February Is Packed With Food Fests and Events
Taste of Jalisco returns to downtown Cathedral City for its ninth year, from Friday, Jan. 31, through Sunday, Feb. 2. You’ll find food vendors, tequila tastings, carnival rides, a craft market and lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) performances. Admission is free, although there is a charge for the headliner musical performances in the amphitheater. Find out more at tasteofjalisco.com.
The third annual Lunar Festival will take place at The River, at 71800 Highway 111, in Rancho Mirage, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 8. Organizers say they’ve doubled the number of food vendors this year, and the event will include cultural performances, art and merchandise vendors. Find out more and reserve free tickets via Eventbrite.
The Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival returns to the Riverside County Fairgrounds, at 46350 Arabia St., in Indio, from Thursday, Feb. 13, through Sunday, March 2. If you enjoy fair food, this is the place to be. You can also check out agricultural exhibits that include dates, citrus, livestock and more. General-admission presale tickets are $12; get them at www.datefest.org.
The 27th Annual Palm Desert Greek Festival occurs at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, at 74109 Larrea St., from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15 and 16. Enjoy Greek delicacies including souvlaki, baklava and dolmathes, while checking out the church and celebrating Greek culture. Admission is just $5; food must be purchased separately. Visit pdgreekfest.org for all the information.
A new monthly Desert Dinner Series featuring themed menus and local community partners has launched at Maleza at the Drift Hotel, located 284 S. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. The February offering is a movie-inspired mezcal dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 26, with more in the series planned through May. Check malezapalmsprings.co for more information.
In Brief
Kudos to Alice B. chef/owners Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, who have been helping World Central Kitchen feed first responders and evacuees during the Los Angeles wildfires; as of this writing, they’ve served more than 15,000 meals since the fires began. Donate at wck.org.
Our friends at The Palm Springs Post report that an In-N-Out Burger is in the works at 1801 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in the former Bank of America space in Smoke Tree Village. Watch this space (and the Post) for updates.
The Desert Sun is reporting that the operators of The Red Dog Saloon in Pioneertown and The Cooper Room in Yucca Valley have purchased the shuttered Lord Fletcher’s, at 70385 Highway 111, in Rancho Mirage; they said they plan to re-open the place, keeping its old-school charm; watch this column for more information.
The first Birba is in Palm Springs, at 622 N. Palm Canyon Drive; the second one is now the first full-service restaurant at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets, at 48400 Seminole Drive, in Cabazon. Load up on carbs for a day of shopping with pasta, pizza and cocktails. Get more info at birbaf10.com.
Now open: Cravings Coffee and Pastries, at 102 E. Amado Road, Suite A, in Palm Springs. As the name suggests, they serve coffee and pastries for your morning pleasure. We couldn’t find an online presence, so call 760-282-2494 with questions.
Toast’d in PS is supposed to be opening soon at 190 S. Indian Canyon Drive, in the former home of I Heart Mac and Cheese, serving breakfast, lunch and late-night bites. Watch toastdinps.com for updates.
The family behind The Tamale Spot, at 68444 Perez Road, Suite N, in Cathedral City had been selling tamales for years before deciding to open a brick-and-mortar location. They originally opened a few months ago, and then closed for everything but take-out to get their systems in place. They’re now open again, and the tamales I had were delicious. Find them on Facebook to learn more.
State Fare, at the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage, at 68900 Frank Sinatra Drive, has been revamped and remodeled. The seasonally inspired menu highlights Southern California’s cuisine. Also new is the chef’s display kitchen, a chef’s table and a private dining room. For more information, visit ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/pspps-the-ritz-carlton-rancho-mirage/dining.
Murasaki Kakurega, a new Manga lounge at 37209 Cook St., Suite 106, in Palm Desert, gives you the ability to sip coffee, tea or Japanese soda, and eat some Japanese snacks, while you read and shop for comics. Cool! Learn more at murasakikakurega.com.
Indio has a new Mexican restaurant: Isla Mujeres Modern Mexican and Seafood, at 83085 Indio Blvd. Its modern interior looks like it could be a lot of fun. I haven’t had a chance to visit yet, but the menu seems to encompass breakfast, lunch and dinner, with both traditional Mexican food and sushi available. Learn more at islamujeresindio.com.
Mariscocos Culiacan #2, in Desert Hot Springs, has closed after six years in business. However, the first location, at 51683 Cesar Chavez St., in Coachella, remains open and ready to serve you.
Do you have a hot tip or news to share? Reach out: foodnews@cvindependent.com.