Kestrel A Richard Blais Kitchen + Lounge

Review summary

1. C

   Christine

   San Francisco

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Newly opened restaurant in the Indian Wells Golf Resort. We had the shrimp cocktail and crab hashbrown to start. Everything was fresh and tasty. For dinner we had the steak frites and the prime rib. The specials on our night were halibut and filet mignon. They also have a pasta of the day so make sure to ask your server. I had the signature drink called the Kestral which was really refreshing. For desert we had mocha crème brûlée and the key lime cheesecake. Service was attentive but not rushed or hovering. Our server was friendly and was able to speak on signature drinks we asked about. If you are looking for a nice place to have a causal dinner, celebration or group functions with great food this is the place for you. The restaurant is from Richard Blaise a well known chef so his menu is limited to fresh seasonal choices. There is indoor and outdoor seating if requested.
   

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2. B

   Becky

   Washington DC

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Our family had the pleasure of dining at Kestrel, and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we stepped in, we were enchanted by the restaurant’s ambiance. The stylish yet comfortable decor, paired with breathtaking views, set the tone for an evening of indulgence and delight. The menu at Kestrel is a masterpiece of creativity, with dishes that intrigue and satisfy. To start, I ordered a Medjool Negroni—an innovative twist on the classic cocktail that was as smooth as it was flavorful. The beet salad that followed was generously portioned, easily enough to share, and beautifully presented. For starters, we chose the Crab Hash Brown and Hamachi, both of which were unexpected yet delightful in their flavor profiles. The Hearts of Palm Caesar Salad was a refreshing, modern take on a classic, bursting with vibrant textures and taste. My husband’s prime rib stole the show—it was cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful, and he declared it among the best in town. Every bite lived up to the high expectations set by the restaurant’s reputation. The service was equally outstanding. A special shoutout to Mo, who ensured our experience was seamless and enjoyable. Their attentiveness and knowledge elevated our evening to a truly memorable one. Kestrel is not just a restaurant; it’s a destination for food lovers. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking an exceptional meal, this is the place to be. We can’t wait to return and explore more of their imaginative offerings!
   

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3. M

   Marianne

   Palm Springs

   7 reviews

   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Today myself and 4 friends had lunch at Kestrel. I was looking forward to it, it would be my second visit. Myself and a friend ordered the Beets by Blais salad. Both salads arrived missing two ingredients, the nuts and cheese, making the salad taste flat. There was also an ingredient added that was not on the menu. Not sure what it was, possibly sliced jicama. When I brought this to the waitress's attention, she couldn't have been more accommodating, bringing us new salads, which were delicious, and one to take home. The rest of the meal went perfectly. We all raved about the food and there was a lot of it. We all look forward to returning.
   

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4. c

   cathrine

   Palm Springs

   4 reviews

   3.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on 15 December 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   So.. had family coming in for a few hours. They’re wanted to do Sunday brunch .. I googled Sunday brunch and kestrel came up . I made reservations for 8 at 11:00 for brunch … we arrived to find only a small lunch menu ??? I was so embarrassed.. but could leave because it was too late to go somewhere else so we stayed .. food was mediocre .. service was good . Overall .. not happy
   

   Kestrel A Richard Blais Kitchen + LoungeResponded 7 days ago

   Hi Catherine, thank you for taking the time to let us know what you thought about your meal with us. It is so great to learn about how one of our team members made your experience memorable, but we are saddened you didn't find more to love about our menu options. It would be so great to have the chance to provide you with a 5-star experience in the future.
   

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5. T

   Tammy

   VIP

   St. Louis

   12 reviews

   2.0

   12 reviews

   Dined on 15 December 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   My comments are meant to be helpful for improvement- hope it does improve. Loved sitting in fireplace room, would feel like sitting in a food court if we had to sit under the bright lights outside of fireplace room. The cocktails were interesting and good. The food was very disappointing. We are desert foodies and really looked forward to this experience. However, the truffle fries were very lacking in substance-tasted like regular skinny fries with some truffle oil and cheese tossed on them. Gem salad contained grapefruit with no flavor at all and it needed it. Prime rib was just okay. The horseradish sauce required twice as much fresh horseradish. We skipped dessert to avoid further disappointment. Service was just okay. The desert has so many fine dining options, we won’t waste time to come back here unless we hear it improves.
   

