Dining Out for Life Returns on April 24
One of DAP Health’s biggest annual fundraisers is back on Thursday, April 24.
Last year, 75 restaurants participated in Dining Out for Life here in the Coachella Valley, raising more than $280,000, according to DAP Health. Participating is simple: All you need to do is go out to eat! The fantastic restaurant community of the Coachella Valley will take care of the rest by donating at least 33% of their sales for the day—with some donating 50%, 60% or 110%. (Thank you, Townie Bagels!)
Dining Out for Life takes place in other communities, always benefiting HIV/AIDS service organizations—but the Coachella Valley event raises more than DOFL events in most major cities, including Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Chicago. A huge shout-out and THANK YOU to the Coachella Valley restaurant community!
Visit diningoutforlife.com/city/palmsprings for an updated list of restaurants, and make your reservations early.
In Brief
We previously mentioned that Apong’s Philly Steak, which serves excellent Filipino food and fried chicken, was moving from next to a strip club in Cathedral City to a new location at 35850 Date Palm Drive, also in Cathedral City. One big change: They no longer serve Krispy Krunchy fried chicken, and instead have started using their own recipe. Learn more at apongsphillysteak.com. … Owner Jim Hicks announced on his personal Facebook page that he has sold his recently opened Mickey’s Irish Sports Bar and Grill, at 333 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. Phone calls to the restaurant for more information have not been returned. Visit facebook.com/mickeyirishsportsbarandgrill to learn more.
Play Lounge, at 2825 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, is in the process of changing ownership. Owner Matt Irby has turned the reins over to Dave Troemel, but Irby says he plans to stay as involved as he can. Troemel tells me he is not planning on making any significant changes to the restaurant, which has developed a loyal following. Learn more at playloungeps.com. … Rumor has it that a Mediterranean seafood restaurant and sports bar is coming to the old Haus of Poke space at 111 N. Palm Canyon Drive, in downtown Palm Springs. I have not been able to find any applications on the Alcoholic Beverage Control website, so watch this space as we learn more.
Cowboy Cantina has moved to a new location at 71800 Highway 111, Suite A101 (at The River in Rancho Mirage), and is still serving the same great food; cowboy-cantina.com. Meanwhile, La Copa Sports and Social has opened in Cowboy’s former home, at 72620 El Paseo, in Palm Desert, serving burgers, tacos and salads. Get details at lacopasocial.com.
The folks from Chula Artisan Eatery have rebranded their spot at 74929 Highway 111, in Indian Wells, as The Blushing Peony. This wine bar and café serves “farm-to-table” California-Mediterranean cuisine with a Spanish influence; more info can be found at theblushingpeonycafe.com. … Cafecito Calaveras Burrito and Coffee House is sharing space with The Tamale Spot at 68444 Perez Road, in Cathedral City, offering fancy coffees, burritos and tacos. The burrito I had was very good; www.instagram.com/cafecitocalaveras. … Hotel Zoso, at 150 S. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, has reopened The Kitchen with an Asian influence; think poke nachos, chicken karaage and soba noodle salads. Peruse the menu at hotelzosopalmsprings.com. … Cathedral City’s La Tablita, one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, has opened a second location at 72261 Highway 111, in Palm Desert; find out more at latablitapalmdesert.com.
San Francisco’s famous Hot Cookie is taking over Jus Chillin’, at 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. Owner Ryan Jones tells me they will not be making any changes until after the summer, when they will rebrand, renovate and start serving their famous cookies. Get details at hotcookie.com. … O’Caines Irish Pub, at 36101 Bob Hope Drive, in Rancho Mirage, has announced it is closing, citing rent hikes as one of the primary reasons. In a social media post, the owners said a move was possible; ocainesirishpub.com. … Finally, the Red Barn, the well-known bar at 73290 Highway 111, in Palm Desert, that made headlines with its owner’s anti-Gavin Newsom rants during the pandemic, has been fully rebuilt and is now open. The interior is pure Las Vegas high kitsch, including animal-themed decor. With a plan to invite local food trucks to serve patrons, and a pledge to be welcoming to everyone in the valley, including the LGBTQ+ community, this is a complete reinvention of both the space and the vibe.
Do you have any hot tips or news to share? Reach out: foodnews@cvindependent.com.
