What: Overstuffed bacon and eggs
Where: Shorebird, 73061 El Paseo, Palm Desert
How much: $12
Contact: 760-404-0455; shorebirdrestaurant.com
Why: It’s a unique twist on a classic treat.
Ah, the deviled egg. It’s an all-American appetizer classic—a staple at potlucks and summer barbecues across the country.
But you’ve almost certainly never seen deviled eggs like the ones on the menu at Shorebird, a newer “coastal” restaurant located at The Shops on El Paseo. These overstuffed eggs are tall, stacked with a swirled mixture of egg, celery, bacon, chives and paprika. Additionally, each of the four pieces is affixed to the plate with yet more of that egg mixture.
The egg concoction is well-seasoned and delicious, if slightly grainy, while bits of wonderful crispy bacon are sprinkled on the top of each egg and all around the plate. While I suppose individuals with large mouths could eat an entire egg with one bite, I would not advise it; instead, I recommend grabbing a spoon—and having at it.
The Palm Desert spot is the third Shorebird location, following Newport Beach and Sedona, with a fourth soon to come in San Diego. In addition to starters, soups, salads and sandwiches, offerings include taco platters, meats prepared over “almond wood fire,” a handful of cooked seafood dishes, raw oysters, and a variety of sushi, including rolls, sashimi and nigiri. (An endorsement within an endorsement goes to the carne adovada taco platter, featuring Santa Fe-style smoked pork shoulder; boy, it was tasty.)
The management at Shorebird has their work cut out for them, to make the place stand out among the plethora of meat-and-seafood spots on El Paseo. However, I really enjoyed our recent dinner visit. The service was top-notch; the vibe was slightly upscale yet casual—and those eggs were both enjoyable and unique.
