Wow! If you're in the valley, don't miss out on this one. Service is easily a 10/10. The staff is very welcoming as soon as one walks through the door. The waiter (I think our's was named Greg, but all of them were super nice) went over the menu options and even made accommodations for one of the kids. The prices - high for some - are 1000% worth what you get on the plate. The 36 hour pork-shank was AMAZING and I highly recommend! The Dutch Chocolate cake for dessert tops off the night perfectly, too. My entire party ate as much as we could and left super full (since we're staying at the JW and don't have the luxury of fridge space to store leftovers). Words don't describe how great our experience was. The atmosphere, food, flavors, and service is something I want many others to enjoy while staying in beautiful Palm Desert. Enjoy, and thank you, Cork Tree! read more

3.5 Excellent restaurant. But Im kinda sick of excellent/trendy/chef-y restaurants being so damn expensive. Im not sure why it takes so much money for a few appetizers in a pleasing environment. The food was good, but it wasn't good enough for 3 appetizers 1 beer, and 1 jack on the rocks to be $70. The duck confit tacos were the stand out. The soup trio was nice, but not remarkable. The cheese plate was very nicely executed. They have a singer with a guitar who is cute and contemporary, singing a few nights a week. (one of the reasons I would go back.) Interior is beautiful, but I still think its over all, over priced. read more

Cork Tree - New American Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Overall - just OKAY. 3 *. And pricey. $160 for dinner for two. Service - although it looks mixed in other reviews, for our dinner last night the service was very good. Hostess sat us outside, originally by the door but was pleasantly willing to move us to another table at our request. Waiter was attentive, though maybe a little over the top. Manager stopped by our table at end of our meal to inquire. Only problem is - he didn't really seem to be listening, just paying lip service - which was probably more annoying than not stopping by at all. Atmosphere - outside was nice, except for the street noise which died down as it got a bit later in the evening. Live music on the patio helped to offset this, however the music was overly LOUD (hence our suggestion to the manager). Food - now here's where it gets dicey ... if you're going to charge $35 for an entree, it should be pretty darn good. And it just wasn't. It was OKAY. Sea bass with some diced potatoes and two shiitake mushrooms on the side DID NOT WOW. Pork shank braised for 36 hours sounds good, but it was also JUST OKAY. It matters what you braise it in, what you serve it with (mashed potatoes), presentation. The portion sizes were moderate. They try to make it pretty, and they certainly use very descriptive adjectives on their menu, but the resulting dish overall is a disappointment in flavor and composition. Ditto on the smoked salmon appetizer. Wine and coffee were great. Wine suggestions by the glass from our waiter were spot on. Coffee was strong and hot (not often the case in restaurants)! Value: one appetizer, 2 entrees, 3 glasses of wine, 2 coffees = $160 with tip. For just okay? You do the math .... read more

We chose this place based on the reviews and there were two salads on the menu which said they were organic. A side note here, as of the date of this review, the online menu does not entirely match the actual menu in the restaurant. Aside from a few difference in items, overall the service was amazing when we first came in. Our server was on top of everything checking on us often until our main course: she came by a few times and then disappeared. This is NOT a bad thing as the ambiance and the food is amazing, just understand this is not a get in get out quick place, it is a place to relax and enjoy an amazing meal. I started with the Organic Mini Kale salad which has to be one of the best salads I have had in a long time. We also had the Sea Bass, the Scottish Salmon and the Roasted Chicken. All were perfectly prepared by the kitchen. The attention to every detail in every dish is evident, KUDOS to the kitchen.. This is a place some would consider pricey however, the price is worth the quality and quantity. You will not find a better place. For dessert we ended the creme brûlée trio and the tequila ala mode. I highly recommend this place, it is very popular and fills up fast so get here early or make a reservation. read more

Food was really great. We had appetizers, the bacon wrapped dates - amazing! Steak and fish were both delicious. Full bar and great wine selection. Service was on point. Ambiance- old school classic. We will definitely become regulars. read more

Another great night out with family and friends. I had duck again (yum) and my husband had scallops with risotto all cooked to perfection. Thank you to Whitney and Greg for the hospitality. Also, that basil martini is delicious. Try it! read more

