ShopEatSleep

I don’t know what your idea of resort food is, but mine is that it’s mediocre at best. But Sirocco and CAVA at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells turned that idea on its head, as I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food and service at both eateries. (Read Part 1 on the resort property here.)

When we arrived at the hotel, it was just in time for the United States vs. United Kingdom World Cup match, so we hunkered down in our room and ordered room service for lunch. I got a tuna salad sandwich, which came on rye bread and potato chips and a salad on the side, and a creamy mushroom soup that was to die for. The menu wasn’t kidding when it said “A House Favorite.” Rory got a standard club sandwich, which he enjoyed. Our Arnold Palmer drinks were nicely mixed, too. The meal was rounded out with extra glasses of water and oatmeal raisin cookies for dessert, which I actually didn’t eat because I don’t like raisins.

Tuna sandwich (that's a side of avocado way in the back)

For dinner that night we went to the resort’s Sirocco, an upscale Italian restaurant. The space is at once secluded and airy, offering a great place to have a nice celebratory meal or a date night. The service was impeccable, and sous chef Estevan Bautista came out and made the rounds, too. It’s always nice to see the chef come out and greet guests.

I started my meal with a cocktail (of course!). While the restaurant doesn’t have a cocktail menu (boo! I guess the mixology movement hasn’t made it out to the desert yet), it does have a signature cocktail called the Desert Rose made with Ketel One Citrus, Triple Sec, Pama pomegranate liqueur, hibiscus tea, cranberry juice and garnished with raspberries. If you think that sounds sweet, you would be right. While it was too sweet for my taste, I’m sure someone else who likes sweet drinks would be pleased with this one.

Desert Rose cocktail

My favorite dishes of the meal were the Trenette Alla Gondoliera, made with saffron fettuccini with shrimp, lobster and Dungeness crab in a tomato, basil and lobster sauce, and the Zuccotto Fiorentino, which consisted of layers of chantilly cream and chocolate hazelnut mousse enrobed in cake laced with candied citrus. The zeppoli, which are Italy’s version of doughnuts, were among some of the best I’ve ever had — they were perfectly moist and fluffy.

Saffron fettuccini with shrimp, lobster and crab

Florence Cake

Zeppole

Rory also really liked his entree, the Nasello Con Carciofini E Capperi Al Pomodoro, which was pan-seared sea bass with baby artichokes, white wine, capers and a spice tomato-basil sauce. Personally, I don’t like tomato-based sauces with my fish, but I did enjoy the side of vegetables, especially the spinach, that came with Rory’s dish.

Sea bass

There was also a delicious house-made pineapple sorbet that was given to us as a palate cleanser. And because I liked the sorbet so much, I also had the house-made pistachio gelato, which was great as well.

Pineapple sorbet. Check out the cute mini spoon!

Pistachio gelato

And before you leave the restaurant, they give you a bag of biscotti to take with you. How’s that for service?

The next morning, we had breakfast at CAVA, the resort’s casual dining concept. You have the option of a buffet (continental or hot food) or a sit-down meal. We opted for the latter and ordered a breakfast sandwich with fried egg, cheese and sausage on an English muffin, and corned beef hash topped with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce (on the side for me). Rory liked his sandwich, and it was really big to boot. I liked my corned beef hash, which came mixed with hash browns and bell peppers. I also liked the hollandaise, which was more lemon-y than egg-y, which I prefer.

Inside CAVA

On the patio overlooking the pool

Breakfast sandwich

Corned beef hash with poached eggs

There is also a new sushi bar called Glo Sushi next to the lobby bar that I didn’t have a chance to try this time around. It even has a sake sommelier to help you with sake-and-sushi pairings. Hopefully I’ll get to try it next time!

Note: Dinner at Sirocco and breakfast at CAVA were hosted meals. I paid for room service.