Il Corso

This spot is a hidden gem, a diamond in the rough. When we sat down we knew it was a local family…read moreowned favorite...unlike all of the chains in the area that only care about your moment. We got great value for our money and the food was delicious. The pomodoro was like nothing I've had before. The scallops and shrimp were extra fresh and perfectly cooked. My wife got the beef bolognese which was good, though she liked my dish a lot more lol Service was very friendly and nice. They also give complimentary bread. It's a small hole in the wall spot, but definitely worth the visit. We'll be back next time we're in town. We can for the Jerry Seinfeld show 5/5 overall

Old school "red sauce" Americanized Italian. The marinara is decent enough, nothing special…read more Pasta is cooked to American tastes and is not exactly "al dente". The service is good, the prices reasonable. Decor is dated but clean. Parking is plentiful. If the "Italian" food version of the '50's to the 80's is what you or your out of town guests seek likely you'll enjoy Norma's.

Kids' meal charged $11 + tax

Angel Hair Pomodoro

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Fettuccini Alfredo

Castelli's

4.0(760 reviews)

0.4 mi

This Italian Restaurant is off Highway 111 & Palm Desert drive…read more We got a reservation on Mother's Day last Sunday, as we enter we were warming & kindly greeted. As our host walked us back to our table. I noticed how beautiful, classy, chic, superb, super clean it was, and so wear the restrooms. This Italian restaurant is huge, Everything inside was super elegant! As we sat down, we were greeted by our waiter Jack. Jack asked us if we had any questions, he answered them all beautifully! So we ordered Bocconcini di Mozzarella Caprese, Shrimp Dijon della Casa, 2 Linguine alle Bolognese, Fresh Minestrone Zuppa, Gnocchi al Pesto, fettuccini Alfredo with chicken, Fettuccine Alfredo with sausage, Risotto Tutto Mare, Risotto con Funghi with chicken, 2 order king crab legs. Their signature Bread is so delicious!! Everything was so mouth watering & highly delicious!! Everything explodes in your mouth, the savory tastes, I wished I could have eaten more, I was full! I also want to make a note, I normally do not eat crab at all. Once I tried & tasted the king Crab I was floored it's the best crab I have ever had! On top of that, Uriel was constantly making sure are glasses of waters, sodas, alcohol were always full without us asking us he was on it ! Castelli's is now my #1 Italian place to go to! Highest quality of their food, portion size was incredible, hospitality amazing! Their price points are so spot on! I highly recommend anyone who looking a a fabulous & delicious place to eat please come here! Jack & Uriel were so polite, kind, sweet, caring, super down to earth ! These are your rare diamonds please treasure them well! I would love to Thank Castelli's & their staff for our wonderful Mother's Day Dinner, with deliciousness & awesomeness on the side! I would especially love to Thank Jack, Uriel, Juan for making sure we had everything we needed ! You guys Rock! We definitely will be back again!! Can't wait!! I'll tell all my Family & Friends to visit here! Please be kind & courteous to these hard workers

Came here with my family to celebrate, made a last minute reservation on their website for 815pm…read more Tried to go for something earlier but for the size of our party it pushed out the time. I noticed the restaurant closes at 9 so it was already interesting to see they were taking reservations past 815. We got there and were greeted very nicely. Sat down and was enjoying the atmosphere, we had a lovely, patient, accommodating waiter Jose. About 20 minutes past by and we were suddenly told by our host that hats weren't allowed in the restaurant. Everything was fine and dandy we tried to make ends meet and work around that. My bf left to get something more appropriate. Few things... it is not posted/listed on the restaurant establishment or website, OR YELP that there is any sort of dress code. We also weren't told while entering/before being seated about this "rule". Throughout the time waiting for my bf to figure something out, it felt very rushed to order. I am not here to complain about the rule, it just would've been nice to see it listed anywhere beforehand OR we could've been informed before sitting down. Mainly writing this review for others, especially those visiting from out of town of this "policy" before having an awkward/rushed experience. Food wise: complimentary garlic bread definitely didn't taste fresh. Tasted as if old bread was microwaved. We ordered calamari as an app, and it was very crispy and tasty!! I ordered the spaghetti bolognese with meatballs, the pasta was overcooked. If the noodles were al dente i think it would've been a solid meal. Also ordered cocktails, just ordered normal margaritas. Do not expect craft cocktails! Margaritas were very sweet and tasted very much like margarita mix. Overall, i believe the calamari was the star of tonight, and a special shout out to Jose!