Not a big Foodie, but our dinner last night was one that makes me write my second Yelp review of my life. My mini wedge salad was perfect. The ingredients were fresh, tasty and generous...one of the best of my life. The scallop entree was over the moon delicious, perfectly seared and surrounded with Brussels sprouts never to forget, a purée of pumpkin bed and other delicious items. Too full for desert, but an aside is the drinks were also outstanding. All staff were friendly, helpful and attentive. The manager came to the table to ask how things were and now we're friends with Mark. We will be steady customers and bring our friends. Also a beautiful sophisticated dinner place. read more

Cork Tree was a sublime experience last night. I started with the lobster bisque which was rich and creamy. Then I had the scallops with risotto topped with asparagus. Every bite was a marvel. My friends had the lamb and fish and they said both were delicious. We shared the creme brûlée three way and I picked the vanilla bean one and I want to go back just for the lovely sweet crispy ending to my night. The service was impeccable and I appreciated the knowledgeable hospitable waitstaff. My friends had wine and they enjoyed the wide selection. I will be coming back for my anniversary dinner as I enjoyed every moment and every bite of the cuisine at this lovely establishment. Yes, the prices seemed high before I actually visited the restaurant but the prices are fair considering the quality of food and service. Thank you Cork Tree for the lovely evening. read more

Cork Tree - Creme brûlée three ways - New American Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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I am sorry, this is going to sound a bit snobbish - but it seems odd to have a fine dining restaurant in a strip mall. Then-again, it is California and everything is basically in a strip mall. With that said, there is nothing "odd" about the food at Cork Tree. It is really good. From the selections of meat (I don't tend to eat seafood in the desert) to the quality of wines on the menu - Cork Tree is a delightful place for a weekend meal. The waitstaff are well informed and knowledgable about the menu. One of my tablemates got into a fairly deep conversation with our server about wines - and the server was astute enough to answer most of his questions. The server also pointed us to great selections from the menu. A word about seating: We sat outside in the courtyard. This seems to be the preferred seating for the restaurant. I agree. The California desert temperature was perfect the night we went (March). Whatever "chill" (its California) was in the air - was quickly pacified by large patio heaters. I think the patio seating made the night and I recommend that anyone who is interested in eating at Cork Tree request a patio table (NB: I might change my mind if you are looking to go for dinner in August - as the temperatures are soaring in Palm Springs all hours of the day and night in the middle of the summer). Long and short of my review - the Cork Tree is a fine place and worth the visit. read more

After five years in the valley a visit to this establishment was finally in the cards. Nice comments had always been heard but it never really called out to us. Since we love trying NEW places, we agreed to give it a shot. It all came out positive. First, the entry from the nondescript parking lot is quite the surprise. There is an elegant feel unmatched from the shopping center outside and the lighting inside seems oh, so dim. We were escorted into the bar by the hostess. As we found our seats the comfort level tremendously increased when realizing that Jamie would be taking care of us. (We had previously met her at Eureka and she is AWESOME) We explained that we were rookies but the idea of sharing some dishes and having drinks was the initial plan. The decision on what to order was not that difficult. While getting acquainted with the menu I enjoyed a Vodka Tonic and my better half sipped on a Raspberry Lemon Drop. My wife really LOVED her concoction. For starters we decided on a Flatbread & the Duck Confit Tacos. The Flatbread, as suggested by Jamie was a HOMERUN. The tacos on the other hand were disappointing. They are small, with crispy shells and there is a miniscule amount of DUCK in the DUCK TACOS. The presentation leaves you expecting more. Next, we quietly slurped on their Corn Chowder. Man, it was delicious and if straws had been provided the broth would not have lasted two minutes. The soup also contains bits of corn and tortilla chips. Nice!! For the entrée we shared the Pork Shank. The tenderness and the flavor of the meat had us HOWLING!! This dish also went very well with the bottle of Cab/Sangiovese that I had toted in. Yes, there was just enough room to partake in dessert. After all, the dinner WAS a celebration. To top the night off the Apple Tart was requested. To wash it down, my wife had coffee and I swirled and swallowed a Bailey's on the rocks. I can really understand the allure of this restaurant. It feels like you have traveled into another world when you traipse through the front doors. Both of us had a GREAT time and the service Jamie & Chuck extended was way above bar. We will return. read more

