Il Corso Il Corso
73520 El Paseo, Ste. B (San Pablo Ave.)
Palm Desert, CA 92660
760-341-6700
Map
Cuisine: Italian
Authentic Italian cooking in a modern, organic setting on El Paseo.
Openings: Lunch & Dinner daily
Il Corso, Palm Desert, CA


Il Corso Restaurant Review:


Il Corso, a project from executive chef Mario Marfia (Tiramisu Ristorante Italiano) and developer John Wessman, is located along the El Paseo shopping district in Palm Desert. Tables on the sidewalk patio allow prime people-watching, while the high-ceilinged space inside encompasses a bar, main dining area, private room, glassed-in wine cellar and a marble dining counter facing the open kitchen. Natural materials of stone and wood are used to wonderful effect --- kudos to master craftsman Paul Kaufmann on his woodworking. Spherical lights made by graypants from repurposed cardboard are another interesting touch. The congenial staff is quite proud of the food here --- and rightly so, as they deliver authentic Italian cuisine at a great value. Tuna carpaccio with chopped onions, capers and arugula makes for a light starter before digging into homemade pastas like pappardelle with veal ragu or wood-fired pizzas. A fine specimen is the Calabrese topped with San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and spicy salami. Marfia also presents specials such as sand dabs. For dessert, you'll find a perfectly executed tiramisu among other classics. The wine program includes pricey labels like Ornellaia. There's also more than a dozen signature cocktails and martinis.