Jill Weinlein
Greater Palm Springs restaurants and resorts are excitedly preparing for Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week. It begins on June 3 through June 12, 2022, offering 10 days of special prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus throughout 9 city oasis. Set prices range from $15 to $35 during lunch with 2+ menu items, and $39 to $59 per person during a 3+ dinner.
Many of the participating restaurants work with local farmers including Aziz Farms and JR Enterprises for the freshest dates, vegetables and fruit.
Jill Weinlein
For a relaxing desert getaway this summer, the newly renovated Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells, provides a California vibe with spacious mid-century designed guestrooms. Step out onto a balcony overlooking the inviting sand entrance swimming pool. Near the pool, dine at the farm-to-table restaurant at CAVA to take in the Santa Rosa Mountain views, while enjoying American cuisine and refreshing beverages.
Walk down the steps of the lobby to ‘The Place’ offering a cocktail lounge under a soaring ceiling with festive lighting. Sip a craft cocktail and order light bites, before dining at the casual GLO Sushi restaurant. Chefs Shin and Chai prepare an array of creative fresh sushi, sashimi, and signature rolls to enjoy with a variety of sake options.
Jill Weinlein
A local favorite, owner Tony Marchese welcomes Executive Chef Phillip Martin to TRIO in the hip Uptown Design District. This talented LA chef is preparing an exquisite Restaurant Week lunch and dinner menu. Appetizing plates might include cured salmon toast, street corn, or cauliflower ceviche for an appetizer. Chef Phillip makes a delicious fennel and apple salad with hazelnuts, and a crispy parmesan Caesar salad with creamy dressing and crunchy croutons.
Entrees may feature half of a chicken on couscous with Aziz Farm dates, almonds, and caramelized onions, or roasted black bass with asparagus, English peas, mushrooms, radish and a buttermilk herb vinaigrette.
His Creekstone Farms Beef Ribeye with sour cream mashed potato, broccoli, swiss chard and corn is fantastic. Save room for strawberry shortcake with pistachio, whipped cream and basil. It’s the quintessential summer ending to an excellent meal.
Jill Weinlein
Near El Paseo, Palm Desert’s locals favorite, Kitchen 86 Restaurant and Bar makes the best Boom Boom Shrimp in town. It’s panko breaded shrimp that is slicked with an addictive Thai chili glaze. It’s hard to stop at eating just one.
Local Joe Morano, Co-owner of the restaurant purchases local produce from La Quinta, Thermal and Indio for the chefs to prepare an eclectic menu of modern, curated small plate appetizers, hearty salads, tableside cheese wheel pasta and wood-fired pizzas.
The full bar stays open until 2 a.m., offering music and dancing. There is an outdoor dining patio in front that is ideal for people watching, or dine inside to stay cool.
Jill Weinlein
Once a month old school Mr. Lyons Steakhouse has a Midcentury Mixology Class with legendary mixologist Steen Bojsen-Moller. Participants receive a welcome drink before learning how to make classic cocktails such as a daiquiri, Brandy Alexander and high quality. It’s a fun, hands-on experience where you twist, shake, stir and pour before sampling.
This spirited, unique, interactive adults-only class is held in one of the private dining rooms. Light bites are available to purchase upon arrival.
Jill Weinlein
Named after the four majestic mountains in the Coachella Valley, 4 Saints Palm Springs Restaurant on the top floor of The Rowan Palm Springs, a Kimpton Hotel, offers spectacular views on the outdoor dining terrace and inside the main dining room. Executive chef Ysaac Ramirez prepares Southern California dinner fare with a Southern and Latin twist.
Chef Ysaac makes the best cornbread in the desert that is topped with sweetened pecans, crispy chicken skin, butter and chives. His scallop crudo bathing in yellow Tiger’s Milk, with bright red Fresno chilis, and chopped chives is also a winning appetizer. This thoughtful chef creates a soulful menu based on fresh local produce, dry-aged steaks, freshly caught seafood and seasonal vegetables infused with bold, smoky flavors.
Their cocktail list includes a spectacular Flamboyance of Flamingos made with Absolut Elyx, lillet blanc, fresh grapefruit and champagne. It comes in a large brass flamingo with a ladle to pour into glasses for 6 to 8 people. This special $140 libation inspires groups to celebrate any type of special occasion.
