These Rancho Mirage Restaurants Will Surely Up the Romance Factor
Located in the heart of one of Southern Californiaās most beautiful desert valleys, Rancho Mirage offers up both luxury and natural beauty, effortlessly combining the two to create a hidden oasis that is perfect for dining, recreation and relaxation. With a wide array of world-class restaurants boasting sweeping panoramic mountain views and some of the best carefully curated menus in the area, Rancho Mirage is perfect for any date-night dining experience. But with so many excellent options to choose from, it can be difficult finding the right place for your ideal night out. So whether youāre celebrating an occasion or simply looking to enjoy an evening with someone special, we present the six best restaurants in Rancho Mirage for your next date night.
Wally’s Desert Turtle
Must-Try Dish: Wallyās SoufflĆ©s
Founded in 1978 by acclaimed restaurateur Wally Botello, Wally’s Desert Turtle is a bona fide piece of Rancho Mirage history. Revered as the origin of fine dining in the desert, this elevated destination offers up a five-star experience. With everything from the stellar menu crafted by French food extraordinaire Jean-Louis Jalouneix to its elegant, classical interior meticulously designed to create a remarkably unique yet timeless feel, dining at Wally’s is a feast for all the senses. For your next date night, enjoy a meal in one of the cozy booths to enjoy the restaurantās candlelit ambiance, twinkling chandeliers and hand-painted murals. Itās safe to say, Wally’s Desert Turtle is nothing short of mesmerizing. And while the menu has, over time, successfully and effortlessly expanded to include a wider array of flavors and cuisines, the staple dishes, such as their Dover Sole and Superior Farm Roasted Domestic Rack of Lamb, continue to shine. Donāt skip out on dessert, however, as their souffles (which come in flavors like chocolate, Grand Marnier, cappuccino and raspberry) will leave you and your date speechless.
The Edge Steakhouse
Must-Try Dish: Snake River Farms American Wagyu Tenderloin
When it comes to fine dining, perhaps no other option oozes with as much decadence and grandeur as a world-class steak house, and The Edge Steakhouseāperched cliffside atop the glittering lights of Coachella Valleyācertainly falls into that category. Created by award-winning Chef Darryl Boyd, this elegant and sleek steak house at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage serves up only the finest cuts of American Wagyu, all of which are dry-aged in house and served with a delectable array of starters, sides and signature cocktails. For those looking to indulge and impress during their next date night, The Edge Steakhouse is a must-visit.
2/21
Shame on the Moon
Must-Try Dish: Sauteed Calfās Liver
Since its doors opened in 1984, Shame on the Moon has been a fine-dining date night hot spot, and upon stepping into the intimate, ornate and elegant dual dining rooms, it is easy to see why. Offering up two distinct yet equally enriching dining rooms as well as a beautiful moonlit patio area, Shame on the Moonās classic menu complements its ambiance to make for a memorable night out. And while the culinary team effortlessly executes mouthwatering classics, such as the ever-popular blue cheese-adorned filet mignon, donāt shy away from some of the more adventurous options like the widely praised sauteed calfās liver. Itās prepared in a smokey bourbon glaze with caramelized onions and savory, smoked applewood bacon bits.Ā
6/2
BluEmber
Must-Try Dish: Braised Short Rib
As the signature restaurant of Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, BluEmber is elegant, tasteful and all-around excellent. Whether you elect to enjoy your meal inside their spacious dining room or fireside on their scenic patio overlook, you and your date can look forward to indulging in an expansive selection of entrees, featuring everything from roasted barramundi to their decadent braised short rib. They also offer over 25 different delicious cocktails specializing in fruity, herbal or botanical flavor palates, allowing you and your date to find something to suit your tastes.
Catalan Mediterranean Cuisine
Must-Try Dish: Paella Mixta
For a romantic and authentic Mediterranean dining experience, Catalan Mediterranean Cuisine is the perfect date-night escape. Between its trickling water features and its lush atrium interior, Catalan transports its guests to the sweeping, tree-topped bluffs of the Mediterranean Sea. The menu features Spanish and Italian favorites that sample from both the land and the sea, yielding a mouthwatering selection of artisanal salads, starters, charcuterie and main courses. Their Paella Mixta, featuring a rich and harmonious blend of spices and saffron rice, is a standout and is sure to whisk you and your date to the historic Catalonia region of Spain.Ā
Shabu Shabu Zen and Sake Bar
Must-Try Dish: Spicy Miso Shabu Shabu
Rounding out our list for the best date-night restaurants in Rancho Mirage is the cozy and fun Japanese dining experience that is Shabu Shabu Zen. Making conversation while sipping on fresh, aromatic plum sake and indulging in premium cuts of tender Wagyu beef and fresh seafood is nothing short of wonderful, and this is especially true at Shabu Shabu Zen and Sake Bar. Earning a well-deserved spot on Yelpās ā100 Best Places to Eatā list in 2017, this quaint and cozy authentic Japanese eatery offers an impressive selection of artisanal broths and carefully selected proteins to give guests a taste of true āOmotenashiā Japanese hospitality.