My husband and I had dinner here to celebrate our anniversary. The food was excellent (sea bass and salmon, both cooked to perfection. As great as the food was, the ambiance and staff really topped it off. Our waiter, whose name I've forgotten, and the manager, Mr. Alfredo Polanco, attended to every destabilize to make sure we had a very special evening. We will eat there again (and again....). read more

My last visit to Cork Tree was over four years ago. I returned recently (December 2015) and am glad to see that it is still serving amazing food with excellent service. If you are looking for the perfect night out dining in the desert - this is your spot. Our server, Casey, was extremely helpful in making recommendations from the menu and was very attentive - making sure our dining experience was enjoyable from start to finish. Some menu highlights included: Duck Confit Tacos - Very tasty, but not too rich or filling. A nice start to the meal. Demitasse Soup Tasting - Each of the three soups included in the tasting were phenomenal. I rarely order soup, but these really hit the spot and were so flavorful. 36-Hour Pork Shank (Osso Bucco): If you don't know what to order - get this. The pork was fall-off-the-bone tender, and cooked in a wonderful sauce. The garlic mashed potatoes and greens that accompany the dish all worked together perfectly. read more

Ambiance is great, service is decent, food was beautiful to look at but boring to the taste. We came here to celebrate a mini-family reunion and my husband was here the previous month, he raved about it. Let's start w/the appetizers, the demitasse soup tasting was a hit (larger portions than I had anticipated, but the ones that ordered it raved about it), Wild Mushroom Ravioli were an "eh". I had the California Organic Mini-Kale Salad and it was boring, plus the tough stems were still on so I was picking them out and putting them aside. Hubby ordered the special of the Chef's 36-hour Pork Shank - he loved it. I talked my daughter into Seared Jumbo Scallops and she ate them, but I think she gave more to her grandma than eating them. FIL ordered the Dry Aged NY Strip, as he did previously, but it was over cooked and he took 3 bites hoping it wasn't in the center and sent it back. He just opted for soup instead. I had the Marinated Duck and the portion was tiny and the duck was bland. Unfortunately, we had gone to our favorite restaurant about 3 nites before and I ordered the duck there, it was perfect, skin was crispy, the inside was med-rare and my daughter even loved the part I gave her, but here wasn't the same. One of the Aunts, who is a vegan, loved the Vegetarian Polenta Stack. Overall, I think if the group was smaller the food may have been better prepared. read more

Came back again. My 4th time. Although it was pretty windy, we sat on the patio against the restaurant and it was absolutly windless. Round table for six. I had the special halibut, which was excellent. Every member of our group of six had something different and everybody really enjoyed theirs. A couple of us had the short rib escargot, which sounds strange but it actually works and is visually appealing. See my pix. Of course will be coming back again. read more

Cork Tree - Short rib escargot en croute. - New American Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Excellent meal with great food and service. Don't let the strip mall location fool you! The warm bread service- cranberry walnut bread and french bread. They have a reasonably priced wine list with some nice options. House cured salmon was a large serving of melt in your mouth, silky salmon with creamy full fat Greek yogurt and 2 very thin brioche slices (ask for more). The mushroom ravioli was intense in flavor with perfectly cooked asparagus. The rack of lamb special was 3 - 2 bone chops with creamy bacon-garlic mashed potatoes. The sea scallops entree was served on black rice seasoned with cream, edamame and shrimp. The rice alone would make a great risotto - creamy and full flavored. The Cork Tree Banana Split was a marvelous creamy hazelnut mousse served in bar shape on a crispy crust with a small scoop of banana ice cream half a bruleed banana and a cherry wine dipping sauce. If you want a more romantic setting ask for a booth - they have sheer fabric separating them and it makes for an intimate setting. The outdoor dining is separated from busy Cook and Country Club Drive by a row of bushes but you can still hear the traffic. read more

