We had a lovely meal for our 36th Anniversary. Service impeccable.

Had my 50th birthday dinner here with my family it was very special 💕

experience outdoors fine dining at its best. ask for the specials and you won't be disappointed.

My birthday dinner with mom and dad. The staff made it very special, the food was great.

Wonderful ambience inside, but the patios are truly beautiful. The food was amazing and our server was very friendly and helpful. A true 5 star experience.

One of my families top 2 places to eat in the desert and I don’t say that lightly. Everything here is phenomenal. The wait staff are always very nice and accommodating. When you are there they treat you like part of the family. Always a wonder experience. -NS

Desert dining at its best. Delicious food, stunning ambiance and top shelf cocktails (especially from the new bartender). A must to have on your Coachella Valley dinner circuit.

A local's favorite for 25 years, this intimate, traditional Italian restaurant serves up tried and true meals with super fresh ingredients and excellent service. Perfectly prepared salmon, rack of lamb so tender it tastes like butter candy, a casa salad that rivals any other house salad, and don't skip the desserts: apple dumpling and Hawaiian cheesecake were over the top delicious! This has moved to the top of our list of restos in the Palm Desert area.

Exquisite food, one of a kind, old time, service, never see anymore! However, we were first timers, visiting. We had no idea we shouldn't wear shorts, my husband felt humiliated, having to follow the maitre d, to the restroom to put on slacks belonging to someone else. Then, after dinner, left the restaurant via the back alley. Shame. However... Great food. They absolutely went out of their way for my friend, jawbone removed from cancer, by pureeing his food. 5 stars because I wasn't wearing shorts.😁

The best fine restaurant in the desert! Just a few Recommendations: tower of crab, presidential whitefish/scallops/rack of lamb/risotto & the jorges decadent date for dessert. The service is impeccable & the character is second to none!

Everything from start to finish was 5 stars. I had a pomegranate martini, the tower of fresh crab and the scallops and sweet corn risotto. The service and ambiance were excellent. Will be back the first chance I get!

The staff was very accommodating. We came in for an appetizer, and they were able to get a seeded and in before the kitchen closed. Felt very special that they went out of their way to accommodate us.

Absolutely spendid. Ordered the veal special and devoured it but excited to come back to try the rest of the menu. Great atmosphere + friendly staff. Would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a nice, delicious dinner out on the town.

Outstanding cuisine and superb service make Jillian's a classic destination. Great wine list. In-house baked Portuguese bread is an exceptional treat and so are the deserts.

Went for a girlfriends 50th Bday,We had drinks outside on patio first, then moved inside for dinner. I had beef tenderloin was incredible, the pear salad, had 3 different appitizers, and 4 Different desserts all was delicious would reccomend for a private party or romantic dinner.

The new year's dinner was excellent!! Waiters were very professional, the ambiance was very romantic & peaceful, the food was superb & very tasty. I really recommend it .

I love this place. Stellar service and food. I love the ambiance very romantic.

Jillians has always been my favorite restaurant in Palm Desert. The Food, the Ambience and the Service are second to none. I always make it a point to dine and entertain my guests when in the Desert, and have never been dissapointed.

Best fine dining in the desert. Love the outdoor. Great music on the lawn definitely ask for that. Great staff always good for special occasions.

Rico and the staff were wonderful. The food was outstanding. I don't recall any time I have had a dining experience of this level.

Amazing food, great ambiance, friendly chef. I highly recommend it for anyone in the palm desert area. Just a very high quality restaurant, run by a local family.

I'm from out of town, but took a local client out to dinner and ended up here. It was excellent, from start to finish! Beautiful setting, attentive and friendly service, great food.

Had a nice quiet dinner with friends. Menu was friendly. Four was good.

Always a great experience. Good food and service. Outdoor dining is a must, weather permitting.

Looks good and tastes better!

+1

Everything about our dinner was excellent! We got great recommendations about our choices and enjoyed both the white fish special and the rack of lamb.. Our servers were very attentive and helpful, loved it and will definitely come back,

Absolutely amazing experience. The food is outstanding. The staff is wonderful.

Perfection! We hosted a company holiday party here, flawless from start to finish. June was wonderful to work with for all the planning. Chef Jay put together a fantastic menu. All our guest commented how delicious everything was. Service was better then any other restaurant we have been. Would highly recommend!