Cozy seating in the outer area with great Italian ambience

Garlic Bread and Wine

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Mimmo's Italian Restaurant & Bar

4.3(749 reviews)

0.1 mi

Wow, Amazing food! Very family oriented and welcoming, highly recommend!! Enjoyed a beautiful…read moredinner with great service

ONE OF THE BEST MEALS AND SERVICE IN MY LIFE. And i am old and have eaten in 1,000s of high end…read morerestaurants. Going back for my birthday and driving from Fresno. Can't wait. relatives coming from Chicago and Cincinnati and insist we go there.

Petrale Sole with Capers, Lemon, and Butter

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Ristorante Mamma Gina

Ristorante Mamma Gina was an outstanding experience from start to finish. The restaurant has a very…read moreclassy, elegant interior with a charming ambiance that makes you feel welcome the moment you walk in. Our server, Francisco, was exceptional. He was incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and took the time to answer all of our questions and explain the dishes without ever making us feel rushed. His service was truly top-notch. The food was absolutely amazing--every dish was full of incredible flavor and perfectly prepared. A special mention goes to our son's fettuccine Alfredo, which was honestly the best I've ever tasted. It was rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious. The attention to detail throughout our meal really stood out. Our water glasses were never even close to empty, and the ice-cold water was constantly refreshed without us having to ask. From the outstanding food to the impeccable service, this was a five-star dining experience in every way. Thank you, Francisco, and the entire team at Ristorante Mamma Gina. We look forward to coming back the next time we're in Palm Desert!

The ambiance is Beautiful. The staff are friendly…read more The food is absolutely horrible. Salmon is farmed, they said it was fresh but unfortunately I have been getting diarrhea and vomiting within hours of eating this. The beet salad was delicious- can't go wrong with boiling beets and chopping it up. The pear salad was gross and wilted. The spaghetti was not al dente, sadly it was over cooked. Our entire group was not impressed by the meals, but enjoyed the ambiance! If you want to lose a few pounds- get the salmon-

COME JOIN US FOR THE BEST HAPPY HOUR IN THE DESERT! 7 NIGHTS A WEEK FROM 4PM TO CLOSE

Mamma Gina Romantic Outdoor Dining Experience on El Paseo

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Mamma Gina Serving The Coachella Valley Since 1986

Piero's PizzaVino

4.1(1.4k reviews)

0.2 mi

Went again to the best pizza place in the desert! This time…read morewe had Ruth and she was excellent! We always get excellent customer service along with the best food! We come back every time we're in desert. Thank you!

Just a mess from start to finish. Ordered through DoorDash and received a sloppy, greasy, oily mess…read morethat was completely inedible. To make matters worse, they sent the completely wrong pasta, leaving my family member with nothing to eat--which, honestly, was probably for the best. And apparently they don't have ranch. At a restaurant whose menu is roughly 80% salads. Make it make sense. Absolutely unacceptable food and execution. Save yourself the money and order literally anywhere else. Such a shame the desert truly has no good pizza!

Eating in the patio! Amazing ambience.

Meat Balls "Napoli Style"

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Grilled Parmesan Artichokes

Porta Via

4.2(560 reviews)

0.4 mi

We had a great time celebrating my birthday here! The restaurant was packed on a Friday night in…read moreAugust, so it was definitely loud and busy, but the service was excellent and the atmosphere was fun. We started with the Burrata with Heirloom Tomato and Beef Carpaccio, both of which were delicious. We also had the Lobster Roll, Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp, and the Grilled Skirt Steak with truffle shoestring potatoes -- the skirt steak was especially good! We also tried a sushi tuna roll, which was another great addition to the table. The drinks were fantastic, and everything came out tasting fresh and well prepared. To top it all off, they brought out a nice little lemon cake for my birthday, which was a really nice touch. Overall, even though it was crowded and loud, we had a great experience. Great service, amazing food and drinks, and a fun Friday night atmosphere. Definitely a good spot for a celebration!

