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

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!

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

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

We went here for dinner last night to celebrate my cousins 50th birthday. Everything about our experience at Castelli's was amazing. We had 7pm reservations and were promptly seated even though the restaurant was packed. Our server Nino was attentive and knowledgeable. I ordered the gnocchi pesto, and added chicken for a protein. My cousin had the jumbo scallops with risotto special. Her friend had the lobster ravioli. Every single one of our dishes was perfection. My gnocchi was fresh, the scallops and risotto were melt in your mouth delicious and the lobster ravioli was super flavorful. My cousin got a free slice of Neapolitan ice cream cheesecake, it was also mouth watering delicious. I got tiramisu and we all agreed it was one of the best, if not the best, tiramisu's we've ever had. There was a piano man playing and singing by the entrance. All of the staff was working together and flowing as a well oiled machine from watching them clean tables and set up for the next party, to refilling drinks as they were emptied. We were all blown away. Next time I am in the desert and wanting a quality Italian dining experience I will definitely be returning. read more

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This restaurant is a time capsule - in a good way. It's been in existence since 1988, and it shows (in the unchanged decor, the old fashioned menu, and the style of the hospitality - the owner, John Castelli, stops by seemingly every table to check in). The food may not be exciting, but it's hearty red sauce Italian American fare, supported by a cast of unfailingly attentive servers/staff. Sometimes you just need a nostalgic meal - and this place offers that experience up in Sinatra-crooning spades. With respect to the food - that's where I wind up at a 3 star rating (instead of a 4-5 - which is where the service level was at). Appetizers were the disappointment, straight out of the gate; we had the crab stuffed mushrooms (which had a bit of a funky, not-quite-fresh crab flavor - think old socks), the Al Capone salad (it was alright: two slices of tomato with wee piles of dressed onions/hearts of palm, and 2 pieces of artichoke), and the mixed seafood (a limp cluster of steamed, room temp calamari, 2 clams, and 2 shrimp). Entrees were better and much more generously sized (linguine bolognese, the veal chop and the pork chops (while this last item was overcooked/dry, it did have nice flavor)). Dessert was pretty good - the NY Cheesecake hits. If we were to return, I would skip straight to the entrees, and spend my money elsewhere on the menu. read more

Absolutely phenomenal food and service!! I asked the waiter what he recommended between 3 dishes that I was stuck on choosing. He said "I got it" and to trust him to decide for me. He came out with a plate of all 3 dishes combined so I could try each. The staff seriously couldn't have been friendlier and more accommodating. All of plates were easily one of the best dinners I've had this year. 15/10! read more

Castelli's - Vitello Alla Parmigiana, Vitello Alla Milanese, Rigatoni Con Broccoli - Italian Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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

Live piano music was a nice touch. Loud enough for ambiance but not so loud you have to yell. Valet service and street parking available. I'd wear a polo or button/collared shirt, I did see people in shorts. We sat at a table that seemed to have about a half dozen gnats flying around which was annoying. The staff was friendly and helpful. Portions were average I'd say. Not huge. Not small. An appropriate serving size. Was my fettuccine with chicken worth $32? No. It was fettuccini and didn't stand out from any I've previously eaten. It wasn't bad though. Garlic bread was ok, they're bite size pieces. This place has me conflicted. They're borderline fine dining prices at a place that feels like a more authentic Olive Garden. The staff was wearing suits and ties, and some people were dressed in business attire, but they also allowed shorts. The vibe was confusing. If I lived in the area I'd come back occasionally but probably not regularly. read more

I rarely give out 5 stars but this place deserves it. Great food, beautiful decor & some of the best service I have ever had. You are absolutely taken care of from the moment you walk through the door. Simply an unbelievable experience. Be sure to go when the pianist is there. read more