I wish there were more than 5 stars to give a place because Jillian's deserves at least 10! We had a lovely dinner (6 of us) here and it was for a special occasion. We sat outside in their lovely patio and it was just so pretty. Everything from the hostess, the wait staff, the Maitre D and the busboys - it was just about as classy and wonderful as you can get. Now, let's talk food for a minute. HOLY COW!! Every single dish just hit it out of the park and was delicious. I only wish it was socially acceptable to lick your plate..ha!! We wish we all had bigger appetite's because we would have eaten more. I'm writing this review a few weeks after our visit, or I would post pictures and give you a detailed description of what we ate. I do remember that it was one of the best meals I have ever had in my life...it was just so great! Everyone involved made sure we had a 6-star evening and I wish we lived closer so we could go here at least weekly! Bottom line - GO HERE if you want one of the best meals in your life!

Dinner at Jillian's on Saturday evening could not have been better. A beautiful atmosphere in an outdoor setting spaced appropriately for safety. Our salad and entrees were very flavorful and served at the correct temperature. Dessert special was a delicious blueberry cheesecake. Service was attentive and professional. Going back for sure next month before they close for the summer.

Got to experience a delightful evening where my gal and I were taken well care of and could try new things. First time trying lobster, lamb, and a pasta that was great. Our glasses were never empty and our table never cluttered. Our waiter, John, was Phenomenal and was a huge help in making this meal a truly memorable one.

What a lovely place to come and enjoy good food with friends. The outdoor courtyard was cozy but not crowded and the front patio and lawn are now set up for more diners. Apps were light and tasty and the entrees simply superb. My only qualm was the scallops as I had ordered the sea scallops but instead was given the Nantucket scallops which was their special tonight.

Love the piano player. Charming decor and delicious food!

Enchanting outdoor environment. Live music...but not obtrusive. Amazing menu! I had a lobster salad and scallops and risotto. The scallops are actually flown in from nantucket! Yes it is $$$$ but not that much more than other substantially inferior places. Our waiter John was delightful.

We had been meaning to try Jillian's for years and finally made it here for the occasion of my husband's 65th birthday. I didn't realize that they had a patio so did not know to request outdoor seating. Since last night was the first warm, beautiful night we've had in some time, when we were shown to our indoor table, we asked if it would be possible to be seated on the patio. They graciously accommodated us, which meant a lot to us, not only because it was my husband's birthday, but also because the patio, which is beautiful, reminded us so much of the place we got engaged. My husband was also greeted with a lovely birthday note from June and Jay, the owners, and the rest of the staff. It was such a lovely touch. John, our server, was wonderful. The food was delicious. My husband said his martini was perfect. After our main course, we were stuffed and were not going to order dessert, but John appeared with a huge slice of chocolate cake with a candle in it, followed by other goodies too good to resist. And one other thing I have to mention, since it is a pet peeve of mine, but at Jillian's the staff were considerate enough not to clear anyone's plate before both of us were done eating. We had a perfect evening, and we will definitely return. Thanks to everyone.

Wonderful food with great service in charming old homestead. The menu is not particularly daring and they keep to the classics. What they lack in innovativeness is more than made up for by the perfect execution of the dishes. We had lobster salad, spare ribs, lake whitefish and to finish stuffed apple and crème brûlée. Every dish was perfect. As for the service, the waiter was attentive, but never a nuisance.

We love this place, truly a gem in this desert! Due to covid restrictions, we were seated outdoors in the open air courtyard lit beautifully with candles and twinkle lights. First class service and the food is excellent. Favorite dish - the scallop risotto!

We were in Indian wells for a conference and walked into Jillians after our Uber driver had recommend it on our ride into town. I loved this charming upscale restaurant with great service and fabulous food! I’d definitely come again when I’m back. The outdoor dining was beautiful and a definite plus.

Fantastic food made so fresh and tastefully presented. Ample choices of wine by the bottle, half, or glass. The staff were very professional, courteous and left nothing out. It was my wife’s birthday and the subtle attentions were much appreciated.

Five stars all around. Food was amazing. I had carbonara and my husband had the filet. Service was great. Outdoor patio area was so relaxing and beautiful.

Great restaurant, great food, the place,the decor is just so nice, the staff is extremely professional and friendly, last but not least the owners June & Jay are just fantastic people and always around to make sure you’re happy. Love dinning there and I recommend it to anyone who wants to experience fine dinning.

Just perfect. Never felt rushed. Beautiful patio setting.

