We went to Cork Tree 2 nights in a row on a work trip. Summary of two dinners / [[HIGHLIGHT]]we were impressed by the classy decor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Cocktails were made right, pretty and just the right amount of spirits. Excellent service with a personable waiter. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Second night we were seated too close to live music and moved so we could talk.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Favorite starters were Peppercorn Crusted Ahi and Japanese Crispy Pork Belly ( just a teeny bit dry). Best entrees for us were Seared Scallops and Sonoma Duck Breast. These were both dishes to go back for. Steak was well made too. The supporting veg sides also very good, not just plate fillers. The Baby Wedge Salad was a nice option. Hope to try the Roasted Beet Salad next time. Don't really recommend the Dutch Molten Lava Cake because it was dry & nothing special. Crème brûlée option excellent. [[HIGHLIGHT]]This spot harkens back to the 80s without being outdated.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Cork Tree - Sonoma Duck Breast - New American Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Were there at this restaurant 6/11/2026. Early evening 6:30 reservations for 5 guests. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There was a singer in the lounge that was so loud we couldn't keep a conversation over dinner.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I had ordered a salad which was very fine. The dinner I ordered was the Scallop entree. It was so disappointing as it was burned, the Vegetables black and scallops like rubber. I had to return it... the waiter later said he definitely agreed.... But why did he serve me that then. It was taken off the bill for me but I was never offered any other replacement. Basically I didn't eat! read more

Let me preface this by saying that $150/plate is a lot for my wife and I, but we just had our first kid and I wanted to make it special. What we got was indeed unique in what one would expect from a $300 meal, or whatever it was after tax and the lovingly applied new 4% credit card fee which I have never seen outside of a liquor store or where I pump my gas. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I had the misunderstanding that this was a fully-booked and somewhat high-end establishment, but unfortunately this was not the case. Plenty of empty seating and our waiter was better suited slanging used cars than fine food.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I don't mean that in a mean way, it's just at $150/plate I thought we'd be getting some fancy Valentine's Day treatment rather than the roadside diner experience, and I believe it to be a problem with management rather than the guy himself. One of the waiters literally tossed bread onto the plates like he was playing beer pong, and I think he swung around twice to fill some waters with little other contact. Anyways, for the food, absolutely underwhelming. My wife's tuna looked great, but I ordered a Caesar salad that was literally three full stocks of lettuce with some fish tossed on top. It's funny, I just watched a show where a sous chef made the same kind of salad and the chef had to gently reprimand the sous chef by asking her to "give it a bit of a chop" so a guest wouldn't struggle to eat it. I wish he worked here. My wife had the fish which she said was 'fine,' and my steak was... well... I'm a steak guy, and when the inside is beet red and there's a massive grey band, it means they didn't thaw the steak properly and likely hid a less-than-prime cut with a hefty portion of reduction sauce. The deserts were both a tad dry, the red velvet and the chocolate lava cake. And at the end, the slap in the face with the "credit card price" vs. the "cash price" sent me over the edge. It was only a $13 difference, but its principle and the fact that I'm not a Colombian drug lord carrying stacks of hundos that was the final disappointment. Anyways, it was definitely food, but if there's a Denny's around you I might give that a shot instead for your next Valentine's Day experience. read more

I came in with a business partner and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the ambieance is pretty nice.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We sat at the bar and Luis was gery respectful, very professional, and great customer service. What an asset to the Cork Tree Family. The service is on point...service is quick, and the staff mskes you feel at home. Thank you again Luis. We will be back read more

Caesar salad was very underdressed. Some pieces didn't have dressing on it at all resulting in a very bland salad. Everything else but the dressing was A+ though, but they failed at the most important part of all, the lack of dressing. I got the Filet mignon medium rare and it was a great tender piece of steak however the bottom sear on it was a bit too burnt for my liking (see my picture) is it supposed to be that black? The top part of the filet was perfect with nice grill marks, but the bottom was completely dark dark brown, almost black resulting in a bitter steak. It also could use a bit more sauce/seasoning. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Service and ambience are great though, nothing to complain about there.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Service was ok. Nice waiter who was very prompt. Bread was very stale. Beet salad was good with plenty of beets. The seafood in my cioppino was overcooked and tough to chew. read more

Excellent menu .... Delicious food ... service with a smile ... [[HIGHLIGHT]]relaxing vibes[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] ... highly recommend!! read more

