Morgan’s in the desert

Rehman Ko

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

This was a restaurant we visited while traveling through Palm Desert. As one of the signature dining venues within a luxury hotel resort, I arrived with fairly high expectations. Unfortunately, while the overall experience wasn’t bad, the cuisine fell short of what I would expect from a restaurant in this category. The House Special Pasta lacked cohesion. The pasta and the sauce felt like two separate components rather than a dish working in harmony. The sauce had flavor, but it never truly embraced the pasta, leaving the dish feeling disconnected from the first bite to the last. The steak, served as one of the entrées in the three-course menu, was the biggest disappointment. I ordered it medium-well, but it arrived with a well-done exterior while the center remained rare. The uneven execution made the middle portion inedible for my preference, and I ultimately had to leave much of it untouched. The filet mignon, on the other hand, was well prepared and delivered the tenderness and flavor I had hoped for. Before visiting, I had noticed that many Google reviews praised the service. After dining here, I completely understand why. Our server, Marillyn, was the highlight of the evening. Her knowledge of the menu was exceptional, and she described every dish with confidence and genuine enthusiasm. I particularly enjoyed hearing her stories about notable guests who have dined at the restaurant—they added personality without ever feeling rehearsed or intrusive. More importantly, she had an intuitive sense of hospitality, knowing exactly when to engage and when to step back. From the hotel’s perspective, she is the kind of employee every property hopes to have. Ironically, the most memorable flavors of the night weren’t the entrées themselves, but the accompaniments. The Béarnaise sauce and the garlic butter were both outstanding—rich, balanced, and thoughtfully executed. In the end, my lasting impression is this: the food was merely average for a restaurant of this caliber, but the hospitality was exceptional. If I ever return, it will be less for the cuisine and more because of the genuinely memorable service that Marillyn provided. One final touch that left a positive impression: even as non-hotel guests dining at the restaurant, valet parking was complimentary. It’s a small gesture, but one that made the evening end on a pleasant note and reflected the hotel’s thoughtful approach to hospitality.

Dominika

4 out of 5 stars★★★★☆

One-of-a-kind atmosphere thanks to the Spanish colonial / California desert meets Moroccan influence as well as most of the staff (HUGE thanks to Magdalena and the Bartender!) My favorite wine selection is their Joseph Drouhin Chorey-Les-Beaune Pinot Noir accompanying short rib followed by Varlona chocolate brûlée🍷🍽️ However, be prepared to pay $8 for a small basket of bread!

Shelley Wysup

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

Not new to the desert but our new find! Chef Rene and Sous Chef Tony create delicious meals consistently. Fresh and homemade food is hard to come by but this place has nailed it perfectly. We love the bar atmosphere and the entire staff are very welcoming and remembered us our second time around which made us feel special. The seating and atmosphere are just what we have been searching for and we loved the Saturday evening music. We can’t wait to have our next date night in our favorite spot the next time we are in town. Thanks folks!

Crystal Sparks

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

If I could give this place 100 stars I would. WOW! I’ve been traveling the world, like all over the world, like Asia, Latin America, and Europe, and I can honestly say this food is at the top of my list! THE VERY TOP. I have ALOT of allergies so I just gave them the list and they took care of me — adjusting everything and tweaking recipes just for me :) The food is INCREDIBLE but WAIT there’s more. The service is THE BEST I’ve ever had. My waitress, Marilynn was the sweetest lady ever. The GM, the chef, Sous chef all came by to show love and ask me how I was enjoying my dinner. The atmosphere is 10/10!!! Newly renovated, super schick and beautiful decor. The performers were top notch and such a vibe! A man and lady were singing and playing piano and the saxophone and bringing all the jams. I cannot believe how much I enjoyed this place! Cannot wait to return!!! Highly recommend EVERYTHING.

Joe Smith

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

Had a wonderful dinner here. The atmosphere outside was ideal. Our waitress was amazing (Marilynn) and she could not have been any sweeter. The cocktails were on point... Basil Me Down. Incredible martini! For food, we enjoyed the beet salad (fresh), the short ribs (so tender), the scallops (perfectly seared) and the lobster mac n cheese. Our dessert was an anniversary surprise. Very tart yet light. We will certainly return next year during our annual desert vacation.