Now THIS how a restaurant SHOULD be! Excellence from the moment you arrive. Fernando our server was top-notch; attentive without being in your face. Atmosphere is 10+/10 and food is excellent. Prices are higher as is corkage fee but not out of line. We have paid comparable pricing at restaurants who are pretending to be “fine dining”. Jillian’s at least lives up to the term fine dining. Thank you Jillian’s for a lovely evening. More of the desert restaurants should learn from you!!

We had an amazing dinner experience! Nantucket scallops .. incredible!

Jillian's is the most beautiful restaurant in Palm Desert. The outer patio is gorgeous but we ate in the interior courtyard which is like a step back in time. Enormous Palm tree in center, lights stung above, flower beds. White tablecloths, place settings perfect. Service is impeccable, details like taking our cocktail order but then giving us time to enjoy them before giving us menus. There is no deadline to vacate your table here. Food was excellent, Maine lobster salad, Icelandic Cod with beautiful vegetables and light sauce. Carrot cake to die for. We asked waiter to select glasses of wine to go with our entrees and he did it perfectly. Wine pours were very generous, I would say 8-9 ounces. This is a place where you feel special and like you have had a unique experience. We will go again and again. Also, they have a dress code and it was so nice to not see shorts and t-shirts or golf shirts on the guests

Delicious food and flawless execution! I had the pleasure of attending my cousin's rehearsal dinner at Jillian's and everything was exceptional. From the food and wine, to the waitstaff and venue itself, my family was very impressed by how the event came together. As a former waitress myself, I know it is not easy to serve dinner for that many people at once without knowing their food choices ahead of time, but you made it look effortless. I had two guests at my table with food allergies that the wait staff did not know ahead of time, but they graciously took care of their needs without hesitation.

A perfect dinner in every way. The setting is beautiful and I highly recommend the patio if the weather is nice. The service is warm, sincere and professional. All the employees we encountered were friendly and helpful. The servers were all career professionals, many have worked at Jillian’s for 20+ years. The lobster salad was delicious and served on an ice cold plate which is a nice touch. The veal main course was spot on and was accompanied by lightly pan fried vegetables that were al dente and freshly cut corn. Even the fresh bread and butter were delicious! An outstanding dinner in every way…. we’ll definitely be back!

We had a great experience dining here. The food was excellent — the meatball appetizer, pasta Bolognese, and rack of lamb were all outstanding. The ambiance was beautiful with amazing views, and service was attentive throughout. We were celebrating a birthday, and the “Happy Birthday” message on the table when we arrived was a really thoughtful touch. However, dessert was just okay, and there was no birthday recognition when it was served, it felt like a missed moment that could’ve made the evening even more special. Would come back.

I finally realized what I’ve been missing over the past 31 years. Insert any adjective for excellent and Jillian’s will achieve. The food, service, vibes, and diversity of ambiance is just perfect. There’s a few fine dining places that people will compare Jillian’s to like Cuisot, Lavender, or Le Vallerius but I think this is far better. The experience is second to none and they have a variety of rooms and out seating that came make it feel intimate for any occasion. All the food was executed perfectly and the timing of service was just about right. Yes, you will leave with $100+/person but it’s worth it for a special moment. Of fact, you may see me there again at the bar.

Food and service were impeccable. Lobster salad was divine as well as the Cannelloni and Halibut special with crabmeat/pistachio crust. Carolina , our server, was awesome and very attentive . The setting is beautiful even on a chilly evening.

Everything about the dining experience at Jillian’s is unique and incomparable. I started with a refreshing Moscow mule and indulged over fresh made bread, which paired perfectly with the veal cheeks special which was so tender and the house made pasta really made the dish unforgettable! The eclectic cuisine and ambiance is nothing like I have ever experienced. The staff is so welcoming and made the perfect suggestions when deciding what delicious entrees to pick. Jay and June have created an experience that cannot be duplicated. I cannot wait to come back!

This was my first visit and we have booked reservations for next month to bring our out of town guests. The food, service and atmosphere were over the top. The food and company were spot on.

C E E

We had a great experience dining here. The food was excellent — the meatball appetizer, pasta Bolognese, and rack of lamb were all outstanding. The ambiance was beautiful with amazing views, and service was attentive throughout. We were celebrating a birthday, and the “Happy Birthday” message on the table when we arrived was a really thoughtful touch. However, dessert was just okay, and there was no birthday recognition when it was served, it felt like a missed moment that could’ve made the evening even more special. Would come back.

