The New Arena Offers Plenty of Food Options
The new Acrisure Arena has varied options to satisfy food cravings at various price points.
In the “picnic plaza,” those options include Big Chicken, co-created by Shaquille O’Neal, offering spicy chicken sandwiches; Pronto Pizza, by Giada De Laurentiis, featuring square-style pizzas; Tanner’s Prime Burgers; hot dogs by Koko’s Bavarian; and tacos from Casa Escobar, a Los Angeles-based taqueria.
Inside the arena on the main level, local favorite Fisherman’s Market and Grill serves up fish and chips; CV BBQ sells tri-tip and smoked pork; and Cathedral City’s E&E Pel’s offers their famous lemonade.
Of course, the food gets more interesting if you are willing to pay a bit more for club level seating, with options including hand-crafted sandwiches, gourmet hot dogs, and bowls inspired by Latin and Asian cuisines. There will also be a vegan “sloppy Jane” and a vegan ice cream cart in a nod to sustainability goals.
Learn more at acrisurearena.com/plan-your-trip/food-beverages.
Meanwhile, at the Airport …
In other large-venue food news: You will eventually be able to access more local eats at the Palm Springs International Airport.
Branches of popular local restaurants Trio and El Mirasol are slated to open by the end of 2024, along with a bar focusing on local craft breweries, and a new empanada stand. Buzz by BarFly will move to a stand-alone location in the middle of the Sonny Bono concourse, replacing a fountain and artwork.
The first stage of construction is set for February-October 2023, with the second stage slated for completion by the end of 2024.
In Brief
For the first time ever, the Michelin Guide includes Palm Springs restaurants. The first eight to earn recognition are Bar Cecil, Boozehounds, Workshop Kitchen and Bar, Cheeky’s, 4 Saints, The Barn at Sparrows Lodge, Colony Club and Tac/Quila. Maybe one day, the guide will go further into the Coachella Valley beyond Palm Springs—and perhaps a restaurant will get Bib Gourmand recognition or even a star. … Desert Hot Springs is getting an outdoor barbecue and soul-food café. The Back Porch, at 64680 Pierson Blvd., will be open Thursday through Saturday, and will feature a bottomless mimosa brunch Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. … Kreem, at 170 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, has changed ownership. The new owners are committed to maintaining the same excellent quality. Good luck to former owner Bianca Simonian; I am sure your next endeavor will be equally as sweet. Get details on Kreem at www.kreempalmsprings.com. … Good news: The former home of Lord Fletcher’s, at 70385 Highway 111, in Rancho Mirage, is in escrow. The iconic restaurant, once a favorite of Frank Sinatra, has been shuttered since the early days of the COVID pandemic. I am excited to see what the new owners will do. … La Quinta’s The Beer Hunter Sports Bar and Grill will open a second location soon at 71959 Highway 111, in Rancho Mirage, at the former site of Roy’s Restaurant. This decades-old family-owned restaurant features an extensive beer selection, bar and grill fare, and a “Live Well” Menu that focuses on addressing food sensitivities and other dietary restrictions; learn more at thebeerhunter.com. … New to Palm Desert: Cowboy Cantina, featuring the cuisine of the American Southwest, is now open at 72620 El Paseo. Lunch and dinner are served daily; you can get brunch on Saturday and Sunday, and the bar is open until midnight. Details at cowboycantinapd.com. … Canyon Creek Mushrooms has opened a new facility at 77917 Wildcat Drive, in Palm Desert. Their delicious mushrooms and mushroom products can be found at most local farmers’ markets. I love making “crab cakes” out of their lion’s mane mushrooms, and their black pepper mushroom “jerky” is my favorite late afternoon snack. Follow www.facebook.com/CanyonCreekShrooms for updates. … Yes Please has opened at 78065 Main St., Suite 100, in Old Town La Quinta. This fast-casual concept serves coffee, breakfast, lunch, brunch and pastries. They bake fresh buttermilk biscuits and scones every morning—which sell out quickly. Find out more at yespleaselaquinta.com. … As a lover of coffee and Filipino cuisine, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the new Varraco Coffee Roasters, at 73891 Highway 111, in Palm Desert. Varraco specializes in premium coffee from the Philippines—directly sourced and roasted to order—as well as Filipino pastries. They’re currently bringing in the goodies from Los Angeles, although they tell me they have plans to start baking them in-house as soon as possible. Find out more at varracoroasting.com.
Got a hot tip? Let me know: foodnews@cvindependent.com.
who is buying the Lord Fletcher site? Plan to demolish or open a restaurant?