We had a great early dinner at Porta Via and everything we ordered tasted really good. The linguini…read moreand clams were cooked perfectly with no chewy pieces at all. My youngest loved her spaghetti and meatballs and she is usually pretty picky about pasta. I had the butternut squash ravioli and they were rich, creamy, and exactly what I wanted. My wife ordered the miso glazed seabass and she loved it. I stole her bok choy and that made me very happy. The restaurant is really clean with a laid back contemporary vibe and great music. The AC at our first table was blasting cold air right on us and the staff moved us right away with no issue at all. They were also incredibly kind to my youngest whose birthday we were celebrating. They surprised her with her favorite tiramisu and a candle which completely made her night. Great food, great service, great atmosphere. We will definitely be back.

The dining room

Mussels

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Booth seating

Sweet Basil California Eatery

4.6(293 reviews)

0.1 mi

For my extended family out here in the outsize long-jump pit of Palm Desert, Sweet Basil has become…read morea go-to location for celebratory meals of late. Unlike so many other parts of trips out here - the oppressive heat, dodging careening buggies driven by seemingly lost and possibly inebriated golfers, and the discovery of sand in eyes / nose / shoes / liver - it's a tradition that sits very well with me. I'd even go as far as saying that the food here makes all of the above worthwhile. The restaurant has a car park to the rear and limited street parking in front. The interior has a lovely ambiance, quietly refined by subtle lighting and a gentle arboreal theme. I've seen it busy and our party has also had the place to ourselves on late visits, but I'd definitely recommend a reservation just in case especially with a larger party. The staff provide attentive and genuinely caring service, and the portion sizes are substantial and easily justify the more-than-reasonable cost. The food itself though is the reason this place is always a highlight reel spot for me. Every dish is a feast for the eyes as well as the palette, beautifully presented and packed with flavor. My personal go-to is the perfectly seasoned and healthy Harvest Salad, usually with an added protein (the blackened chicken adds a real flavor kick and the variety in texture that I love in great food). Fortunately my partner happily defaults to the opulent and delightful Lobster Lasagna, as I'd be loath to miss out on a bite or three of that too. Appetizer-wise, I'm yet to regret any soup-of-the-day choice. The Zucchini last night was... well... yep, perfect is no overstatement. Sweet Basil is an absolute gem, and a must-visit for any visitor here. The only even remotely negative things I can think to mention is to be aware of the rather early closing time for at least part of the year.

The naanwiches were unique and tasty. They were served grilled naan bread. The portions were…read moregenerous too. We had the Grilled Portabello Mushroom topped with melted Gruyère, roasted tomatoes, garlic aioli. Very yummy that melted on top. The Chicken Curry with cashews, dried cranberries, garlic aioli was delicious as well! The naanwiches came with orzo pasta salad which I really enjoyed. The restaurant was pretty nice and comforting. The service was pleasant and attentive.

Mista Salad with Chicken

Caprese Salad

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Eggplant Cigars

Black Cat Pizza

4.5(240 reviews)

0.7 mi

I'm in town on vacation, and was craving pizza. Checked Yelp to see who's good, and Black Cat…read morelooked decent, so I placed my DoorDash order. The composition of the pizza was unusual to me: extra scoop of sauce on top of each slice. The crust was decent, crispy edges but soggy bottom. The portion size was generous. But--yikes!--this was the *saltiest* pizza I've ever had. It tasted like someone accidentally knocked a box of salt over while making the pizza and, instead of starting over, they just mixed the salt in and kept it movin'.

Wow!!! Just wow We…read morecame into town and someone recommended this place All 6 of us in agreement t way before we left this is hands down one of the best pizzas and food we have had in a long time! Geez!!!! Where has this place been? We ordered lots of different appetizers all good Salads we ordered the Caesar- it's a real Caesar so if you are not aware that Caesar dressing is made with anchovies then you are aware now... So this is like a real Caesar salad with thick buttery croutons and fresh shaved Parmesan cheese and anchovies! Fantastic was it Then the pizza was ordered Pepperoni with hot honey Fig and Pig (my personal favorite) Meat lovers Vegetarian All were terrific especially the Fig and Pig I'm not going into the flavor- I'll use all the same old boring adjectives and we would still be here without the pizza So just go and order some really good food! Ooh please save room for desert They were out of a couple to try from but the damn bread pudding was fabulous! I'm kinda sad I live an hour or more from here because I don't have anything like this at home! So I'll have to come back and this place will be on my list of eateries!!!! Ooh service- great! And the place it's self is decorated with none only a black cat- and I also own one of those so the decorating is damn cute, it's quieter and charming

Airy bread with super crispy crust

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Margherita pizza with whipped ricotta, basil, and flavorful tomato sauce. Crispy crust. Added sausage to this. Decadent.