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

This is such a mixed experience that I am having a hard time to pick an appropriate rating. The ambience is Sinatra, full bar. First, the staff could not be nicer and more accommodating. That made an otherwise truly terrible culinary experience almost palatable, but the food is really old school. Very 70's old school at that. Drinks OK. Salads limp and the house dressing is LOADED with garlic (with a side of garlic toast no less). The pasta vongole was runny and overcooked (and over garlicked). The red sauce was ok taste-wise, but again, overcooked and inedible The veal was two scaloppini pieces which were like rubber. The risotto was overcooked into mush and reminded me of nothing but a mouth full of starch. If you like food, there are lots of options nearby. Il Corso and Pizza Vino the next two night made up for this dinner. If you want to step back to the 70s, this is your place. otherwise, there are plenty of good Italian restaurants nearby. Sorry, they could do much better, or this just isn't my kind of Italian. read more

Very very good worth the visit! You can also do half and half pastas which is great when you can't decide what to get. read more

Castelli's - Tortellini Romano and Fettuccine Alfredo - Italian Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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

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

My friends and I went to Castelli's for dinner during the Indian Wells tournament. It was easy to get a reservation for 6 without a lot of days in advance planning. As promised, it was like going back in time to an old Italian trattoria. We could hear each other well at our table tucked in a corner in the back room (although we had to request that they close the doorway which would otherwise be a throughway for the waitstaff to bring dishes to this dining room). Appetizers/Salads - fried calamari - 5/5, lightly battered, crunchy outside, delicious! - insalata caesar - 4/5, solid, fresh caesar salad (it's a rare caesar salad that I deem worthy of 5 stars) - insalata di casa - 5/5, i could eat this salad every day, the combination of fresh romaine, radicchio, spinach and the artichoke hearts, heart of palm, red onion, red peppers, fennel, mushrooms with their house dressing was fantastic! they also served a basket of warm slices of garlic bread which were to die for. 5*5! Main dishes - osso bucco - 5/5, four of us ordered two plates of osso bucco to share (price was $55 for one entree portion) and it came out beautifully plated as split portions which each person found to be the right amount, small forks were offered to eat the bone marrow - fettucine alfredo - 5/5, a friend ordered this and took the leftovers home for another two meals - vitella alla piccatina - 5*/5, i ordered this item and it came with two beautiful, thinly pounded, enormous pieces of breaded veal. when i told the waiter I couldn't decide between this and the linguine alle bolognese, he told me he would give me the linguine as a side which by itself could have been more than just a snack. He was so kind to offer this that I could not decline but found the two flavors not quite complementary so ordered another side of linguine with olive oil and lemon/pepper which was a better accompaniment. Which meant I had enough leftovers for another meal :) - can you tell who the biggest eater is in our group? Dessert - creme brulee - 4/5, this was really the only item that didn't wow us I definitely recommend Castelli's the next time you're in the area. read more

First of all, their servers were amazing! They must go to school or the owners must hire only service minded people. Of course we're all on vacation and asking silly questions and every server, even the ones giving us water had witty comebacks and yet we're still super professional! Just next level! Now the food, was not second, but a tie for first. Just about everything was really good except for one thing. The bread was light fluffy and super yummy with the marinara sauce! Didn't think it'd like the marinara but everyone loved it! The pasta, seafood, and various dishes everyone had were all good! Now the only thing that could have been better was the lava cake. It tasted like play dough. Not your typical lava cake with a crispy outside and melted chocolate inside. Overall a 9 out of 10! read more

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

Had a fantastic meal. Went in with a large party and everyone really enjoyed the ambiance, service, and food. I had the ribeye, which was great, we shared the crab stuffed mushrooms, baked artichoke, and fried calamari and enjoyed all. Caesar salad was great and delicious. Also a large basket of garlic bread was a treat. Enjoyed the lava cake for dessert. Service was great. Cool restaurant very cozy with small bar with a piano player. read more

Best authentic Italian restaurant. I feel like I was in New York city as a made guy. Flavors of the different dishes we tried were right on point. Love the service staff, prompt, polite and there when you needed something. read more