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We made a 6:00 reservation because we had an 8:00 concert at the casino. Tonya was our server and did a great job and a definite pro. We ordered drinks, lobster stack, pork belly and crab cakes. We had another round of cocktails during the wait for our entrees and asked Tonya to box our meals to go. Luckily they arrived right at that minute so we were able to enjoy our meal before dashing off. Will definitely be back. read more

Cork Tree - Roasted chicken and risotto - New American Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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I was undecided on what to eat being in Palm Desert a day before my coworkers arrived. So, I decided to go to the grocery store to stock up on some snacks and drinks for the night and happened to see a few restaurants across the way. So I pulled up to the Cork Tree with no issues of parking due to the restaurant being in the shopping center. Once I entered, the hostess was straight forward and asked if I wanted to be seated in main dinning or if I wanted to just go sit in the bar area and a bartender would help me. I chose to grab a seat in the bar area. The bar area had tv's a few high table tops with a booth so there was plenty of room. The place was clean with a nice relaxing vibe to it. I felt a little out of place not knowing what the vibe would be like, but I have to admit, that place had some of the coolest people and waiters I've ever encountered. Several waiters in the bar area started a conversation with me and must have known I was new in the area because the servers were offering me food and drink recommendations. As I began looking through the menu the lady sitting next to me basically recommended my entire meal lol. She said don't look at the main menu, order from the happy hour because the prices are great! So I went with the crab crakes, the jumbo seared scallops and a Moscow Mule. Everything was top notch but the seared scallops were the clear standout! They were cooked to perfection and not rubbery like they can be when overcooked. I can't front, the crab cakes had mad flavor too. They were super soft with no signs of having the crispy edges sometimes. The drink was fire too! Anyway, I ended up paying for a round of drinks for the lady and her husband sitting next to me because they kept me entertained the whole time. The next time I go, I want to try the crème brûlée three ways which was a sample of three different crème brûlée flavors. The lady and her husband were eating it and raving about how good it was. Overall, I will be back to feast on a few other entrees and appetizers and hopefully it's sooner rather than later. OOOOO 5 out of 5 Afros read more

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We had the new years chef tasting. The amuse-bouche was delightful a poached pear wrapped in prosciutto. Followed by the mango crab tartar tower, French onion soup. The main filet, lobster and lamb chops were excellent. Everything was cooked to our liking we enjoyed it!! read more

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I'd give this spot a 3.5 and although it was good I wouldn't come back here myself. Options for a nicer dinner option in Indio was limited so I came here for a gals dinner with my friend. The food was fine, but I honestly expected better for the price point. I got scallops and my friend had the tacos appetizer with a wedge salad. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant was quite stuffy in all sense of the word.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our server was nice, but beyond rigid and her table side manner was quite stiff but that seemed to be the vibe of the establishment. I'm from LA so this vibe was just very different from what I'm used to. [[HIGHLIGHT]]They had light up menus lol which were kind of funny and obviously trying to escalate the experience with their white table cloth setup.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Not my vibe in general and food was mid. Wouldn't go out of my way to come here again but fine overall. read more

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Tried this place for the first time and it blew us away! Food and service were incredible. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The private booths are very romantic.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food is comparable to Mastros etc for half the price. We had the scallops and sea bass. Both were some of the best we have ever had. Can't wait to go back and try the cioppino! read more

Service at the bar was fast and friendly. The food delicious. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance dark and romantic.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I got red-faced about the credit/debit surcharge notice at the front desk of 3.99% Checking with the Visa website, Visa does not permit a charge of any more than 3% and on credit cards only. The host simply shrugged and I told him that the notice would fail to dent my anticipation of a good time. (see above first three statements) read more

Sooo good highly recommend both these apps. We also got the lobster stack with I also recommend. Everything was so flavorful and juicy. They have light up manus for yall who need to shine the light on your menu read more

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

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We were celebrating a special birthday and this restaurant handled everything with excellence and professionalism, as well as being very engaging. We started with crab and shrimp cakes appetizers that were served with a spirited diakon relish and topping that was tangy and fresh. Our entrees consisted of roasted duck breast in a not so traditional cherry sauce coupled with broccolini. A filet mignon was delicious with a gorgonzola and what seemed to be a wine sauce that elevated this tender steak to perfection. It was served in a bed of horseradish mashed potato puree. We had a great waiter and staff attending to everything. The bread served was a standard French asking with a tasty cranberry chew that we all raved about. It's a nice upscale restaurant on the pricey side, but we all agreed it was worth it. To our delight, there was a special pricing on wines. [[HIGHLIGHT]]They had very good entertainment in their lounge that played well to the dining room.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We'd been told by friends about this place and they steered us right. It was a memorable night, start to finish. read more

