By Crystal Harrell
WILDEST Restaurant + Bar has lent itself to the culinary sophistication of El Paseo’s collection of high-end restaurants since its opening in 2019. With summer in full swing, there’s no reason to leave the Coachella Valley when you can bring your friends or special date to this local hotspot, tasting wines from all over the world, learning about wines from a sommelier, listening to great live music, and sampling a hip Los Angeles-style small bite menu of items not seen anywhere else in the desert.
While the restaurant has an assortment of delicious food, it also boasts an impressive wine list available to enjoy at the wine bar. WILDEST holds the distinction of having a Wine Spectator Award. This means that the restaurant has an extensive and well-curated wine list, including a diverse selection of wines from various regions, styles, and price points. The wine list has a strong emphasis on quality and features a range of vintages and varietals.
“We have entertainment every night at the wine bar and we have flights where you can buy three, six or nine nights pours. Bring your friends, make new ones, hang out, listen to great music, and taste wine. We also have a small bites menu. We have a huge selection of delicious small bites that range from avocado tacos and mushroom calamari, and our bestselling cauliflower florets. We have the best bread in town, and you can also do a small order of caviar. We have always had an incredible wine menu, but now the ability to do wine tasting and try a variety of wines from around the world in three, six and nine ounce pours is very exciting,” added Charissa.
The wines picked for the wine bar at WILDEST are highly-rated and highly-sought after wines, especially from Bordeaux, Burgundy and Piedmont. The bar also features wines that are rated highly but at an approachable price—as well as well-known brands that customers are familiar with and know they like.
Guests are invited to sit at the bar and taste the wines at WILDEST by the glass and compare and explore different varietals. You can also attend its wine tastings and wine dinners to learn about new wines.
“The selection is not limited to wine at WILDEST, but also includes champagnes, Burgundian sparkling bubbles from Italy. In addition to the wine bar, we serve adaptogens. We’re one of the only restaurants in the valley that sells adaptogenic non-alcoholic cocktails that can make your system stronger and help you relax while enjoying an alcohol-free drink,” said Charissa.
WILDEST succeeds in pairing a ‘Napa-style’ with-a-Palm-Springs-flair farm-to-table dining experience by offering a delicious twist on locally sourced food, a fun, unique, and approachable wine list, extraordinary cocktails, great music and entertainment, attentive and friendly service, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The menu offers not only carefully sourced meat, poultry, and fish, but a wide selection of plant-based, gluten-free, nut and seed free, and dairy free options. Co-owners Bill Hay and Charissa Farley-Hay and Executive Chef Trilby Trato are committed to sourcing the finest ingredients, supporting local producers, and continuously innovating the menu to provide a diverse and exciting range of culinary delights.
“We believe that happy employees create happy guests. Our goal is to create memorable moments and build lasting relationships with our guests, employees, and the communities we serve. We believe in the power of good food to bring people together, and we are dedicated to exceeding our guests’ expectations in every way possible,” expressed Charissa.
Wildest Restaurant + Bar is located at 72990 El Paseo, Suite 3 at the intersection of Highway 74. They are open Wednesday through Sunday, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and reservations are recommended. They also offer catering and can be reached at (760) 636-0441 or by visiting www.wildestrestaurant.com.
