Trattoria Mezzomondo
Luba and Elio Cavallari bring the flavors of Northern Italy to the desert at Trattoria Mezzomondo, which they opened in 2018 after decades in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley. Elio’s cooking favors creamier sauces, porcini mushrooms, and spices like saffron, with housemade pastas including ravioli, gnocchi, and pappardelle. Specials often reflect inspirations from the couple’s travels — turmeric in chicken piccata or quail eggs in carbonara — and keep diners coming back for something new. The restaurant has developed a devoted following, with many regulars booking months ahead to savor Elio’s inventive Northern Italian fare.
73850 Highway 111, Palm Desert
760-636-0575
SPONSORED
Bellatrix Restaurant & Wine Bar
The Tuscan-inspired clubhouse restaurant at Palm Desert’s Classic Club, elevates country club dining with bold, seasonal cuisine. Executive chef Jose Torres emphasizes vibrant presentation, local sourcing and inventive techniques, including molecular gastronomy. The menu highlights seafood such as branzino and scallops, alongside house-baked breads. New themed dinners debut in fall 2025, while monthly wine lunches and biannual expos showcase global wines and unexpected proteins. Sweeping golf course and mountain views complete the experience.
75200 Classic Club Blvd., Palm Desert
760-601-3690
Dining and Cooking