I ordered a bone in ribeye steak. I got a slice of steak with Diane sauce. The manager came over and said the waitress wrote down the menu wrong and never offered a different item on the menu. Just sorry and that's it. Our waitress was sweet and apologetic for the manager's behavior. read more

You advertise Canadian wines but have none on your wine list or the server couldn't find any. Bad advertising especially for Canadians read more

Excellent! A Palm Desert hidden gem! Excellent food and service. Tasty and great food too! Drinks were great. Margatini was awesome. read more

Quality and consistency are hard to find in restaurants. Cork Tree has BOTH! Great food and awesome service every time. read more

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

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4.5 / 5! Beautiful and classy restaurant! We made a reservation for a party of 15 and the staff was very accommodating and helpful. I ended up getting the Surf and Turf and it was delicious! Absolutely enjoyed my food, and the staff kept our glasses full the whole time. Our food also came out in a timely manner, which is so impressive considering our party size. There's a full bar and a patio area for outdoor seating when it's nice and not too hot outside. The bathrooms are clean and the overall interior design was very classy. The only small complaint I had was that these dishes are on the pricier side ($30-$60 per entree) so as long as you prep your wallet for that, then come enjoy a beautiful dinner here! read more

Cork Tree - Surf n Turf! - New American Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Had a wonderful dinner here! From the moment we walked in, the service was friendly. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance was cozy and intimate, with a romantic touch that made it a perfect spot for dinner.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The duck breast was cooked perfectly, flavorful, and beautifully presented. It paired so well with the refreshing beet salad, which added just the right balance. read more

Cork Tree - Sonoma Duck Breast with Infused Port Wine and Cherry Sauce - New American Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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Excellent food and service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We dined at a table one evening and at the bar another. Both were very comfortable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Both evenings happened to be live music nights. These are currently on Tuesdays and Thursdays.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

We came in just for dessert and drinks and loved the top notch service and ambience. The after dinner cocktail menu is decadent and sinful and I thoroughly enjoyed my martini. The lava cake was to die for. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]This is a lovely restaurant with great service, ambience and wonderful food.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The wait staff was exceptional and informative when describing the dishes. We had the duck confit tacos and the escargot for appetizers. Both were delicious! For the main course I had a smoked duck breast perfectly cooked to medium. The cowboy ribeye was marvelous, succulent with a great char and also cooked perfectly to medium rare. The mushroom risotto, side dish was smooth creamy and well seasoned. The Crème Brulé came with three different flavors, white chocolate, vanilla, and butterscotch. The latter, which was extraordinary. read more

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The bar area is intimate, and well-appointed. The cuisine did not disappoint - and was well up to the dining standards that we expect. The crowning jewel of our Cork Tree adventure was Jeff our server. He was gracious, efficient, and possessed the perfect blend of dry humor and professionalism. A Rusty Nail is no longer popular nor well known. Jeff not only knew the history of this classic cocktail (yes, it was Sinatra's favorite), but he also poured it to perfection. Well done Cork Tree - We will definitely be back the next time we are in Palm Desert! read more

Looking for some light fare to hold me over until a late dinner I stumbled upon Cork Tree. I sat at the bar and had the best time. Service is absolutely top notch. Between the bartender Tania (sp?) and the waiters who were not just attentive but dang near mind readers I felt like I was at a white linen place in my shorts! I ordered the crab cakes, the truffle fries and a mini wedge. The wedge was out in minutes. Perfectly put together. Not over dressed, crisp and delicious. The cakes were these little crispy towers of goodness in a delicious sauce and the fries were honestly just looking like fries but wow, I've never devoured every fry on a plate before. Conversation with the bar tender was great and fun and the whole 20 min pit stop made me want to return again, just to visit her and partake in more of their happy hour dishes. So reasonably priced for the level of cuisine! Overall, I can't recommend this place any more. You need to go. read more

It's a California American Restaurant. The place has an upscale dining room. You probably don't want to show up in a tank top or flip flops. The service was excellent. We shared a number of small plates. The Tuna Tartar had a great spicy flavor. they serve it with light white toast which is very average. The secret is to have it with the house bread they bring around. So delicious. I had the special surf and turf which had a veal medallion,rib eye steak and lobster tail It was all amazing! The only thing I wasn't impressed with was the salad which should have been a wedge but it was served shredded already and it just didn't feel like a wedge to me. Still, it was a good experience. I recommend this place, One more thing.... They definitely know there audience. The backlite menu with decent size font was a nice touch read more

