Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge

Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge Restaurant Review:

Named for its Palm Springs address in the swanky Uptown Design District, Eight4Nine occupies what once was the city’s post office, circa 1950. And, yes, it has a very mid-century vibe, without the institutional feeling associated with a former government building. Décor features the whitest of walls, furniture and textiles offset by an occasional burst of hot pink and lots of glass accents. The menu is dubbed "West Coast modern," with small plates from land and sea coupled with larger portion entrées. Shoyu pork belly, a starter, is nicely presented but a bit overcooked, while the Muscat pear salad offered a sweet and savory balance with blue cheese and toasted hazelnuts. Crispy Sonoma duck breast wasn’t all that crispy, while grass-fed New York steak hit all the marks with a red wine reduction. There are plenty of desserts, including a shareable apricot salted caramel and bacon bread pudding --- the evening’s wild card hit. Eight4Nine also offers a four-course dinner for $44, as well as a bar menu. The wine list and cocktail offerings are decent, too.