Mario's Italian Café

3.4(309 reviews)

0.4 mi

I don't like pasta or Italian food....but one dinner at Mario's changed ALL of that! In fact, we…read morereturned for dinner again a month later! Pasta Primavera served with olive oil and garlic is what changed my mind-nice and light, lots of veggies and pasta that didn't make my gut hurt. You can opt for a regular size or a large size -both are generous servings. My husband had fettuccine Alfredo and loved it.... The menu is large with lots of offerings. The ambience is friendly and fun , with lots of conversation. Seating is comfortable, even at the bar. The food comes out relatively quick and the wait staff is friendly , appropriately attentive, and clearly enjoy their work!!! The second night, we met friends for dinner and we met Mario, who told us his grandson Vito, was our waiter! Vito blushed, but gave us a big smile! Highly recommend Mario's. No reservations needed, unless you have a large party to be seated...even non-pasta eaters will find something delectable on the menu!

Waiting for a pizza order to go. And this short chubby bald guy started bad mouthing people taking…read moreadvantage of a Monday special they have here. Totally uncalled for if he doesn't like his job get another one. Also they told me it would be a 20 to 25 minute wait its now going on 40 with no end in sight.

LG BBQ Chicken Pizza

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Shrimp scampi Lasagna Chicken Parmigiano

Trattoria Tiramisu

4.2(165 reviews)

0.9 mi

Dined with them last evening and what a wonderful experience! From the moment we walked in, we felt…read morelike we were part of a family. Our server was gracious and attentive providing excellent care for our group. The restaurant is cozy and warm with interesting art work creating a comfortable ambiance. The beverages of wine and martinis were awesome. The meal...OMG! I don't know where to begin. From the bread, to the fresh bruschetta salad and then the entrees of chicken picotta, sea bass in linguine pasta and the pork chop....each was superbly prepared and presented. Finally the dessert...tiramisu. I'm not sure there are enough superlatives to describe how delicious it was. This is a must try restaurant if you enjoy truly authentic Italian cuisine.

Great atmospheric,awesome food and a exceptional attentive staff, we are repeat visitors and look…read moreforward to the next time

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Pork Milanese

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Patio area

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29 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Luv2Trave L.

3 years ago

Let me start by saying that this restaurant is a far cry from anything Italian. In fact, you'd find better authenticity at a fast-food chain. The management here is abysmal, and it reflects in every aspect of the dining experience. The wait staff is poorly trained, lacking refinement, and completely clueless. It's unfortunate to label this as the worst dining experience, but it truly was. We were a group of four and the ordeal started with a tedious wait of 25 minutes just to place our drink and appetizer orders. Another half an hour passed before our appetizers arrived--calamari and bruschetta that were disappointingly subpar. Moving on, we ordered salads while simultaneously placing our entrée orders. The salads never made an appearance, but after an eternity, our entrées were unceremoniously brought to the table. To our shock, the suggestion to hold our filet mignon dishes until the salads arrived was nothing short of absurd. Who in their right mind would hold such delicacies? Opting to forgo the salads, I received my filet, a visually unappealing grey-tinted slab that turned out to be as dry and tough as cardboard. A complaint led to a ludicrous suggestion from the waiter asking me to cut the filet in the middle to get to the juicy part, indicating a severe lack of training and finesse among the staff. Sending the filet back, I settled for Tagliatelle Bolognese, only to experience another appalling surprise--discovering a wire bristle, a few inches long, lurking in my pasta. I was on my second bite when I tasted the hard object in my mouth. It was a terrifying moment, as this could have had serious consequences had I swallowed the metal. Summoning the manager, Ernesto Gonzalez, I displayed the foreign object in my dish. His revelation that it originated from their pot-cleaning wire sponge was beyond unacceptable. Refusing any more food from their kitchen was my immediate decision. The manager's attempt to rectify the situation by offering to remove the dry, tough entrees from my bill and inviting us back for a complimentary meal felt insulting. He should have just comped our current meal. Engaging in a call with Gonzalez a couple of days later, expecting an explanation, led to further disappointment. Instead of addressing our grievances, he became defensive and argumentative, a glaring reflection of the restaurant's leadership. It's evident that the issues here stem from the top down, with Gonzalez failing at his managerial duties. My concerns escalated further as I pondered what other health hazards might lurk within their kitchen. The final straw came when my husband, rightfully outraged, contacted health inspectors, resulting in the revelation of multiple health code violations and a downgrade to a B grade. I have no intention of revisiting this establishment, and I strongly advise against dining here. It's a risk not worth taking, considering the appalling service, unpalatable food, and concerning health standards. Here's the health inspection report for reference: http://restaurantgrading.rivcoeh.org/Reports/DAPETOMQU.PDF Adding insult to injury, despite the owner's offer to reimburse the cost of the meal, there has been a conspicuous failure to follow through with this commitment. It's a blatant display of insincerity and further evidence of the disregard this establishment holds for its customers. Such empty promises only serve to deepen the disappointment and reinforce the lack of accountability at every level of this restaurant's operation. It's disheartening to witness such a dismal excuse for a restaurant. read more