Jill Weinlein
The Steakhouse inside the Agua Caliente Palm Springs offers an intimate steakhouse experience with superior service. The thoughtful menu offers the finest prime steaks, fresh seafood, and pleasing side dishes in a sophisticated indoor setting or outside on the terrace with cooling misters.
It’s sister restaurant, The Steakhouse at Rancho Mirage earned the Forbes four-star award for three consecutive years. It’s the only Forbes four-star rated restaurant in the Coachella Valley, and one of only 122 award-earning restaurants in the world. Executive Chef Kieran Fleming’s dishes are inspired by the bounty of produce and proteins available in the desert.
Jill Weinlein
Some of Chef Kieran’s specialties include pan-seared sea scallops with black garlic, chorizo and a vanilla bean vinaigrette. He recommends pairing this dish with a Tate Chardonnay Spring Street Yountville 2019. This wine offers a creaminess of hazelnuts, almonds and floral elements, including citrus blossom and jasmine.
The heirloom tomato and burrata salad pairs nicely with a glass of Tate Merlot offering hints or red cherry, tobacco leaf, and accents of herbs and floral notes.
When chef serves the Prime Filet Oscar he includes King crab, asparagus and two sauces – Bernaise and Bordelaise. This entree pairs nicely with Tate Cabernet Jack’s Vineyard Howell Mountain 2017. This red wine offers darker aromatics of fruit and spice with pepper and cocoa.
Save room for the rolling dessert tray to be delivered to your table. There is a selection of sweet treats, plus a plate of three different flavor gelatos.
Jill Weinlein
Cafe’ California is a newer spot in Old La Quinta offering specialty coffees, teas, and mimosas during breakfast and lunch until 3 p.m. It’s brunch all day sitting out on the patio overlooking the Mediterranean design complex.
The chef uses local and regional products from small organic farms and purveyors, such as coffee from Joshua Tree Coffee and citrus growing in Thermal for their fresh juice. There are a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes, as well as Cafe’ BLT and egg sandwich, prosciutto and asparagus salad, avocado toast, huevos rancheros and the best bagel and lox with sundried tomato spread.
There is a large to-go case for creative and healthy dishes to take on a hike, or to enjoy during a picnic or back home.
Jill Weinlein
During a hot summer day in Greater Palm Springs, the newer Dragon Lili Boba Bar in Rancho Mirage makes the most refreshing boba milk teas, fruit teas and creative beverages. For those looking to eat, they also make a special waffle with toppings. Get the ultimate dessert in a cup topped with freshly made cotton candy.
Jill Weinlein
The talk of the town in Cathedral City is the new Paloma Resort overlooking the San Jacinto Mountains. In partnership with the property developers, local restaurateur Chad Gardner, and Tim and Amy Brinkman with San Francisco-based LIT hospitality group took an old 55+ compound and jazzed it up. All throughout the resort one sees brightly colored wall murals in colors of pinks, yellows, blues, greens and purples. This resort oozes creativity and relaxation.
Jill Weinlein
There are 66 spacious, mid-century modern bungalows and suites. Many offer a kitchenette, sitting area and large closet. These rooms surround the original mission-style 1930s Adobe and sparkling swimming pool. This area will soon be the Spanish-inspired Sol y Sombra restaurant offering tapas and paella indoors or outside on a picturesque patio. Open for lunch and dinner, the shareable plates often incorporate local dates, grapefruit and chilis. The signature Paloma Oro cocktail is a refreshing premium drink featuring gold-flecked tequila with fresh-squeezed Oro Blanco grapefruit juice.
Guests can visit the spa to indulge in deep-tissue massages, body wraps, or facials. There is a poolside cabana room they call Citrus for a private clubhouse experience. Inside is a colorful room protected by the sun that is air-conditioned, has a full kitchen, brightly colored comfortable lounge furniture and enormous hanging television for sports viewing parties. It’s also an ideal bachelorette party spot or wedding reception by the pool.
The resort hopes to open by Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week, if not come back in mid-June to stay at the new gem of Cathedral City.
