Wilma & Frieda's Expands 'Comfort' Zone to Dinner

Menu introduces new dishes, expounds on others

Lori Cohen-Sanford Restaurants, Watch & Listen - Restaurants

 

Serving up comfort food with a contemporary culinary twist for over two years, Wilma & Frieda’s Cafe has become a bastion for breakfast and lunch at the Gardens on El Paseo shopping center.

Owner Kelly McFall opened the restaurant with her brother and Mom to offer a dining experience that, “takes childhood food memories as they should have been and then amping them up to an adult profile.”

McFall believes that thoughtfully prepared food, personal service and a special atmosphere draws customers in and keeps them coming back. Chef Chad Spears talks about the new After Dark Dinner menu at Wilma & Frieda and prepares one of the signature menu items, Pecan Crusted Mahi over Moroccan Cous Cous.

 

VIDEO: Chef Chad Spears prepares Pecan Crusted Mahi over Moroccan Cous Cous.

 

Kelly and Chef Chad both agree that it is a natural transition to offer dinner. Wilma & Frieda fans filled seats this past season at special event, fixed-course dinners offered to coincide with the popular Concert Series at The Gardens at El Paseo.

 

photo by john paschal

The dinner version of Meatloaf is enhanced with a Cheddar Mornay Sauce that is a creamy, silky and rich version of traditional gravy.

 

The newly launched dinner menu “@ Dark” is consistent with the popularity of menu items that take ingredients traditionally served for dinner and spin them into breakfast.

Top selling breakfast orders include the Short Ribs Benedict, Surf & Turf Benedict (with poached lobster) and French Toast Bread Pudding.

 

photo by john paschal

Fork-tender, richly flavored, beef short-ribs instantly transport you to childhood family dinners done right.

 

Entrees include soup or salad with ample portioning that diners have come to expect from the restaurant, ranging from $25 – $32.

 

photo by john paschal

The Pecan-Crusted Mahi “swims” between the currents of light and hearty.

 

For customers who may want to indulge on the lighter side, small plates are offered for $8 and a selection of salads can pair to make a memorable meal.  Signature desserts have been newly added to the tantalizing menu of sweet treats.

 

photo courtesy of wilma & frieda's cafe

This dessert has local leanings. The sweetness of the Sticky Date Pudding is derived from dates sourced from Bautista Date Farm in Coachella.

 

Erica Powell will be featured regularly on weekends with an eclectic mix of contemporary and traditional harp music.

Reservations are suggested and can be made online. As the sun dips behind the mountains earlier, Wilma & Frieda @ Dark is serving up contemporary comfort food that invites you to linger and enjoy to the last forkful.

Wilma & Frieda's Cafe, 73575 El Paseo  Palm Desert, 760-773-2807; www.wilmafrieda.com

 

Lori Cohen-Sanford is a private/personal chef, cooking class instructor and owner of Nourishfoods Organic Meal Services www.nourishfoods.biz. Tastes Around Town will appear weekly on Wednesdays. Follow her on Twitter @nourishfoodsps.

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