The Divine Dish

Dinner at Roy’s Restaurant Rancho Mirage

Posted on Sep 21, 2010 under Archives, Palm Springs | No Comment

Roys restaurants are renowned for their upscale exotic Euro-Asian fusion cooking.   Chef Roy Yamaguchi opened his first Roy’s in Honolulu 22 years ago and today his haute-cuisine chain stretches from Atlanta to Tokyo.

I stopped by the Rancho Mirage location, which opened in 2002, for a sampling of the Hawaiin fusion cuisine and to include the review in an upcoming iphone application.   The 7,,200 square foot location features and exhibition kitchen, a lounge area, bar seating and an outdoor patio.  Here’s what my friend Chris and I sampled.

We headed to the bar and tried their famous “1988” drink, a blend of tart grapefruit and tangy pomegranate with Ruby Red Vodka, Lychee Liqueur and Patron Citronge Liquor.  Strong and tangy and a great way to start off the meal.

Our waiter brought out some Szechuan spiced pork ribs from the chef.  These are smoked and grilled in a mongolian sauce and were spicy and good, and a huge portion.

I am a sucker for a good California roll and these included avocado, cucumber and lobster and were fantastic.  Also a huge portion so plenty to share.

Chris got their garden salad which was a basic simple salad, but a good pair for the lobster rolls if you are sharing like we decided to do.

I ordered the combination surf and turf, a petite filet mignon, lump crab oscar on top and a Maine lobster tail.  It comes with a poblano mash and asparagus.

I thought the filet was very good and cooked perfectly.  I would order the lump crab oscar on the side next time as the sauce was a little strong for me.

The lobster tail was cooked well and had a ton of lobster meat.

Chris tried their signature Misoyaki Butterfish, very similar to a sablefish or cod.  It comes with a tri-pepper soy vinaigrette.  We both really liked this dish.

For dessert we were served Roy’s melting hot chocolate souffle, a flourless chocolate cake with a molten hot center served with vanilla ice cream and a raspberry sauce.  This was delicious.  We also were given a bread pudding.

This was also yummy, but we were so full we took it home to Paul and he finished it immediately.

Roy’s restaurants can be found in varies cities, including locally in Pasadena, so you don’t have to travel to the islands when you get a craving for traditional Hawaiian fusion food.  Roy’s Rancho Mirage is located at 71959 Highway 111, reservations recommended at 760/340-9044.

Dinner at The Falls Prime Steakhouse

Posted on Jan 30, 2010 under Archives, Palm Springs | No Comment

A few weeks ago my friend Paul and I took my friend (and Paul’s boyfriend) Chris to The Falls Prime Steakhouse for a birthday dinner.

We started with a few of their signature flavored martinis chilled with cubes of dry ice, sending a smoky plume out of each of our glasses.

We ordered starters of bacon wrapped California mission figs stuffed with manchego cheese and chorizo, one of the faves of the evening.  We also got a Caesar salad for three prepared tableside.

The menu features a long list of steaks, chops, fish and delicious sides to choose from.  I got a ribeye steak, cooked perfectly and huge, and Paul and Chris ordered halibut and lamb, all were tasty.

We also ordered some sides including grilled vegetables, organic cremini mushrooms and bermuda onions, and mashed potatoes.

We ended the evening with an order of flaming bananas foster.

If you get a craving for a smokin’ cocktail or a good steak the next time you are in the desert, head to The Falls, 155 South Palm Canyon Drive, reservations at 760/416-8664.

Palm Springs LA Writer’s Dinner at BOA, West Hollywood

Posted on Oct 11, 2009 under Archives, Palm Springs | No Comment

Last week, approximately 50 writers from a wide variety of publications attended the LA writer’s dinner held at the trendy BOA on Sunset in West Hollywood (we never refuse a free meal, especially at a steakhouse).  The event was sponsored by a group of hotels and resorts, as well as the board of tourism and convention and visitor’s authority.  After mingling and cocktails, all of the writers moved into a private dining room for dinner and presentations.

Mark Graves, director of communications for the Palm Springs Desert Convention and Visitors Authority welcomed all of the writers.

Hilary Angel from the Palm Sprigns Bureau of Tourism also welcomed us.

Dinner started with a jumbo lump crabcake and a caesar salad.

We got to choose from chicken, salmon, Ahi tuna, filet mignon or New York strip steak.  I opted for the filet, as we were at a steakhouse, and it was delicious.  Sides included grilled jumbo asparagus, mac & cheese and roasted garlic whipped potatoes.   Here are some pics:

For dessert we had cookies, ice cream and cheesecake.

Throughout the evening, pr directors from a wide range of Palm Springs resorts and activities made presentations to update all of us on all of the new things going on in the desert.    Here are some of the speakers:

The event had fabulous food and was a great opportunity to network with other writers.   Drawings were held and weekend getaways were given out to many of the resorts – unfortunately ours was the only table that didn’t win a weekend away!   I got more info for my article on pet friendly Palm Springs, as well as all of the great resorts and activities now available in Palm Springs.  Temperatures have dropped and now is the perfect time to head to the desert.

Morongo Casino Resort and Spa Press Trip

Posted on Feb 22, 2009 under Archives, Palm Springs | No Comment

A few weeks ago, Morongo Casino Resort & Spa and Braintrust Marketing (based in Las Vegas) hosted a press tour.  Approximately ten food and travel writers came to check out the new menu at the Cielo restaurant, attend a Willie Nelson concert (yes, he is still alive and sounds great!), get a spa treatment and enjoy the deluxe rooms.  The rooms feature views of the desert mountains and canyons in soothing brown hues and feature European linens and huge oversized showers (you can fit five people in the shower).  We also attended a cocktail reception at the 360 Lounge on the 27th floor.

The writers got a chance to sample the new menu at Cielo, Morongo’s upscale steak and seafood restaurant. Here are some pics:

Above is the group, getting ready to taste some of the great food at Cielo.

We all dug into this yummy assorted seafood platter which included shrimp, lobster, oysters, King crab and scallops.  Here is what I ended up with on my plate:

Next came a lovely Ceasar salad.

My friend Paul ordered the Heirloom Tomato Napoleon, which came with tomatores, buffalo mozzarella. basil and a balsamic vinaigrette.  It was tasty.

I started with the Morongo Salad – butter lettuce, apple, cranberries and feta cheese with a raspberry vinaigrette.  Also yummy.

Our host Spence Johnston raved about the Lobster Mac n Cheese, which everyone at the table tried and also determined as favorite of the night.

A true lobster lover, I got the filet and lobster which was a 6 ounce filet mignon and an Australian lobster tail.  Both were excellent.

Paul ordered the huge Rib Eye and we all sampled it – it came with roasted garlic and a nice herb goat cheese roasted tomato.

We were all stuffed but still sampled from this dessert tray.

After dinner, we all waddled back to our rooms.  For more info on the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa, go to www.morongocasinoresort.com.