November Is Food Festival Season!
Late spring is usually thought of as “Festival Season” here in the desert—but November is shaping up to be Food Festival Season.
First up, on Sunday, Nov. 1, is the Scoop Ice Cream Festival, which I detailed last month. Next is the Indio BBQ Festival, from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, at downtown Indio’s Center Stage, at 82881 Miles Ave. Enjoy delicious food, entertainment, a kids’ zone and more. The event is free, though you’ll need to pay for your food; www.indio.org/our-city/indio-ca-bbq-festival.
Other end of the culinary spectrum (it’s called balance, people): Desert Eating for Life is a one-day festival celebrating plant-based foods, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater, at 68526 Avenue Lalo Guerrero. The event is free, but you are encouraged to pre-register at deserteatingforlife.com.
The Palm Springs Food and Wine Festival will take place at its new location—the Downtown Palm Springs Park, at 123 N. Museum Way—on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14 and 15. The celebration will include wineries from around the globe, celebrity chefs, cooking demonstrations and many local restaurants. Regular admission is $155, with VIP options and discounts. Learn more at palmspringsfoodandwine.org.
The Coachella Valley Filipino Food Festival returns for its third year, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21, also at the Downtown Palm Springs Park. Admission is free. The festival includes music, food vendors and dance demonstrations. Learn more at cvfilipinofest.org.
Alternately, head over to the Palm Springs Air Museum from 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21, for the annual Props and Hops Craft Beer Festival, with more than 40 craft beers to taste, food vendors, live music and vintage planes. General admission tickets are $75 (or two for $120); for $15 more, a VIP ticket admits you an hour early. Designated drivers pay just $5. Get tickets at palmspringsairmuseum.org/props-and-hops-craft-beer-festival.
Updates
Last month, we reported that Saffron Restaurant and Lounge was closing—amid some controversy—and planning to move to a new location. Owner Ashley Stein has since announced the new location: 777 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, in Palm Springs. Those of us who have been around a while will remember the space as Blame It on Midnight. In 2022, Oscar’s owner Dan Gore said he was going to open a restaurant in that spot, but it never opened. We’ll keep you posted on Saffron’s progress.
The most frequently asked question I get is, by far: What is happening with One More Bite Dumpling House? At the beginning of October, they posted “A Heartfelt Update” on social media, outlining the challenges they are having. They’re still planning on opening in Palm Springs—and the Palm Desert location should be open soon! Watch www.instagram.com/onemorebite888 for updates.
In Brief
Bill Sanderson and Andy Wysocki have sold Townie Bagel, at 650 E. Sunny Dunes Road, No. 5, to long-time employees. They plan a long transition out, ensuring that we all still have access to their delicious treats; towniebagels.com.
Bar Issi, at the Thompson Palm Springs, at 414 N. Palm Canyon Drive, has introduced its “Plus None” menu designed for solo diners, with smaller portions and adjusted pricing; thebarissi.com.
Smokin’ Burgers and Lounge, at 1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, has changed ownership. A company called NY Joey LLC is the new owner. The restaurant previously drew attention in the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, when the Trump-supporting owners at the time became embroiled in a social-media dispute involving various claims. Anyway, follow smokinburgers.com for updates.
The Station Brewing Co., a new woman-owned brewery, is preparing to open on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 82921 Indio Blvd., in Indio; watch instagram.com/thestationbrewing for updates.
New York Pizzeria is now open at 41800 Washington St., Suite 106, in Bermuda Dunes. The pizza looks promising, though the “California” with mango sauce and avocado is sure to spark some controversy! We can’t find any online presence beyond Yelp, so head there for info.
The Capital Grille is taking over the former Roy’s site on Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage. No opening date has been announced; thecapitalgrille.com.
R&B Tea is opening a franchise location on Oct. 26 at 1717 E. Vista Chino, in Palm Springs, offering bubble tea, milk tea and the intriguing-sounding Puffle Waffle. Visit instagram.com/rbtea.palmsprings for updates.
Those Italian Cousins is open in the former Mario’s location at 425 S. Sunrise Way, in Palm Springs. I have eaten there twice—and I’m impressed. Make sure you try the Roman-style pizzas. The folks there are very adamant about doing things the Italian way, so don’t ask for a side of angel hair with your Milanese di pollo. They haven’t updated the décor, but the owner tells me he plans to change things up soon; thoseitaliancousins.com.
Nothing Bundt Cakes has opened a new location at 5200 E. Ramon Road, Suite G6, in Palm Springs. This is great news for my sweet tooth and terrible news for my waistline; nothingbundtcakes.com/cakes/?bakery=1075.
The Avalon Hotel has changed its restaurant, opening Marlowe’s in the former Chi Chi space. Led by chef Jeremy Grossman, Marlowe’s offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus a new cocktail program. Check out the new menus at avalon-hotel.com/palm-springs/marlowes.
Enzo’s Rancho Mirage, at 70030 Highway 111, has closed. The website, voicemail and calls to the La Quinta location all say the closure is temporary. Other media sources have reported the restaurant let go of its entire staff very suddenly. We’ll keep you posted.
Also in limbo: Churrasco Brazilian Steakhouse, which closed Oct. 4 at 450 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. They announced they would be relocating, but an employee tells us they decided to cease operations in Palm Springs. Again, we’ll keep you posted.
