Cork Tree Restaurant - Palm Desert, CA

Cork Tree Restaurant

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Address:
74950 Country Club Dr.
Palm Desert, CA 92260

Neighborhood:
Palm Desert

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Cuisine:
Californian

Price: $31 to $50

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Cork Tree Restaurant Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://www.thecorktree.com/
Email: info@thecorktree.com
Phone: (760) 779-0123
Hours of Operation: Open Daily Tuesday-Saturday:
Lounge: 4:00 pm
Lounge Menu: 4:30 pm
Dinner: 5:00pm - 9:00 pm
Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Californian, Contemporary French
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Chef's Table, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Private Party Facilities: We have two private dining options at the Cork Tree. There is the intimate Chef’s Table which seats 6-8 people comfortably, as well as the Meritage board room, a private room overlooking our beautiful patio that seats up to 30.
Private Party Contact: Kathy Hernandez (760) 779-0123

Getting there

Cross Street: Cook Street
Parking: Public Lot
Parking Details: There is ample public parking for the restaurant.

A word from Cork Tree Restaurant

Cork Tree Restaurant is built around California products. Local ingredients are used whenever possible and wines of the West Coast, particularly California, are featured.

The wine list is always a work in progress, with a balance of well known wineries, as well as boutique wineries.
…> Cork Tree enhabits a style rich in California elegance. Large and round booths privately encased in wood and fabric provide intimate spaces for conversation and romance, while providing views of the understated glamor of the dining room. Trees and a natural cascading fountain make the Cork Tree Patio wind-protected and well-appointed for dining under the stars. Additionally, depending on the size of your celebration, two private dining options await.Continued

Foodspotting photos

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Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerBest Service
Diners' Choice WinnerFit for Foodies

