Is Your Favorite Restaurant Taking a Summer Break?
It’s long been a Coachella Valley tradition for restaurants to take a summer hiatus.
Given the combination of fewer guests and sky-high air-conditioning bills, this made sense. However, things are changing a bit. While the A/C bills are higher than ever, more people are sticking around—or coming to visit—during the summer.
Nonetheless, a lot of eateries are continuing the summer-closure tradition and taking a break—for anywhere from a couple of weeks up to a few months—to recharge before what could be a very busy 2021-2022 season.
Here’s a list of restaurant closures we know about. This list is surely incomplete, and these dates are subject to change—so it’s always best to call ahead.
Bar Cecil: Aug. 30-Sept. 15
Bernie’s Rancho Mirage: Reopening in October
Copley’s: July 28-Sept. 3
Jake’s: July 4-Sept. 26
John Henry’s: Reopening Sept. 2
Johnny Costa’s: July 4-Sept. 2
Le Vallauris: Reopening Sept. 24
Michael’s Cathedral City: July 18-Sept. 24 or 27
Mitch’s on El Paseo: July-September (exact dates to be determined)
My Thai La Quinta: July 21-Aug. 21
Peninsula Pastries: June 28-Sept. 9
Rooster and the Pig: Reopening in September
Tyler’s Burgers: July 4-Sept. 2
Vicky’s of Santa Fe: June 28-Sept. 29
Wally’s Desert Turtle: June 26-mid-October
In Brief
Sad news from the mountains: The amazing Sugarloaf Café—which, in my opinion served some of the best barbecue in the area, just off of Highway 74 above Palm Desert—has closed. Here’s hoping owner Gabbi Rose’s food has a future at her currently closed Green Door Hotel, where Rose operated a pop-up restaurant during portions of the pandemic. … Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant has moved from “downtown” Cathedral City to 50855 Washington St., in La Quinta. This family-owned restaurant offers Mexican soul food like albondigas and arroz con pollo; learn more at www.facebook.com/LosArcosMex. … New in Palm Desert: The Larkspur Grill, in the former AC3 space inside the Hotel Paseo, at 45400 Larkspur Lane. Watch www.facebook.com/larkspurgrill as details emerge. … The owners of Monster Shakes in Palm Springs have opened Monster Subs in Palm Desert, at 74600 Highway 111, Suite F. The menu includes various sandwiches and, yes, ice cream and date shakes; you will not leave hungry. Details at www.monstersubspd.com. … The new Chef Tanya’s Kitchen location in Palm Desert is now open. It can be found in the old Evzin space at 72695 Highway 111, Suite A6. This is seriously delicious food—that also happens to be vegan; cheftanyaskitchen.com. … New to Palm Desert: Oceana Restaurant, at 77932 Country Club Drive. The seafood restaurant slants toward Mexican flavors, but not exclusively. Get the lowdown and peruse the menu at www.oceanapalmdesert.com. … The Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce is bringing back its Taste of Summer promotion. Here’s how it works: You buy a $10 wristband from the chamber or a local charity; you get discounts at various restaurants from July 15 to Aug. 15; the charity gets wristband proceeds. Learn more at ranchomiragechamber.org. … There’s a new coffee house in Rancho Mirage named, appropriately enough, RM Coffee. It’s at 70020 Highway 111; with a full pastry case, blended treats and hot drinks, this is a perfect place for locals; www.facebook.com/rmcoffee111. … SoCal cookie-shop chain the Cookie Plug has opened a location in Cathedral City, at 67555 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite F111. The signature “Phatties” come in a variety of flavors like Purple Haze, Chocolate XTC, and Crunch and Munch. They also play up a cannabis connection, though they assure me that there is no cannabis in any of their baking; learn more at www.thecookieplug.com. … Sister properties Holiday House (200 W. Arenas Road, Palm Springs; holidayhouseps.com/dine) and Sparrows Lodge (1330 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; sparrowslodge.com) are now open for food service seven days a week, although their famous communal dinners are still on hold. I hear that the famous Holiday House fried chicken is also available, but it is not on the menu, and you need to pre-order. … Biscuit and Counter is on the move again—opening a new pop-up location at the Tiki Hotel, 1333 N. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, as of July 1. The menu will include biscuit sandwiches, the buttermilk biscuit with mushroom gravy, and pre-ordered biscuit boxes; watch www.biscuitandcounter.com. Ross Mathews’ Dragtastic Bubbly Brunch is back. The former Moxie Palm Springs event is now at the V Wine Lounge, 600 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, in Palm Springs. The girls “werq” the stage while guests enjoy eggs, coffee cake and beverages. It happens every Sunday; doors open at 11:30 a.m. for a noon show. Yaassssss! Tickets are at www.rossbubblybrunch.com.
Got a hot tip? Let me know: foodnews@cvindependent.com.