About Us
Al dente Trattoria–a Palm Springs institution since 1993.
Bringing the warmth and flavors of Tuscany to the desert for over 30 years.
The restaurant was born from a dream shared by Bobby and Kendra Riccio, a belief that great Italian food, genuine hospitality, and a warm table could make any evening unforgettable. Bobby was a Palm Springs original in every sense: larger than life, endlessly generous, and deeply rooted in this community. He and Kendra built Al dente from the ground up on North Palm Canyon Drive, and his spirit has lived in every plate that has left this kitchen ever since.
Bobby passed away in 2004, but his legacy endures in the restaurant he loved. Today, Kendra proudly carries the tradition forward alongside Executive Chef Oscar Cardenas and a team that treats every guest like a regular. The menu is rooted in Tuscan-inspired recipes, housemade sauces, and carefully sourced ingredients, served the way Italian food is meant to be experienced: unhurried, generous, and shared. Inside the dining room, a small plaque bears Bobby's name, a quiet reminder of where it all began and who made it possible. We are not a chain. We are not a trend. We are Palm Springs' Italian restaurant.