Tyler S

I finally realized what I’ve been missing over the past 31 years. Insert any adjective for excellent and Jillian’s will achieve. The food, service, vibes, and diversity of ambiance is just perfect. There’s a few fine dining places that people will compare Jillian’s to like Cuisot, Lavender, or Le Vallerius but I think this is far better. The experience is second to none and they have a variety of rooms and out seating that came make it feel intimate for any occasion. All the food was executed perfectly and the timing of service was just about right. Yes, you will leave with $100+/person but it’s worth it for a special moment. Of fact, you may see me there again at the bar.

Rod Achtmann

Food and service were impeccable. Lobster salad was divine as well as the Cannelloni and Halibut special with crabmeat/pistachio crust. Carolina , our server, was awesome and very attentive . The setting is beautiful even on a chilly evening.

Janessa Marie

Everything about the dining experience at Jillian’s is unique and incomparable. I started with a refreshing Moscow mule and indulged over fresh made bread, which paired perfectly with the veal cheeks special which was so tender and the house made pasta really made the dish unforgettable! The eclectic cuisine and ambiance is nothing like I have ever experienced. The staff is so welcoming and made the perfect suggestions when deciding what delicious entrees to pick. Jay and June have created an experience that cannot be duplicated. I cannot wait to come back!

Elizabeth TraubHarris

This was my first visit and we have booked reservations for next month to bring our out of town guests. The food, service and atmosphere were over the top. The food and company were spot on.

LaVonda Jeffrey

Five stars all around. Food was amazing. I had carbonara and my husband had the filet. Service was great. Outdoor patio area was so relaxing and beautiful.

Unbelievable dinner. Food was exceptional starting with lobster salad and a crab tower. I ordered the grilled swordfish but had it served with a buerre blanc sauce. It was amazing. The only swordfish I’ve had that even compared to this was at a Michelin starred restaurant in Paris. Service was outstanding and the piano bar entertainment was a bonus. Go as often as you can!!

One of the finest restaurants in the valley. Located in a beautiful old adobe house utilizing the inside, the courtyard, and the garden. All are wonderful locations. The food is incredible... we had bison and swordfish with corn chowder topped with lobster... all were phenomenal!

We had the most lovely evening on the patio at Julian’s. The service was just exceptional. Even the chef/owner came out more than once to talk with us. Food was amazing. Our new favorite restaurant! We will definitely be back again and again!

Absolutely the perfect evening, with friends. The food and service were excellent. Paul, was fantastic, gave us wine options, drinks were perfect. Never disappointed at Jillians.

Excellent food for fine dining. The staff is attentive and friendly.. beautiful outdoor dining experience. They were very good to us for a birthday celebration

We had an exceptionally good meal and experience at Jillian’s tonight. Every staff person was welcoming and professional. The ambiance was just right with lovely piano music. Our food was beautifully prepared and delicious: white fish and bolonese. Even the chairs were extra comfortable! Highly recommended!

Fred Coleman

One of the finest restaurants in the valley. Located in a beautiful old adobe house utilizing the inside, the courtyard, and the garden. All are wonderful locations. The food is incredible... we had bison and swordfish with corn chowder topped with lobster... all were phenomenal!

L Robinson

Absolutely the perfect evening, with friends. The food and service were excellent. Paul, was fantastic, gave us wine options, drinks were perfect. Never disappointed at Jillians.

Mary Ashley

We had an amazing dinner experience! Nantucket scallops .. incredible!

Brad Lagore

Excellent food for fine dining. The staff is attentive and friendly.. beautiful outdoor dining experience. They were very good to us for a birthday celebration

Dianne Kawamura

We had the most lovely evening on the patio at Julian’s. The service was just exceptional. Even the chef/owner came out more than once to talk with us. Food was amazing. Our new favorite restaurant! We will definitely be back again and again!

Maurice Abikzer

Great restaurant, great food, the place,the decor is just so nice, the staff is extremely professional and friendly, last but not least the owners June & Jay are just fantastic people and always around to make sure you’re happy. Love dinning there and I recommend it to anyone who wants to experience fine dinning.

Jodi Carr

We had an exceptionally good meal and experience at Jillian’s tonight. Every staff person was welcoming and professional. The ambiance was just right with lovely piano music. Our food was beautifully prepared and delicious: white fish and bolonese. Even the chairs were extra comfortable! Highly recommended!

Great food and gorgeous outdoor dining. End of season so service was slow, multiple drink and food mistakes (forgotten item, wrong item. You know...)

Good food and service but the wine list is WAY overpriced for the same bottles at other restaurants.

Pretty good food, decent service, good atmosphere and really reasonable prices for being on El Paseo but if you're looking for top notch elegance it's just lacking a bit. You won't be disappointed but it won't knock your socks off. I would encourage you to give it a try.

