Peaks Restaurant

I honestly don’t recommend eating here. Unless you really can’t wait to get down to eat some thing. In Palm Springs you will probably find a better restaurant. I ordered the Pasta Pasini (I think?) and it was okay. I would of much rather ate at McDonalds or anywhere else in that matter than pay $ 26 for a bland plate of watery pasta. The drink was great though! The summer blast… They’re honestly so many better restaurants than this one which doesn’t even give you much of a variety to choose from. But the scenery is beautiful!

My boyfriend and I tried to dine here. The host sat us in front of the beautiful concrete patio. We had no view of the miles of desert we traveled so high up to see. Two other tables were sat near the window closest to the scenery. No one else was there. We asked to be moved closer to the windows and she said «no, i have to seat you by sections.» I understand sections. I’ve hosted before. But if the whole friggin restaurant is dead, I will move a party if they ask. The point of hosting is to create a pleasant experience for the guests. She then moved us to another table after we said two others may join is because two people (at a 4-​top anyways) have to be in another section from the 4-​tops on the raised seating level? It made no sense. She sat us far from the Windows again! We asked our server after sitting for 5 minutes without anyone greeting us if we could move. He took no responsibility and said he can ask the host, who had already said no. We walked out. I lost my appetite. Awful mindless service. We are not difficult people at all. We just wanted a pretty view. It was a big disappointment.

The food just isn’t good. I wanted to like it but I didn’t. The views were spectacular and the service was great.

This is billed as a fine dining restaurant, when you’re 8000ft. up and lacking on choices I guess you can’t argue that. The view is undeniable so you’re better off bringing a sack lunch and eating outside. The food wasn’t spectacular, it was okay, not bad just average. I ordered a bacon and blue cheese burger and received a plain old cheeseburger. I informed our waiter just so that I wouldn’t get billed the incorrect amount. The waiter did feel bad for the error and offered us a free German chocolate cake which I appreciate. However on our next visit I think a subway sandwich will suffice.

Not a lot of choices up there in the mountain, I’ve been here before and I enjoyed it and service was fine.
Came back last week and was looking forward to it but the food wasn’t all that great, not to mention the service.
My burger was greasy and I couldn’t eat it, my server seemed to be in a bad mood since the moment we sat down.
He also asked me if I was hungry because I decided to order 2 entrees, that’s unacceptable.
Maybe suggest the entrée are big enough and that I’m ordering big portions but don’t ask if I’m that hungry that I need two entrees!
Bad experience overall. Overpriced food.

Went here with the wife last night, for the last night of Restaurant Week. We have annual passes for the tram (which meant we didn’t have to pay the $ 18/​person charge to ride the tram after 4:00 p.m.), so we have dined here several times in the past, and had a pretty good idea what to expect. We had heard, however, that they recently hired a new chef, so we were curious to see what they were going to do to justify the $ 48 per person price tag (which only a small handful of participating restaurants were charging).
As the old sayings go: curiosity killed the cat, and you don’t always get what you pay for.
For starters, for $ 48 per person, I would expect a table cloth, and not place mats. I expect the girl bringing the bread basket over to not just say «Here’s some bread,» drop the basket on the table, and walk off. Most of all, I expect the person bringing out the steak knife to place it correctly — not thrown haphazardly on the table (see photo). Probably the only bright spot of the evening was our waiter, Trevor, who was friendly and attentive.
For food, I started with the braised pork belly, which was good. A little thicker than I would prefer, and not as braised, but still good. For my entrée, I chose the four-​ounce filet. Yes, four ounces. The size of a deck of cards. For $ 48. The flavor of the steak was fine, but it was cooked way past the medium that I ordered; there was no pink left anywhere in that piece of meat. And then there was the dessert… oh, the dessert! I am a big fan of crème brûlée, so that was naturally what I ordered. I was three bites in, and the wife had a couple of bites also (as she had asked for her desert to be boxed up to go) — when she spotted a short black hair baked into the crust of the desert!!! I was working on digging it out of the custard when Trevor stopped to ask if everything was okay. I told him what we had found, and he went for the manager. The manager came over and asked if everything was okay, so I showed him the hair that we had dug out (see pics). He offered to give us 10% off, which caught me off guard. 10% off to have no dessert, and wonder if I had already eaten someone’s hair? Yeah, that seems fair. And then, when the bill came, the manager had only given the 10% off on my meal — not the entire check!
In conclusion, this place was charging ultra-​high-​end prices for service and food that would not be acceptable at the diviest of dive bars. This is the worst dining experience I have had in recent memory. Truly awful.

