What: Pork belly crispy rice
Where: TRIO, 707 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
How much: $16
Contact: 760-864-8746; triopalmsprings.com.
Why: The mixture of tastes and textures.
Foodies are a fickle bunch. Take TRIO as an example: When I moved here 13 years ago, TRIO—which opened its doors in 2009—was one of the hottest places in Palm Springs. In the years since, the restaurant’s popularity has waxed and waned, as new restaurants have opened, and food trends have come and gone.
Whether you’re someone who used to go to TRIO frequently, or you’re someone who has never been, trust me: Under the direction of executive chef Gladis Lizarraga and new-ish owner Chris McElroy, the restaurant is as good as ever—and you really need to give it a shot.
The pork belly crispy rice, on the appetizer portion of the menu, is a perfect illustration of the great things happening in TRIO’s kitchen. The dish’s base is, as the name suggests, crispy rice—and each individual grain has an amazing crunch. Slightly pickled pieces of cucumber add a cool freshness. Finally, chunks of oh-so-yummy pork belly top things off, complemented by ginger, herbs, cilantro, peanuts and a hint of Thai chili (though the dish is not spicy at all). The dish is delicious to the point of being addictive.
Elsewhere on TRIO’s menu, you’ll find other unique starters (with an endorsement within this endorsement going to the Japanese A5 beef carpaccio, $28), salads, pasta dishes (with pasta made fresh in-house daily) and a variety of entrees ranging from a splendid braised short rib ($42) to a smashburger ($25). The daily happy hour offers nice discounts (including $2 off the pork belly crispy rice!).
TRIO has now been around for more than 16 years—but the food coming out of the kitchen is anything but stale; in fact, it’s well-thought-out and innovative.