It’s Palm Desert Food and Wine Fest Time!
The annual Palm Desert Food and Wine festival returns from Thursday, March 19, through Sunday, March 22, with various tastings, classes, tours and meals. Events sell out quickly, and prices vary by event. I recommend the grand tastings on Saturday and Sunday (the cost is $158.61), which are always a hit. Head to palmdesertfoodandwine.com for all the information you’ll need.
In other event-related news: On most Tuesdays through March, head to Cathedral City for the popular Tastes and Sounds of Cathedral City, held at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater. Each week features a theme, with a local artist performing and local restaurants providing dinner. Visitors can enjoy a variety of culinary experiences while listening to live music in a beautiful outdoor setting. Admission is free, but there’s a charge for the food. Check out the full schedule at tastesandsounds.discovercathedralcity.com.
In Brief
Things are happening in the east valley! Indio’s latest addition to the taco scene is Taquería El Guero, at 82204 Highway 111, offering traditional Mexican cuisine, including birria and menudo on the weekends. Learn more at taqueriaelguerocali.com.
F10 Hospitality, the folks behind Mr. Lyons, Cheeky’s and Alcazar, have reopened the Tack Room Tavern, at 81800 51st Ave., in Indio, at the Empire Polo Club, with a menu focused on bar food—perfect for watching a polo match. The Instagram page seems to have the most up-to-date information: instagram.com/tackroomtavern.f10. The F10 folks are also reportedly opening a third Birba location, their popular Italian/pizza restaurant, in the adjacent space, adding to the locations in Palm Springs and at the Cabazon Outlets.
Imagine grabbing some bagels and coffee in the morning, and listening to your favorite local band at night, all in the same space! That is the reality at the Dune Room, at 82707 Miles Ave., in Indio. See the events schedule and check out the menu at duneroomindio.com.
There is a new fast-casual Korean spot in La Quinta: Let’s Eat Rice and Grill, at 78530 Highway 111. Build your favorite rice or japchae noodle bowl with fresh and pickled vegetables and your choice of meats. Think poke, but with Korean bowls. Check them out at letseatriceandgrill.com.
Let’s head west into Palm Desert, where we’ll find a coffee shop and roastery under construction: Desert Kid Coffee is in the process of building out at 44850 San Pablo Ave. Watch instagram.com/desertkidcoffee for updates.
The family behind Olga’s Tacos in Cathedral City has opened Bohemios Prime by Olga, at 34460 Monterey Ave., in Palm Desert. This upscale Mexican eatery is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.—and midnight on Friday and Saturday! Learn more at instagram.com/bohemios_prime.
Also new to Palm Desert: Claudio’s Italian Deli, at 41555 Cook St., is serving up panini, pasta, salads, gelato and pastries to a lunch crowd; instagram.com/claudiositaliandeli.
Signs are already up for the under-construction Platinum Cowboy Dancehall and Saloon, in the former Kaiser Grille space at 74040 Highway 111, in Palm Desert. Find the place’s page on Facebook and watch updates.
As planned, Desert Pearl has opened in the former bluEmber space at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa, at 41000 Bob Hope Drive, in Rancho Mirage, offering both a breakfast and an “all-day” menu that includes items such as steak frites and vegetable couscous. Learn more at omnihotels.com/hotels/palm-springs-rancho-las-palmas/dining/desert-pearl.
The long-lifeless Carnival restaurant space at 69820 Highway 111, in Rancho Mirage, has a new occupant—and is now open! California Bistro is offering breakfast, lunch and dinner; see the full menus at californiabistrorm.com.
Joe Coffee, the popular Provincetown, Mass., coffee shop, is planning a second location at 577 E. Sunny Dunes Road, in Palm Springs, by the end of the year. Watch www.instagram.com/Joecoffeeps for updates.
Vinophile Café, at 540 S. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, should be open by the time you read this. Certified sommelier Jennifer Carter is bringing her depth of experience and love of European wine and coffee culture to the valley. Details at vinophilecafe.com.
Aqua Bar and Grill is now open at the Aqua Soleil Hotel, at 14500 Palm Drive, in Desert Hot Springs. It features a bright, airy interior and a large patio overlooking the hot springs, and is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Get details at aquabargrill.com.
The popular Chill Bar, at 217 E. Arenas Road, Palm Springs, is listed for sale. Chill is known for drag brunches, carne asada fries and hunky go-go dancers, and the space has been a gay bar under one name or another for decades. Considering the loss of so many queer spaces around the country, let’s hope this gem in the heart of Palm Springs Gayborhood remains an LGBTQ+ space.