Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Kestrel Kitchen

    3.8 (115 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Kestrel Kitchen Photos

    KESTREL KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Kestrel Kitchen

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Sea Bass
    Marie A. S.

    My husband and I chose The Kestrel at the IW Club in Indian Wells to celebrate our anniversary on Valentine's Day, and while the food was exceptional, the overall experience was bittersweet. Every dish we ordered was delicious , oysters, Chilean sea bass and the heavenly lamb shank.-- beautifully plated and full of flavor. The culinary team clearly takes pride in what they do, and the quality of the food truly made the evening feel special. However, the service was unexpectedly poor for such an important occasion. There were noticeable lapses in attentiveness and timing, which left us feeling somewhat overlooked on what should have been a celebratory night. It was disappointing, especially given the setting and the significance of the evening. When we informed our waitress of the oversight, she pointedly told us it was because they were so busy. This was not the case. Turnover was very slow, and there were several empty tables. They definitely were expecting more guests, but the restaurant was not full. Our dessert did not arrive after 35 minutes of waiting which was very disappointing. We genuinely hope the service improves, because the food alone deserves five stars.. And, as always, the GM Charlie, was warm and welcoming.

    Guacamole and chips
    Tina A.

    We really had a great lunch at kestrels. The portions were huge, the atmosphere for casual, yet upscale. The view over looking the golf course was perfect. We all enjoyed everything about our meal. The guacamole and chips is huge and great to share. I will be back for that very soon! The service was incredible, Yolanda took great care of us!

    Ritu R.

    Richard Blais's Palm Springs spot in the Indian Wells golf resort did not disappoint! Very space, warm and friendly service and delicious food! We shared a bunch of plates starting with deviled eggs, chard snap peas, grilled and chilled cocktail shrimp, the lamb lollipops and the tuna arepas were ALL PHENOMENAL! The mocktails and cocktails were creative and memorable as well! So happy we tried this place!

    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.

    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!

    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.

    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.

    See all

    Photo of Skip G.
    25
    23
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Wonderful dining experience, we are fans! Artistry & service exceeded our expectations.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    The aged ribeye was awful. My partner had the halibut and liked it very much. The service by Carlos was great.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mary L.
    0
    63
    28

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Don C.
    0
    53
    33

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of R M.
    0
    2
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Philip T.
    117
    76
    12

    1 year ago

    Fun place! We enjoyed lunch on the patio looking out at the view. Good cocktails and great food. An enjoyable time was had by all...!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bev S.
    71
    3
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    We had the Prime Rib dinner on a Saturday night. Great food, great wine and great service.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Len G.
    0
    12
    1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of D M.
    0
    48
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Amazing dinner at a reasonable price. Excellent service, beautiful restaurant, great ambiance. Highly recommend. Try it.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    Page 3 of 3

    Ask the Community - Kestrel Kitchen

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Salad 845 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    The Lunch Spot

    The Lunch Spot

    4.8
    (664 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Nice tucked-away spot with both indoor and outdoor seating. We were greeted with a smile, which is…read morealways a great start. The sandwiches were very good, fresh, flavorful, and generously portioned. We'll definitely be adding this place to our rotation and look forward to coming back to try more. Thanks!

    The Lunch Spot was frequently recommended by others so I was excited to try it. Staff were…read morefriendly. I ordered two sandwiches. The #14 The House,,and #11 Love the Club. I especially enjoyed the #14 The House. It's a house-made chicken salad with nuts and cranberries and comes with sprouts, tomato, mayo, salt and pepper on Squaw Bread. The cranberries adds a mild sweetness which balances out the mayo and the nuts adds another layer of crunchy texture and flavor which I loved. If I were to be honest, I wasn't too crazy about their bread. On both sandwiches, it was soft which was good, yet at the same time, just a bit stale. While the sandwiches initially seemed loaded, most of the ingredients are right in the middle of the sandwich where they slice it in half, so while it's very visually appealing, there's basically a ring near the crust of the bread that didn't have much toppings. As far as the Love The Club sandwich. I think they are a bit heavy handed with the salt. The sandwich was too salty. At $33 for two sandwiches, it's also a tad bit pricey. Overall good experience and will be back to try more !

    Photos
    Such cute decor
    Such cute decor
    #5 Daniels Best & #10 Veggie Sandwich with a blueberry lemonade
    #5 Daniels Best & #10 Veggie Sandwich with a blueberry lemonade
    Strawberry Sunflower Salad

    See all

    Strawberry Sunflower Salad
    Porta Via

    Porta Via

    4.3
    (547 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$$

    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.

    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.

