Morgan’s in the desert — Restaurant in La Quinta

Imagine this... On vacation to experience Palm Springs for everything it is known for... the lifestyle! Everything was going great and exceeding expectations as we were on day 2 into our stay. To prep for the trip, we were searching for places to experience the dining scene and came across this restaurant numerous times due to high rating and fine dining experience, so we added it to our list of places to dine out. From the moment we were greeted as we entered, the vibe of the place did not match the reviews we read about and the price points the menu offered. You could feel that the place was not clean enough- food crumbs randomly here and there, the outdated old furniture, fake grass in the outdoor seating area, the waiters looked like they’ve never really seen better days... the whole atmosphere just did not add up. We were offered seating outside in very windy conditions, promising to turn on the heater lamps. Then an assistant waiter came to us, who was supposed to turn on the heat lamp, pour water, bring bread and butter... but he introduced himself and later we noticed him looking like he is completely lost wandering. When he came up, we had to ask him who is in charge of the heaters, and he told us that he is in charge... left again and finally came back with some bread... and even after we had to ask him when that miracle of the heater lamps will become a reality, he finally turned it on. We were so cold by that time. By the way... the bread was a regular ciabatta bread, probably toasted once, forgotten about, and re-toasted again- it was hard. Meanwhile, while looking at the menu and the more time passed by, we just could not understand what about this place deserved such reviews. It is as if these reviewers had never really experienced fine dining. I understand if this place was competing at a different price point and with like level restaurants, I would expect something different (and price points are not an issue for us at all). But just having an extensive wine list, does not make a restaurant a fine place to dine. It has to meet and exceed expectations in level of the service of staff, cleanliness, knowledge of the menu, atmosphere, ambiance, design/decor. We had to politely excuse ourselves, and tell them that we’d rather not continue our experience at this restaurant. So we left... After getting ready, dressing up, and waiting all that time. If you’re here to experience Palm Springs and the amazing surroundings, please do yourself a favor and do not waste your time and money...

I had reservations for four this evening at 7:15. We ran late so we were 15 minutes past our time. We showed up and apologized and tried to check in. The man at the desk could not find our reservation for quite awhile but eventually did. I told him we needed to add one more person to our guest list. I know this is not ideal for a restaurant. Late guests, additional person, I get it. We were told we would have to wait until 8:15 which was a pretty long wait but we decided we would wait as we were anticipating a nice meal, a celebration in fact for a friend and client. We came back to the desk about 8:05 and were then told it would be 9 pm before they could seat us.

When the incredibly rude host had first told us 8:15, I asked that if something came up sooner could he contact me? All he said was a very stern "8:15". I asked him if he had my phone number and he simply repeated "8:15". That being said, how did "8:15" turn into "9 pm"? We asked who the manager was and he said it was him. There was never a friendly reply on anything. He was curt, rude and could care less if his customer was served. If he could not accommodate us when I first checked in, he could have simply told me then and we would have made alternative plans rather than wasting 45 minutes walking around the resort only to be told that we would have to wait an additional 45 minutes.

We walked out completely baffled how a restaurant could be so uncaring to it's guests. None of the five of us had ever been treated this way at a restaurant and we are all over 60 years old, so that is a lot of years before meeting up with a guy like this.

As the host of the party I needed to salvage the evening so I called LG's in La Quinta. They told us to come on in and they would have a table for us. We were greeted by a friendly hostess, a great waiter and table staff. Our meal was delicious and the atmosphere was perfect. All of the customers were having a great time. You could tell by the happy faces. The customers at Morgan's all looked grim comparatively so they must have also been treated poorly when they came in but at least they got a table.

Needless to say, I will never step foot into Morgan's. I don't need to be treated like that. If you like snobby managers that act like their customers should be grateful to dine in their restaurant, then Morgan's is the place for you. You'll...

If you find yourselves in Palm Spring and your taste buds are in dire need of a vacation, look no further than Morgan's at La Quinta Resort. This culinary oasis amidst the palm trees and stunning desert landscape is not just a restaurant; it's a gastronomic adventure waiting to unfold.

Upon entering Morgan's, you are immediately transported into a world where every detail is designed to tickle your senses. The ambiance is a perfect blend of elegance and relaxation, with a touch of Californian charm. The rustic yet sophisticated décor creates an inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for the feast that awaits. We loved sitting and listening to the piano player in the bar. He had a fun personality and sang upbeat familiar tunes.

Morgan's takes pride in sourcing the finest ingredients, and it shows in every bite. The menu is a culinary journey through the bountiful flavors of California, with a nod to global influences that add an exciting twist to each dish.

We started our adventure with scallops, beautifully seared with a caramelized crust. The next course was a persimmon salad, with mustard green mix, candied nuts, hazelnut goat cheese, cranberry vinaigrette, heaven. My husband ordered the chef's special soup, which was mushroom. and had a wonderful creamy texture with a slight nut flavor. A testament to Chef Andrew Cooper's commitment to freshness and creativity. He used the delicious homemade bread to clean his bowl.

For the main course, I our waiter Jesse recommended the salmon with beet couscous, swiss chard, citrus gremolata that elevates the dish to a whole new level. My husband ordered the filet which was cooked to perfection.

For dessert it was November, so we had to try the pumpkin sponge cake, with pumpkin jelly, a perfect ending to the meal.

The staff at Morgan's deserves a standing ovation. Attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, they guide you through the menu with genuine enthusiasm. It's evident that they take pride in their craft, and their passion for hospitality enhances the overall dining experience.

From the first sip of our cocktail to the last crumb of our dessert, every moment at Morgan's is a celebration of flavor, ambiance, and the joy of indulging in a culinary escape.  We can't wait...