There’s Still Time to Taste Rancho Mirage
Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage is back!
The event runs through Aug. 13. Local nonprofits and the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce sell wristbands as a fundraiser for $10; those wristbands get you specials at a variety of locations—26 of them, to be exact.
Buying these wristbands is a great way to support local businesses during the slower summer months; a fun excuse to try new places; and a great way to grab some deals.
Get all the details at tasteofsummerranchomirage.com.
Luchow’s Closes … Again
The turbulent and occasionally mysterious saga of Luchow’s Palm Springs has come to an end.
I first wrote about Luchow’s, an American-Chinese restaurant at 4771 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in this space in August 2021. We kept covering it through a disastrous opening, a closure, mysteries about new buyers, a reopening, and now another closing. In other words, we have devoted a lot of print to this restaurant.
Sadly, Luchow’s was never able to find its footing, and on July 5, the closure announcement came. Owner Dan Gore will accept Luchow’s gift cards at Oscar’s Palm Springs, his other venue.
In Brief
New to Coachella: Mr. Clamato, at 51557 Cesar Chavez St., features Mexican food with an emphasis on ceviche and seafood dishes; if you Google ’em, you’ll find the restaurant’s ToastTab page. … In news that sounds related, but it’s not, Clamatos, a Mexican-style ice cream shop, has opened at 231 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way in Palm Springs. A few savory dishes are on the menu, too. See some pictures at www.instagram.com/clamatos_palmsprings. … New to Indio: Sumo Dog, at 49830 Jefferson St., No. 106, redefines the American classic hot dog, burger and vegan dog with Japanese ingredients. This small chain currently has 15 locations across the U.S., including some at Yankee Stadium; eatsumodog.com. … La Quinta-based Casa Mendoza has opened a second location in Palm Desert, at 73155 Highway 111, Suite B. The La Quinta location is very popular; find out more casamendozarestaurants.com. … The JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa, at 74855 Country Club Drive, in Palm Desert, is offering “Cocktails and Culinary” classes on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 4 and 5, with an emphasis on whiskey and Southern-inspired food; and on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 25 and 26, focusing on contemporary cuisine. Classes will be held at 4:30 and 5.30 p.m., and are $70. Visit jwdesertsprings.247activities.com for more information or to book. … Coming soon to Palm Desert: Blazing King BBQ and Hotpot, at 72600 Dinah Shore Drive, is hiring in advance of the opening. We’re told Blazing King will offer an all-you-can-eat experience with Asian hotpots and Korean BBQ, all with a nightclub/bar/lounge vibe. Watch blazingkingbbqhotpot.com for updates. … Although the Facebook page says it’s still in Detroit, Le Petite Dejeuner can actually be found at 67778 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in Cathedral City, in the former Yianni’s Greek Taverna location. Owner Tina Motley closed her Detroit location and moved to our valley. The restaurant is serving breakfast every day and soul food from Thursday to Sunday. You’ll find family-style dining, even for breakfast, with tables ordering multiple items to share. Get details at facebook.com/lepetitbreakfast. … Palm Springs Bottle Shop has opened a second location inside Market Market, at 1555 S. Palm Canyon Drive; the wine/beer and specialty-foods market specializes in brands led by LGBTQ+, BIPOC and women entrepreneurs and makers. Learn more psbottleshop.com. … Chef Jon Merchain has opened Lay’ Vince at 540 S. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. It’s currently serving breakfast and lunch, with plans for an expanded dinner menu soon. The deli-style menu lets you create sandwiches and salads at reasonable prices. I went to a blindfolded dinner there a few weeks ago and was impressed. There’s no website or social media as of this writing, but you can find Merchain on Facebook and follow that page for updates. … Maleza, in the Drift Hotel at 284 S. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, is hosting the third in a series of mezcal dinners with Convite Mezcal (en.convitemezcal.com) on Wednesday, Aug. 30, at 6 p.m., with a three-course menu of Baja-inspired dishes and four artisanal Mezcal varietals. Pricing starts at $65; make reservations at resy.com. … Coming soonish: Celebrity chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken (of Border Grill, Pacha Mamas and Socalo) are opening a restaurant at the 55+ LGBTQ community Living Out Palm Springs, under construction at 1122 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way. The restaurant Alice B. promises to impress and will be open to the public. Sign up for a newsletter at aliceb.com.
Got a hot tip? Let me know: foodnews@cvindependent.com.