Kestrel A Richard Blais Kitchen + Lounge

Loved, loved, absolutely LOVED our Kestrel experience last weekend! Chef Blais was not there but the staff was superb, the food exquisite, and the ambience stellar. I had the seabass with curry which was velvety smooth with rich flavor. We WILL BE returning to share the experience with my parents and sister.

We had the most amazing time here for dinner. We sat outside on the patio with an incredible view and had the best experience. I never fill out these forms, but our server Mo was so impeccable and the food and ambiance was so impressive that we had to share. Great vibe, great food, amazing service — what more could you want? We’ll be back!

I had been wanting to try this since the remodel and addition of top chef winner Richard Blais. It did not disappoint. The room was lovely and our food delicious. I had the smash burger with fries and she had fish tacos. We both loved our meal. Servers were attentive, and the price was reasonable. I will definitely return…

We came for Chef Richard Blais food and stayed longer for the service. Customer service can break or make a restaurant visit. We visited Kestrel this oast Saturday, May 31, 2025. This visit is memorable not just because of the amazing food but also because the service transformed into a perfect example of human kindness when it transcended the transactional nature of business and connects with customers on a deeply empathetic and human level, regardless of race, economic status, etc. Our waitress, Coreena, a sweet, hard-working woman, delivered a superb service along with Tony, a dining room server with a friendliest and humble disposition, made this one of those moments you'll never forget.

Pretty views and ambiance. Great attention to detail and decor. Amazing service and team effort... Justina and Anthony are super awesome!! We are local, and will be back. -Was a an incredible first visit!! The food is of course, top notch! The sea bass, crab cakes, poke bowl, caesar salad, carrot cake, and craft cocktails; are all so gooooood!! Thanks again!! Hope to see you soon. Update 6/16/2025: Never cease to amaze us. Refreshing watermelon gazpacho. Incredibly light and fluffy deviled eggs. The sea bass is to die for... Have it every time I'm here. Thanks Tommy, Anthony, Justina! (And the whole crew!!) -You're awesome! Keep it up through our slow summers! See you very soon 🤗. Amazing Brunch too!! A must have Sunday staple! Excellent job! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well, we've been back a few times now, And WOW 😲! ... They never cease to amaze us. The dinners and Mother's Day brunch we've been to, are off the hook! Many thanks to Michelle, Tommy, Anthony, Mo, Justina, and the whole team 🙏🏼. And thank you Mr. Blais... For an incredible dining experience. -Keep it up! We'll make sure everyone knows of your strong presence in the valley!! So glad you're here. Incredible ambience, service, and food. Appreciate you! See you soon.

I rarely give 5-star reviews, but Kestrel: A Richard Blais Kitchen absolutely earns it. From the moment I walked in, the service was warm and attentive without being overbearing. Every dish was creative, beautifully presented, and bursting with flavor—you can tell there’s real passion behind the menu. And I have to mention my new favorite cocktail, the Kestrel 75—perfectly balanced, refreshing, and the kind of drink you can’t stop thinking about. The stylish atmosphere, incredible food, and thoughtfully crafted drinks make this a must-visit.

Came to Kestrel’s twice on our trip to the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells. Excellent atmosphere, service and food both times! Can’t remember the name of our server the first night, but both he and Mo were excellent, attentive and professional. Food was top notch and the chef was able to modify a meal for me to make it nursing mom friendly. Had a group of 14 the second time and we all left extremely satisfied. All the apps are worth ordering and sharing with the table. Would highly recommended and wish we lived closer (Toronto, Canada is too far away)!

We came as residents of the area and fans of Blais. It was a beautiful experience sitting at the bar and having delicious food and conversation with our bartender, Candace J.! She made terrific recommendations and was on top of everything in a professional and friendly way. We will be back to meet Blais and visit Candace soon!