The dish on what's hot in Coachella Valley take-out

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While not everyone has been in the same boat during the pandemic, all have been through the same storm and Greater Palm Springs-area residents have known through it all what they wanted for dinner.

That has been a constant even more than a year into the pandemic, Liz Ostoich, who co-owns sister restaurants Farm and Tac/Quila in Palm Springs with husband Mark, told Desert Magazine.

"Some of the pandemic takeout favorites are the seafood specialties," Ostoich said. "People are trying to shed the quarantine 15, so the seared Ahi salad, the trio of ceviche, and the do-it-yourself lobster tail tacos are probably the biggest hits. Fresh, light and flavorful!"

FARM, a Provencal-style cafe in a quieter portion of the La Plaza Shopping Center in downtown Palm Springs, provides an outdoor patio and indoor dining, complete with fireplaces.

Over at Eight4Nine, on North Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, area diners haven't gotten enough of the signature Eight4Nine Burger, made from beef tenderloin, Beecher's white cheddar, butter lettuce, ripe tomato, all on a brioche bun. Eight4Nine's Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl, house-made kimchi, green onion, ginger, cucumber, carrot, avocado, steamed brown rice, and miso ginger, and the Eight4Nine Cobb Salad, house-smoked chicken, applewood bacon, shaft’s blue cheese, tomato, farm egg, crisp greens, and fresh herbs, also have been very popular throughout the pandemic.

Eight4Nine is a contemporary eatery with refined "New American" cuisine co-owned and operated by Willie Rhine and John Paschal.

It has been about comfort food for patrons of Jake's on North Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, co-owned by Chris Malm and Bruce Bloch.

"Our lobster promotions, our barbecue promotions where we create different barbecue styles from different regions of the USA, and Spaghetti and Meatball Wednesday," Malm said.

Jake's offers hearty portions of many comfort food favorites in a relaxed space that includes a courtyard.

For dessert, it's hard to beat what The Slice, a New York-style pizzeria ristorante in Rancho Mirage has to offer.

"One of our most increased menu items during this pandemic is our 'Auntie Rosie' homemade desserts," Jack Srebnik, who partners with Ellen Spencer at The Slice and Todd Flood at Maracas on South Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, told Desert Magazine.

Of course, all the pizza and salad -- "especially our chopped salad in addition to our Korean bowl" -- and pastas that feature homemade sauces have also been popular, Srebnik said.