   Kestrel A Richard Blais Kitchen + LoungeResponded 7 days ago

   Hello Tammy, thank you for taking the time to let us know what you thought about your meal with us. We're taking your feedback about our service and menu quality seriously, and we will work to improve. We're hoping you'll consider another meal with us; we would be very grateful for the opportunity to make a better impression! Please don't hesitate to contact us directly.
   

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6. J

   Jenn

   VIP

   San Diego

   10 reviews

   4.0

   10 reviews

   Dined on 15 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Beautiful restaurant and staff was incredible- very attentive and friendly. Highly recommend pork and shrimp rolls and the drinks were creative and delicious.
   

   Kestrel A Richard Blais Kitchen + LoungeResponded 7 days ago

   Hi Jenn, thanks for taking the time to give us your positive feedback! It is so nice to learn you found your pork and shrimp rolls and drinks to be more than satisfactory. We're so happy our staff made you feel so welcome and that you loved our beautiful atmosphere. We're hoping this means we'll get to see you again!
   

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7. S

   Sandra

   VIP

   New York City

   27 reviews

   4.0

   27 reviews

   Dined on 14 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   It’s a very sports club vibe - nice tables and seating but with screens here and there. My husband said the chicken was meh but we enjoyed the fillet special and salad and mango dessert was good.
   

   Kestrel A Richard Blais Kitchen + LoungeResponded 7 days ago

   Hello Sandra, we are happy to see your high rating - thanks. It's delightful to learn you liked the fillet special and the salad and mango dessert, but we wish you had found more to love about your meal. We hope to see you again in the not-so-distant future.
   

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8. K

   Krista

   VIP

   San Francisco

   8 reviews

   4.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on 12 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   I want this place to be successful so share this for feedback and improvement. Lovely setting and has all the right things to make for a great experience. Staff was very attentive. A few things to note: 1. Was nearly empty (3 tables of people when we arrived for a 6:45pm meal) yet they require a credit card to hold a table? This scares off many diners, especially 1st timers who want to give it a try. 2. No happy hour. That helps get people there to try it out and sustains your staff who need the hours and the tips to survive! Rethink this please, at least to establish business. 3. A $44 main entree (Sea Bass & Rice) came with no vegetable. Missed the mark visually and taste wise esp for price. 4. Music. Live music would fit this place well (and certainly there is plenty of room for it).
   

   Kestrel A Richard Blais Kitchen + LoungeResponded 7 days ago

   Hi Krista, thank you for taking the time to review us! We're happy to learn that our lovely setting set the tune for your meal, but we're saddened we missed the mark. Thanks so much for your great points on our reservations, pricing, potential happy hour, and live music. It's our hope it won't be too long before you join us again!
   

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9. K

   Kate

   VIP

   Palm Springs

   11 reviews

   4.0

   11 reviews

   Dined on 11 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Interesting flavor pairings, not a lot of choices. No one loved their meal unfortunately, but the service was great. It was not busy. Seems like a lot of $$ was spent on remodel, but it doesn't have any sort of vibe. Very pricey. Disappointing. :(
   

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   Kestrel A Richard Blais Kitchen + LoungeResponded 7 days ago

   Hello Kate, your four stars means a lot to us. We're sorry to hear you didn't love the food, but we're thrilled you loved our new atmosphere. We hope you make it back to dine with us soon and we'll be sure to make a better impression.
   

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10. R

    Richard

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 5 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    A beautiful setting where diners can have a conversation. Service was just the right pace and our waitress was very helpful. The food was outstanding.
    

    Kestrel A Richard Blais Kitchen + LoungeResponded on 5 December 2024

    Hello Richard, we're so grateful for the sensational review! It is amazing to hear our staff was able to meet your every need and that our incredible location and food added to your experience. We'd love to see you again in the near future!
    

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