by Paul Heney
While I don’t think of my sons, ages 15 and 21, as foodies, they’re quickly getting there. Thankfully gone are the days of ordering nothing but cheese quesadillas and chicken fingers, even at nicer establishments. My husband and I are eager to share our culinary favorites with them now, as they suddenly have opinions on things like Beef Wellington and risotto. One of our favorite food destinations is Greater Palm Springs, so on a recent trip to this sunny oasis for a queer getaway, we were excited to share with them some favorite restaurants. Following is a selection of our best experiences.
Located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, Kaiser Grille never fails to impress. Owner Lee Morcus can often be seen chatting with diners, and his refined menu of steaks, seafood, pasta, and more has something for everyone. The restaurant is finally opening a long-awaited outdoor patio, complete with a large fireplace, Roman shades, wooden slat walls for added intimacy, and stunning mountain views. Must-try items here are the elevated Caesar salad, the exceptional filet mignon, and any of the chocolate desserts. There’s a special dinner menu in the winter months, offering reduced pricing for patron seatings from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Another glam option is 4 Saints, a gorgeously designed rooftop restaurant and bar at the fashionable Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs hotel. Views are fantastic and service here is top-notch. We loved the kids’ cocktail options. While I thoroughly enjoyed my Mezcal Negroni, 15-year-old Matthew felt like an adult drinking his Yuzu Fizz, complete with basil, yuzu, and lemon. The menu is a bit Southern and a bit California. From the grilled broccolini to the sweet potato agnolotti to the steaks, all was done to perfection. And the nutter butter cake dessert is something we still talk about, maybe the best sweet of the trip. (“I am in heaven,” declared Matthew.)
Close by to both is LULU California Bistro, famous for its three-course weekend brunch complete with re-fillable mimosas. On this trip, we opted for family lunch here, and we all enjoyed so much food that we certainly made up for the calories we had burned on our morning hike. We started with a calamari shareable and a portobello tower that is a popular choice, and then made our way through flavorful dishes that included a margarita pizza, strawberry salad, and a very tender chicken piccata. The menu here is really extensive, and both the inside and the ample al fresco seating outside are both cheery and have great energy.
If you’re looking for a satisfying dinner following a trip to lovely Joshua Tree National Park, Grnd Sqrl in Twentynine Palms (not far from the park’s northern entrance) is a fun hipster gastropub that we happened upon. And lucky for us! We thoroughly enjoyed the burgers, but the selection of salads was fantastic, too — try the Dank House Salad, with beets, apples, and shaved Brussels sprouts. Delish! My older son was also impressed with the vast array of “rad” beers that they carried, including a German pilsner he enjoyed.
Other favorites on the trip included:
• Jake’s: This mainstay in the Uptown Design District features a nice selection of comfort food favorites in an intimate setting. Standouts here are the chicken Milanese, seared sea scallops, and the baby back ribs with pineapple teriyaki sauce. Don’t skip out on the German chocolate cake to finish your evening on the right note!
• Dragon Lili Boba Bar: Located in the city of Rancho Mirage, this newer hangout is a fun stop for beverage favorites such as milk teas, yogurt teas, lattes, coffee, and of course, boba teas.
• Grand Central: Another popular choice in the area for brunch, this restaurant in the quaint La Plaza area of downtown also impresses for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Set in a former department store, there’s plenty of inside and outside seating. The menu focuses on soups, salads, and sandwiches during the day — and steaks, seafood, and pasta in the evening hours.
• Marlin Bar: Connected to the adjacent Tommy Bahama store, this lively chain’s downtown Palm Springs location was a fun evening for the whole family. From the pineapple coconut mojito to non-alcoholic specials like the Hawaiian Fizz (“almost like a Key Lime pie”) we all enjoyed the beachy vibe here. Famous for their delightful coconut shrimp, the menu also includes tacos, salads, sandwiches, and bowls, along with plenty of tempting desserts.
• Tac/Quila: Another new discovery for us on this trip, we loved the funky design and vibe of this modern Mexican joint. A recent addition to the Michelin Guide recommended restaurant list, Tac/Quila is a restaurant not to pass up, including trying its Mezcalita or the tasty carne asada street tacos. Our sons were immediately asking if we could come back here a second night!
Greater Palm Springs, with its large and vibrant LGBTQ+ community, is known as a welcoming and inclusive travel destination. Nine distinct cities – Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella – make up this Southern California oasis, where visitors can enjoy world-class resorts, boutique hotels, a lively nightlife scene, cultural attractions, and signature events like Greater Palm Springs Pride.
https://www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/lgbtq/