1501 Uptown Gastropub Sold to Family That Owns Casa Blanca Restaurants
The family that owns the four Casa Blanca restaurants around the Coachella Valley now owns 1501 Uptown Gastropub, at 1501 N. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs.
Willie Rhine and Chad Gardner opened the restaurant in the crazy, shutdown-heavy times of 2020.
“Chad Gardner and I are deeply thankful for the incredible support we’ve received at 1501 Uptown Gastropub over the past three years,” wrote Rhine (who owns Willie’s Modern Fare and co-owns Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge) in a statement as the sale took effect on Aug. 18. “Today, we pass the rein to the new owner, Juan De Leon. Juan, along with much of the team you’ve come to know, is dedicated to maintaining the brand we’ve built together.”
Watch www.1501uptown.com for updates.
September Brings Mi Chavela Fest, Taste of Palm Springs
MiChavela Fest returns to celebrate Mexican Independence Day (two days early) from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Cathedral City Amphitheater, 68526 Avenue Lalo Guerrero. The festival will feature michelada vendors, live music, a lucha libre match, food trucks and a lowrider classic car show. Tickets are $29.66 for general admission, or $50.16 for VIP. Of course, attendees must be 21 and older to drink, and an adult must accompany kids under 18. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit michavelafestival.com.
Several days later, the Annual Business Expo and Taste of Palm Springs returns to the Indian Canyons Golf Resort, 1100 E. Murray Canyon Drive, from 5 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18. The $30 entrance fee gets you unlimited access to all tastes from 40 valley restaurants, wine, beer, tequila tastings and a cocktail bar. Additionally, more than 100 local businesses showcase themselves. I have attended this event for the last few years, and it is always a good time. Tickets can be purchased at pschamber.org.
In Brief
Papa Dan’s Pizza and Pasta, at 73131 Country Club Drive, in Palm Desert—destroyed by a fire in April—has taken over a space on the other side of the same shopping center, and now has a sign up saying the restaurant will be reopening soon. Papa Dan’s website, papadanspalmdesert.com, does not have details, and their published phone number doesn’t currently work—so stay tuned. … Congratulations to the three local restaurants receiving 2024 grants from the Restaurant Care Resilience Fund: Al Dente Trattoria (aldentepalmsprings.com), Thai Smile Rancho Mirage on El Paseo (thaismilerm.com) and Haus of Poke Rancho Mirage (hausofpoke.com). This fund is financed by California’s energy companies and is designed to invest in the long-term health of California’s independent restaurants and caterers. Learn more at restaurantscare.org/resilience. … Fans of South of the Border, 11719 Palm Drive, in Desert Hot Springs, are happy that the Mexican restaurant has reopened after about a six-month hiatus. Find the restaurant on Facebook to learn more. … There are two new ways to get caffeinated in Coachella Valley: Hot Lips Coffee Shop, at 68461 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in Cathedral City (www.instagram.com/hotlipscoffeeshopcatcity), with its fabulous pop-art-inspired décor; and Bonitas Coffee, 80150 Highway 111, in Indio (www.instagram.com/bonitascoffee), with its flower-focused theme. … Ponzu Sushi opened in July at 100 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, in the Palm Springs space formerly housing Stout Burgers; great quality fish is served in a beautiful setting—but note that the menu is limited to sushi and a few grilled fish dishes. Learn more at www.instagram.com/ponzusushi.palmsprings. … Broken Yolk Café is now open in the beautifully remodeled Palm Springs space formerly occupied by Brickworks, at 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive. Learn more at brokenyolk.com. … A Rancho Mirage location of the local Greek chain Santorini Gyro has opened at 40101 Monterey Ave. Its menu features all the standard Greek favorites; learn more at santorinigyroacalifornia.com. … Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewery is closing its location at The River in Rancho Mirage, but plans to open a new Babe’s Smokehouse & Tavern early next year in the Canopy at Citrus, at 49830 Jefferson St., in Indio. The new development is quite the culinary backstreet, with Cork & Fork, Sumo Dog, Keedy’s and a variety of other restaurants housed there. … At long last, the Thompson Palm Springs, at 414 N. Palm Canyon Drive, is slated to open in September! The restaurant, Lola Rose Grand Mezze, is led by chef Quentin Garcia, who grew up in Indio and trained at Denmark’s Michelin-starred Dragsholm Slot. Lola Rose will feature Mediterranean and Levantine-inspired cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, with late-night dining in the lounge, and brunch on Sundays. I had the opportunity to tour the facility last April, and the space is gorgeous. Get details at www.lolaroseps.com.
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