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    Kestrel Kitchen

    3.8 (109 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Kestrel Kitchen Photos

    KESTREL KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Dogs allowed

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    Pear Salad, Goat Cheese removed
    Lisa B.

    This is one of the newest restaurants in the Palm Springs area and is brought to you by Richard Blais, former Top Chef competitor. It is located at the Indian Wells Golf Resort. When you walk in you will see the name of the restaurant on the wall ahead of you, just know that the restaurant is located upstairs. Since we went on a Saturday night, we did make reservations and the restaurant was full, so I'm glad we did. Upon being sat we were greeted and waters were brought over right away. A few minutes later, our server came over and introduced himself and took our cocktail order as well as our appetizer order. We started with the deviled eggs and the pear salad to share. Both came out quickly, and both were delicious! Our server recommended the Seabass as one of the most delicious meals on the menu, so of course we all had that! He was right it is delicious! However, just now that when you order the Seabass, that's all there is, a simple piece Seabass with a leaf of bok choy laid on top... there's no sides however the creamy sauce on it is outstanding! For us this was absolutely perfect but if you had a larger group, you'd probably want some sides. Our server also recommended the carrot cake as the best dessert. Apparently it's a favorite of the mayor of Palm Springs! I personally thought it was good not great. Overall, the restaurant is beautiful, the service fantastic and the food is delicious. I would definitely recommend it!

    Nothing fancy, high noon, cocktails were as high as $23/per drink!
    Mandy L.

    Meh.... This was hotel dining at the best it can be. It didn't wow me, nothing stood out, and nothing was exceptional. A bit disappointing overall especially when you total in cost along with higher than necessary expectations based on it being Richard Blais' spot. I'm not mad we went but I wouldn't go back if in the area. The drink prices were outrageous; made me want to stick to water or a bottle drink. Literally some drinks are more expensive than a whole meal. Just wild...

    Molten Cake
    Jillian G.

    Loved the food at Kestrel. The chicken piccata was excellent though I wish there were less capers in the pasta. I liked the beets salad and the molten cake. Our server Ricardo was very nice and attentive - but our drinks took over 30 minutes to make - which delayed his taking of our food order. Once our food was ordered, everything else went very smoothly. The bathroom was very nice and easy to access. The only other snafu was that the sea bass had a curry seasoning but was described as ginger-spiced sauce on the menu, and the person who ordered it wasn't the happiest with that since she doesn't like curry. But since she split her dish with someone else, she did not send it back and was able to eat portions of the other entrees.

    Whipped Potatoes
    Rose L.

    We really really enjoyed this restaurant! It is a beautiful restaurant with a wonderful view. It's very nice inside and is a nice upscale vibe. The service was friendly and helpful. The food all was very fresh and had great flavor! The sea bass has a curry type sauce and came with coconut rice. The sea bass was juicy and cooked perfectly. The chicken piccata was really good and had great flavor. I was expecting the chicken not to be breaded but it still was really good and I liked how thin and moist it was. The chicken was not dry at all. It came with extra sauce and was really good. We had a great meal here and will be back when we come to Palm Desert.

    Chilaquiles with poached eggs
    Holly M.

    We were driving through Palm Desert on the way back from vacation and checked Yelp for a lunch spot. I found Kestrel Kitchen and noticed it was a Richard Blais restaurant. We have been to his restaurant La Zozonna in Scottsdale so we made a quick U-turn and went to Indian Wells for lunch! Kestrel Kitchen is located in the Indian Wells Golf Resort right off Highway 111. We walked upstairs and noticed how large and airy the restaurant is with outdoor dining, lounge seating and the main restaurant. The views of the golf course and property are beautiful. There is a large bar that looks out onto the back patio and golf course. It was quite hot out so we sat inside. Our server Alexandria was very pleasant and attentive. We arrived 10 minutes before brunch ended (1:00pm) and they would switch to their regular lunch menu, however, Alexandria said we could still order off the bunch menu. We ordered the loaded crispy potatoes for the table. The potatoes were topped with caramelized onions, herbs and a Catalina sauce. These were crispy and tasty. I ordered chilaquiles with poached eggs. The eggs were a little more runny than I would prefer. I would have liked the sauce to be a little spicy but it was seasoned well and the flavor was good. You can add short ribs to the chilaquiles if you like for an additional cost. My husband ordered the breakfast burrito. It came with a side of fruit. He said it was very good. We enjoyed the restaurant and felt the prices were very reasonable. Stop in if you are in the area and looking for a nice relaxing restaurant with a view and great food. Parking is free and it is located right off the 111.

    Clam chowder
    Mary Ann S.

    Nicely updated golf course restaurant with great views. Parking was free with valet option. We sat outside on a beautiful afternoon, patio has lots of shade and 180 degree view of their golf course. Adrian, our server demonstrated the high level of service and attention we observed from all of the staff. He was funny and helpful. We both started with the clam chowder, their soup of the day. It was good but overly rich, even the cup was difficult to finish. The chicken lettuce bowl, served like a salad had good flavor but the cuts of chicken were tough and confusing - I never seen a cut of chicken in those shapes/ they looked like calamari-? All in all we came for the food and stayed for the service. Enjoyed the atmosphere but the food, although flavor was there was not well executed. The restaurant is operated by Top Chef winner Richard Blais, who has multiple concepts and projects to manage.

