Summer in the Coachella Valley Means Closures, Reduced Hours and the State’s SUN Bucks Program
A quick reminder: Many restaurants reduce their hours in July and August—and others close entirely—so please check websites or make a phone call before heading out to eat, especially if you plan on dining out early in the week.
The state has renewed its Summer Food Program in 2025. Families with school-age children who qualify for free and reduced-price meals through CalFresh, CalWORKS or Medicare, as well as children attending Head Start, experiencing homelessness, living in foster care or considered runaways, will be enrolled in the SUN Bucks program, which provides $40 per month for each child in June, July and August. If your child is not automatically enrolled, or to learn more, visit cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks. An important note in these times: Participating in SUN Bucks does not affect a family’s immigration status.
Desert Moon, Rooster and the Pig to Close Temporarily for Electrical Upgrades
Due to electrical work being done in the building, both Desert Moon, at 350 S. Indian Canyon Drive, and Rooster and the Pig, at 356 S. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, will be closing for a few weeks this summer.
You may remember that in 2023, significant and unexpected electrical issues closed Rooster and Rio Azul Mexican Bar and Grill (where Desert Moon is now) for four months during the busiest time of year—and probably contributed to the eventual permanent closure of Rio Azul.
In Brief
Two Palm Springs pizza places are expanding. Bill’s Pizza, at 119 S. Indian Canyon Drive, is taking over the storefront next door for takeout orders; learn more at billspizzapalmsprings.com. … Giuseppes Pizzeria will soon open a second space at the Shadow Ridge Golf Club, at 9002 Shadow Ridge Drive, in Palm Desert; get details at giuseppesps.com. … Popular Rancho Mirage bistro Si Bon has opened the new Si Bon Bakery and Café at 70225 Highway 111, Suite A, in Rancho Mirage, in the former home of the Pastry Swan. Get the scoop at sibon-sogood.com. … Burger Box, which closed last year after 70 years in business, is set to reopen! A former employee bought the restaurant and is trying to bring back much of the former staff. The restaurant is at 81201 Indio Blvd., in Indio; we couldn’t find a website, so watch this space for updates. … Back in March, we told you that Play Lounge had changed ownership; now the name has changed, to The Social Café and Play Lounge. Learn more at thesocialps.com. … Now open at The Thompson Palm Springs, at 414 N. Palm Canyon Drive: Bar Issi, which bills itself as an elevated coastal Italian Restaurant with seasonal California ingredients. House-made pasta, wood-fired pizzas, a raw bar and gorgeous cocktails are the name of the game. Bar Issi is open for dinner nightly, with brunch Friday through Sunday; thebarissi.com. … The family behind Felipe’s Palm Springs, El Patio, El Tacolgado and several other restaurants is expanding their culinary empire with two new ventures, both in the former home of The Alibi, at 369 N. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. Sunset, a restaurant with California cuisine, and Afterhours, an elevated upstairs bar/speakeasy, are slated to open in October. It’s exciting to see this iconic location brought back to life by a knowledgeable team; watch this space for updates. … A new French restaurant has opened in the space most recently occupied by From Mouth to Mouth, at 67730 E. Palm Canyon Drive, No. 103, in Cathedral City: Les Filles Café and More offers croissants, pastries, baguette sandwiches and focaccia. Watch the under-construction website for details: les-filles-cafe.com. … Fans of matcha should head to 73833 El Paseo, Suite 101, in Palm Desert, where Buena Matcha offers a nice selection of matcha powders and drinks. For those unfamiliar, matcha is a lovely way to enjoy a caffeine boost without the strong hit associated with coffee; buenamatcha.com. … The Trilogy Golf Club, at 60151 Trilogy Parkway, in La Quinta, has a new destination for lunch and dinner. Kitchen Ten Eleven serves gourmet burgers, pizzas, pastas and more; check out mytrilogylife.com for the full menu. … The new Disco Rabbit, at 78015 Main St., No. 108, in La Quinta, serves a variety of grilled-cheese sandwiches and other classics, as well as New Zealand-style ice cream, including vanilla soft serve with fruit blended in. Find out more at discorabbit.xyz. … Finally, two closures: Guacamoles, at 555 S. Sunrise Way, Suite 108, in Palm Springs. has closed. Rumors are that the cause was a steep rent increase: This solid taco/burrito joint will be missed. … We are also sad to see the closure of J’s Deli, at 74225 Highway 111, in Palm Desert; it had been open since 2022. Good luck to everyone involved.
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