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Mexican, Seafood Pasta, and Sushi Bar

In 2005, when the Gutierrez brothers, Owner Ernesto and Executive Chef Lorenzo, took over the former Otani Japanese Restaurant to convert it to a Mexican restaurant, there was something they hadn’t anticipated: respected Master Sushi Chef Shinichi Yoshikawa and the fabled sushi bar. It would be like uprooting a beautiful tree.

So they expanded the restaurant’s concept to international cuisine from different continents. In addition to the Gutierrez brothers’ authentic Mexican cuisine and Shin’s famous sushi, Margarita’s also offers a Mediterranean-influenced seafood pasta bar. Each of the cuisines is prepared in separate kitchen areas.

Conveniently located in central Palm Springs near the Palm Springs Convention Center, Margarita’s is a favorite for families, groups, and conventioneers because here they can have the best of several cuisines — steak and lobster, scampi, sushi, enchiladas, tacos, and tamales.

The Gutierrez brothers and General Manager Arturo Gonzalez, have more than 30 years’ experience at a variety of desert restaurants.

Margarita’s architecture and décor reflects the Asian influence: a high-pitched bamboo and beamed ceiling, stone floor, terrazzo-topped central sushi bar, and copper-and-teak framed Japanese “roof” over the pasta bar. Wicker and wrought iron furnish indoor and palapas-covered outdoor patio dining areas. A pub-style bar and lounge off the entrance has several flat-screen TVs for comfortable sports watching.

Enjoy live music by Juracho Kings mariachis Thursdays and Sundays, and jazz musician Michael Bolivar on Fridays and Saturdays, 7 to 11 p.m. Happy hour daily from 3 to 6 p.m. offers special drink and appetizer prices.

Open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. until closing. Sunday brunch, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., offers a little bit of the entire menu.

“Savor the food of three great continents under one roof.”

By Pamela Bieri