    Samantha G.

    Wonderful place! Our server, Valentina, was sooo nice and helpful. It was my grandmas birthday and she was so sweet and kind with her. The prime rib was excellent and we loved our drinks! The space is open and has a clean aesthetic. We loved it and will be back!

    Menu.
    Dennis W.

    Our party of five met at Kestrel Kitchen with anticipation. It wasn't in hopes of seeing the namesake's perfect hair, but more to savor some cuisine. The Cesar salad was lukewarm, slightly wilted, with sourdough croutons as hard as jawbreaker candy. Did they soak the lettuce in dressing? While I do enjoy anchovies, these were on the "oceanic" flavor of the spectrum. The libations were adequate, but no one said, "Wow." The six and one-half ounce sea bass was cooked perfectly, but looked like a minnow when plated. It wasn't enough for a meal, even with the coconut rice. I found the claim of its size dubious at best. As a public service announcement I will simply tell you not to try and eat the burger, that is unless you enjoy something as dry as the Sahara with little to zero flavor. The fries were cold and simply reminded me of something you'd find at the bottom of a McDonalds bag. I thought you couldn't mess up bolognese sauce, but I was wrong. Chunks of carrots? Really? Pieces of beef and pork? Is this a meat SAUCE or just something whipped up in a pan and plated with linguini? It felt like false advertising. Call it something else. The service was on point. Everyone enjoyed the key lime cheesecake! It's tangy, creamy, crust of graham crackers turned our collective frowns upside down. At least the dinner ended with a smile. "Take a good look" - GW

    Cauliflower fondue and Brussels sprouts
    Thelma A.

    I was excited to try Kestrel Kitchen since I'm a fan of Richard Blais' culinary style. But this missed the mark. I was hoping the desert would finally be able to boast some upscale dining! I can only assume Chef Blais hasn't been here lately, to ensure the dishes are coming out he intended. Service was good. But cocktails and cocktails a touch watered down. We started with the beets by Blais and the Brussels sprouts which were actually delicious, but most everything else fell flat. My friends enjoyed the Hamachi. We had the cauliflower fondue, which has absolutely NO flavour. Tasted like steamed cauliflower...which essentially tastes like nothing. I mentioned this to our server and she brought the Boursin mashed potatoes as a replacement...also no flavour. Couldn't taste any Boursin, and, I hate to say it, but they tasted no better than dehydrated mashed potatoes. My friend had the pan roasted sea bass, which looked beautiful. She said the fish was cooked well and the sauce was really lovely. My other friend had the fried chicken lettuce wraps which is huge and bigger than an app, and the steak frites...he was less than impressed by the steak but liked the fried chicken. I had hoped the pasta of the week might be the only other veg entree option (other than the Moroccan tagine), but nope. The dessert menu lacked excitement, so for the first time in ages, we didn't order dessert. I was really hoping Kestrel Kitchen would impress but instead, it follows suit with many desert restaurants...it's just ok.

    Hydrogen Margarita
    Beatrice B.

    Kestrel truly impressed our table of four with its creative blend of American, Mexican, and Italian influences. We started with their table-side liquid hydrogen margarita -- not only a fun presentation but also perfectly balanced and refreshing. For appetizers we ordered the tortilla chips that are seasoned with lime peeled sea salt and paired it with the salsa roja and guacamole topped with cotija cheese -- a flavorful and elevated take on a classic starter. For entrées, we tried the smash burger, the catch of the day, and the pasta of the day, which happened to be a rich short rib and mushroom stroganoff. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor. Dessert was a standout -- the Medjool carrot cake was moist, spiced just right, and the perfect way to end the meal. The service was impeccable from start to finish. Special thanks to Senior Food and Beverage Manager Justina Alvarado, who was absolutely delightful and made wonderful recommendations throughout the night. Her attentiveness elevated the entire experience. Kestrel offers nightly specials featuring new pasta dishes and a rotating catch of the day, giving us plenty of reasons to return soon. A truly amazing fine dining experience -- highly recommended!

    Blais Burger: 3 stars (see review) not bad.
    Dakota D.

