December Means Tamales—and the International Tamale Festival
The 31st annual Indio International Tamale Festival returns to Miles Avenue Park on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2 and 3. This year, the Artesano Tamaleria will allow local households to make their home recipes in a commercial kitchen—and provide them to the public.
All the entertainment at the festival is free, although you must pay for food, drink and rides. Get all the details at www.indiotamalefestival.com.
Native Foods’ Original Location Could Use Your Help
For almost 30 years, Native Foods has been serving delicious vegan fare—starting in Palm Springs, and then spreading across the country.
Unfortunately, the chain has been facing financial challenges—with some locations closing, and the original Palm Springs location, at 1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in jeopardy. However, there’s good news locally: Longtime general manager Misti Rausch is in the process of buying the Palm Springs location and is looking for help from the community to make repairs and update the restaurant.
Learn more on their GoFundMe page.
In Brief
Those with long memories may recall Cipolline Osteria, which occupied the space at 1260 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, before the New York Company restaurant opened (and closed). I spoke with the former owners of Cipolline, who confirmed that they plan on reviving the restaurant, and are hoping for a mid-December opening. Watch this space for updates. … The rumors are true: Paul Bar/Food, at 3700 E. Vista Chino, in Palm Springs, is expanding into the space next door, adding about 25 seats, including a sizeable reservation-only table! The hope is to finish the expansion in September 2024 (at the time of year when Paul traditionally closes for a month). If you haven’t had a chance to explore this hidden gem, check out the menu at thepaulbarps.com. … So long, Shame on the Moon. The longtime Rancho Mirage restaurant, at 69950 Frank Sinatra Drive, posted on Facebook on Aug. 19 that it would be closed on a short break, reopening on Sept. 6. But the restaurant didn’t reopen, and the phone number has been disconnected. This nearly 40-year-old restaurant was one of the first “fancy” places I was told to visit when I started vacationing in the desert. … Wang’s in the Desert, which at one time was THE happy hour place for local gay men (at 424 S. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs), has in recent years been through a series of controversies, closings and re-openings. The latest: After a post appeared on the restaurant’s Facebook page saying it had closed for good, KESQ News Channel 3 reported that owner Lonnie Landers said the restaurant actually has new investors, and that Wang’s will reopen with a new format. That Facebook post was then deleted. Good luck to everyone involved. … A new Wingstop is open in Desert Hot Springs, at 13108 Palm Drive. Check out wingstop.com if you need to see the menu. (Hint: It’s mostly wings.) … Jimmy B’s Grill (no relation to the editor of this paper) has opened in the former Sam’s Place in downtown Palm Springs, at 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite A6. The menu is similar to the Sam’s Place menu, with breakfast and lunch currently on offer, and dinner coming soon. The menu has both standards and intriguing specialties like a tamale benedict—as well as bottomless mimosas. See the full menu at jimmybspalmsprings.com. … Slated to open in Palm Springs any day now: Sonny’s Fusion Bar and Grill, at 214 E. Arenas Road, in the former home of Bongo Johnny’s. Although the restaurant has been in the works for at least two years, there is finally some movement, with lots of construction going on. Although the daily reported that the restaurant opened in October, that does not seem to be the case. Requests to the owner for more details were met with a polite no-thank-you, so watch facebook.com/sonnysfusionbarandgrill for updates. … New to Palm Desert: Katsuyama, at 74990 Country Club Drive. The Japanese restaurant has a smaller menu with a focus on fried pork and chicken cutlets. Find the restaurant on Facebook to learn more. … Coming to Rancho Mirage: Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, at 36101 Bob Hope Drive. This chain, with locations across the U.S., serves a variety of salads and sandwiches; learn more at capriottis.com. … The rebranded Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort and Spa is now open at 45000 Indian Wells Lane in, you guessed it, Indian Wells. The restaurant, Grapefruit Basil, serves brunch and dinner seven days a week; the indoor/outdoor dining venue features coastal-inspired dishes and a seasonal craft cocktail menu. If you would rather hang out poolside, the Chiki Palm serves bagged tiki cocktails and poolside classics like burgers, chicken quesadillas and poke bowls. Find out more at tommybahamamiramonte.com.
Got a hot tip? Let me know: foodnews@cvindependent.com.
I love Native Foods but am a bit confused by the various bits of news I’ve read and heard. If the managers are buying the location from the Native Foods chain, does it remain a Native Foods or change into something else? Also, the store was recently renovated….surprised it needs repairs but would love to know more about what’s needed.
(I’m not doubting the integrity of those involved, just would really like to know more.)