Quick review: Pacifica

(Credit: Crystal Chatham, special to Metromix)

Pacifica Seafood Restaurant in Palm Desert has earned the reputation of providing a fine dining experience and being one of the best locations in the valley — perched atop The Gardens on El Paseo.

You can choose between rooftop dining on the spacious patio, the open dining room or comfortable bar area. Pacifica claims to have the “freshest seafood in the desert” and backs up that statement with daily shipments.

Managing partner Mitch Epstein has more than 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry. In addition, Wine Spectator presented Pacifica its Award of Excellence for the wine menu. Choose between such popular brands as Edna Valley, Frogs Leap, Hess Collection, Rombauer and Ferrari-Carano, many of which are served by the glass.

Vodka aficionados can choose between more than 130 of the world’s finest selections. Since its debut in 2000, Pacifica now offers vodkas from more than 20 countries, including Sweden, Ireland, France, Belgium and Canada.

Dinners are served a la carte. While you’re debating about what to choose, start your meal with fire-roasted dates made with chorizo sausage, sherry vinaigrette and applewood smoked bacon ($14) or the Dungeness crab cakes with petite apple cabbage salad and sake garlic sauce ($13). If you like mussels, try Pacifica’s appetizer version made with white wine, garlic, chili flakes, and whole grain mustard ($13).

Salad selections include a duo of endive dressed with an orange walnut vinaigrette, Asian pear, candied pecans and crumbled blue cheese ($8).

Seafood lovers may find it difficult to choose between such offerings as honey-soy glazed Chilean sea bass ($34) with sticky rice and baby bok choy topped with a green-curry coconut sauce or the seared ahi tuna ($32) accompanied by wasabi mashed potatoes, shitake mushrooms and spinach served with a lemon shallot vinaigrette.

While Pacifica is known for its seafood, steak lovers can select the grilled center cut filet mignon ($33) served with shallot potato gratin and broccolini topped with sauce au poivre or the pan roasted chicken breast ($24) with garlic mashed potatoes and spinach and drizzled with natural jus.

Side dishes are $5 each. Try several and share them with your friends. Choose between sautéed wild mushrooms, wok-seared garlic spinach and asparagus, among others.

Add a comment