We have eaten here twice and had a 4 star experience but last night was a huge disappointment! We had a party of 4 with no reservations. There was nobody waiting at 6pm and several open tables. The welcome was non existent and we were told by manager/host that we have no room for you! We wanted to treat our friends from Texas but when we got to the car it was agreed that we were just profiled and not welcomed! I have NEVER experienced this snobbery before and had to leave a review! I have worked as a restaurant manager for many years and never would I or my staff treat our customers like this. With all of the great restaurants in the area, we will not be back! Cheers! read more

Wonderful food! We had a beautiful veal chop that was so tender! The veal picatta was another hit and the filet spendini special was so flavorful and delicious, as was the garlic bread that we were served. . Service is top notch professional without being intrusive. Nice wine list too! read more

Living in the heart of the Coachella Valley has its perks. Castelli's is no exception. Always a great spot to celebrate that special occasion or, just to celebrate being alive. Great seafood options and the best calamari for starters. The service is wonderful and thoughtful giving you just enough privacy without being overlooked. You will make it a regular dining spot, I promise. read more

This gem is divine. Felt like I got dropped into a mafia movie but in the best way. I come into the area for work once a year and I'm devastated it took me too long to find this place. Cesar salad, perfection. Garlic bread, best I've had. Tortellini Romano, to die for. I miss it already. The guys were absolute gentlemans. This is the kind of experience I'll truly miss. I'm not Italian but this felt as authentic as it gets. read more

Here in the desert with friends we decide to try some Italian food and Castelli's came highly recommended. Our group of 8 was seated upon arrival and Carlos jumped right in taking drink orders. I went with my go to Vesper Martini while my wife had a Gin and Tonic. I went with the 18oz Veal Chop BAM Deeeelicious! My wife had the Pasta Bolognese with a meatball and loved it. A Cannoli and Espresso closed out the deal. Castelli's closes for the summer so we got to try it one week before they close and we will be back next season for sure. read more

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What happened to Castelli's ? It used to be our all time favorite Italian restaurant in Palm Desert! Went there tonight with friends and it was a total disappointment!! I have had better food at Olive Garden's than Castelli's! I had the Linguine Di Mare snd my husband had their special Veal Parmesan. All the seafood in my dish was over cooked!, the marinara sauce was runny and bland! My husband's veal was over breaded and dry! While the service was good, they tried to rush us even though we were spending money on cocktails, wine, appetizers ! They want to turn their tables quickly! While they may have their regulars, I rather go to the Old Spaghetti Factory before I would ever spend $400 for a lousy dinner! Too many other great places to eat in Palm Desert! read more

When we are in town Castelli's is a must and has become one of favorite birthday traditions. A huge shoutout to Nino, the manager, who truly makes our visits special. His attention to detail and genuine hospitality make us feel like VIPs every time! Nino took the time to recommend some incredible dishes and ensured that we were well taken care of throughout our meal. It's clear that he and his team are dedicated to providing top-notch service. The entire team at Castelli's is clearly passionate about what they do, and it shows in both the food and the service. If you're looking for an authentic Italian dining experience, I highly recommend visiting Castelli's. I can't wait to return! Grazie, Nino and team! read more

Our experience was mixed. The atmosphere is nice, though it can get noisy in the back room. Our server was friendly, but a miss on one delivery. I ordered my salad with dressing on the side, the server repeated the request, but the salad came with dressing already on it. My husband and I both like garlic, but it was heavy in both entrees. My husband ordered the linguine de mar. He liked it, but did comment that it was the more garlicy version of this dish that he orders often at various restaurants. I ordered the linguine al pomodoro, also the most garlicy version of a dish I order often at various restaurants. This one was so garlicy that it overwhelmed all the other ingredients and I could only eat about 20% of the dish. read more

Great meal as always! Great environment and ambience. We shared a meal with dear friends and Castilli's is our go to for dinner