We went for Christmas Eve dinner and everything was snacking. Our server, Monica was wonderful and the food was perfectly prepared and delicious! read more

Lived being in the new overtake of the Hortons, Landry conglomerate. Fine dining yet unpretentious. Ray and staff, most excellent, food just what you wanted, cooked perfectly, tuna appetizer, salmon entree, deeelish. read more

Hands down for Bartender Andrew!!! Not only does his knowledge of mixology exceed the top tier and beyond, but his informative skills of knowing the menu inside and out is very impressive, and outshine any other service in the area! From making a custom margarita, to recommendation of the best bottles of wine available to accommodate an excellent dinner experience, Andrew makes you feel at home with the personality of a professional that also knows your taste, preferences, and remembers your name with a genuine smile and voice! The food Andrew has recommended, has all been on point and delicious from the kitchen. Andrew is the only person I want service from at this fine bar/restaurant, I recommend anyone to experience his Professionalism. Thanks again Andrew, see again very soon. read more

Our first time there and the whole experience was an exceptional one. We sat at the bar and we're waited on hand and foot. Started off with the beat salad that was out of this world. My wife had the short ribs and I had a steak. Everything was cooked to perfection and we plan on making this a regular stop. read more

The bartender at Cork Tree, Andrew, is absolutely the best bartender I have ever met. His knowledge of how to mix drinks constantly amazes me and he always makes patrons feel special and welcomed. Every one of my friends that I introduced him to just love him. Andrew is the reason I go to Cork Tree. Wayne O read more

We have been to the Cork Tree many times. Last night very disappointed. They now have live music in the bar. This used to be an upscale restaurant. I'm afraid they lost their way. The food was also not at all what we have had in the past. read more

I had a wonderful dinner at Cork Tree, and the entire experience was top-notch. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable and helped me choose a perfect bottle of red wine that matched my taste. The scallops were absolutely delicious--cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. Hank the manager stopped by to check in & made sure we had a smooth experience, and the warm ambiance and energy of the place made it a 10/10 night. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]I just left the Cork tree restaurant which is supposed to be fine dining and my experience was anything but that.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I shared my concerns with the manager and he was very dismissive of my experience. Didn't really seem to care how I felt. The meal was expensive and decent at best and the bus people were incapable of understanding our requests for the basic needs of a restaurant. When you are paying for fine dining, the service should reflect that experience. In addition they charge 4.9% for using a credit card. You should know up front to bring cash and a lot of it if you plan on eating there. read more

We have driven by for many years and finally decided to try this restaurant. What a treat! The service was excellent. The crab cakes, the caesar salad and the cowboy ribeye were excellent. We will definitely be back. read more

We decided on the Cork Tree for dinner. Our last night in Palm Springs. Darn it. It was one of the best meals I have had in years. The duck tacos were awesome along with the pork belly. (Get a scallop with the pork belly). Eating outside was such a pleasant evening. I was going to get the short ribs but our fantastic server Fransico recommended the sea bass. (My second choice). It was so delicious. Fransico will push the scallops and take his recommendations. Fransico was a joy and so helpful and friendly. If you go ask for Fransico for sure. This is one of my new favorite restaurants and can't wait to go back. When we come back to Palm Desert it is a must. read more

From the intimate service and atmosphere, there is nothing at Cork Tree that disappoints. The service staff is engaged without being intrusive or overbearing...and it refreshing that they can read a table like a book. The expansive menu had something for everyone at our table and the unexpected live entertainment provided the icing on the cake for our adventure. Pro tip: Don't miss the Crème Brûlée Three Ways for dessert...you'll thank me (and the Pastry Chef) after! read more

Great food! First time I ever liked pork belly. Service is great too, shout out to our server Jason! Highly recommend! read more

We had a large party of 10 with three children. They sat us in a private room which was very nice because then I wasn't worried that the kids were disturbing any other guests. The service was excellent. The sea bass was touted as the most popular dish. It was very good, but not unique. The mini wedge salad was delicious and the bacon they use is especially good... the reason I only gave four stars instead of five is that I thought it was slightly overpriced for what you get. read more

Cork Tree - Mini wedge salad - New American Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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