Indio, California: A new restaurant opened very near the Motorcoach Country Club a few months ago, at the corner of Jefferson and Avenue 50. We saw the signs being installed on a vacated storefront in the strip mall of the Ralph's shopping center -HEIRLOOM CRAFT KITCHEN. Was this to be a restaurant? A kitchen store? A little Googling discovered Heirloom Craft Kitchen was to be a restaurant and was owned by Chef Andie Hubka - who also operates the popular Cork & Fork wine bar in La Quinta.
We have now visited Heirloom Craft Kitchen several times. The menu is quite hip - more Los Angeles than La Quinta - with many vegetarian and vegan items, kid-friendly options and a decent selection of beer and wine.
This is a counter-service joint: you order at the counter, are given a number, and the food is delivered to your table, adorned with baskets of paper napkins and cutlery. The interior of the restaurant is new and shiny, simple and inviting. Two walls are windows, so there is a lot of light. The staff are very friendly and helpful.
Truffle Tots (Parmesan, Fresh Herbs, Truffle Aioli) $6
Heirloom Craft Kitchen features "small plate" items, salads, things to share, flatbread pizzas, a daily quiche, and more substantial sandwiches. There are many vegetarian items and a very good selection of vegan-friendly options. Brunch on the weekends.
But how is the food? We have been to the restaurant with meat-eaters and vegetarians and kids, so have sampled a good selection of the menu by now:
SMOKED CHICKEN SALAD: Arugula, avocado, grapes, toasted almonds, white balsamic - $11.Very good. Very fresh. Very large.
Heirloom Tomato and Basil Flatbread: $11. The bread is soft, so not like pizza at all,but loaded with fancy tomatoes, mozzarella and pesto.
AVOCADO TOAST: $8. Come on, everyone, this is SoCal. Avocado toast is everywhere.Their version was quite tangy with plenty of lemon, arugula micro-greens and flaked sea salt,
served on thick slices of very good bread.
Heirloom Tomato Salad: $11. Fresh tomatoes, sandwiched between burrata, drizzled with chive oil, balsamic - topped with basil chiffonade and flaky salt.
From the photos above, it is easy to see Heirloom Craft Kitchen is a great place for a fresh, light meal - and wonderful if you are with a group and are able to share many menu items. But what if you want something more meaty?
The Heirloom Burger ($12) has aged cheddar, house pickles, cabernet onions, shredded lettuce secret sauce and is served on a brioche bun. Super delicious. Super Huge.CONS: Some (just a little) wasteful single-use plastic items, and I was a little confused about whether we were supposed to clear our own table (or not) after eating.
PROS: Good, fresh food at reasonable prices. Considering the local clientele, Heirloom Craft Kitchen should thrive due to all the fresh, healthy items on their menu. And, since the menu changes, we can only expect more delicious items to appear seasonally. Helpful, accommodating staff. Free parking.
Heirloom Craft Kitchen
49990 Jefferson, Suite #100 (Jefferson & Ave 50)
Indio, CA 92201
760.773.2233
HOURS: Tues-Fri 11a-8p; Sat 9a-8p; Sun 9a-3p
Closed Mondays
Until my next update, I remain, your truffled correspondent.
RV PARK: The Motorcoach Country Club