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"A Los Angeles Italian staple, Porta Via has been on a tear of late — moving from an always-there neighborhood spot with a touch of celebrity love to a growing brand with newer outposts in Pacific Palisades and Calabasas — and has now expanded to tony Palm Desert with a location that opened last month. The leafy, woody restaurant offers outdoor dining and bold emerald-green interior touches; the group keeps much the same menu, with lunch and dinner spreads that include shrimp cocktails, beef carpaccio, signature salads, mains like spaghetti and steaks, and a caviar service. I note the Palm Desert hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., with weekend brunch starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday at 73100 El Paseo." - Farley Elliott