The Nest
Legendary Local Favorite, Romantic Dining

The popular piano bar at The Nest features Tim Burleson, who wows an enthusiastic audience with his extensive repertoire.

For more than 40 years, The Nest has been a popular gathering spot attracting the country club set with its lively piano bar, good food at reasonable prices, and casual bistro-style charm. The piano bar’s reputation for romantic rendezvous among singles 40 and older is legendary. Since 1993, piano man Tim Burleson has kept the music pumping with jazz, doo wop, rock, and standards inviting folks to sing along.

When The Nest opened in 1966 — the only watering hole between Palm Desert and Indio at the time — it quickly gained its frolicking reputation frequented by Hollywood celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack. The Nest was soon the place to stop by after the Bob Hope Classic where you might spot Hope, Arnold Palmer, Gene Autry, Clint Eastwood, Johnny Mathis, Jack Jones, and many others.

The Hane family bought the business in 1979, nurturing the iconic restaurant with delicious European-style food, upbeat service, and, of course, the piano bar. French-born Chef Michelle Schenker has been the master behind The Nest’s country French bistro cuisine for the last 27 years. Schenker’s classic touch is tasted throughout every course from the famous tureen of daily homemade soup, house salad, and entrée, down to the garden fresh vegetables. Daily, “What the help ate” ranges from Prime Rib on Saturday night to Chicken Cacciatore, and Veal Loaf.

The Nest serves one of the valley’s finest and most reasonably priced Early Bird spreads from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily, featuring the pasta of the day, the Fresh Seafood Catch of the day, or meat entrée, including Baby Back Ribs on Friday and Prime Rib on Saturday, all of which are served with soup, salad, a basket of homemade bread and ice cream. Is there any better reason to start your evening early?

Red-and-white Cinzano umbrellas hanging from the ceiling, worn brick walls with trellis-covered windows, black-and-white marble tables, and twisted rabbit-ear napkins in wines glasses add to its unique bistro décor. Unpretentious, warm, and relaxed, The Nest is open during the season for lunch Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and nightly for dinner from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. The piano bar is open until 12 a.m. Reservations suggested for parties ten or more.

SHOWN ABOVE: Two of the classic menu items are Medallions of Beef with fresh mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables in garlic butter; and The Nest’s famous black iron tureen of soup, shown here with creamy watercress soup. The suggested wine is Mondavi Family Vineyards, Wilderness Canyon, Merlot, 2004. Happy staff members are Servers Colleen Jacklin and Angela Tortula, Hostess Melanie Reed, and Server Raul Martin.

“A legendary local favorite since Frank Sinatra’s days at the bistro and piano bar.”

MENU HIGHLIGHTS

APPETIZERS
Crab Cakes
Escargots
Garlic Bread

ENTRÉES
Three-course dinner with daily homemade soup and salad, fresh vegetables, bread, butter, napkin, and a warm handshake!
Filet of Sole
Cannelloni with Spinach and Ricotta
Grilled Lamb Loin
Pork Tenderloin
Chicken Parmesan
Veal Piccata
Petit Filet Mignon with Crab Cake
Prime New York Steak

DESSERTS
Bread Pudding with Amaretto Cream Sauce
Cappuccino Ice Cream
Spumoni Ice Cream

BEST OF THE CELLAR

RED WINES
Castillo D’Albola
Chianti Classico Riserva
Mac Murray Ranch Pinot Noir
J. Phelps Insignia
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon

WHITE WINES
Cakebread Chardonnay
Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay
Zenato Pinot Grigio

THE NEST
75-188 HIGHWAY 111
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA 92210
(760) 346-2314

More Information - Websites, Maps and Directions

BY PAMELA BIERI
PHOTOGRAPHY: ARTHUR COLEMAN / ASSISTANT: TIM CARTER
FOOD STYLIST: ROLAND BIERI