Tía Carmen — Restaurant in Indian Wells

There is ample opportunity for improvement at the Grand Hyatt Resort, Indian Wells, CA on site restaurant Tia Carmen. My spouse and I made reservations for Sunday March 16th at 5:30 pm with a fond expectation of an excellent dining experience. We were seated after waiting 5 minutes at the hostess station and were surprised that only one table had somebody dining while another table had a couple sharing a romantic moment. Our waitress visited our table and enquired if we were “locals” to which we responded no, she then asked again if we were “locals” to which we responded we were guests at the Hyatt. She then enquired if we would like some bottle or tap water, we replied still ice water. She frowned then departed and returned with a single glass of warm water to which we replied ice water please, she departed and returned with a glass of ice. She then enquired if we would like cocktails, we replied no, we would have wine with dinner. She then removed my spouse’s wine glass and walked away. She returned to take our dinner order and my spouse ordered the Denver Steak rare, to which the she responded “it’s a thick cut of meat and it will be tough”, my wife asked for it rare again and I asked her to cook the steak the way my spouse wants. I ordered a bottle of wine from the wine list and the Lamb Barbacoa for dinner, however, before I could ask for it medium rare, she departed the table and I again asked for a wine glass for my spouse. She returned again to inform us the bottle of wine we ordered was unavailable, however, she would “give us a similar bottle”, I requested to see the wine list and she contemptuously thrust the wine list directly in front of my face and departed the table. The dining experience had become very uncomfortable and we canceled our order and departed the restaurant. While we were waiting for the valet to get our vehicle a women appeared indicating she was the manager demanding to know what was wrong at Tia Carmen and we responded “extremely poor service” at which point she became very animated and commenced to argue. When our vehicle arrived we informed her we were departing for dinner and please let us pass, she declined and we walked around her. The attempted dining experience at Tia Carmen, which is supposed to be a 5-star restaurant, is the Worst experience we...

A Culinary Masterpiece at Tia Carmen

Our visit to Tia Carmen last night was intended to be a casual evening trying something new, but it quickly transformed into an unforgettable dining experience that left us in awe. What started as a simple dinner extended well over three hours, yet every moment was a delightful immersion into a world of culinary genius.

Though Chef Angelo Sosa was not present, Chef de Cuisine Daniel Arias more than carried the torch, showcasing the restaurant’s innovative spirit and commitment to perfection. The food was nothing short of phenomenal—each dish more creative, flavorful, and visually stunning than the last.

From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by a lovely hostess who seated us near the open kitchen, where the magic of culinary artistry unfolded. Our waiter, Miguel, guided us through the menu with incredible precision, sharing his deep knowledge of each dish and the inspiration behind them. The same level of expertise was reflected in Paula, who meticulously explained every dish as it arrived at our table. The attention to detail was extraordinary, both in presentation and taste, making each bite an explosion of flavor that was perfectly crafted.

The evening was capped off by a personal introduction from Chef Daniel Arias himself. His passion for his craft was palpable, and hearing him speak about his creations added an even greater appreciation for the meal we had just enjoyed.

If you are looking for a dining experience that captivates your senses and leaves you longing to return, Tia Carmen is a must-visit. Every member of the staff, from the chefs to the servers, contributed to making this an evening we’ll never forget.

We would like to include the valet attendants who proudly mentioned the restaurant as we arrived, they were remarkable. Their enthusiasm, hospitality, and professionalism made the experience even more special.

The entire team—truly reflect the excellence of the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort and Villas...

During a family vacation with my mom and two daughters, we had the pleasure of dining at Tia Carmen, and it was quite an experience! From start to finish, this restaurant exceeded all expectations. The food was creative, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor. The girls stepped outside of their comfort zones and tried dishes they’d never even considered before.

A special shoutout to our waitress, Yolanda, who made our experience even more enjoyable. She was not only friendly and attentive but also extremely knowledgeable, especially when it came to accommodating dietary restrictions. Both my daughter and I have a gluten allergy, and Yolanda took such great care in ensuring our meals were completely safe. I appreciated her attentiveness and it was nice to enjoy a meal without worrying about our allergy.

The cherry on top, however, was getting the chance to meet Chef Daniel Arias. Yolanda arranged a meet-and-greet, and the girls had the unique opportunity to chat with him and even take a private tour of the kitchen. As if that wasn’t enough, we were treated to gluten-free macarons, presented to us in an elegant jewelry-box case. It was pretty magical!

But the surprises didn’t stop there. Chef Daniel himself came out to our table and created a special dessert just for us, right before our eyes. Watching him work his magic in front of us was nothing short of mesmerizing, and the dessert was absolutely delicious. It was an experience that went above and beyond anything we could have imagined.

I’m not sure what we did to deserve such exceptional service and hospitality, but we are truly grateful. This meal and the incredible people at Tia Carmen will be a memory we’ll...