forgettable, but this visit reflected the rave reviews I've heard from others. Very personable service, great food, classic Italian vibes, and a warm and welcoming environment. My one complaint would be the old-fashioned cocktail. It's the second time I've tried it there and there's no cherry, no orange, and it's just not good. Other than that, all was phenomenal. read more

One of my all time favorite. They make you fill like family, and the food is always delicious... Everyone there, go out of their way to make you fill special, the service is over the top too! If you haven't been it's a must try, and if it's been awhile go back... I'm never disappointed! Lovely evening hands down. read more

We came here for a family dinner while staying in Palm Springs for a long weekend. We love this hidden little gem. The service was great from the moment we walked in the door. The old time Palm Springs/Hollywood Italian diner is such a classic. The ambiance is candle lite with old photos with Hollywood celebrities painting the walls. We ordered Bruschetta, Beef Carpaccio, Fried Artichoke and Caprese to start. For our mains we ordered Filet Mignon, Chicken Parmesan and the Veal Chop. Everything was excellent and service was amazing. We love it here! Can't wait to come back! read more

Castelli's - Bar - Italian Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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Another 5 star visit to Castelli's. It was a busy night for a Tuesday, staff was friendly, from the host to our waiter. 5/5 service! Food was prompt from the kitchen, cooked perfectly. Excellent tasty dinner. 5/5 food! Left feeling full and happy. 10/10!!! I even spent a few mins chatting with Michael about their great selection of quality wines. Never have to bring a bottle with you!! read more

Ten of us dined here last night with mixed reviews. First let me say that the service was excellent. Three of the party had the shrimp scampi which was overcooked and chewy. My wife had a pasta dish that she did not eat. Another had the Salmon and said it was excellent. The others said their food was nondescript. The bread served was excellent and also the Birthday deserts were excellent. No problem with the wine or cocktails. This pricing of this restaurant is comparable to Eddie Vs ,Ruth Chris etc. It is not inexpensive. They must be doing something right as on a Tuesday night the place was full. I cant say that any of us will return but with the clientele they have they won't miss us. read more

First Time here. We were visiting from OC and made a reservation through Open Table. I loved how convenient it was. When we arrived, we were seated quickly. It was a Friday night at 7 pm. The place was packed. They were churning out pasta left and right. We enjoyed the garlic bread, calamari, and our baseball sons enjoyed spaghetti with meatballs. The salads are mid. The side of eggplants was exactly what I wanted, some gooey mozzarella cheese pull. Prices are within market of what you would expect. Service felt transactional and rushed but I understand it's to get people in and out. I think that would have brought it up a notch. I would suggest Valet if you can't find parking. read more

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For our last night in Rancho Mirage we went to Castilli's, an old school Italian Restaurant. What an amazing experience. Gabriel, our waiter, made our experience over the top. From offering to make an off menu dish for us, to offering to split portions when we asked his opinions on choosing between 2 dishes, to providing us with outstanding service, he was perhaps the best wairtwr I have ever had. The food was incredible, and matched his description to a T. I believe it was the best. Dining experience I have ever had. Can't say enough good things about the food, service, and abeyance. You can't go wrong with dinner here. Make sure you ask for Gabriel ! read more

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Food and service were great and Jaime did an exceptional job taking care of us, we are so grateful. Our only thing that actually really upset me is that my dad had trouble finding parking and ended up in the very back behind the restaurant, behind the cones of valet, against a fence. Valet guy, as we were walking out, told him that if he doesn't know where to park, that he doesn't belong dining here. It could have been up for debate about where to park but that's no way to speak to anyone. We walked out happy & ended up with a bad last impression because of this guy. read more

Great atmosphere, very old school. Noisy in the main dining area. Good wait staff and service. The complimentary garlic bread was good. Small baguette sized pieces. Entrees: - Linguine di Mare. Two of us had this. The seafood in my dish seemed to be a bit chewy. Good flavor though. - Linguine alla Vongole. Good dish. - Linguine alla Bolognese. Good dish. - Green Beans Almondine. This was the best dish of dinner. Perfectly cooked beans and nice slivered almonds. - Asparagus. Was a bit cold. Spears sed a tad mushy at the base but ok at the tips. - Castellis's After Dark. Good dessert. - Chocolate Lava Cake. Good. read more