Had a business meal here during the week and wow! Dinner was fairly early so it was empty when we arrived. It's like going back in time! By the time we left the place was hoping! It's definitely a local favorite. I had the lamb shank and it was some of the best I've had! Moist, flavorful and decadent. It's the type of place you want to eat through the menu at! read more

Good food in an old school setting. It was one of the busiest restaurants we went over the holidays in the desert. Only one issue and that was the side dish of pasta was lukewarm , but, to be fair, I didn't complain. We would definitely go back and I recommended the place to a friend who lives nearby. read more

A truly authentic Italian dining experience that stands the test of time. This charming restaurant, exudes old-world charm with its rustic decor and warm, inviting atmosphere. The menu features traditional Italian dishes The staff, was very welcoming and knowledgeable, with impeccable service. This was a perfect blend of authenticity and nostalgia, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking genuine Italian cuisine in the desert! read more

Castelli's - Caesar salad Fried Calamari - Italian Near Me - Palm Desert, California

My wife and I recently had the pleasure of dining at this amazing restaurant in Palm Desert. Our server, Gabriel was friendly, attentive, and delightful, which set the mood for the whole experience. We kicked off with some cocktails. We got the Sofia Loren and the French Martini. Both were delicious but the Sofia Loren is much sweeter, so if you have a sweet tooth, that one is your winner. They also gave us unbelievably delicious garlic bread to start dinner which was packed with flavor. For the main courses, my wife had the Fettuccini Alfredo with Shrimp. It was a masterpiece with a creamy and flavorful sauce. I had the Cannelloni's, which was ground veal with marinara and a cream sauce. It was so tender that I couldn't get enough. It was also more filling than it appeared so I was very happy. To cap everything off, we can never have Italian food without sampling their Tiramisu. The portion was generous, the texture and consistency were perfect, the only downside we noticed was an absence of espresso flavor. Despite that, it was still incredible and a fantastic end to an overall delicious meal and wonderful evening. read more

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Old School Palm Desert. Vibe was very cool. Pretty sure this place was full of regulars which I would be if I lived here. The waiters were great and I think they have been working there for sometime. The food was everything you would want especially the bread (garlicky and buttery)! I've eaten my weight in lamb chops and these are ranking way way up on the must eat scale. And then there is the crooning piano player. The restaurant is indeed the full package! Vai a goderti! read more

Little Italy in the desert. Being a New Yorker, I'm always on the look out for a taste of home wherever we travel. Our friends recommended Castellis for it's food, ambiance and great service. They were spot on! Situated just off the 111 in Palm Desert, decent amount of off-street parking, inside and out, this place fits the bill. Full bar, cozy and warm interior filled with photos it's many famous patrons. Seated immediately, our server greeted us and took out drink requests while perusing the extensive menu. My Bulleit Rye Manhattan was spot on. Fresh, hot garlic bread was brought to the table and we placed our orders. My usual go to is linguine and clam (what I benchmark any Italian restaurant). Prepared to perfection, the combination of Imported pasta prepared in a white sauce of whole clams, chopped clams, extra virgin olive oil, garlic (I always ask for extra), red pepper flakes, green onions, basil & fresh Italian parsley, was truly a taste of home. Pasto eccellente!! Definitely on our rotation when visiting the desert...highly recommend. read more

What a wonderful experience! Exceptional service by Sulla and Braulio--attentive, professional, and genuinely conscientious throughout the evening. Chef Victor even came out personally to give us a warm welcome and check on our experience, which spoke volumes about the care and pride behind the food. Highly recommend the house salad, scallops, and linguine with clams. Warm, authentic, and thoughtfully executed from start to finish. We will absolutely be back. read more

Delicious food with excellent service. Beautiful and cozy ambiance. Wonderful entertainment.

Our third time here - disappointed this time. The food we ordered ranged from excellent to not very good at all. The experience felt rushed and the back room where we were seated doesn't really have a classic "old school" feel like the primary room. The staff was friendly and professional but for a high end restaurant I felt like it could have been a better experience. read more