Had a nice dinner here for my dad's birthday. The food and service were very good, however it felt like having dinner at a nursing home. Yes, it's Palm Springs, but it was not a young, lively vibe. One table on their way out made a point to tell us that we were very loud... While we were having lively conversations and celebrating a birthday, it was nothing beyond normal noise.

Well crafted menu with delicious dishes. $30 corkage fee. The service... Great attention to detail.

It was Valentines Day. It was also our anniversary. We have been there often and it has become one our best places to have a great dinning experience. But not last night. We had reservations at 7:45. We tried to get something earlier but nothing was available. The food was good, but the waiter seemed to be just getting through the night so he could maybe be with his family. Normally we have had great service, but not tonight. It was very cold and our heaters did not seem to provide enough heat. Very uncomfortable. Champagne was part of the menu but never offered to us.till after the desert. we asked the waiter if champagne was part of the menu and he said sure. Can I bring you some? We had finished our desert. Very poor timing. On a scale of 1-10. Our experience on 2-14-24 was a 5. For us It was supposed to be a very special occasion. Sadly it was not. Ron Shuley

Lettuce was not too fresh, limp, salad seasoning was bad, Lobster was a little chewy, Halibut was great , cream Brûlée was normal.

nina tehrani

Lettuce was not too fresh, limp, salad seasoning was bad, Lobster was a little chewy, Halibut was great , cream Brûlée was normal.

Bon Manhkong

Well crafted menu with delicious dishes. $30 corkage fee. The service... Great attention to detail.

The food and atmosphere deserve 5 stars at Jillian's. The food was very good and the venue was charming and inviting. Unfortunately, this is a bittersweet review because a few interactions with service took away from what should have been a relaxed, joyful night. We were celebrating a milestone birthday and our waiter, John, served the wrong entree to two guests who had pork chops but instead received tenderloin. While he acknowledged the mistake, we were told correcting it would take another 15 minutes, which was disappointing. Shortly thereafter, John came back to the table with the chef who visibly appeared irritated and insisted that the tenderloin was better than the pork chop. What followed became awkward and unnecessary including debating the order and presenting a pork chop cut in half to compare the two. Rather than feeling accommodated, our guests felt put on the spot. Other smaller moments added to the discomfort. When asked for help taking a group photo, the waiter said the angle wouldn't work and to take it outside, so we took the photo on our own. One of our guests asked if a complimentary dessert with a candle might be possible but was answered with a blunt no which left her feeling embarrassed. Despite these issues, we still left a generous 20% tip as we respect the hard work that goes into running a restaurant. Overall, the food and ambience were lovely, but the tone and handling of these moments detracted from a special occasion. We hope this feedback helps ensure future guests are met with warmer, more gracious hospitatlity.

B

The food and atmosphere deserve 5 stars at Jillian's. The food was very good and the venue was charming and inviting. Unfortunately, this is a bittersweet review because a few interactions with service took away from what should have been a relaxed, joyful night. We were celebrating a milestone birthday and our waiter, John, served the wrong entree to two guests who had pork chops but instead received tenderloin. While he acknowledged the mistake, we were told correcting it would take another 15 minutes, which was disappointing. Shortly thereafter, John came back to the table with the chef who visibly appeared irritated and insisted that the tenderloin was better than the pork chop. What followed became awkward and unnecessary including debating the order and presenting a pork chop cut in half to compare the two. Rather than feeling accommodated, our guests felt put on the spot. Other smaller moments added to the discomfort. When asked for help taking a group photo, the waiter said the angle wouldn't work and to take it outside, so we took the photo on our own. One of our guests asked if a complimentary dessert with a candle might be possible but was answered with a blunt no which left her feeling embarrassed. Despite these issues, we still left a generous 20% tip as we respect the hard work that goes into running a restaurant. Overall, the food and ambience were lovely, but the tone and handling of these moments detracted from a special occasion. We hope this feedback helps ensure future guests are met with warmer, more gracious hospitatlity.

A beautiful patio greeted us with everything in full bloom. Service was wonderful. A bit disappointed by my dinner ; zero seasoning and bland. The owner approached our table after we finished our coffee and offered to by us drinks if we moved to the bar area as she needed our table. $400.00 later, just so so.