Hostess was chewing her gum with open mouth. For the pricing, she shouldn’t be chewing gum at all. Made reservation 2 days in advance and literally 15 people from different parties without a reservation got sat before us. After waiting 40 mins we decided to leave and eat anywhere else. With the out dated décor and the just there hostess, we didn’t want to risk having the whole experience be an expensive flop.

Wonderful experience, we shared the pasta Parisan with grilled salmond and the club sandwich where deicious, the service was incredible and the views breathtaking, HIGHLY RECOMMEND this for a little getaway on a date LOVE IT!

Perhaps the altitude gives an added appetite for the things to come, or maybe being swept up with the incredible views of the Coachella Valley below makes one more prone to imparting good feelings upon the presented fare. But then again, it is entirely possible that any objective patron would taste the entrees and conclude that someone back in the kitchen really knows what they are doing with meat.
A Caesar salad began the evening and it was clearly far above the Caesar offered at many restaurants. The dressing was freshly prepared and the anchovies were thoughtfully to one side for those who don’t care for the stronger flavor.
My beloved’s chicken had a sauce with a southwestern flare that took it well beyond the reach of most venues, and it was cooked perfectly: tender and juicy without being underdone. Bravo.
As for my filet, the preparer clearly knows the difference between Medium Rare and Medium. The steak was in a delicious bordelaise that made me want to be sure that I didn’t miss any of it. And what secret ingredient was in those mashed potatoes? Is there a hint of malt there? Completely unexpected and wonderful.
Our waiter had a bit of a forced air about him, like perhaps he wished that his day had already ended. But he certainly did make a very good wine recommendation for our meal, and did not steer us toward the most expensive selection, so a kudos to him for that.
We watched the sun set on the mountain and the desert below, and as the Palm Springs-​area sprouted glittering jewels in the night, we inquired about dessert and Port. Here our waiter (apparently unnecessarily) steered us to the bar and suggested we ask for dessert there. This is the only part of the experience that holds the place back from a five-​star review.
Not to be daunted, we ventured to the neighboring bar and found that the German Chocolate Cake had a very interesting cheesecake middle, and was quite good. When coupled with the Port, the evening concluded as a smashing success overall.

This is partly my fault… I’m going to state the negative first.
Please spare yourself and don’t order the tuna tataki… especially if you come from LA area… you WILL be disappointed and you WILL want to slap yourself but on the upside they give you such a good amount of tuna you’d tell yourself
it’s okay. What was I thinking ordering tuna… raw tuna 8500ft above!
It wasn’t the tuna it self. it was the overwhelming sesame around the tataki and the sweet and sour sauce that came with it… yes, it screamed asian cuisine but it was NOT the way to go haha I think it would’ve been better to just sear it or char it with salt and pepper and maybe put a little soy sauce I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT on to my review.
The experience of riding the cable cart was amazing!!! It spins 360 so even though you’re jam packed inside one little cart you get to see the whole scenic view without moving… it gets a little scary when you’re almost at the top. You can feel the air getting colder as you are going up and see the whole coachella valley. It’s pretty amazing and everything looks so small and the clouds looks o close. but I know it’s not. HAHAHA
When I was planning this trip with my mom of course I looked at all the dinning options first and I thought this restaurant was going to really CRAZY fancy but it’s not (in a good way) my mom ordered the burger and it was NOT disappointing at all. The barbeque burger came with potato wedge fries it was delicious and the burger was so big! Just letting you know my mom is a VERY VERY petite asian lady who ordered the HALF POUNDER… it looked it was going to eat my mom not the other way around haha
The service was great! Since it is a tourist attraction they are very nice and very informative. But I have to admit… they are very… umm… quiet HAHAHA everything about this place was way too relaxing but that’s just coming from a crazy city girl that lives where the city does not sleep hahaha I wouldn’t recommend the tuna but the burger was amazing and also many people ordered the whole lettuce salad so I guess that is your go to!
It was great to sit next to the giant windows looking out to the whole palm springs and there was snow outside !
They have an amazing hiking trail so eat and drink water and TAKE water! enjoy the experience beyond this restaurant!

It’s just not worth it. Sure, the views are great and the appeal of dining stop Mt. San Jacinto is easy to succumb to. But the service staff is snarky and the food is mediocre at best.
I had a caprese salad with tomatoes so frozen/​hard they’ll break your grannies dentures.
Skip!

I was skeptical reading all the reviews that it was just cafateria food. Those reviews are false. We had an excellent lunch.
We split an avacodo burger and ordered the flat bread for an appetizer. The flatbread was amazing. I could have just ordered another one of those and been content.
The burger, which we saw a lot of people order was done very well. It was juicy but didn’t fall apart or make the bun to soggy.
The price is a little steep but you are at the top of a mountain. I really enjoyed eating here and would go back again if I didn’t have to take a Tram to the top of the mountain!