Brian m.

6 months ago

I have had dinner at El Corso in Palm Springs many times always had great service and great food put on this particular evening Saturday 4/14/26 we were dining with friends down valley we chose El Corso on El Paseo. I have to say it was a disaster!! There was three couples. We did have a dinner reservation. They sat us promptly when we arrived after that it was downhill. The waiter came up and asked to take our drink oder then water. We told him we had not had time to look at the wine list and since there was six of us, he went and got a second wine list so that we could move it along an he could take the drink order. He took everyone's orders for drinks except mine expecting him to ask me for my drink order he walked away from the table. I literally had to flag him down to come back and take my drink order. When he finally did return with the drinks at that time we placed our dinner order. We also placed an order for three bottles of wine. Two the bottles arrived at the table in chillers just fine. The third bottle actually arrived after our food arrived which we had to ask for that bottle.. Also, my water glass had food particles on it. I had to ask twice for the glass to be removed and a new one brought to me. During the entire evening the waiter was very attentive to other tables, but not ours. We had to wave him down. To get refills on the non-alcoholic drinks. It was almost like he was avoiding iour table! Maybe he doesn't like LGBTQ people since it was a table of 3 LGBT couples. Our bill was nearly $900 for the evening. Every one of us was so disappointed in the service we received !!! When the check was brought to us left with us to look over. We were splitting the check between two cards. We wanted 15 minutes for him to come back and get the check but he did not return. We finally had to flagged down a manager in a suit jacket to come get the check. We told he how we wanted the charges split on the the 2 cards. The manager took the check, but he couldn't even remember how much was supposed to be on each card he gave it to the waiter and the waiter had to come back and ask again how much on each card? On top of that, the food was only subpar! This location does not hold up to the quality at the Palm Springs location. We will never return here!!!! I highly advise my other LGBTQ family members to avoid this establishment. They clearly did not want to wait on us. They would prefer to wait on the non-LGBTQ patron. Which is sad I've gained many times at different restaurants on El Paseo never encountered this kind of issue before. We all felt the waiter/manager were clearly avoiding the table as we clearly watched the waiter and the manager attended to other tables repeatedly while we were having to flag down to service. So sad they should have st read more

Michael S.

Elite 19

1896

133

414

10 years ago

Il Corso in Italian means the main street (or El Paseo, in Spanish). It may as well mean beautifully delicious, too, because this place is gorgeous and serves up sumptuous fare for its customers. The restaurant's ambiance is rich and elegantly appointed withe high open loft ceilings, woven basket lights and a 100-year-old wood flooring and imported Italian stone sourced from an old Italian farmhouse. The interior is divided in two sections -one devoted to the bar and lounge area (happy hour runs from noon to close) and the other being the large main dining room (including a smaller, private room closed off by a reclaimed wood sliding "barn door"). A floor-to-ceiling wine cellar holds more than 300 bottles of wines originating from all over the world (California, Italy, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand). The bar's illuminated glass wall of bottles separates the lounge and dining room. At the back of the restaurant a long marble counter serves customers where they can observe the chefs and pizziolas at work at the "il forno," or Il Corso's brick pizza oven. Seating is also available outside and street side of El Paseo Il Corso offers wood-fired thin-crust Roman-style pizzas, panini and a variety of innovative salads, with Pomodoro y Burrata being a favorite among the appetizers. The enters and meals are Mediterranean-inspired and include seafood, homemade meatballs, and imported pastas from Italy. And they say here that if it's not on the menu, the chef can surely make it for you. I ordered focaccia pizza bruschetta with fresh tomatoes, upon recommendation, and did not regret it -the garlic and shaved Parmesan cheese, and Di Stefano Burrata with heirloom tomatoes were incredibly tasty and satisfying. This place is a great place to dine on El Paseo and the best Italian restaurant I know of in the desert. read more

Thomas H.

