El Patio — Restaurant in Palm Springs

I dined at El Patio for the first time last night with a companion around 7:30 PM. While it was a Thursday, the week between Christmas and New Year's, combined with VillageFest, made for a busy night.

Starting with the positives: The hostess made a fantastic first impression! She was incredibly welcoming, friendly, and efficient. She informed us of a 15-minute wait for a table but offered us a high-top in the bar if we wanted to be seated immediately. We politely opted to wait, and she seated us in less than 10 minutes--well ahead of her estimate. The outdoor seating had a charming Mexico vibe, complete with pyramid-style heaters that really set the mood. The restaurant felt clean overall, though the utensils seemed a bit old.

Our server was nice and helpful, answering a few questions we had about the menu. We ordered a passion fruit margarita, tortilla soup, and shrimp fajitas to share. The margarita was a highlight: flavorful and well-balanced. We waited about 20 minutes before the server came by to let us know the food would be out shortly. I didn't think much of the wait because we were having a good conversation and the ambiance was nice. I appreciated the pro-active update.

Unfortunately, the kitchen's performance didn't match the ambiance or the service. After the 20-min wait, Both the tortilla soup and the sizzling plate of shrimp, onions, and peppers arrived at the same time, which was unexpected--I assumed the soup would come out first. The soup was more of a thick tomato base with more of a tomato flavor than I'm used to with tortilla soup. The fajitas initially came without the listed sides (tortillas, rice, beans, sour cream, and guacamole). We flagged down another server, who was kind enough to check with the kitchen and quickly reported they were coming out soon. Thankfully, most of the sides arrived before the shrimp got cold--there was no guacamole. When I asked about it, our server explained they'd run out and offered sliced avocado instead. While we appreciated the substitute, I couldn't help but be shocked that a Mexican restaurant in Palm Springs would run out of guacamole!

On the bright side, the shrimp were good--properly cleaned, grilled, and seasoned simply without overpowering sauces. The tortillas were piping hot, the rice was warm, but the beans were cold.

Toward the end of our meal, I learned from a couple of servers that the kitchen was short-staffed. While I sympathize, it would have been better to know this upfront rather than discovering it through delays and missing items.

I want to give a shout-out to the hostess, who went above and beyond. She was running dishes and assisting tables in addition to hosting--arguably the hardest-working person on the team. This was in stark contrast to the manager who was noticeably absent. I only saw him in the restaurant toward the end of our meal, and he appeared to be spending most of his time socializing in the bar area with staff and guests. He never visited our table or, from what I saw, any other tables. Whether he knew about the kitchen issues or not, his lack of presence left the servers in a tough position: having to explain and defend the situation to guests.

Overall, El Patio has potential. Prices were reasonable for the portion sizes and food quality, but felt expensive considering our disjointed experience. The ambiance is great, and the young, hard-working staff did their best in a challenging situation. However, the poor management left me hesitant to return. If this was a one-off bad night, I'd definitely give it another shot. But the manager's apparent lack of care and attention to detail makes me worry it could easily...

Very disappointing experience. We decided to bring our own bottle of wine. Of course we expected a corkage fee. All restaurants understandably charge one. We called ahead of time, and the hostess told us the manager informed her that their corkage fee was $20. This is pretty standard for an average priced restaurant and it was acceptable to us. We went and got a table. The wait staff were nice and accommodating. The manager decided to wait on us himself. He was polite, initially. We ordered the carnitas plate, the shrimp cocktail, and the tortilla soup. The carnitas was ok, but not that good. The shrimp cocktail was fairly good. The tortilla soup was absolutely horrific! It tasted like they opened up a can of Campbell's tomato soup and dropped some cheese cubes in it. Wow, so bad. It took a long time to get our food and even longer to get the bill. They were not that busy, so I'm not sure why it was taking so long. When the bill came, they charged us $25 for the corkage fee, not $20. We brought this to the attention of the hostess who we talked to earlier, and she seemed perplexed as to why we were being charged so much. She said she would talk to the manager. The Manager then came to the table and told us that the hostess made a mistake and that the corkage fee was $25. This was clearly a lie, and the manager was being dishonest. It was sad that he was trying to blame the hostess, and that he was trying to rip us off for an additional $5 bucks. I am very forgiving for a lot of things, but not dishonesty. After some discussion, the manager finally revised our bill. Between the poor food and dishonest business practices by the manager, we will never go here again. I recommend avoiding this place. There are much better Mexican food restaurants in Palm Springs who are honest, have better tasting food, and deserve...

Oh, let me shine a light on El Patio – the ultimate gem for those seeking an enchanting dining experience! From the moment you step into their open-air courtyard, you're transported to a world of magic and charm.

Picture this: the soft glow of lanterns casting a warm, inviting ambiance over the entire space. It's like stepping into a fairy tale, where every corner holds a delightful surprise. The courtyard itself is a masterpiece of design, with lush greenery, elegant decor, and cozy seating arrangements that beckon you to relax and unwind.

But wait, there's more! As you meander through this enchanting setting, you'll come across a mesmerizing fire pit. The flames dance gracefully, casting a mesmerizing glow that adds to the ambiance and keeps you warm on cool evenings. It's the perfect spot to gather with friends, share stories, and bask in the magic of the moment.

And let's not forget about the cuisine! El Patio's menu is a celebration of flavor and freshness, with each dish crafted to perfection. From traditional favorites to innovative creations, every bite is a culinary adventure that delights the senses and leaves you craving more.

But perhaps the most magical aspect of El Patio is the impeccable service. The staff goes above and beyond to ensure that every guest feels welcomed and cherished. It's like being part of a family, where hospitality is not just a job but a way of life.

In conclusion, El Patio is more than just a restaurant – it's an experience. From the twinkling lanterns to the cozy fire pit, every detail is designed to transport you to a world of beauty and wonder. So, if you're looking for a dining destination that's truly extraordinary, look no further than El Patio. You'll be...