Bar Cecil — Restaurant in Palm Springs

This is probably the 10th time I’ve dined at this restaurant. The good… Amazing food. You can see why they want a Michelin star in 2022. Everything is delicious. On one occasion, I had an overcooked halibut, but they did right by me the next time I came and comped me a replacement one. Kudos to them for that. Now the not so good. Literally impossible to get a reservation and never room for walk-ins. The current system, requires you to get online the moment you wake up 14 days before you want to eat there and maybe you can get a table. For four people. Not for three, not for two, not for five, but for four people. I get it. They’re popular. Then, during the last dining experience we had on March 6, 2025, our server went on a 30 minute break just as our first course arrived. So, we were kind of cast to the wind. When our main course arrived, a side vegetable, somehow didn’t come and they didn’t know we wanted it. Made them aware of it more than once. Finally, as we were finishing our main course, we told him to forget it. At that point, I asked for the manager. I guess Jessica Cassel was not working that Thursday evening so acting manager came. We explained that we were a little disappointed. It was a birthday celebration. He was a little bit Kurt. Stated we’re going to give you a complementary dessert for the birthday celebration. 5 to 10 minutes later a complementary dessert and an additional one did come. And he was much friendlier. I guess my issue is, they seem overwhelmed, always in a hurry, and the service seems to be inconsistent. Add to that, that they now charge a $45 corkage fee, which I find pretty outrageous unless you are the French laundry in Napa. They are not. I will say it’s probably my last time dining there. It’s a shame. I’m a local and live here here around in Palm Springs. It is just more trouble...

First Visit to Bar Cecil – A Near Perfect Gem With One Distraction

As a longtime resident of Palm Springs, I finally made my way to Bar Cecil on a Monday evening, and I’m so glad I did. What a gem! Tucked into a cozy, elegant interior with limited bar seating and a few intimate tables, the space manages to feel both upscale and welcoming without being stuffy.

The menu impressed me immediately. I loved the French-influenced options—refined but not fussy—and the craft cocktail list was equally thoughtful and well-curated. Haley, who served as both our bartender and server, was knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. Sean assisted her throughout the evening, and together they delivered top-tier hospitality that elevated the experience even more.

We sat inside, but I took note of the outdoor dining area, which was tastefully done. Lush greenery, flowering plants, and clever design elements help mask the fact that it borders a busy street and parking lot. It looked like a lovely option for a future visit.

The only downside—and it was notable—was the music. The volume inside was distractingly high, and the choice of house/dance tracks felt mismatched with the otherwise refined ambiance. I observed nearly every guest at the bar asking servers to repeat themselves, and my friend and I left with strained voices and ringing ears. When I brought it up to our server, it was acknowledged with a laugh, which I took as a sign that it’s a known issue. As someone on the younger side of the Palm Springs demographic, I still found it jarring. The vibe doesn’t need to be a nightclub—it’s strong enough on its own.

All that said, the presentation of both food and cocktails was beautiful, the service was impeccable, and I’m already looking forward to returning—next time, hopefully, to enjoy a more tranquil evening...

A Deeply Disappointing Experience

My fiancée and I visited this restaurant to celebrate a special evening, based on a trusted recommendation. Unfortunately, from the moment we arrived, the experience was profoundly underwhelming and, at times, outright disrespectful.

The service failed at every level—starting from the cold, indifferent greeting, to lackluster seating and inattentive table service. We brought a carefully selected bottle of wine, as the restaurant allows corkage, yet the server merely dropped off two glasses and walked away without any offer to open or pour—something we’ve never encountered at any fine dining establishment, let alone one that claims to be Michelin-caliber.

Our food arrived extremely late and was disappointingly overcooked. When we brought this to the attention of a staff member, he simply shrugged and walked off—no apology, no effort to correct the issue.

What followed was perhaps the most unacceptable part of the evening. A woman who identified herself as the manager approached our table. Rather than showing concern or professionalism, she was blunt, rude, and completely dismissive. When we attempted to express our disappointment, she responded curtly with, “Don’t talk to me this way.” The tone and attitude were more fitting of a fast-food encounter gone wrong than a supposedly refined dining experience.

We travel extensively and frequently dine at Michelin-starred restaurants across the world. This establishment, unfortunately, is not even remotely in the same league. In fact, it struggles to meet the standards of even a basic chain restaurant.

In short, this was one of the most disheartening and poorly handled dining experiences we’ve had in years. We expected excellence, or at the very least, decency. What we received...