    Photos
    The dining room
    The dining room
    Mussels
    Mussels
    Booth seating

    See all

    Booth seating
    Sherman's Deli & Bakery

    Sherman's Deli & Bakery

    4.0
    (2.4k reviews)
    4.0 mi
    $$

    This spot that was featured on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives, and it definitely lives up to the…read morereputation. Ordered the New York style hot pastrami on rye with coleslaw and a Dr. Brown's Cream Soda. The pastrami was the highlight. Piled high, tender, and full of that classic deli flavor with just the right amount of richness. The rye bread held everything together well and had a nice bite to it. It's the kind of sandwich you have to take a second to look at before figuring out how to eat it. The coleslaw was fresh and crisp, a good balance to the sandwich, and the cream soda was cold and refreshing. Also ordered a slice of pistachio cake to go. Absolutely delicious. The place has that old school deli feel, busy but in a good way, and full of character. Service was friendly and efficient even with the crowd. Definitely a spot worth stopping at if you're in Palm Desert and want a proper deli sandwich.

    We had a negative experience here last year, concerning the difference between British Kippers and…read moreDeli Kippers. Since we were in the area for an hour or so, we gave it another go. Service was excellent. Seated immediately and ordering minutes later. Got extra cream cheese on request and our coffees were diligently refilled. The main attraction was the pastrami sandwich. Totally to my wife's taste, extremely lean and stacked high. She had to take half home. I tried an omelette with corned beef and loved it. The everything bagel was perfectly acceptable, not too "bready." So: service good, pastrami good, and bagel good. Everything good about a deli is covered.

    Photos
    Flowers outside
    Flowers outside
    Coconut Cream Pie
    Coconut Cream Pie
    Coconut Cake

    See all

    Coconut Cake
    Wilma & Frieda's Cafe

    Wilma & Frieda's Cafe

    4.2
    (3.6k reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    I have never ate breakfast or lunch here but the cinnamon roll is SOOO GOOD!! The cinnamon roll is…read morenontraditional as it comes looking like a cake slice and the frosting is dripped over the sides. The roll itself is so fluffy and even with it sitting on the counter for a few hours (it was already 3pm when I picked up the roll.) It was still so fresh, the frosting tasted like it had just been whipped with cream cheese and it wasn't dry at all. The server stated to place it in the microwave for 30-45 seconds but it honestly didn't need to be warmed because it was so fresh, perfectly balanced and just the right amount of cinnamon. Yes, it was $8 but it was so worth the price tag given I ate the roll for two days and it was still great. The sides were a little hard on day two but it was sitting out.

    A generous two stars, from the two of us. Let's forget the thirty minute wait, it was a Saturday…read moreafternoon ahead of Father's Day so not bad at all considering. Now the food. I had the California Benedict. The "house made" English muffin was way too hard, pro-tip, if you order this ask for a steak knife! The slice of tomato was very cold and the egg was not what I would considered properly poached, the white still not set. The hollandaise... was not at all yellow from egg yoke, and had not a hint of lemon, it was more of a béchamel than hollandaise. The potatoes were decent however, cooked through with a bit of bell pepper. My dining companion had one of their chicken sandwhiches with bacon. The bacon was excellent, the bread decent, but the chicken was "like rubber." The space is OK, clean, but very, very loud. And cramped. The service was good, considering how busy they were. Maybe we ordered the wrong items? But I have no need to go back.

    Photos
    The old cafe sign
    The old cafe sign
    Mocha perfection!
    Mocha perfection!
    Ice tea

    See all

    Ice tea
    Eureka!

    Eureka!

    4.0
    (2.1k reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Casual dining

    Isaiah is one of the best managers I've interacted with in a long time we had a small discrepancy…read moreover a take out order and he took care of it in the smoothest way and couldn't have appreciated it more. They have good everything here just depends what you like and note they have about 20 options of draft beer as well! You'll find good prices great staff portions and quality at this place!

    We visited Eureka for the first time in mid-April for dinner with a large group celebrating a…read morefamily member's special day. Our reservation was for 12 people, and although four members of our party were running late ( My husband, our kids and I), the staff was incredibly accommodating. They held our table and even allowed us to order ahead so our food would be ready when we arrived. This ended up being a lifesaver because we were short on time and had an event immediately afterward. As soon as we sat down, our food started arriving. With a 3-year-old, a baby, and a tight schedule, having everything run so smoothly made a huge difference. I was honestly impressed that they were able to coordinate this so efficiently, especially during dinner service and for such a large party. Now for the food! Since it was our first visit, we weren't exactly sure what to expect, but everything we tried was delicious. I ordered the truffle cheese fries, cheese balls, and sweet corn, and each dish was flavorful and well-prepared. The cheese balls were especially memorable! They had the perfect texture, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and not greasy or soggy at all. My husband ordered the Jalapeño Egg Burger and was pleasantly surprised that it could be made with a gluten-free bun. It's always nice to see restaurants offering options that accommodate different dietary needs without sacrificing flavor. Our 3-year-old enjoyed a plain burger and fries from the kids' menu, which was the perfect size for him. What stood out most was the service. Every staff member we interacted with was friendly, attentive, and genuinely helpful. Dining out with two children under three can be chaotic, but the team made our experience feel easy and stress-free. Between the excellent service, accommodating staff, and delicious food, our first visit to Eureka was a great one. We'll definitely be back to try more of the menu.

    Photos
    Eureka!
    Eureka!
    Eureka!

    See all

    Kestrel Kitchen - salad - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...