29 Palms Inn

We went in expecting a small-town restaurant and were surprised by how gourmet the menu felt. My salmon green curry was delicious, and everyone in my family enjoyed their meals, including those who don't need gluten-free food. There were plenty of gluten-free choices, and the host, servers, and kitchen staff knew their stuff. They even had a homemade vegan gluten-free brownie for dessert, which was amazing. Service was great, and there was live music on Friday night. We were visiting on vacation, but we'd absolutely return.

The outdoor setting is unusual and lovely, and it made the evening feel special. The food was pretty good, though the appetizer seemed small for the price. Unfortunately, our meal arrived cold despite the restaurant not being busy, and the service was an epic failure. Our glasses stayed empty for a long time, and after we finished eating, the dishes remained on the table while we talked. With a mandatory 20% gratuity for our party of six, I expected at least the basics from our waitress. I'd still suggest giving this unique place a try if you're in the 29 Palms area. The atmosphere saved the score, which really should have been about 3.5. Hopefully you have a better experience.

I had the prickly pear burger, and the vegetables in it came from the gardens. Afterward, I walked around the gardens and oasis. The place is peaceful and quiet, and feels truly one of a kind.

The order took a while and came out wrong, although the food did taste very good once it arrived. What really spoiled the meal was hearing a female employee belittle a younger male employee. I couldn't enjoy my food after that. I expected better from Twentynine Palms inn, given the reviews and what other people had said. I'm local to Yucca Valley and had come with friends. I didn't get the employee's name, but I think it was Lily or Lucy. Please make sure your employees do better. If staff can't keep up at least the appearance of friendliness, they shouldn't be working there. I didn't bring it up at the business because I didn't want to embarrass myself or my friends during a night out, so I'm sorry to leave this as a public review.