This place came highly recommended & I was expecting great steak. My medium-rare tenderloin was cooked more medium + than medium rare. I tried it in 3 different places. Then I called over the waiter who immediately took it back to the kitchen. I heard him announce he needed another steak medium-rare. Instead of a new steak, he then came back with the same steak & told me the chef said it was medium-rare, ie I was wrong! I felt so humiliated, especially as I had raved to our guests about this restaurant! It ruined my meal & my evening! I ate the parts of the steak that weren’t overcooked but without enjoyment. I have never before sent back a steak in any restaurant but I only did it there because I had heard such rave reviews of the steak there. No accommodation was made on the bill, from the waiter or the M’d. We have not returned! That arrogant, haughty attitude forgets that, when dealing with the public, "the client is always right", not the chef!

Decent food, wasn't blown away. Carbonara is too creamy and salty. Their bread was good!

We booked based on our experience of last January so our expectations were high. So the service was as expected the food not so much. The lobster salad was limp and very little lobster. The sea bass with coconut curry sauce was difficult to discern.

Disappointing. The signature fish dish can’t compete. Desert ice cream served in its melted puddle. Seated right next to the incredibly busy service door, but our wait staff didn’t use it and dropped us. Not a fan of the live music either.

Great ambiance, excellent service. Food was decent, nothing special. The best thing we ate was the bread they give you when you sit down. I had the Brussels sprouts salad which was tiny and forgetful. My husband had the special salad (cherry tomatoes and mozzarella) which looked a little better but wasn’t anything special. For mains, I had the salmon in parchment which was good but nothing special, plus the sides didn’t seem to match it (and also were maybe standardized across other entrees which doesn’t feel very “fine dining” to me). My husband had the New York steak rare medium rare which came solidly medium. Sauce was good, but again, nothing special. Would be 4 starts if weren’t for the hype and price point which are both too high for what our dinner experience was.

An expensive restaurant which seeks to be known for its fine dining experience. It measures up reasonably well in all categories, but when we tried to change potato serving for pasta, we were informed that there would be an extra charge as there are no substitutions!! Not what one should hear for a $55 entré.

Jeanie Lee

Decent food, wasn't blown away. Carbonara is too creamy and salty. Their bread was good!

What started out well, ended in disaster. The restaurant is lovely and charming. Service, good. Food good. We were a group of 16 seated at 2 tables in different rooms. We were told, when asked, that they couldn't split the bill for the table of 9 for the 2 couples, one group of 4 and one solo. When the bill arrived, there there were 2 charges (totaling in excess of $1,000) we didn't understand. The waiter couldn't explain them and sent the manager over. The charges were for 3 "no-shows". The table of 7 in the other room also received a bill with more than $1,000 for no-shows. Trying to charge $105/person for each person who didn't show up PLUS $135/person minimum for food they didn't eat is absurd and outrageous. There was no contract signed, and no mention of these charges prior to the bills being presented. In short (well, too late for that), a good dining experience ruined by very poor customer service skills. Outcome of these erroneous and outrageous charges are still pending.

The reason is service lacks like 90percent ,,, I feel they cater to wealthy neighborhood, we had to ask for refill on coffee, water and waiter never acknowledged my birthday,,, not a cone back place sadly,,, food was maybe 3 stars

A bit of a disappointment, but perhaps our expectations were too high for a place for which we needed to get reservations three weeks in advance and only managed 5PM, the last reservation available. Lovely patio, attentive service, recorded music. Food was good but not great; my "forestiere" mushroom pasta had a sprinkling of mushrooms, and was definitely not the focal point of the dish as I had hoped. Friends taking me there for a big birthday were disappointed that Jillians' doesn't do anything special for a birthday other than put a candle on any of a long list of wonderful $15 desserts you care to order. Like I say, maybe expectations were too high, but for the price, I might have expected a more unique experience in fine dining.

Lamb wasn't hot. After it was microwaved, meat was no longer medium rare.

Food was lousy. Server was unfriendly and rushed us. We were in and out of there in one hour - not what you expect for a 'fine dining' experience. Meatball appetizer was tasteless. Caprese salad didn't taste fresh. Scampi was bland. Scallop entry was uninspired. Skip this spot.

Disappointing experience overall. Not a single staff member — including the maître d’ — could confidently recommend a bottle of wine. At this price point and with a fine-dining atmosphere, you’d expect far more knowledge and guidance. Also, don’t stack chairs while patrons are still eating…(it was only 9pm). Should be much better here.

Dean Altschuler

Lamb wasn't hot. After it was microwaved, meat was no longer medium rare.