My husband came on a Wednesday night. We had a reservation, so we were seated immediately. The place looked very nice. There was a performer singing live. At first, I thought that was just music playing. But later, my husband told me that it was live performance. The music was great. We got the MINI DUCK CONFIT TACOS. These little tacos were packed with flavors. The duck was well seasoned, soft and juicy. It went so well with the fresh lettuce, creamy cheese, and crunchy taco shells. Love it. For main dish, I got LOCH DUART SALMON. The salmon was very moist. The crab meat didn't take over the flavors of the salmon. It was good. I like the fingerling potatoes too. My husband got the dinner special seafood trio. It was seared salmon, jumbo scallop, and lobster risotto. The scallop was huge and delicious. The salmon was fine. The risotto was tasty with lots of lobster flavors. I love dessert, but the dessert menu didn't look too amazing. My husband and I didn't see anything we like, so we didn't get any. Overall, Cork Tree is great. The food was very good, and the environment was perfect. It is great for special occasion or romantic date. read more

Cork Tree - Mini Duck Confit Tacos - New American Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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Really liked this place. A beautiful restaurant to enjoy before Stagecoach. The stuffed veal chop was juicy and very tasty. We also tried the heirloom tomato salad, so delicious!! I will be dreaming about that for awhile. The goat cheese and pear flatbread was crunchy and very flavorful, will definitely order that again we we are in Palm Desert . The bartenders were very pleasant also, giving us coffee shop suggestions read more

During a bachelorette weekend in Palm Springs, we took the bride-to-be for a nice dinner at Cork Tree. Its location slightly threw me off since its in a large shopping center with other random retail stores and eateries. However, don't let the location fool you. Once inside we were greeted with an interior of dark wood coupled with rich and deep colored fabric and plush booths giving off a classy and romantic vibe. We were immediately seated in one of the intimate booths. After previewing the menu we were informed of the Prix Fixe Menus: -$28 per person w/out wine -$36 per person w/ wine We all decided to order the $28 "Prix Fixe Menu" opting to order 2 bottles of wine to share among us since we'd be getting more wine for our buck. We also ordered 2 APPETIZERS off of the regular menu, both of which were absolutely delicious 1) Crab & Shrimp Cakes: included chunks of crab and shrimp 2) Frito Misto: calamari, shrimp, and some thinly sliced onion--breaded and fried While we waited for our orders, our friendly and attentive server brought over 5 glasses of some bubbly with a strawberry in each of the glasses. He mentioned it was on the house to which we were obviously delighted. From the "Prix Fixe Menu" I chose the following: APPETIZER: Maine Lobster and Wasabi Caviar Panna Cotta-- this was the only dish in which I was absolutely disgusted with. It appeared to be like chocolate mousse (color, texture, and temperature wise) but the moment I put it in my mouth, I got a very fishy, gelatinous, and cold taste. Needless to say that was the only spoonful I had. ENTREE: Scallops and Cod with Lobster reduction risotto with artichoke--delicious dish, but the risotto was a bit too al dente for me, which wouldn't have been so bad except after awhile the risotto's hardness settled on my teeth making every bit afterwards that much harder. DESSERT: California bermuda triangle with goat cheese--yummy! Overall a solid choice for a classy restaurant, especially during the off-season when all the other restaurants seem to be closed as well. The next time i come back to the area, I'd definitely come back and try an entree off of their regular menu and to enjoy the warm and inviting ambience and extremely attentive service. read more

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Excellent food and exceptional service! You can't go wrong dining at Cork Tree, unless you don't go!

