Heading to Palm Springs in a couple of weeks to visit with one of my wife’s law school buddies for several days. Any can’t miss/must miss food, wine or tourist destinations? We’ll explore the mid-century modern houses and Joshua Tree NP already. I’ve been lost since Sinatra passed
Aerial Tram is pretty fun (Covid risk aside). Gotta book in advance if it’s the weekend. Usually I just chill out by the pool in P.S.
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For wine, Counter Reformation at the Parker Hotel in PS. A little speakeasy type of place. No DRC or anything. But an eclectic variety of QPR wines and some light food. Been a few times and always a fun to hang with friends, chat and have some nice wines.
For a fun time warp check out Melvyn’s in PS (especially if you’re a Sinatra fan-the rat pack hung out here). The food is remarkably good. If not for a meal, the piano bar is a gas with all the regulars.
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Also, Del Rey at Villa Royale. A little hard to find (walk into Villa Royale Hotel as desk clerk to point you through the maze) but worth it. http://delreypalmsprings.com/
Following. We will be there end of March.
There is also this thread: Rancho Mirage/Palm Springs - Places to Eat - Epicurean Exploits - Food and Recipes - WineBerserkers
Thanks all.
Has anyone been to Jalama Winery tasting room recently? Apparently a Berserker lost his head there.
Had a blast at counter reformation several years ago. The small plates are easy to match the wines and the vibe is cool.
Hah. It’s been a bit but can be quite fun. I’m hit and miss on his wines, he likes to make more big fruit alcohol style wines, but he’s super nice and laid back. It’s a no frills tasting room in the heart of downtown PS.
Not much of a wine scene so bring your own. I like Johnny Costa’s for old school Italian in PS. Reminds me of places I used to eat at in Philly. Owner chef was Sinatra personal chef
We were in the Palm Springs area for a bit over a week in December.
Our favorite restaurants were John Henry’s in Palm Springs and Lavender Bistro in la Quinta. Both very nice for eating outside.
We also liked Sherman’s Deli a lot. A small crowded deli in Palm Desert (there may be another one in Palm Springs but we only went to the Palm Desert one). Excellent food but not very fancy. VERY crowded.
For golf, I very much liked Desert Willow and Eagle Falls. Eagle Falls is really beautiful. It is on an Indian reservation and near the Fantasy Springs Casino.
A neat commercial art gallery on El Paseo is the CODA gallery. Neat mid-century modern stuff there.
Then you should drive on Frank Sinatra Drive.
Lots of good choices above- These are worth a try as well-
~PaulBar (the meatballs and wedge salad are terrific)
~The Tropicale (Tapas Style apps)
Have a great trip~!
Rooster and the Pig is an outstanding Vietnamese restaurant in Palm Springs.
Just visited there this weekend. The owner (Mark, I believe) was a hoot. Definitely no frills, but solid wines. You can tell he’s in it for the craft, rather than the dollar. Walked out with a bottle of syrah and El Capitan (cab, mourvedre, syrah). Visit on Sunday for heavier pours, as he closes until Thursday.
$20 tasting of 6 wines, waived with 2 bottles.
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The owner, Mark, is Peter Cargasacchi’s brother. I understand Mark is the sane one. 
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Just got back from a few days in Palm Desert. Sadly we ate out very little, but the flip side to that is the friends who we stayed with, liked to stay in, and we drank A LOT of wine.
We went to a local Belgian restaurant that was only ok. We also went to Arnold Palmer’s. It was very nice, but not outstanding. It has the standard steakhouse wine list. Regardless, good service and a pleasant experience sitting outside. You can bring your own for $25/bottle. We brought a Merus and a Monochrome. While playing golf, my wife and her friend went to Kitchen 86, which they both really liked.
We did two hikes - the oasis in Indian Canyon and then a day out at Joshua Tree. Really enjoyed both hikes.
Following.
George
Sands hotel in palm desert. Make a reservation