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My wife and I were looking for something new on our quick little getaway to Palm Springs and I am so glad I found Castelli's on Yelp. Typically, this is a place where reservations are needed, but we called anyway and the gentleman on the phone was extremely accommodating and got us a table. Upon arrival, even though we were severely underdressed (which the staff had zero problem with) they were expecting us, and sat us at a table within one minute. From the front door to the dining area the experience was already five stars and that's before the waiter and the food were about to take it to the next level. From the way we were dressed (extremely casual) they could've easily treated us differently, but that wasn't the case at all. We were treated with first class customer service from start to finish. About the food, I told my wife that was probably the best New York steak I've ever had and it went perfectly with my gluten free pasta. Both our waiter and server were extremely attentive to our dietary restrictions (gluten & dairy free) and even made adjustments to the meal to help. When you combine great service with great food, that's a combination you can never go wrong with and I highly recommend this quaint, yet charming Italian restaurant to all. We would definitely come back. Compliments to the chef and entire staff who made this a great experience. read more

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This is a classic Italian restaurant with the desert feel. Service is fantastic. I had the lobster ravioli with Alfredo sauce and it was first rate. I would highly recommend it. read more

Castelli's - Cozy seating in the outer area with great Italian ambience - Italian Near Me - Palm Desert, California

The history and people that have attended Castelli's is remarkable. You can feel the history from the moment you arrive. The service was fantastic and the food impeccable! Get the Fettuccini Alfredo - it will change your life! Everything, absolutely everything was spectacular! read more

Always a delicious authentic Italian meal out. A family run real deal Italian restaurant with a delicious menu, and good bar drinks and wines. Excellent service from the wait staff makes for a nice night out either friends or family. Music in the lounge is a nice touch. read more

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Had an amazing dinner with my friends that came from OC. They wanted some authentic Italian food, so I deliver... Castelli's never fail. We had the fried calamari and beef carpaccio as an entree. I order the Osso Bucco which was delicious, recommended by Philip, which he was super attentive and present all night. My fiends order Risotto Tutto Mare, Tortellini Romano and a sea food pasta. Everything was excellent and completely forgot to take pictures, but I am sure they wouldn't show justice. We didn't have space for dessert but we are sure coming back for a cannoli and creme brûlée. read more

Food was great ,old school decor with pictures of all the old time Hollywood stars . Service was top notch made my wife and I feel very special. Introduced us to the owner on the way out who took a picture with us. read more

Castelli's - Italian Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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We've been coming to the desert for a long time. For the first time ever, we at Castelli's and I can't figure out why it took so long. What an amazing evening. We started with the fried calamari and ceaser salad, both excellent. For main dish, we had the fettuccine Alfredo along with a house special, the Osso Bucco (veal shank). If you like veal and don't get a chance to have it often, this is delicious and gently falls off the bone. For desert, we had the cannoli and the Castelli's After Dark, which was a real treat. As if the food and wine list wasn't good enough, the ambience of the setting and attentive excellent service was what really sets Castelli's apart. My wife has already said it's her favorite place in the area and a must return for all future trips back to the desert. read more

Once again Tony put the PRO IN PROFESSIONAL.. Dinner was incredible and Service was the usual 5 Stars..In all the Restaurants in Palm Dessert this is my favorite year after year.. You guys are AMAZING.. read more

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We've visited several times since moving to the desert, and we've always had a good experience. It's an "old school" kinda place, with wonderful service, and good food. It's not inexpensive, but I'd consider it to be reasonably priced considering the level of service, and the quality of the food. They have a very nice bar, situated along the middle edge of the restaurant. I still haven't had a chance to just grab a cocktail and some appetizers, but it's on my foodie bucket list. We definitely enjoy the ambiance, and will continue to go back for more. read more

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I've been coming to Costello's for over 30 years. I was a regular customer and then moved away and now moved back full-time. I can tell you the food was beyond spectacular as always, as well as the service and incredible atmosphere.. It was wonderful to see John the bartender still being there. Atmosphere is wonderful. There was four of us and we all had an absolutely incredible meal. If you want to go to a restaurant where you feel like Frank Sinatra is going to walk in any minute. This is the place for you. read more

Once again, Castelli's did not disappoint. Good service, authentic Italian food with a New York vibe.

