First, a Mini-Endorsement
Although I don’t usually use this space to endorse restaurants, I need to give a shout-out to the newly opened Bougainvillea Fresh Cuisine, in the former Guacamole’s, at 555 S. Sunrise Way, Suite 108, in Palm Springs. This tiny restaurant, with less than 40 seats, is making some incredibly delicious food with a ton of heart (and butter).
The house-made pastas were perfectly cooked, and the fried calamari was tender, with a surprising cucumber citrus sauce. I’ve only eaten there once, when I sat at the chef’s counter and was regaled by Chef Alex, his son and his nephew’s stories about their food inspirations, but Bougainvillea has the potential to become a Palm Springs institution. Learn more at bougainvilleacuisine.com.
Two Cool January Events
TASTE, On the Mark’s Food and Beverage Festival, is returning to the SHAG House, at 660 S. Compadre Road, in Palm Springs, from noon to 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 17. A ticket gets you unlimited tastes of many of the delicious products available at On the Mark, plus craft beer and small-producer wines. General-admission tickets for the afternoon (noon to 2 p.m.) are $125, while VIP “evening” tickets (from 3 to 5:30 p.m.) are $150. All tickets include a commemorative glass created by the artist SHAG. Get tickets via Eventbrite.
Billed as the largest pinot noir-tasting event in Southern California, Passion 4 Pinot returns to the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa, at 41000 Bob Hope Drive, in Rancho Mirage, on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30 and 31 (the winemaker dinners on the 29th are already sold out), with a lineup of producers, seminars and the grand tasting. Tickets for the blind-tasting masterclass on Friday are $135, and tickets for the grand tasting on Saturday start at $165. Find out more at palmspringspinotfest.com.
In Brief
Cathedral City recently approved a new ordinance allowing food trucks on private property. TKB Bakery and Deli, the well-known Indio-based sandwich spot, is the first to take advantage of the opportunity by serving lunch every Friday at the Tesla dealership, at 68080 Perez Road, in Cathedral City. The city promoted the food truck as being “powered by a Cybertruck.” Given the current political climate, it’s no surprise this has sparked some online controversy.
The city of Rancho Mirage has brought back its Shop Local Card promotion. When you purchase a Shop Local Card, you’ll receive an additional 50% bonus card to boost your spending power at participating local businesses, including many restaurants. Bonus cards are available on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies run out. For more information and to purchase cards, visit bit.ly/3Sbqzmx.
If you love burgers, head to Palm Desert for Project Burger, at 77682 Springfield Lane. Their selection of sandwiches, salads, tacos and smash burgers is impressive, with a variety of unique toppings, including pork belly and truffle cream. The blacked brioche bun is downright Instagrammable. Learn more at www.instagram.com/project_burgerpd.
The family behind Felipe’s Palm Springs, El Patio, El Tacolgado and several other restaurants has expanded their culinary empire into the former home of The Alibi, at 369 N. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. After a few months of delays, Sunset, a restaurant serving California cuisine—think sand dabs, short ribs, Caprese salad, etc.—has opened on the ground floor for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. The restaurant’s interior looks gorgeous based on the photos posted online. Learn more at socalsunsetps.com.
News if you’re a fan of fried chicken (and who isn’t?): Angry Chickz has opened its first Coachella Valley location, at 79124 Highway 111, Suite 103, in La Quinta. The Nashville-style hot-chicken brand that started in East Hollywood has expanded across Southern California, with locations also in Arizona and Nevada. You decide how spicy you want your chicken, from country (mild) to angry (you must sign a waiver). Check out angrychickz.com.
Finally: Beloved Palm Springs staple Billy Reed’s, at 1800 N. Palm Canyon Drive, is for sale, so the owners can step into a well-deserved retirement. The asking price is $7.5 million, but whoever buys it, should they keep things basically the same, will be the hero to many a peach pie fan here in the Coachella Valley.