Diner Reviews

"An excellent evening out, great food, excellent atmosphere, impeccable service. One of the best in the valley."
Dined on 3/1/2014
"The experience for our group of four was outstanding from the welcome to the dessert. Comfortable, inviting decor and welcoming, helpful wait staff, perfectly made cocktails, spot on wine recommendations, and delicious food well presented in an unhurried fashion mark Cork Tree as a truly outstanding restaurant for fine dining without a hint of snootiness. We have been coming to the desert since 1998 and have experienced all the fine dining restaurants among the 60 or so food establishments we have entered. The Cork Tree is right at the top."
Dined on 2/26/2014
"The dinner experience was a complete surprise. The restaurant is beautiful. Service was attentive but not annoying. The food presentation and taste was stellar! I would highly recommend Corktree."
Dined on 2/22/2014
"Deborah was a knowledgable and attentive server...lovely experience, great food!"
Dined on 2/23/2014
"Fabulous venue and great food and service. I would recommend to anyone who appreciates fine dining."
Dined on 2/22/2014
"We always get great service and very good food. We've never had a bad meal at The cork Tree."
Dined on 2/22/2014
"Our yearly visits to Palm Desert always includes dinner at the Cork Tree. There is consistently an attentive and friendly staff and great food that is artistically served. Our favorites include the soup trio and beet salad. The new kale salad with Caesar type dressing was delicious and a meal in itself. Don't deny yourself a taste of the bread however you may be tempted to ask for seconds!"
Dined on 2/22/2014
"Arranged a same day reservation for our golf group of 8 for dinner. Table was ready on time and dinner was considered exceptional by all. Would highly recommend it for anyone."
Dined on 2/18/2014
"I would consider this a high end restaurant but the cuisine, ambiance and service justify the price. The menu has broad choices. The threshold impression is good with soft lighting, dark wood walls and a welcoming front desk. My companion and I reserved a booth which was quiet and private. Chef Richard is among the top chefs in the valley. His seafood special that night was prawns topped with fresh crab in a white lobster sauce and my companion pronounced it outstanding. I equally enjoyed the scallops. The presentation of each entre was impressive. This is a great place for destination dining."
Dined on 2/19/2014
"This is a great find in Rancho Mirage - extensive wine list - outstanding service - nice size portions - very accommodation kitchen - I chose to have the wild mushroom ravioli for an entree - the appetizer comes with 3 - I asked if I could have 4 and it was not a problem at all - we had a pefeclyt lovely time."
Dined on 2/16/2014
"We introduced three friends to the restaurant for their first time. EVERYONE enjoyed the restaurant, food, service, ambiance at a high level."
Dined on 2/16/2014
"Excellent food. Excellent (attentive, but not intrusive, knowledgeable). Not inexpensive, but still a great value for the money."
Dined on 2/16/2014
"Good food and excellent service... Went with a sommelier so we brought a bottle of champagne and wine for which we were charged a cork fee of $40. Not sure if this was reasonable but aside from that no complaints."
Dined on 2/15/2014
"My husband and I ate dinner here the day after our wedding. I hadade this special reservation a few months ahead of time and told them the special occasion. They honored my request for a booth and made the night extra special. The food was divine and service was wonderful. We never felt rushed."
Dined on 2/16/2014
"The Cork Tree may not be in the most desirable location, but it is worth a trip to find it. The menu offers many good options for meat lovers and vegetarians as well. Everything is always so fresh and tastes good. I especially like the wait staff. Our servers have always been very attentive and fun. Although it can get noisy when it is crowded, the ambiance is very peaceful and the outdoor patio quite nice"
Dined on 2/15/2014
"The attitude of staff is always friendly and the service is very good. Also food is consistently good and reasonably priced. Would recommend to everybody."
Dined on 2/15/2014
"We spend time in the Coachella Valley every year and think that Cork Tree is the best (except on Valentines day). The food is sensational. They make you feel like royalty. Wine list is highly functional. But 3and3/4 hrs. sitting at our table with my wife of 45 yrs. and friends of atleast that would test the most ardent amours. I was patient (not my long suit) and vowed to not let a rookie but willing waiter to ruin what should be a blissful evening. So the next time I talk about Cork Tree it will be after a nondescript day in our lives. But for now I survived and will tell all the people I meet on the golf course that this is the place to go. Bar crowd get there early and reserve tables early. Ask to get a banquette. Just not on Feb. 14th."
Dined on 2/14/2014
"Went to one of our favorite spots on Valentine's Day. It was extremely busy and too noisy for a romantic dinner. The foursome next to us was extremely loud (the women). The food is always quite good, but we have noticed a slight reduction in portion sizes over the last 2-3 visits. We know they have a new chef, so he needs this feedback. Cork Tree has always been pricey, but we felt there was good value."
Dined on 2/14/2014
"Went there with a party of 8....nice phone call during the day as a reminder (confirmation) of our reservation. Server, Joe, was one of the best ever...totally familiar with the menu, wines, everything. Manager stopped by to inquire how things were going...chatted a moment but not intrusive. One of the more pleasant restaurant experiences we've had. A definite repeat"
Dined on 2/13/2014
"4 of us had a great dining experience. We were visiting in the Palm Springs area for 2 days. Cork Tree was recommended to us, therefore we made a reservation before we went there. The atmosphere, food & service were all wonderful We would definitely return to Cork Tree if & when we return to the area."
Dined on 2/12/2014