Nikolas K

Disappointing experience overall. Not a single staff member — including the maître d’ — could confidently recommend a bottle of wine. At this price point and with a fine-dining atmosphere, you’d expect far more knowledge and guidance. Also, don’t stack chairs while patrons are still eating…(it was only 9pm). Should be much better here.

Careful!!!! Got food poisoning in November... Won't go back plenty of other great restaurants in the desert I would trust more.

Terrible customer service. Made a reservation for a business dinner on the night of Valentine’s Day, which required a $50 deposit. On the night of the reservation, I got a call that our reservation was delayed due to rain. As a result, we couldn’t make the dinner so I cancelled. The host who called me assured me that they would refund the deposit, which they never did. When I called back, they refused to refund the deposit. I even spoke with the owner, who was quite rude. Surprised to see this kind of customer service from the owner, especially, when the host had told me previously they would refund the deposit.

Incredible rude attitude. Despite rising covid infections in the area, the waiters are not masked. Being an older individual with compromised immune system, I politely requested that the server please wear a mask. He refused and the owner came to tell that no one masked is available to serve us and we are free to leave. She claimed that 98% of her staff were vaccinated. The simple fact vaccinated person can transmit the virus while being asymptomatic. We left Ofcourse, but are saddened to see such lack of care and empathy for fellow humans in service sector like restaurants. What a shame. We will never support such an establishment.

I was there last friday for an after Thanksgiving dinner with a large group, the owner/manager June i think it is (lady with short brown hair in her 60s) was the most nasty woman i think ive ever experienced while about to dine at a high end restaurant, which is SHOCKING for a place that promotes its self as classy and welcoming. she was rude to three of the men in our party as she ordered them to go back and change to get dress pants on or they would have to leave the facility, SERIOUSLY???? and mind you they were still dressed accordingly for a "classy" dinner. I refused to order and left Jillians after this happened and i will not ever be returning. do your self a favor and go somewhere else that treats you well and respectfully as well as appreciates customers coming in for a nice dinner with family. as this place clearly does not. I predict Jillians will go out of business in recent years to come(probably already is now!). I will be going to sullivans or sirrocos from now on, they are FANTASTIC.

Been looking forward to eating here for weeks, I will say some of the staff is genuinely so nice while some others were a bit rude. The setting was gorgeous. The thing was the food took quite a while and was DISGUSTING, I barely ate any but didn't want to be rude so I just left it. When the owner came out and asked why I didn't like it, I politely explained it was undercooked and just didn't go well together with a bad texture (A ravioli sorta thing). He was very offended and rude, I apologized. Got home, became violently sick shortly after. For the insane prices small portions and mediocre service would definitely never go again, pretty bummed :(

Jillian’s was recommended to us by colleagues in Chicago. I was with two prominent surgeons who just finished speaking at a conference and were too late for our reservation. We excitedly found seats at the bar where we received great service. We asked if we could order food. They said no but would check with the manager. A very attentive hostess came and said they could accommodate us outside at a table. Shortly thereafter, the owner came to us very confrontationally saying she would not accommodate us because we were inconsiderate and missed our reservation. I feel it is significant to mention that both of the doctors I was with were black. We paid our bill, thanked the bartenders for their great service and left. I will NEVER return.

Terrible experience! We were treated very rudely by the owner . We arrived late for a reservation after a medical conference lecture ran late. We accepted having lost our table and were glad to find seats at the bar. The very gracious bar staff informed us they could not serve food at the bar. They spoke with the hostess who offered to find us another table. Suddenly the owner came over and with an awful attitude relayed she could not get us a table because we missed a reservation without calling to let her know! It was clear she was being petty and punitive. I will never go back !

This was my wife’s birthday dinner with friends. Ordered the shaved Brussels sprouts salad and it was dry, hardly any dressing. Then I ordered the swordfish entree. The fish was dry and overcooked. The manager stopped by the table and asked how everything was so I explained the problem with fish and he said nothing, then walked away. My friend ordered the grandmas chicken which was very heavy cheese with little or no flavor. We also pointed this out to the manager and again no response. With so many places to eat in this area….we probably won’t be back

Went there for my 50th. The front of house staff was lovely, but it went downhill from there. The bartender told us to “hurry up and order” because he had another order coming in. My mom asked for water 3x and he told her she’d have to wait. Once we were seated, the waiter kept trying to tell us what to order for appetizers. I shared that I’m lactose intolerant and he practically rolled his eyes. When our shrimp arrived I asked if there was butter and he said- “of course”… I reminded him that I’m lactose intolerant and he brought me another 2 shrimp that he later charged us for. For dessert, I asked if they had anything dairy free (my family and friends wanted to sing happy birthday) and he said there was nothing dairy free, so he just took a tea light and put it in front of me. He didn’t even offer a fruit plate or something slightly festive. To be clear, the food was incredible- some of the best I’ve ever had, but the poor service definitely impacted our experience and we would never go back, nor would we recommend it to anyone. A very dated mindset that doesn’t fly anymore.

