Riccio’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant
495 N. Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA

Story by Lisa Robyn Lawrence
Photos by Allen Lawrence

Ever feel like dining alfresco on a beautiful, sultry, romantic desert afternoon or evening? It doesn’t get much better than at Riccio’s Steak and Seafood, located at 495 N. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, on the corner of North Palm Canyon and Alejo. Brothers, Danny and Rick Riccio and their respective wives’ Roseann and Linda have created a very cozy, elegant yet casual restaurant right in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. Riccio’s Steak and Seafood where you can dine either indoor or outdoors on Riccio’s romantic, lantern-lit patio under the desert’s breathtaking evening sky. The restaurant’s interior ambiance was specifically designed and decorated to convey its inviting, Mediterranean, casual elegance to enhance your dining pleasure.

Riccio’s offers a sumptuous selection of Mediterranean seafood and meat specialties, grilled and prepared to perfection. As you enter the restaurant you are welcomed by the friendly faces of Heather Riccio and Cindy Recio, or chefs Danny Riccio and Nino DiSalvo as they take time out of the kitchen.

Danny and Rick Riccio grew up in the restaurant business when their parents opened the original Riccio’s Italian Restaurant thirty years ago. Danny started his culinary career at a tender age working in a pizza parlor in the Bronx in New York. Later, after the family moved to the desert, for the summer months Danny worked in restaurants in Italy. From there, he worked with other chefs, learning their culinary skills, which he has incorporated into his own and Rick’s pride, Ricco’s Steak and Seafood.

Riccio’s menu offers many irresistibly, tempting appetizers, crisp unique salads, and sumptuous main dishes including pasta specialties, delectable seafood and savory meat choices

You can start your meal with one of their flavorful salads. One favorite is their fresh Spinach and Jicama Salad with candied walnuts, it not only looks beautiful, it tastes heavenly. Or, if you prefer, you can try one of their seafood starters such as: a Lobster Martini, Oysters on the Half Shell, Mussels and Clams, Shrimp Louie, Artichoke and Crab Dip, or Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes. If there are two of you and you want a very special or a romantic treat you will want to try Riccio’s Seafood Platter for Two, a tempting  seafood afficionado’s palate pleaser. The presentation of this platter for two is beautifully done with groupings of delectable clams, oysters, calamari, shrimp and king crab legs cradled on a platter over a bed of chopped ice. Truly a feast for the eyes and a meal in itself. If you are not a seafood lover, then you will love their Veggie Spring Rolls or Carpaccio, aged, thinly sliced beef, field greens, and thinly shaved parmigiana cheese. If you choose not to start with a salad or an appetizer, then try their Lobster Bisque; you will not be disappointed.
 
There are many delightful entrees to choose from and they all come with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes and Fresh Vegetables of the Day. A local favorite is the Mediterranean Mixed Grill, a medley of shrimp, scallops, salmon with either half of a lobster tail or king crab legs served over a bed of pasta, bathed sin Riccio seafood sauce. So very tasty. Add a glass of Chardonnay and it is molto buono. If you must have pasta then try their Linguine with Clams, Fettuccine Alfredo, or Rustic Cioppino, one of my true favorites.

If you like a great steak then you must try the “Cowboy Steak,” a 14-16 oz bone in rib-eye grilled to your perfection. Add a glass of Zinfandel for a real treat. Riccio’s offers four other steaks including a lavish Porterhouse, a Petite Filet, and a larger Filet Mignon for the heartier appetite.

If these treats are not what you are in the mood for, then you might try the Catch of the Day, or the Veal Chop, Pork Chop, Rack of Lamb, Chicken Breast, Ahi Steak, Salmon Steak, Broiled Scallops, Shrimp Scampi, Maine Lobster Tail or another one of our favorites Paella. Each dish is prepared to your taste and for you personally by Chefs Danny Riccio and Nino DiSalvo. Believe me, no one will go home hungry from Riccio’s.

While Riccio’s appetizers, salads, soups and entrees are ambrosial, trust me, you must leave room for their magnificent home made cakes. Your server will surely tempt you with a platter of samples of these mouth-watering delights created fresh in Riccio’s kitchen. There is the beautiful “Lemon Cake”, which goes so well with a “Lemoncello” aperitif, or the extravagant “Cassata Cake” (Italian Wedding Cake) perhaps with a little port wine. Let’s not forget their unique “Tiramisu Cake” as it is surely a big local favorite. All breads and pastries are made in-house along with flan and crème brûlées. The desserts do change weekly, so don’t miss out on these luscious treats.

Take a little vacation from shopping and the hustle-bustle of downtown Palm Springs to enjoy a delectable and glorious dining experience at Riccio’s Steak and Seafood. Riccio’s is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week from 11:00 AM to closing. Riccio’s offers a full bar serving wonderful mixed drinks, the finest of local and imported beers and wines. Danny told us, that his philosophy is, “I will never turn any patron away even if they come in at the end of the evening. We love all of our customers, after all if they have the good taste to choose us, they can’t be wrong.”

Call 760-325-3111 for reservations or information.

Riccio’s Steak and Seafood offers: take-out, banquet, and catering services. Of course, cash and all credit cards are accepted. Riccio’s Steak and Seafood is a family affair, come join their family and dine with Danny, Rick, Roseann, Linda, Heather, Nino, Cindy and the rest.

To visit Riccio's Steak and Seafood Official Web Site, click here.