I can't get past wondering if this restaurant is a front for the mob. LOL. I mean that in a good way too. Castelli's is one of those Italian comfort food restaurants from times of the past but still successfully work. I wouldn't change a thing about this restaurant including the decor. It's everything you want in an Italian American restaurant minus the red checkered table cloths. It looks classier than that. We didn't have reservations but had a table of 8 so we understood when they asked us to be done by 7:30 (walked in around 5:45 or maybe a bit later/earlier?) and had no problems with that. However, it took awhile before we ordered our food and not because we hadn't all decided. So, no prob getting out earlier, but then maybe speed up the service so we didn't feel stressed like we were going to be a hold up. My only other complaint is that the speakers must have been low on battery as the music kept cutting in and out. Most people may not notice that but I'm a background music type of guy and at points it was hard to concentrate on anything but this weird experience. I could have said something, but didn't so my own issue. Aside from that, it was a great experience. Our server was amazing and made good recommendations as well as accommodated all our requests. His assistants were great too. I love having a full water glass and nearly every time I looked down, it was getting filled. The food also is large portions so I feel the pricing is fair and is plated the way you want your food to look. I took to-go half my meal to control the portion size. I had the gnocchi in pesto cream sauce and I loved every bite. I don't think anyone had any complaints about their food, actually. My father-in-law who doesn't like garlic bread even enjoyed that! We didn't valet so park on the street which actually isn't hard to find. This place is BUSY on a Saturday night so I'd recommend getting a reservation or getting there early! They had a guy playing some jazzy tunes on a keyboard on top of the piano near the front. Fit the setting perfectly. read more

My husband and I met a friend for dinner at Castelli's in Palm Desert last night at 5:30. We brought in a bottle of wine and were looking forward to catching up over a relaxing dinner. The wait staff started our evening with very attentive and pleasant service. This review is not so much about the food (which was good, but not great) nor the staff (who generally treated us well) - until they didn't. We ordered a drink from the bar and the waiter opened the bottle of wine we brought with us as we were placing our food orders. Well, as we approached the 90-minute mark of our visit, it became apparent that the staff was very eager to turn our table over to the next guests. We were still eating from the appetizer we had ordered and had also ordered a dessert to share. There was still wine left in our bottle. The staff was busily rearranging tables and chairs near us, even crowding into our table space. A waiter removed the appetizer plate (with food still on it), whisked away the dessert (still a bit remaining in the serving bowl) and came to reinsert a cork into our wine bottle (not even the cork that it came with!) I inquired if we were being "asked" to leave, and the waiter mumbled something about the next party waiting in the bar area. The true (and final) insult came when we tracked down the manager to voice our concerns. I regret not getting his name, but he called himself "one of" the managers, whatever that means. I voiced my concerns about feeling rushed and pressured to leave before we were ready. The ultimate insult was that he blamed the staff, telling me that "they were not told to do that." He essentially threw his own staff under the bus and mentioned a few times that "no one was told" to rush us. He apologized, but it lacked any form of sincerity and he took no responsibility. The good news is that there are many wonderful restaurants in the Coachella Valley, and we do not expect to return to this one. read more

Castelli's is a desert classic, it's been great forever. Great food, great service, cool old vibe. We do miss Michael, RIP ol' pal!

The food was outstanding and the service even better. Old school Italian restaurant, if you don't eat here you are missing out!!!

Truly a fave spot. Always good. Service is excellent. Will go all the time. There have a few vegetarian options and everything is excellent. They will modify if they can. read more

Sadly, this place has lost a lot of its charm since the original owner passed away. We have been coming here for many years but, recently the managers and wait staff seem to be in constant turnover. The best thing about this locale is the piano player. The bartenders can be a hit or miss depending on the day and their attitudes. Seems like the longer that they have been in residence, the crustier their attitudes become, and not for the betterment of the customers. Cork Tree is a far better choice and experience. read more

I found Castelli's by accident...I was dropping off some flyers late one afternoon and was attracted by the restaurant, the menu and the friendliness of the staff. After I finished my rounds I returned to Castelli's for dinner. Am I glad I did! I sat at the bar so I could watch the football game and ordered from the full menu. Watching the bartenders working, it seems it's not "measure and pour", it's just "pour". The drinks are stiff here, folks! The Insalata Della Casa was very tasty. I was grateful that I could order a half salad and save room for my entree. And the Linguine Alla Vongole was indeed delicious. Full of clam meat, as well as whole clams, and the sauce was so good I used the delectable garlic bread to sop it up. It was all light enough that I didn't feel overstuffed, and I polished off that entire plate of pasta. The staff is very professional and polished. The restaurant has an old school vibe that gives confidence that they know how to treat their customers and to prepare and present really good food. Five stars and a big thank you for a great meal. read more

Castelli's - Linguine Alla Vongole - Italian Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Went on vacation and has a great ambiance. The front room definitely looks like old school restaurant and has a bar in it. The big room in the back was very loud. It was packed and the food was good. read more

Such great personalized service. Food as always stellar. One of our favorite places. Can't say enough good things about it.