Dish Creative Cuisine Using Kickstarter to Help With Move
Dish Creative Cuisine, the Cathedral City restaurant that made waves with its upscale modern food and tasty amuse-bouche offerings over the last two years, is moving to downtown Palm Springs—and the restaurant’s owner is asking for the public’s help.
In an email sent to Dish customers on July 21, chef/owner Joane Garcia Colson explained that the restaurant, which had been located at 68525 Ramon Road, would be reopening in the fall at 1107 N. Palm Canyon Drive—once the site of renowned tiki joint Don the Beachcomber. The new location will have a full bar, and a selection of more casual dishes will join the upscale offerings on the menu.
However, Garcia Colson also asked for a li’l help from her friends. “As with any expansion, however, we need assistance to bring it to full fruition,” she wrote. “It is incredibly hard to ask others for help, and it is something I have avoided doing. But we need help, so I am writing to you, hoping some of you will be able to support us in this venture. We have created a Kickstarter campaign and would appreciate you taking a look at it and helping us in any way you can.”
A look at that Kickstarter effort reveals that Garcia Colson’s goal is to raise $49,500 by Monday, Aug. 25. It also revealed a few added details about the new Dish: The restaurant will be open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, and in the high season, it will offer Sunday brunch and perhaps lunch Thursday through Saturday.
The new spot will also include a “Chef’s Room,” “where small, intimate, tasting dinners will occasionally be offered for a pre-fixe price,” the Kickstarter page says. “This private dining room will be right off the kitchen and will feature a large window where the diners can watch the kitchen in action.”
We are big fans of what Garcia Colson did in her space on Ramon—and we can’t wait to see what she does in downtown Palm Springs.
For more information, follow the goings-on at the Dish Facebook page.
Johannes Offers $10 Schnitzel, Other Anniversary Specials
For my money, Johannes—located at 196 S. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs—is one of the best restaurants in the valley. And this summer, I’m not shelling out quite so much of that aforementioned money to dine there.
To celebrate the restaurant’s 15th anniversary, chef Johannes Bacher and company are offering a variety of discounted schnitzel dishes in the bar area. This is nothing new, but the steeper discounts are indeed new: Basic bar schnitzel now costs just $10. Want one of Johannes’ renowned toppings? (I personally am a fan of the Mama’s schnitzel, which is covered with tomatoes, gruyere and fontina cheeses, and basil. Yummy!) That’ll set you back just $14.
The restaurant is also offering a $29 prix-fire menu during the summer, which includes a selected entrée, an appetizer or dessert, and a house cocktail.
Johannes is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Call 760-778-0017, or visit johannespalmsprings.com for more information.
And Now, a Rant on Prices
We were hungry for a light meal, so the partner and I decided to stop at one of our normal haunts for cocktails and a couple of our favorite appetizers.
All was well and good until we opened the menu—and saw that the restaurant had raised the prices on many of those favorite items.
I understand that all businesses have to increase their prices now and then. That’s life. But businesses also need to realize that there can be consequences if price increases are too drastic—and that’s exactly what happened here.
My fave appetizer had been $9—and it was now $11. That’s a 22 percent price increase. My favorite cocktail, a lovely, flowery martini (hey, don’t judge), saw a similar price boost.
The result of all this? That restaurant is no longer one of our normal haunts. I would have dealt with a more reasonable increase, like 50 cents or even a dollar. But not 22 percent (especially in the middle of the summer, when many restaurants are offering lower-cost specials to attract customers).
I’m not the only savvy, cost-conscious foodie out there. Something tells me these price increases may actually lead to a revenue decrease at this restaurant.
Stay tuned.
In Brief
Mark your calendars: The Ace Hotel and Swim Club, located at 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, will be holding its third annual Craft Beer Weekend on Friday through Sunday, Sept. 12-14. Expect tastings from more than 20 craft breweries, as well as a pool party/barbecue and a special five-course meal—with beer pairings, of course. More info at the Ace website. … Just a reminder that many of the town’s top restaurants close their doors for all or part of August. Unless you’re sure your favorite spot is open, it never hurts to call ahead.