One of the best restaurants in Palm Desert. We come from San Diego often and we always come here. The Chilean Sea Bass is absolutely amazing. The ambiance, Marc the manager and Jose our server gave us the most incredible service and a wonderful time, It's a must come to when in Palm Desert read more

Absolute favorite restaurant in the desert. Consistently good food every, single time. We've eaten almost everything on the menu at this point, and not one dish disappoints. My personal favorite is the scallops or Colorado lamb when they have it. Staff also always goes above and beyond. A must try! read more

My husband made dinner reservations for my birthday. Check in and seating was immediate. The restaurant was dimly lit, with a very warm ambiance of happy guests and cozy seating area. Our server was Rudy. He went over the menu and pointed out a few of his favorites. What I loved was that the salads came in mini or full sized portions. We ordered: -2 mini salads: rainbow beets, and an off the menu pear salad. Both were good sized portions and delicious! - sea bass perfectly cooked- crispy outside, flaky & moist - duck (medium rare) - taste like steak! -creme brûlée- so good! Not too sweet. Overall a great experience! The guests were on the older side... but that's palm desert! If ur from LA and looking for a younger/hipster ambiance, this might not be the place for you. Nonetheless, Our waiter Rudy was very kind, personable, and wonderful. Thanks for a great dinner! read more

Actually was pleasantly surprised! Ordered Scallops entree and it was a take out! Didn't eat it until the next day and it was great cold!

Love the decor and food. Great place for a nicer dinner. Very consistent. Love the trio of crème brûlée!

We went based on the reviews and were not disappointed. We began with the short ribs and escargot appetizer and it was good to the last drop. We also had the scallops, which were seared to perfection, and the featured trout special-both of which included complimentary accompanying sides. We also opted for dessert but the sorbet/gelato combo was a tad bit disappointing. I would definitely recommend this restaurant. read more

This was our first time at the Cork Tree. We definitely will be back. We weren't sure what to expect but they exceeded all our expectations. Monica's, our table attendant and here assistants were amazing. They knew when to check in on us and when to just let us enjoy our meals and company. The food was amazing. Everyone in our party of five commented on how everything was prepared to our liking. We were looking for something new to try and the Cork Tree hit the mark on every aspect of our visit. We definitely will be back again. read more

This place fancies itself a five star restaurant when it's a passable three on a good night. This review garners a one star because it's the lowest rating I can give on yelp. About a month ago on a Tuesday evening my elderly mother and her husband took me out for what was supposed to be a nice celebratory dinner. In fairness it was during the height of the off season so we weren't expecting perfection but considering they were one of the few restaurants that were open it would have been a good time for them to shine. The one star is for the wait and bus staff who were gracious and helpful but that is where the positivity ends. The manager on duty that night should find other employment, working in the service industry is clearly not his calling. I have dined in hundreds of restaurants all around the world in my lifetime and I have never, without exaggeration, encountered a ruder person. My 84 year old 4'11 petite mother asked to have a glance at the bar menu which prompted this "manager" to come to our table and let her know that if she was planning on ordering from the bar menu that we could leave because he needed the table for customers who would "purchase a full meal". This was 6pm on a Tuesday off-season in a half empty dining room after we had already ordered an expensive bottle of wine. Believe it or not the rude manager wasn't the low point of the evening. Then the food came. I ordered Salmon which arrived the color and consistency of overcooked oatmeal. So disgusting. When I asked the waiter to return it to the kitchen and showed her the salmon the manager came back to our table and said he didn't see anything wrong with the food but would return it to the kitchen if I really wanted him to. Lousy service, lousy food, high prices, not a winning combination. There are so many amazing restaurants in the area steer clear of this one. read more

Absolutely great place. Food was excellent. Atmosphere was perfect. Rib eye was AWESOME. I wouldn't hesitate to go again.

Our group of 5 sat on the patio as we had our dog with us. Everyone at the restaurant was very friendly and professional: the people who greeted us at the front door; our server, Wendy; and all of the food runners and busboys. Accommodating with heaters on the patio. The food was very good. we all enjoyed what we ordered: Duck tacos Wedge salad Filet mignon Pork shank Sea bass We were celebrating a birthday and there was no hassle with us bringing in a homemade dessert for the celebration. Generous wine pour for a single glass of wine. Will be back the next time we are in the desert area. read more

This is one of my favorite restaurants in the desert. Service is always excellent and one of my favorite dishes is the duck. The charm of a upscale local neighborhood restaurant just can't be beat! read more

Beautiful restaurant, delicious food... Can't wait to go back! Perfect service! Went with friends.