If you really need to eat and are starving and cannot wait until you head back down to town then this is an okay place to dine at. But the food is just mediocre at best.
I ordered seared ahi, which was coated with sesame seeds and a sweet chili sauce on the side. Before I even took a bite, you can tell the texture wasn’t going to be very good. And nothing blended well together, considering the quality of the fish and the way it was seared was already bad.
The salmon was a-​okay but again, nothing mind blowing. Presentation was okay but with white bean salad as the side, once again, it did not go very well together with the fish.
If you are looking for a beverage refreshment then that it totally fine. But don’t come here expecting some awesome food, save your stomach for the other numerous good food spots back in town!

Given that this is the only restaurant on top of the tram, you would expect the food to be sub-​par.
As usual, I went for my go-​to item, seafood linguini and found myself pleasantly surprised. Though the seasoning was on the light side, I found it to be perfect for my palette. The soup of the day, beef broth, was very flavourful and soft. It was a perfect meal for a very cold day on top of the mountain.
Our server was very accommodating and refilled my boyfriend’s and my coffee more than four times. We left the restaurant extremely caffeinated and needless to say, happy.
This restaurant is a wonderful end to a fun hike at the tram. The view from the observatory outside of the restaurant is also breathtaking. I would highly recommend Peaks if you are already on top of the mountain.

Takin’ that tram up was an interesting experience for my first time and going to the restaurant is a must if you’re hungry for appetizers and basic food. Made me feel like I was at a Ski Resort with the wide and open windows. You have me sold at BIG windows at any restaurant!
Server was very accommodating and offered another item since I wasn’t a big fan of the mushy Veggie burger. He brought me a BLT without the bacon, of course, and wasn’t a big fan either but bit my tongue and ate most of the first half.
Overall, this spot has a gorgeous view and is a must to check out if you’re wanting a good ol’ beer or cocktail. They have a decent selection and different options! Giving it 3 stars since I’m such a sucker for customer service, food would definitely be a 1. Check out the tram you won’t regret it!

I had my Wife’s Semi-​Surprise 30^th Birthday Dinner at Peaks Restaurant last Friday, the 30^th. Let me tell you, this staff did an AMAZING job and accomodated us in almost every way possible! They catered to our every whim, and did so with a humble and friendly attitude.
I reserved a table for a party of about 30 a month ahead of time. That was the initial interest list. I expected some people to cancel last minute, as this is quite an endeavor for people driving from 70 miles away on a late Friday afternoon. I called a few days ahead of time to inform them that the party had been reduced to about 25. «No problem at all, we look forward to seeing you Friday.» What a perfect response!
They called me to confirm about 4 hrs before our reservation, and inform me that in in order to accomodate us expediently, we would be on a «limited» menu. That was no problem for me, I understand it makes things flow easier. They asked if I would be bringing a cake as well, which I was not. At this point a few more people had flaked on us. I informed her that we were now a party of 20. Once again it was «no problem.»
We arrived at the Tram (separate review) and ascended up to the restaurant. They had a table front and center ready to go for us, right next to the window of the observation deck. The table was elegantly decorated with candles and folded napkins. Wine glasses and freshly poured water.
My Wife arrived, and sat at the head of the table and thanked everyone for coming. Our Waiters came and informed us that they could not take separate checks. That was a problem at first, but we worked in out with the help of our Waiters. Some of us ordered Wine, some of us ordered Tea, some of us just had water. They accomodated our two young children with Chocolate Milk w/​whipped cream. Classy.
Our limited menu consisted of Caesar Salad, which was 50% off because of our reservation. The entrees consisted of Pasta Paris (a fettucini dish with chicken and tomatoes), Meatloaf (a blend of veal, pork, and beef), Filet Mignon, and Roasted Salmon. Our young children were given a few choices of their own.
Baskets of Bread w/​Garlic Butter soon arrived, the bread was good, could’ve been warmed a bit, but it helped stave of hunger for a few minutes. We all conversed, joked and laughed, praised my gorgeous Wife, told stories and enjoyed each others company in a wonderful atmosphere of indulgence and class. Glasses were filled up quickly. Toasts and cheers were made. My Wife almost cried a few times.
Then came the entrees. Everybody was impressed. The few people who got Salmon got the most beautiful dishes. A few people who did not like the choices were able to get the «Brick» chicken, which was roasted skin-​on chicken. It looked amazing, even though it is a more basic dish.
I got the Meatloaf. I could not resist that combination of three meats, not to mention Yukon Gold mashed potatoes all covered in onions, mushrooms and a decadent reduction sauce. Some tasty steamed green beans sealed the deal. The meatloaf had amazing taste and texture, and it was the size of a small brick! Crispy edges with a soft yet firm center. The texture was like a gourmet brownie. But the taste was a whirlwind of meats and reduction. I made sure to get at least one mushroom or onion on each bite. The mashed potatoes were creamy, and buttery. The reduction made an excellent gravy, but they didnt need it. These potatoes held their own. I was SO happy that I chose this dish!
My Wife got the Pasta, and urged me to try it. It was good, I was impressed that the chicken was still juicy and tasted like the pasta it was immersed in. My Wife surely enjoyed it, and they gave her enough that she had to finish it later at hame. Good stuff.
My Mother got the Filet Mignon, which I knew from go she couldn’t finish, so I got what she didn’t eat. It was very good. Quite tender, cooked right, plenty of juices with a reduction sauce to give the flavor that extra je né sais quoi. The scalloped potatoes I didnt get to try, because my Mother liked them so much she actually ate them all.
My Wife got a layered slice of birthday cake with just ONE candle in it, which made her so happy it wasnt thirty candles. It was a chocolate cake with a layer of cheesecake within it. I got to try it, and the flavor combination with the silkiness of the chocolate icing were a great 1 – 2 punch. I highly recommend.
But I cannot pass up Crème Brulee, whenever it is served. The top caramel/​sugar layer was thin and crispy, which I love. The custard was very tasty, with the Vanilla Bean being prominent in the custard. The custard wasnt set as well as I’m used to, but that didn’t bother me at all. I used it to cream my coffee which was quite good by itself, but it was a delight to have crème brûlée in it.
The staff was wonderful, our Waiters were All-​Stars, and our dinner was perfect! I highly recommend trying this experience at least once in your lifetime. We will be back for sure!

