Private and unassuming, Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill is yours to discover. Handcrafting Palm Springs’ only traditional Mexican cuisine, Rio Azul serves up a mouthwateringly unique menu enhanced by its comfortable and cheerful, earth toned atmosphere.
We began with Azul Margaritas and Chiles Gueritos which are yellow peppers stuffed with sauteed shrimp, garlic, onions, tomatoes and cilantro served with a creamy, light soy sauce. It was the perfect size and flavor, with a generous portion of shrimp, which brings me to…
The entrees! You must try the Enchiladas del mar; crab meat and sauteed shrimp meet bell peppers, onions and tomatoes, rolled in flour tortillas, and topped with homemade cream sauce and cotija cheese. This is the standout dish of its kind in the valley. We also recommend the Parrilladas for any number of people. Parrilladas are a Mexican tradition which include marinated cuts of meat such as grilled shrimp, wrapped shrimp stuffed with jalapeno and jack cheese, delicious quail, grilled chicken and steak with vegetables. Add sides of fresh guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, Rio Azul’s four cheese blend chili con queso and refried pinto or black beans, and you’ve got an exclusive, original dinner.
Lucky for us, Rio Azul is now serving breakfast from 11 AM on Saturday and Sunday. Everything on the breakfast menu is $9.95 and you can down a House Margarita for $5 from 11 AM to 5 PM. The Huevos Rancheros is on the mark with soft corn tortillas topped with refried beans, eggs, cheese and ranchera sauce. We’re looking forward to trying the Machaca con Huevo which is shredded beef mixed with eggs, bell peppers, onions and tomatoes.
However you cut it, Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill has you covered, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fresh, special, a small gem on Indian Canyon. It is the best Mexican restaurant in the West Valley.
Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill
350 S. Indian Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.992.5643
www.rioazulpalmsprings.com
Second Season Opener… Striking a pose at the gateway to Palm Springs’ Uptown Design District, Trio Restaurant welcomes its second season with stunning modern design, relaxed atmosphere, meticulous service, and the best American modern food in Palm Springs, if not the whole Coachella Valley.
Trio to us, is a most unique restaurant. It does what no other valley restaurant does. It straddles the line between the West and the East Valley, attracting diners from as far out as La Quinta and Indio. You’ll find everyone from Palm Springs’ hottest designers to Thermal’s dressage and hunter riders to international clientele coming in for a twilight meal. Baby, this place is worth the trip.
Operating partner Tony Marchese and Executive Chef/co-owner Mark Van Laanen have infused incredible elements to create a total experience. Everything from the generous Happy Hour choices, the often changed exquisite menus, the frequent diner rewards, and the cosmopolitan, yet laidback atmosphere contribute to its ability to satisfy the discerning masses. All that before even talking about the eats and drinks…
The bar is fantastic. The wine list is international with different colors and flavors from the Pacific Rim to Europe to South America to Napa. Beers include locals, like Orange Wheat from Hangar 24 Crafted Brewery in Redlands, CA, and Green Flash India Pale Ale from the West Coast I.P.A. The specialty cocktail not to be missed is “Aime’s Black Widow” comprised of Grey Goose, vanilla vodka, lemon juice, Agave and Chambord.
The cuisine is nothing short of compelling comfort food. Typically not two words that are used together in a cuisine description, but this is no ordinary menu. Start with hand cut potato chips and home made ranch dip, fried artichoke hearts w/ caper aioli dipping sauce, or the delicate roasted baby beet salad. For entrees, the Australian sole is to die for; oven roasted with parsley, capers, lemon zest, bread crumbs and butter, and topped with Israeli couscous. Also recommended are the St. Louis Style Spare Ribs, chipotle-rubbed with house made BBQ sauce, complemented by sweet potato fries and slaw. Two sides not to be missed are the sour cream mash and the mac n cheese. Desserts complete the perfect meal. Peanut butter pie, a Southern specialty, rocks the world. The hot brownie sundae takes full advantage of its house made brownie, vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.
Whenever possible, Trio serves sustainable/organic seafood, all natural/organic meats and seasonal local produce. They also offer vegetarian selections and gluten-free options. Plus, there is take-out service available, and a fabulous frequent diners’ rewards club. Any which way you look at it, you’re covered.
Trio Restaurant
707 N. Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-864-8746
www.triopalmsprings.com
The Re-Opening of a Favorite… Kaiser Grill has re-opened and it is spectacular! Gorgeous mid-century modern design combines with a sleek combination of American, French and Italian cuisines to create an unforgettable dining experience.
Offering breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner as of October 3, Kaiser Grill will be busy as ever. With luscious breakfast and brunch fare like three egg omelets, eggs benedicts, and Belgian waffles, it’s destined to become one of the valley’s best chic breakfast venues. Kaiser Grill will also offer a special pre-theatre menu starting at $14 for those attending the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies. Happy hour is 3:30 PM to 6 PM nightly.
Lunch promises stylish, energetic fare such as the flat iron steak salad, the woodfired pizzas, or the grilled wild salmon BLT. Dinner, however, makes it mark with the chilled seafood platter, the Charcuterie platter or the Artisan Cheese Platter followed by sumptuous seafood risotto, or Kentucky whiskey brined pork chops.
Kaiser Grill offers some unique, specialty drinks such as the Skinnies drink collection, all of which are under 200 calories each. Kaiser Classics are a set of Kaiser Grill’s version of classic cocktails such as the Daiquiri and the Moscow Mule. The Classic collection includes a late 19th century drink called the Corpse Reviver which contains Tempest Absinthe. The martinis include the Creamsicle and the Sunset made of Ciroc Berry Vodka, Cointreau, OJ and grenadine. Our favorite original specialty drink is the Spa-Fizz made with muddled fresh cucumber, Kah organic tequila, lime juice, organic agave nectar, cucumber vodka and a splash of soda. In addition to all of these libations, there is an extensive wine and beer selection.
Combine these excellent elements with a world class staff, a new private dining area, unobtrusive, soundless service and Kaiser Grille is poised for quiet dominion on Palm Canyon Drive.
Kaiser Grill
205 South Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.323.1003
