Dining at La Copine, The Best Restaurant Near Joshua Tree
I have enjoyed some superb dishes at La Copine over the past 12 months, so much, that it has become a mandatory destination while I’m in the High Desert. La Copine, which means girlfriend in French, undoubtedly reigns as the best restaurant in the Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley area. As someone who has made their way to and from Los Angeles and the high desert for the past two decades, it feels like such a treat to enjoy this caliber of food in the vast cactus landscape.
La Copine is located in Flamingo Heights, which is a mere 8-minute drive from The Integratronand about 20 minutes from Joshua Tree. Owned and operated by life partners Claire Wadsworth and Nikki Hill, the airy and light-filled space has been referred to as a queer oasis in the California Desert. Although the nickname was one of the motivating reasons for my first visit, it was the talk of the food, particularly thefried chicken, that was my biggest pull. I was thankful that their no-pretense approach lived up to the hype. As the restaurant’s menu evolves with the seasons, there exists a curiosity of what they’ll create next. As a patron, I look forward to exploring Chef Hill’s new concepts and flavors with each visit.
The Food
At La Copine the kitchen is focused on sustainable Southern California produce with dishes influenced by the American South, North Africa, and the Middle East. We are in good fortune living in California, which ensures that quality restaurants have their pick of farm-fresh fruit and vegetables, critical to a great dining experience.
The Fried Chicken was delicious, the rumors were confirmed. Pipping hot and extra crunchy with each bite, I took great comfort diving into my polenta-mound which played nest to the crispy bird. On my last visit, I was floored by the Mussels Dijonnaise which offered a jus so vibrant I began to fantasize about what other items could be tossed with the liquid. The mussels were lucky to be blessed with a Pernod butter bath, further flavored with fennel, garlic, shallot, dijon, and basil. My grilled baguette took many swims in the warm pool. It was a superb dish! The Crispy Papas tossed in rosemary, lemon aioli, and chives were so delicious it nearly felt criminal. I am prone to moaning when I enjoy a delectable bight and these potatoes had me trembling. C’est magnifique!
Do I dare say desserts steal the show at La Copine? The brunch never misses but the desserts are bewitching. In Spring of last year I devoured an intense Key Lime Pie unlike any that came before it. Served in a cup and topped with strawberries and lightly sweetened cream, these flavors tamed the tart of the lime while creating the perfect marriage of flavors with each spoonful. When I arrived again on New Year’s Eve I set my sights on the Lemon Polenta Cake topped with plums, crème, and hazelnuts and my heart began to sing upon first bite. Lemon makes almost everything taste better, a lesson I’ve learned in my years of dedicated pandemic cooking. What made this cake especially magical was the use of multi-textured ingredients. I had a flashback to the incredible dessert I enjoyed a Mister Jiu’s in San Francisco earlier that year. With both desserts, not one bite was the same as the next. La Copine’s polenta cake was moist and flavorful, the plums enhanced the sweetness while the crème maintained the necessary balance between ingredients. As hazelnuts do, they offered a satisfactory crunch and rich flavor that rounded out the dish. Trés délicieux.
The Scene
From one experienced diner to another, let me exclaim the importance of making a reservation at La Copine. All you have to do is text (preferred) or call 760-289-8537 with your request and the person on the other end will accommodate. Don’t be shy, I can assure you that they are very friendly. I was there on New Year’s Eve and the wait for those without reservations was 2 hours, on the non-holiday weekends, it’s usually 30mins - 1hour. The crowd includes many hat-wearing Angelenos, travelers, and locals alike. As far as vibes, it’s very chill which I appreciate, so leave any bad energy at home. The staff is primarily female or gender-nonconforming which creates an environment I feel most comfortable in. It’s no small feat to create a successful restaurant that also feels like a safe space for those who live outside the status quo. For this, I am appreciative.
Price & Service
Beer $7, Cocktails $14, All other beverages under $5
Mains $16 - $27, Sides $4 - $10
All of the servers I’ve had the pleasure of meeting have been smart, kind, and funny – they’re also working incredibly hard in a restaurant that doesn’t seem to slow down. I must continue to urge you to be extra kind to the waitstaff and to tip properly. People are working to feed you during a global pandemic and that is difficult on all fronts.
Location
La Copine
848 Old Woman Springs Rd
Yucca Valley, CA 92284-1503
+1 760 289 8537
