Wally's Desert Turtle
71-775 Hwy. 111 (Rancho Las Palmas Dr.)
Send to Phone
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
760-568-9321 | Make Restaurant Reservations
Cuisine
Open
Dinner nightlyFeatures
- Heart-healthy dishes
- Romantic setting
- Kid-friendly
- Private room(s)
- Full bar
- Reservations suggested
- Entertainment
- Outdoor dining
- Parking available
- Casual dressy
Wine
Great Wine List* Click here for rating key
| Wally’s Desert Turtle is the namesake of Wally Botello, who built the restaurant in 1978. Son Michael carries on the family tradition with as much aplomb as he might carry a delicate objet d’art. Executive chef Pascal Lallemand upholds the restaurant’s tradition with a lovingly executed menu that makes choices difficult. For hors d’oeuvres, should it be the sautéed sweetbreads with polenta or the pan-seared Maine scallops with plantain fritters, mango, pepper and cilantro relish? As a main course, do you opt for the Provimi veal scaloppine with risotto and lemon caper sauce; the roasted duck breast with medjool date sauce; or the imported Dover sole, either amandine or meunière? One of the delights of the menu is the way Lallemand keeps the basics constant but plays with the accompaniments to keep the dishes vibrant. The sweets may be an easier choice if you take the recommendation of the pastry chef and try one of the six soufflés. But then you’d miss that blast from the past, the baked Alaska. Wine choices are equally challenging, as Wally’s has a list of more than 200 selections. If you're looking for buzz, then this isn't your place, but the food is impressive and that trumps everything. |
Top 40 Restaurants
Once a year, we examine the best of the best, and compile our list of the Top 40 Restaurants in the country, featured in our Annual Restaurant Edition. Also check out the Top 40 Cheap Eats, and Best Restaurateur of the Year.
Cook Up a Storm
What's for dinner tonight? Or for your dinner party this weekend? Check out our recipe section to find healthy meals such as Broccoli Rabe Soup and sweet treats like Dark Chocolate Dipped Pineapple with Pistachio.
Taco Truck Trend
A phenomenon that started in East Los Angeles is sweeping the nation: food trucks are emerging from coast to coast, offering Korean tacos, French take-away and even gourmet desserts.
Latest Cookbooks
Whenever a chef or important food personality publishes a new book, we are among the first to review it. Find out what's worth whisking around with our cookbook reviews!

RESTAURANT AWARDS
Just published! Our annual restaurant issue features the Best Cheap Eats and our Top 40 U.S. selections, including including Corton in New York and more!