3 years ago

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Il Corso, and it was a truly remarkable experience. From start to finish, everything about this restaurant exceeded my expectations. First and foremost, the service was exceptional. The staff at Il Corso went above and beyond to make our dining experience comfortable and enjoyable. Their attentiveness and friendly demeanor made us feel welcome throughout the evening. Now, let's discuss the food. Wow! The dishes at Il Corso were terrific. Each dish showcased the highest-quality ingredients and impeccable flavors from the first bite to the last. My taste buds were constantly in awe of the culinary delights presented to us. It's safe to say that Il Corso takes great pride in its food, and it shows. The atmosphere at Il Corso is also worth mentioning. The restaurant has a beautiful ambiance that creates a warm and inviting dining environment. Whether it was the tasteful decor or the soft mood lighting, everything came together to set the perfect backdrop for our evening. This was my third time dining at Il Corso, but it was my friends' first visit. I was thrilled they enjoyed the experience just as much as I did. It's a testament to Il Corso's consistent delivery of a fantastic dining experience. Il Corso always impresses, whether you're a first-timer or a loyal customer. In conclusion, I highly recommend Il Corso if you want an unforgettable dining experience. The excellent service, fantastic food, and wonderful atmosphere make it a top-tier restaurant. I can't wait to return for another delightful culinary adventure at Il Corso! read more

T G.

13 years ago

I have never written a bad review on yelp, but the food was so bad that i had to. There were four of us, we ordered two bottles of wine, and a pizza to share as a appetizer while we decide what to order as entrees. To start off, the wine and the pizza were good, however, my linguini with manilla clams in white wine sauce was AWFUL!!!!! As soon as the waitress delivered my plate, i knew it would be bad. The pasta looked dry, there were no sauce (i mean literally no sauce, not just a little, i mean NO LIQUID on the plate)!!! There were no meat in the clam shells, I probably got about 8 pieces of the clam meat, and they were the size of of the jelly beans! When i mentioned to the waitress, she seems like she doesn't know what to do, and offered me to put some olive oil on the pasta!!!!! If I want pasta with olive oil, I would of ordered it. You could tell they just threw the pasta on the plate and throw some cooked clams on top. I didn't touch the plate after the waitress gave me the olive oil and she only came back to check on us after the busser took my plate. My husband ordered the chicken milanese, and it was ok, not much taste to it (but how can you go wrong with fried chicken breast??). Overall, we were soooo disappointed, since this is suppose to be one of the nice new upscale restaurant on El Paseo. We would never go back to this place!!!! If you do want to try this place, at least avoid ordering the liguini with clams. read more

Simone T.

145

5 years ago

Don't even know where to begin. I've always had great experiences here until last night. Water came at the same time as the wine after the appetizers after watching a couple of tables leaving early where I thought they were rude. Long story short the food and service was utter crap. The manager didn't handle anything including up until today trying to blame the server where at this point I was trying to bring to it to his attention the bill didn't don't include the cash that was put down once again blaming it all on the server. I'm embarrassed for my friends having to experience this and for bringing them there. The bartender came out after we just coped with the crappiest wine we've ever had (usually their wine was fantastic) and suggested a $100 bottle that tasted exactly the same and said "sorry to hear you guys are a hard sell tonight." I will never be back however I highly recommend pretty much anywhere else off El Paseo at this point. Shout out to the manager Ernesto for ruining this spot. I edited my review and updated it to 2 stars because I've noticed over 44 (1) star reviews aren't shown on this app. Wowza! read more

Chris W.

