Alps Village is one the best restaurants in Palm Desert. What to order on its Balkan menu
Ema SasicAlps Village is a family-owned-and-operated restaurant in Palm Desert, and this week, it has made national news: Along with 46 other restaurants, Alps Village was included in the 2024 USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list.
"I really can't believe it. This is amazing news," owner Blanka Sanin said. "Everything we do and serve comes from the heart here."
What makes Alps Village stand out
There's a family connection to almost every aspect of Alps Village. Chef Milka Damjanovic, from former Yugoslavia, worked in German kitchens during the Yugoslavian war in the 1990s, when she experimented with various German flavors. When she returned home, she opened a bakery.
In the early 2000s, her daughter, Blanka Sanin, moved to the United States, and other members of the family followed. With everyone together and with an overwhelming passion for food, the family often treated friends to Balkan delicacies with positive results. Sanin then decided to open Alps Village in 2016, serving dishes from Germany, Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia.
The interior is just bursting with cozy European charm, with wooden tables, barrel-looking chairs and scenic photos of, you guessed it, villages from the Alps. The food, however, takes the top spot. Every item comes from Damjanovic and Sanin's personal recipes, and you can taste the housemade quality in every bite. But don't just take our word for it: The restaurant was one of the highest-rated and best-reviewed businesses on Yelp in 2023.
What's the best restaurant near you?Check out USA TODAY's 2024 Restaurants of the Year.
What to order at Alps Village
Cevapcici. One of the most traditional Balkan meals you can find. These beef sausages (Sanin grounds up the meat herself) are so chewy that they practically melt in your mouth. They're served on a lepina (Balkan pita bread) and with a side of onions and kajmak, the perfect cheesy spread to dip your sausages in.
Jägerschnitzel. There are a variety of wiener schnitzel options on the menu, but the Jägerschnitzel cannot be beat. The breaded cutlet (your choice of pork, chicken or veal) is topped with a mushroom gravy sauce that is rich in flavor. Enjoy with a side of mashed potatoes or spätzle noodles.
Pizza. You can't go wrong with any of Alps Village's pizza selections. The Alps features a unique ingredient combination consisting of alfredo sauce, shredded mozzarella, bacon, caramelized onions, chopped walnuts, arugula and a balsamic glaze that you likely won't find anywhere else. Other standouts include a classic margherita and the Balkan if you're really into cevapcici.
Sljivovic. Alps Village's signature drink is a traditional plum brandy that is popular in the Balkan region.
Did you know?
Open for brunch/lunch: If you're craving Alps Village for more than just dinner, you can join them 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. They're serving up even more unique menu items for early customers, including goulash fries and eggs, a bratwurst sandwich and the Alps omelet.
Details: 77-734 Country Club Drive, Suite F, Palm Desert, CA; 760-200-5400, www.alpsvillage.com.
USA TODAY's Restaurants of the Year:How the list of best restaurants was decided