    Came to Kestrel for lunch today and it did not disappoint. Located on the Marriott (Renaissance Esmerelda) property in Indian wells you'll find plenty of parking and the grounds are well kept and the restaurant is located on the second floor above the golf Service: 5 stars! Service is 5 star. Matt Alms was our waiter for lunch and he was very kind to share his knowledge about the menu items and weigh in on our drink choices. Busboys and busgirls ensured used plates were taken away promptly; the empty glasses were either refilled or taken away. Shrimp cocktail: 5 stars 4 meaty shrimp(s) and just the right amount of cocktail sauce. Lemon wedge and cucumber/apple bits on the side round this appetizer off quite nicely. Wycliff Brut Sparkling wine: 4 stars Very good sparkling wine! At 7 bucks a glass, how could I say no? Blais burger: 3 stars This burger wasn't bad. It wasn't great either. It was alright. The beef itself was cooked just fine, but there wasn't much flavor in the beef itself. The monterey jack cheese added another layer of neutral flavor and I don't think I received enough of the Catalina spread that was supposed to accompany the burger. The shredded lettuce and plain bun solidified the 3 star rating. The boldest flavor on this burger was the slice of white onion, but I could get white onions at home. Again, the burger was alright, but not really good/great. I would not order this again and I think that if Richard Blais is going to put his name on a specific dish, he should either revamp this burger or pick an entirely different dish. Desert Sunset: 4 stars I took a gamble and chose the desert sunset cocktail: Astral (reposado) tequila, lavender syrup, grapefruit juice and lime juice. The flavor itself was good. But it was also sweet. I'm more of a tequila and soda kind of guy and like I said, I took a gamble and ordered a special cocktail. For 24 bucks I was a little let down, but I'm chalking this up to my personal bitter palate. Next time I'll opt for a regular well drink or perhaps some wine. Overall I would come back to Kestrel and I look forward to doing so. The ambiance is quite nice, the staff is very friendly and very attentive. If you haven't been to Kestrel yet, I encourage you to check it out.

    Hamachi
    Alex G.

    Kestrel was a very strong 4. I believe it could have been a 5, it may have been because of the choices we made. We had the hamachi, crab toast, Brie and fig bread, and the prime rib. The bread will be in my dreams and the prime rib was the best prime rib I have found in the states(Alberta still wins). The baked potato that came with the prime rib was very basic. For this type of place and the prices you pay I would have liked to seen it elevated a bit more. The other two were a bit of a let down. The crab toast was overly mustarded and the hamachi was good but a little light on the flavor and didn't have the best knife work; for the price the hamachi was not worth it. Our server was awesome, and the place was very cozy. I felt like the staff took pride in their work. I never once had to think about asking for water.

    Poki bowl
    Sophia H.

    pscale restaurant with their take on American classics/fusion for lunch including prime dip, chicken sandwich, burgers and salads. It was a beautiful day so we chose to sit outside in the shade with a view of the mountains and golf course. They have a mist system that was turned on to keep us nice and cool outside. We ordered the prime dip, poke bowl and tuna arepa. The prime dip was underwhelming. It is served with only meat unless you add onions and cheese at an additional cost. The poke bowl was my favorite dish. It was served with a variety of toppings including mango, seaweed salad, ginger, avocado. The ingredients were fresh and made for the perfect bowl. I didn't know what I was expecting from the tuna arepa, but I was surprised by the portion especially since it costed more than the poke bowl. We tried the Kestrel 75 and Desert Sunset as recommended by our server. These drinks are very aesthetically pleasing and had a sweet tone to them. If you are a fan of citrus and grapefuit, I would recommend desert sunset! Guava cheesecake is a must try! The sugar crackle was satisfying to crack, and the dessert wasn't overly sweet. We also learned from our server that the restaurant incorporates recipes from other chefs, and the guava cheesecake is one of those recipes! Our server was very attentive and checked up on us frequently. Overall, lunch was okay. Dinner might be a better option with the options for seafood and cuts of meat.

    Really good baked  potato soup

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    Porta Via offers a perfect setting right in the heart of El Paseo's high-end shopping district. The…read morerestaurant is beautifully designed, featuring a welcoming, open-air flow that perfectly captures the desert aesthetic. It clearly caters to a sophisticated crowd--very similar in vibe to their Calabasas location. While parking is accessible in the rear, it can get congested during peak season. The menu is extensive with plenty of excellent selections, though the pricing is definitely premium. For instance, a Cobb salad topped with fish can easily exceed $45; while the quality is high, that's a significant jump over nearby staples like Daily Grill. Service was friendly but lacked consistency; our server disappeared mid-meal without a hand-off, requiring us to flag down other staff. Overall, it's a bright, airy, and stylish spot well worth a visit, provided you're prepared for the 'luxury' price point.

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    While in Palm Springs, we stopped at Eureka! twice for burgers, and we really enjoyed them both…read moretimes. For drinks, I ordered the Tipsy Pig Old Fashioned, made with bacon-infused WhistlePig 10-year rye, bitters, and barrel-aged maple syrup. It was really good and a great match for the food. For our meals, I had the Bacon Jalapeño Jam Burger with spicy charred Fresno chile, bacon-infused jalapeño jam, smoked mozzarella, and whiskey caramelized onions. It was one of the best burgers I've had in a long time. My mom ordered the Eureka! American with American and Swiss cheese, grilled red onion, lettuce, house pickles, tomato, special sauce, and barbecue bacon, and she really enjoyed it as well. Everything was cooked well, full of flavor, and definitely stood out compared to a lot of other places. It was good enough that we made a point to come back again during the same trip. If you're in the area and in the mood for a solid burger, this is a great spot to check out.

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    Kestrel Kitchen - salad - Updated May 2026

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