We drove an hour to this place because the menu looked great. We ordered the chicken, and the chicken was tough; not dry. Chicken has been tough lately; not their fault. We returned it for the duck. The duck came out as a breast cooked medium. We like cooked poultry; not used to that. I was thinking crispy half duck. So we just returned it, and split my cauliflower steak; which was great. We ordered desert the chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. It came with literally a tablespoon of ice cream. That made me mad! read more

Bread had to be requested several times especially after our appetizers had already been sitting for a while. Second request for bread didn't come at all until asked for 2 other times. Knife wouldn't cut the meat. Requested another that turned out to be only slightly better. Waited, waited, waited through the whole 4th quarter of the basketball game (warrior/celtic) for the check to be picked up dispite it being slow with empty tables. Then the waiter, Jose, came out to question his 10% tip - which I never leave, despite the black-tie but without the quality of black-tie service, cause I've been a black tie waiter for well over 20 years in NYC - where you don't get away with such service - especially when it's not busy with open tables. read more

I had the same experience that M H. from WA did. Had been to the restaurant many times and I live in the area. Had guests from out of town and had the same response when it came to the table also by Hank who is the owners son. He was arrogant and exceptionally rude. Another dining guest, a total stranger, actually came up to me and said that Hank should not have talked to me the way he did. I even called the owner and explained to him what happened and he defended Hank and said he was wonderful. I suggested that he read some of the negative reviews. He said he always gets good feedback about Hank. Business is business and son or regular employee they should all have the same standards. Hank is not happy doing his job and does not understand how to treat a patron of the business. Food was also disappointing. Needless to say I shall not return. read more

Just enjoyed dinner with 4 of my favorite people. Rudy, our server, made sure we had all the info, drinks, food plus desserts we could have ever wanted. We order an after dinner port and had the port cart at our table in no time. Never seen a port cart before - such wonderful choices. Rudy made sure we were happy from beginning to end. If you're looking for a special place to celebrate with special loved ones, with a special meal, great drinks and excellent service, please consider the Cork Tree. You'll be pleasantly surprised. read more

My requirements for finding a good place to eat on my last night in Palm Desert was that the place must be within one mile of my hotel, the Marriott Palm Desert Spring Villas II. Cork Tree seemed like a great option and I made my way to their bar on a Friday evening around 7:30 pm. The bar was pretty packed, but I was able to grab a seat in the corner. I loved that the bar had some some bites/app options. I went with the sliders after discussing my options with the well-informed staff. The sliders a hearty meal and also come with fries. After eating that, I was almost full but left just enough room for dessert. I enjoyed the creme brulee three ways and each one was made to perfection. The bar staff was awesome, and very attentive. There is plenty of parking here (it's located within a shopping center) and I think it would be a great place for a romantic date night. read more

What a great place! We went here with my husband for our anniversary and were very pleased. The service was wonderful, ambiance is great. There was a live singer in the middle of the restaurant but he wasn't singing loud, which I appreciate. Here is what we ordered: Appetizers: duck tacos ( very light and crispy, not very filling) and ahi tuna ( a bit spicy but very good flavor). My husband ordered corn chowder which was AMAZING ! I had a $7 seasonal salad which wasn't my favorite. I didn't care for the dressing too much. For main course we had pork shank - nice and flavorful but a bit chewy and black cod which was fantastic. Super soft and flaky, it has Asian flavor to it. Apple tart is a must. Overall, great restaurant. Highly recommend read more

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Love - a great place to have a couple drinks at the bar with friends! Everything we ordered was amazing- nice pours of wine- loved the flatbread, beef skewers, and soup taster!!!! read more

Cork Tree - Drinks - New American Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Made a reservation for dinner that grew to 8 people. The day before we requested 2 tables of 4 next to eachother. The restaurant said that they would try to accomidate us and they did. The menu was varied and food was delicious. One guest said that the trio of soup sampler was yummy. The noise level was moderate and we were easily able to carry on our conversations. read more

Love this place. Great food and service. The staff here are so warm and friendly. Definitely recommend.