Elegance and sophistication unite with the best home cooking I’ve ever had, at The Homestead in La Quinta. Appropriately named, The Homestead was originally a ranch style home and is now a decorative restaurant, offering indoor and outdoor seating, beautiful gardens and waterfalls, and live entertainment. The owners and staff keep this business successful with their positive attitudes and the “golden rule” approach. I truly felt like I was a guest in their home, and in my opinion, very few restaurants in this valley have truly captured this concept the way The Homestead has.
My good friend told me about how she has wanted to go to this restaurant for some time, so I took the opportunity to treat her to what would be an amazingly delicious meal. We arrived early and sat by the fountain in the courtyard to observe the garden’s beauty. Inside the restaurant, we were greeted by a very pleasant maître d’, Nicholas. After taking his suggestion to be seated on the patio, we found ourselves next to a small pond surrounded by waterfalls and tropical plants and palm trees and although we were away from the live music, it was at a perfect, unobtrusive volume.
We were quickly greeted by our server, Trent, who offered us a beverage while we glanced over the menu. I decided I would try things that I would not normally order, not only to add variety to the column, but to also get an idea of the chef’s culinary expertise. We began with an appetizer of pulled pork in potato shells, hollowed half potatoes filled with creamy mashed potatoes and savory pork with a sauce of which I could not get enough! We followed our starter with a dinner salad; all entrees are served with a cup of soup or a chopped salad. Our entrée selections were Beef Short Ribs and the Half Roasted Chicken. The Short Ribs were so tender, they were easily pulled apart. The flavor was intense and paired well with my glass of Zinfandel. I would not normally order chicken in a restaurant but I am so glad we did. The Half Chicken was also very tender and full of flavor. The meal reminded me of the home cooking I loved growing up only so much better (Sorry Grandma!). We finished our meal with complimentary homemade rice pudding and Trent’s suggested Strawberries Romanoff, fresh strawberries with ice cream and a generous drizzle of grand marnier!
With full stomachs and smiles, we ended our evening with a tour of the property, learning how the different dining areas are named after the owner’s grandmothers. The value placed on family is present in the décor as well as the food! There is a complimentary S’mores station surrounding a fire pit, where friends and family can gather around and roast marshmallows together. Where else can you find a more welcoming restaurant? Dinner is served nightly from 5:00 pm and Brunch is offered Friday through Sunday from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm. The Homestead is located at 78030 Calle Barcelona in La Quinta or visit their website: www.chapellishomestead.com
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