It’s ok coffee. They have a onions soup
I ordered that and was too salt.
The potato edge was good but not hot
The pizza dough was too pan. Looks like a bread pizza.
Next time I’ll bring my snack, then I know what I’m eating

This restaurant is great, prob the best view of a restaurant that I have ever seen. I recommend making a reservation, so there is no wait when you get there, although the place isn’t too bad of a place to be waiting. They emphasize being relaxed and to take your time looking at the menu and not feel rushed.
The server that we had was awesome and he explained every dish that we asked about and made his recommendations on the wines that were very honest and insightful.
The tomato caprese salad was amazing, as heirloom tomatoes are my favorite. The ingredients go well together and it’s good to get a piece of everything on the fork to try at once. Its really tasty.
The pork chop was prob the best I have ever tasted. Very juicy and seasoned well, with a nice selection of vegetables. And the jam that comes with it is amazing. I don’t remember what was in it, but it complemented the meat perfectly. Also, the filet mignon was cooked perfectly and well worth it. Overall, amazing meal. The couple next to us were praising the dishes and the guy two tables down said this was the best pork chop he had ever had.
I had a great time at this restaurant and will be coming back. I just wish there was some sort of discount on the tram, as it is the only way to get to the restaurant.

Five stars because it’s the only sit-​down dining choice and the spectacular views.
We had the Avocado BLT and the Shrimp Linguini. Standard but yummy! They also made me an excellent skinny margarita — it was delicious.
Service was good. Everyone seemed to know facts about the state park.

View view view OVER Nom nom nom
The VIEW (S) — yes, plural — alone were worth more than the dinner and that’s where the 4 stars come from.
First, the views. Because that is what I remember the most from Peaks.
I recommend going before sunset to the most of that natural lighting. Right outside the restaurant were views looking down into the valley. Lots of surrounding trees. Go up a few stairs on the right and you get views of the forest/​trees behind the restaurant. We went during the Blood Moon so, that moon was out and about amongst the trees. It was quite a sight.
Everyone ordered something different so we all got to sample a little bit of (almost) everything on the menu.
Pork chop (which I ordered) was the clear favorite of the night. Perfectly cooked. Always amazing with mashed potatoes and some oh-​so-​delicious DATES and brocollini.
Hummus and Tapenade — hummus was average. Tapenade was very salty.
New York Steak — steak was overcooked which wouldn’t necessarily be bad but, my friend wanted rare. Honestly, we made excuses on the cooking temp of the meats… thinking that the altitude affected the kitchen/​cooking …which it generally does!
Brick chicken and salmon — BOTH were whatevers.
Overall, the restaurant food was meh and fair pricing… but, the restaurant view was worth the price of dinner!