By Raymond Bill
Mastro’s Steakhouse is once again back in the spotlight, having recently been voted, “Best Steakhouse” by the Coachella Valley Weekly ‘Best Of’ Awards. Based on my past experiences, I would readily concur with these findings but just to be sure, I took the opportunity to celebrate my girlfriend’s birthday at Mastro’s for a night we will not soon forget!
I can honestly say I have dined in every steakhouse in this valley open to the public. I have seen common trends and I have been underwhelmed when it comes to originality. On this recent visit, my expectations were far exceeded when our server, Daniel and the staff at Mastro’s took fine dining to a whole new level. From the moment we walked in the door to be greeted with warm smiles, to our goodbyes, we felt like celebrities dining in a Michelin rated restaurant!
Our server toured the menu, sharing with us some favorites while making suggestions without sounding like a corporate salesperson. We were genuinely engaged and our mouths were watering. We would begin with martinis. A signature Cosmopolitan, smoking with dry ice, arrived for my date and a Belvedere martini with large caper berries for myself. With the obligatory toast out of the way, we were ready to enjoy a seafood tower complete with chunks of fresh crab with cocktail sauce, huge crab claws and jumbo prawns. Served on a silver tower with crushed ice and lemon, this appetizer was a work of art!
Following our starter, I enjoyed a rich lobster bisque while my date had a house salad. But the star of the show was the main course. Mastro’s is currently offering a full course meal which includes a starter, entrée with two sides, and dessert for $55. My girlfriend made this selection and her Filet Mignon was an impressive 8 ounces. I would also enjoy a steak, a very flavorful Kansas City Strip steak, or a bone in New York. The steaks were thick and seasoned to perfection. A perfect medium rare was achieved with my cut of beef. Our dialogue fell silent as we savored each bite of this incredible meal before us!
Our side dishes included creamy scalloped potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, and broccoli. The side dishes are generous enough to share and are also available in individual portions (comparable to a half order) for those like myself that cannot make up their mind. The vegetables were fresh and delicious. We could not decide whether our service or quality of food was superior. Both were beyond impressive!
While we raved over each bite, we enjoyed the live music coming from the adjacent room. When we arrived, noticing the duet performing, I had hoped we would receive a break from the cliché ambiance of Frank Sinatra and other crooners. We were in luck as the selections were mostly modern and appropriate for such a lively atmosphere. We had been swept away from the desert to a Hollywood hotspot from the moment we entered the foyer.
The meal was completed by an incredible desert plate presented to my girlfriend in celebration of her birthday. A trio of decadent chocolate espresso cake, cheesecake, and their famous Butter Cake. All were incredibly delicious but the Warm Butter Cake was ‘Oh My God’ insanely addicting with fresh whipped cream.
Mastro’s is without a doubt the best steakhouse in the desert. They have the most professional and courteous staff from the front of the house to the back. If you plan on impressing guests or celebrating an occasion, no one compares to Mastro’s in Palm Desert. Located at 73-405 El Paseo ste 120, they are open nightly from 4pm. Call 760-776-6777 for reservations or visit their website at www.mastrosrestaurants.com
