Two Palm Desert Favorites Close Due to a Devastating Fire
We are deeply saddened to report that a massive fire in Palm Desert destroyed a building at the intersection of Country Club Drive and Monterey Avenue that housed four businesses, including Papa Dan’s Pizza and Pasta and D’Coffee Bouteaque.
These were not just businesses, but cherished parts of our community. Papa Dan’s is a longtime favorite of mine, and D’Coffee Bouteaque is a charming relative newcomer; they’ll both be greatly missed—but we’re happy that owners of both restaurants have said they plan to re-build.
We are grateful that nobody was seriously injured and extend our best wishes to everyone affected by this tragedy.
Regarding the Proposed Palm Springs Chick-fil-A …
Much has been said on social media about the possible construction of a Chick-fil-A at Ramon Road and Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs. (There’s already one local Chick-fil-A, in Palm Desert.) Although paperwork has been filed with the city of Palm Springs, I understand that the project is on hold while the company works out details with the landlord.
Some Palm Springs residents are concerned, for a variety of reasons, including Chick-fil-A’s longtime support of anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-choice causes; the proposed restaurant’s massive size, including three drive-through lanes and almost 5,700 square feet; and dismay over yet another chain restaurant coming to the village.
If you are concerned, this is a fantastic time to get involved in city government. Palm Springs residents can make a difference by joining the Planning Commission, which currently has four open seats. Find out more on the city’s website.
I will repeat what I said in 2021, when that aforementioned Chick-fil-A was about to open Palm Desert: I encourage you to spend your hard-earned dollars at locally owned, non-discriminatory restaurants, many of which serve delicious fried chicken.
In Brief
Mi Chavella Fest will return from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday, May 4, at and around Luchador Brewing Company, 68510 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in Cathedral City. The festival will feature michelada vendors, live music, a lucha libre match, food trucks, a beer garden with more than 20 choices, and a lowrider classic-car show. Tickets are $17; an adult must accompany kids under 18. Get tickets via Eventbrite. … Gabino’s Creperie East has opened at 82868 Miles Ave., in Indio. If you’ve been to the Palm Springs location, you know what a delight the crepes are. This new location offers a similar menu plus fries and indoor seating. Get details at gabinoscreperieast.com. … Sushi on the Run has opened in the former home of To Go Sushi, at 40101 Monterey Ave., in Rancho Mirage. This is primarily a grab-and-go place with a small amount of countertop seating. They have a variety of sushi, bento boxes and rice bowls; find them on Yelp to learn more. … Weenee Roadhouse, at 35400 Date Palm Drive, in Cathedral City, has quietly closed, and a sign for K-Pop Foodz Korean Street Food has already appeared on the door. With a projected opening in the first week of May, K-Pop Foodz will offer mandu (dumplings), kimbap (Korean sushi rolls), ramen and other noodle and rice dishes. It is owned by the same people who own Palm Desert’s K-Pop Pink Store; visit instagram.com/k.pop_pinkstore for updates. … Chef Jon Merchain of Lay’ Vince has opened a restaurant inside the Fireside Lounge, at 696 S. Oleander Road, in Palm Springs. Ray’s Trays serves breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m., sandwiches all day long, and a prix-fixe dinner that includes a choice of protein, two sides and dessert for just $35. The Fireside Lounge is a dive bar in all the best senses of the word. Watch Merchain Catering on Facebook for the latest information. … El Tacolgado has moved into the former home of Clamatos, at 231 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, in Palm Springs. This place is owned by the same people who own El Patio, so they know how to run a restaurant. Visit instagram.com/eltacolgado_palmsprings for the latest information. … The space that formally housed the Modernism Museum in Palm Springs has a new tenant: Alana Bar + Tapas, at370 N. Palm Canyon Drive. Visit alanapalmsprings.com for more information. … Olive A’ Sudden, an olive oil and vinegar retailer, has closed its Palm Springs location, but the Palm Desert store, at 72270 Highway 111, remains open; oliveasudden.com. … The owners of Il Giardino, at 333 S. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, have listed the restaurant for sale so they can move back to Italy. Rosario and Theresa, you will be missed! In the meantime, go enjoy some of their meatballs; ilgiardinopalmsprings.com. … Chez Pierre Bistro, at 74040 Highway 111, in Palm Desert, is also listed for sale; www.chezpierrebistro.com. … Finally, here’s some news about a restaurant that’s not for sale: Matt Irby, owner of the Play Lounge, at 2825 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, in Palm Springs, tells me that despite a very generous job offer from a former employer, he can’t bear to leave our little community! He is in the process of making improvements and renovations; learn more at playloungeps.com.
Do you have a hot tip or news to share? Reach out: foodnews@cvindependent.com.