6 years ago

Horrible place. We are from out of town visiting family. Whomever the male hostess was , should be written up suspended or fired. With everything closed down and visiting family we were just trying to get something to eat besides Starbucks. My poor wife walked in ahead of me to ask very very politely what food was served and if they had anything close to breakfast. Instead of offering a menu, options or really any other alternative rather than a snarky remark "we've never served breakfast" in a tone that was both condescending and arrogant that even if this was a big contender and the only restaurant open on the block I'd reccomend you drive another 10 minutes to grab a bite. Good food makes the restaurant. But there is so much good food out there that it falls on the people whom work there. And this place has definitely failed at hiring the right people. read more

Vanessa B.

5 years ago

Only two waiters working, did not refill glasses, did not let us know specials for the night, forgot to bring cutlery, table was not cleared before desert arrived, espresso served with no spoon or sugar, Manager was no where to address concerns. Helpers knew nothing about the food or dishes or anything but did what they could. Newer Manager obviously does not know how to run a restaurant. We used to love this restaurant. Waiters stretched thin. Has truly become a fast food low end Italian restaurant. Can anyone say macaroni grill? $220 for 4 people only entrees/ and 2 deserts- this restaurant needs new management and quickly. read more

John H.

10 years ago

I love great food and it's hard to find that in the desert. Other restaurants are not so good. Usually after I tried them I like to give my honest reviews. I came here with my family and This place was very friendly and the staff was very nice walking in. The food came out and not only looked delicious but tasted great as well. All my family loved there plates as well. It's a wonderful atmosphere and nice little classy restaurant to eat in. We enjoyed it all. I will be happy to come back here again and bring more family & friends. read more

Patty C.

12 years ago

I went to Il Corso for lunch with my sister who was visiting from out of town. What a wonderful experience. The hostess was so friendly, the waitress was amazing bringing us water, bread and olive oil and balsamic almost as soon as we sat down. Her recommendation of Emiliana 12 panini - Prosciutto di Parma, fresh mozzarella and sliced tomatoes served with a choice pasta or salad was spot on. So delicious. The ambience is great. Nice patio in the front - great for people watching. Can't wait to go back. read more

Vatchara T.

5 years ago

I feel so bad today I have reservations on 3:15 pm when we got restaurant reception she doesn't see the name we did because we call earlier my boyfriend give her check name she found it after that outside have 2 tables put sign reserved two tables and she said tables reserved that fine the point is she put we close to the dog I don't like the way she do please make sure customers call for reservations you have nice table ready get ready for your customers thanks read more

Christopher P.

12 years ago

Being Italian, I usually enter an Italian restaurant with a somewhat jaded attitude. Il Corso has treated me so warmly that I feel like I'm going to a friend's house--a friend who happens to live in a beautiful home and provides great food. To be fair, I have only eaten in the bar, so I am reserving one star for further review.. but I have always enjoyed the people, the food, and drinks. They have a great happy hour that lasts til late, so check it out! read more

Laura K.

2 months ago

Everything was absolutely delicious! We truly enjoyed every dish. The staff was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and attentive, making us feel comfortable from the moment we arrived. The portion sizes were just right--not too small or too large. The atmosphere was beautiful and relaxing. We were genuinely impressed with the entire experience and will definitely be coming back. Highly recommend read more

David B.

12 years ago

My wife and I ordered different panini for lunch (emiliana and vasteda) and shared. Both were fantastic, made so by tasty ingredients and incredible bread. The portions were large enough to take half home. Reheated the next day in a frying pan, the leftover was still delicious -- a tribute to the quality. This was best meal we had during our week-long stay in the area. read more

Mari R.

8 years ago

Excellent service and food. Ordered the Cioppinio and The calamari. Great sauces and flavor. Staff was spot on for service nd recommendations. Atmosphere is cozy and nice. Highly recommend and would fo read more

Mary Q.

7 years ago

I like to go there, they have an open kitchen to sit at the bar or you are welcome to sit at the table. Good service and food. I had calamari fried and in a sauce calamari filet, which are awesome read more

Sophie T.

1 year ago

Everything we ate was demolished immediately. Usually Id say it was bc we were all so hungry, but we ordered a second round bc it was soooooo good! read more

Cristian Monico C.

4 years ago

Great food good service with the perfect weather definitely 100% recommended, and finally loving the company

Leon A.

5 years ago

I've been to this restaurant several times and the food and the service is always outstanding

Mary H.

3 years ago

Beautiful restaurant with great energy. I love their pizza and their calamari! So So So Good!

Il Corso - italian - Updated September 2026

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Backstreet Bistro

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