Our experience at this restaurant was probably the worst we have ever encountered. Every year we Meet up in Palm Desert with 10 to 15 of our dearest and closest friends. We have been at Jillian’s once before and decided to come here again. Our reservation was for 12 people. The day of our reservation, four of our friends were flying in from Chicago and had flight delays due to weather and were not able to attend. As the evening was approaching, and we knew our friends wouldn’t make it, we let them know about it. They said oh no, that’s OK. Everything is fine. We even suggested they take four of the seats down from our table so it’s not so long. They indicated everything would be fine. At the end of our meal as we received our bill, we noticed there Were four charges for $135 each plus gratuity and the appropriate taxes. We tried to no avail to explain to them what happened to our friends and that this was totally unintentional The staff was very rude and uncompromising with no compassion to our friends situation. I mean, what would they forgive the charges for, if somebody died? Maybe not even then Our bill was well over $3000, what we don’t understand is why would you lose all of the future business from a group of professionals for the amount of money you’re going to make now on the charges for the people not present. They kept saying they sent an email with this information in it. The individual making a reservations, never received it. He had actually gone to the restaurant personally to put down the deposit and make the reservation and was never told about the restaurants, policies, and these additional charges. This should be indicated to every individual that makes a reservation And be stated upfront and very clearly when you call. We have eaten all over the world at Some of the most exclusive restaurants from Paris, London, Belgium, Italy, you name it, and we have never encountered such horrible and rude service and this type of policy. By the way, they expect you to spend at least $250 on your meal per person. we have some vegetarian friends. It was very difficult for them to get to that number. Needless to say, we will never be back. .

A Heartbreaking Valentine’s Dinner at Jillian’s in Palm Desert My husband was promised a very special Valentine’s dinner. What we experienced felt like turnover management disguised as fine dining. For $175 per person (with a $100 prepaid deposit), we expected an intimate, thoughtfully paced evening. Instead, we were seated at a small table in a hallway that served as the primary traffic corridor for guests entering, exiting, and accessing the restrooms — hardly romantic ambiance. A mandatory 20% gratuity was automatically added, yet the service felt rushed and inattentive. Courses were delivered and removed at breakneck speed, often before we had finished. The next plate arrived within minutes. Wine was splashed carelessly into glasses. Our entrées arrived barely warm and mine too rare! After a single bite, I was asked whether I wanted mine boxed. Not once did anyone ask how the meal was. The salad was wilted. Dinner and dessert were served in quick succession, and the final course — a glass of champagne — was delivered long before we had finished the bottle of wine we had ordered, leaving it sitting as we finished our wine. We deliberately took our time to enjoy the wine we had ordered, refusing to rush through it to match the pace at which the food was being pushed out. It felt as though we were being processed rather than hosted. We paid $574.20 for what amounted to a timed dining sprint, and I ultimately brought my entrée home untouched.

We had a reservation for a group of 16 and put down a $200 deposit. The owner claimed that she had sent an email with a food and beverage minimum of $250/person which we did not receive. We would have had to order multiple appetizers, dessert, and beverages in order to meet this minimum. When we arrived, we let them know that four members of our party would not be able to be there, two of which had a delayed flight. We were not informed at that time that they were going to still charge us for those four people. Had they informed us of this fact, we may have just walked out and suffered the $200 deposit loss. Mind you, we never signed a contract. We enjoyed the food, atmosphere and wait staff. We were talking about how much we enjoyed it and we’re planning on returning next year with our same group. I can guarantee you that we will not be returning there after speaking to the owner who was inflexible and seemed to not care that we would not be back.

Dawn LeVine

This was my wife’s birthday dinner with friends. Ordered the shaved Brussels sprouts salad and it was dry, hardly any dressing. Then I ordered the swordfish entree. The fish was dry and overcooked. The manager stopped by the table and asked how everything was so I explained the problem with fish and he said nothing, then walked away. My friend ordered the grandmas chicken which was very heavy cheese with little or no flavor. We also pointed this out to the manager and again no response. With so many places to eat in this area….we probably won’t be back