"Menu has a good selection for everyone. We had the scallops and they were cooked perfectly! The service was absolutely second to none. If you get a chance, we would definitely recommend you try this place. There is an outside patio that has live entertainment and we would ask to be seated there next time we go."
Dined on 2/12/2014
"Exceptional food and service! Favorite restaurant in the desert...beyond Jilians! Attention to detail, service, blending of spices, vegetables, and taste throughout each dish is spectacular!"
Dined on 2/11/2014
"We come to the area for a few weeks every year and decided to venture outside our usual repertoire of restaurants and try a new place. Cork Tree did not disappoint. The food was very good and the portions were especially 'manageable'. It is overwhelming to go to fine dining establishments and get too much food. Cork Tree was perfect -- their portions weren't small, they just weren't massive. We loved the mini iceberg wedge salad and the rack of lamb and duck breast. My scallop entree was very good - however getting only 3 medium sized scallops for $27 seemed a bit steep. That would be my only criticism of what was otherwise a very nice meal."
Dined on 2/11/2014
"Visiting from the east coast and more acquainted with San Francisco and Napa than this area of Cali, we were looking for a great restaurant. It was hard! Lots of chains and others that seemed to want to be just like the chains!. The dishes at CorkTree all seem to have the trendy hot ingredients hurled together with no regard as to whether they actually complimented each other. Mostly they did not. It was just so so. Not at all memorable. And although considerable effort and money had gone into the decor, it seemed brothel-like to me. Disappointing all in all."
Dined on 2/10/2014
"Food quality was way too low for the level of restaurant it represents with price and style. The food quality and service quality were disappointing, and I left there feeling like I was scammed. my cappuccino was disaster - as if they did not bother to reload with fresh grounds and just ran hit water through the used grounds of the person before me. It was so weak I could see through to bottom of the cup."
Dined on 2/5/2014
"We have been coming to Palm Desert for four years. We always visit Cork Tree at least twice while here. Top notch in all categories"
Dined on 2/8/2014
"Always great food and service at Cork Tree. It's pretty expensive, but the food is excellent."
Dined on 2/5/2014
"Our waiter was very attentive and the was very good all around. Good sized portions. We will certainly return."
Dined on 2/7/2014
"My wife and I love this restaurant. The service is excellent -- prompt and attentive without being stuffy. The food is what we go for. I had duck -- cooked perfectly -- and my wife had the Lake Superior Whitefish. The portions were not large but we still had no room for dessert, which we regret. We will come again, next year, when we return to Palm Desert."
Dined on 2/5/2014
"Our experience at Cork Tree was unlike other previous visits. The service was very slow. The quality of the food was fine, but the preparation was off. Scallops advertised as being cooked "medium rare" were fully cooked, as was salmon. Lamb that was requested "medium" was very rare. A lemon corn risotto was overpoweringly lemony. When we advised the server, the staff tried their best to make up for it, cooking the lamb to the correct temperature and offering a soup while we waited. A dessert was sent by the manager, and two of the dishes were taken off the bill. We appreciated that. But a fine restuarant shouldn't be affected to that degree by having more customers than anticipated and not having the "star" chef in the kitchen."
Dined on 2/3/2014
"First of all, when you walk in it is warm and cozy. Many booths! Beautifully decorated. The service is fantastic. I order salmon all the time...their salmon preparation was so fabulous. We all loved the dishes we ordered. Will go back every time I'm in Palm Desert."
Dined on 2/3/2014
"As a Resident of Scottsdale AZ., I am familiar with top notch restaurants. I was pleasantly surprised to find a lovely restaurant in Palm Desert. It had superior service and well prepared food!! Thank you for a most pleasurable evening!!"
Dined on 1/30/2014
"Terrific dinner and service. A bit on the pricey side."
Dined on 1/28/2014
"Just a great atmosphere with people who care. Menu is very good but becomes great when the server will work with you to adjust the menu to your own requirements. Just a great place."
Dined on 1/12/2014
"There is nothing really wrong with Cork Tree Restaurant except that there are too many other better restaurants in the area. The food was good, the wait staff attentive. The place just needs a full updating - more interesting menu items with a fresh new and creative presentation. The strip mall location kind of says it all. It seems to cater to the early bird special type of client as opposed to the foodie."
Dined on 4/20/2013
"Seated on the outdoor patio, surrounded by palm trees, with great musicians playing, we started our experience with the artichoke appetizer. This plate was beautifully presented with three artichokes topped with blue cheese; lightly drizzled with a delicious wine reduction sauce. The fish dish was well done with tasty sauce and good vegetables. The lamb was done as per requested, but lacked any flavor. It was missing the distinctive "lamb "flavor. The wine selection was excellent and the service was terrific. We would definitely give this another try, but would pass on the lamb."
Dined on 1/27/2014
"Third time in 2 weeks and this time we ate out on the patio. Four people who really enjoyed a superb meal. This is a must restaurant for us every time we are in the area."
Dined on 1/24/2014
"Wonderful food, excellent service. Not a huge menu but delicious and wonderful presentations!!"
Dined on 1/24/2014
"we were called in adance by the restauant and told that there would be a booth for us. it was our anniversary and we were treated with exceptional service and excellent food. we had never been here before but certainly will return!"
Dined on 1/25/2014
"My wife and I had a wonderful and delicious dinner. We will be back."
Dined on 1/25/2014

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