Author: lindsay

  • Community Church Of Palm Springs

    Community Church Of Palm Springs

    283 SOUTH CAHUILLA ROAD
    PALM SPRINGS

    Next door to the Orchid Tree Inn sits the once-celebrated Community Church of Palm Springs. Designed in the Gothic Revival style by William Charles Tanner in 1935, President Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie, attended services there while visiting the desert in 1954. Shuttered since 2004, the once stately parish is charred and decaying today, following mass devastation resulting from two fires that tore through the property in 2013 and 2022. While there have been talks of transforming the church, as well as the Orchid Tree Inn, into a boutique resort, those plans have yet to come to fruition.

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  • Stuft Pizza

    Stuft Pizza

    78015 MAIN STREET, SUITE 100
    LA QUINTA

    A desert icon since its 2004 inception, this place gets my vote for some of the absolute BEST pies in the entire valley (thin crust with pepperoni, Canadian bacon and olives is my preferred order). But there is so much more to be had here, especially the daily happy hour, hosted from 3 to 6 p.m., with offerings including Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Rib Bites and Street Tacos – all affordable and delicious. There is also a sister location in Palm Desert, but the patio at the La Quinta outpost is where it’s truly at!

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  • La Quinta Cliffhouse

    La Quinta Cliffhouse

    78250 CA-111
    LA QUINTA

    Securing a seat at this local favorite during happy hour (offered from 3:30 to 6 p.m. daily) is a cut-throat endeavor, to say the least! One drink in, and it won’t be hard to see why! The food is superb, the drinks well-crafted, and the ambiance unparalleled, especially on the gorgeous patio, which is literally built into the side of a mountain and boasts striking views and an open-air fireplace, perfect for those cool desert nights.

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  • Ristorante Mamma Gina

    Ristorante Mamma Gina

    73705 EL PASEO
    PALM DESERT

    Craving a $24 filet? Mamma Gina has you covered! Another Piero Pierattoni hot spot, this El Paseo eatery has been a beloved desert staple since originally opening in 1986. Other delectables on the all-night happy hour menu (offered from 4 p.m. to closing) include Salmone and Carpaccio Di Bue (at $16 and $18, respectively), with each dish more exquisite than the last. As such, it is no surprise that this place is hard to get into, but the long waits are well worth it!

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  • Piero’s Pizzavino

    Piero’s Pizzavino

    73722 EL PASEO #1
    PALM DESERT

    This casual spot, opened by Florence-born restauranteur Piero Pierattoni in 2011, is best known for its fab Neapolitan pizzas, but the happy hours also can’t be beat! Offering authentic Italian dishes based on Piero’s family recipes, the happy hour offerings are extensive – from pasta to pizza to appetizers, with gluten-free options, to boot! The Fried Zucchini Blossoms and Grilled Artichokes are personal favorites (and affordable at $12 each), but you can’t go wrong with any menu choice. (Happy Hour is offered all day Sunday through Thursday and from 11:30 to 4 on Fridays and Saturdays.)

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  • Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant

    Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant

    78164 52ND AVENUE
    LA QUINTA

    One of the desert’s most beloved establishments, Arnold Palmer’s was opened by the golf great in 2004. Boasting priceless ambiance, sprawling side and rear patios, mountain views, a club-like interior, and plenty of mementos on display (including one of The King’s four Masters jackets), it’s a truly gorgeous and unique spot to grab a meal.

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  • Lavender Bistro

    Lavender Bistro

    78073 CALLE BARCELONA
    LA QUINTA

    A truly magical spot boasting a sprawling patio nestled under a grove of trees illuminated by hundreds upon hundreds of twinkle lights, a meal at Lavender Bistro is tantamount to dining in a magical fairyland. The food is also exceptional (I’m partial to the Wild Mushroom Soup). So it is no surprise that the eatery is regularly – and very deservedly – named Palm Springs’ most romantic restaurant by just about every publication out there.

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  • The Sandbar

    The Sandbar

    78120 CALLE TAMPICO
    LA QUINTA

    They say not to judge a book by its cover, and that is certainly true with this spot, which, from the outside, appears a little rough around the edges. In truth, though, it offers upscale American options in an absolutely elegant setting. Dimly lit, intimate, and reminiscent of the finest restaurants of yesteryear, more than a few luminaries have passed through its doors, including Gena Rowlands, who is a longtime regular, as well as Bob Hope, Andy Williams and Ginger Rogers.

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  • Castelli’s Ristorante

    Castelli’s Ristorante

    73098 CA-111
    PALM DESERT

    Retro in all the right ways, Castelli’s is a desert landmark – and one of my family’s longtime favorites. Established by brothers John and Michael Castelli in 1988, using their family’s Old World Italian recipes, the place quickly became a celebrity hotspot (as the many headshots lining the walls attest), welcoming the likes of Martin Short, Bob Hope, Robert Wagner, Andy Garcia, and Sylvester Stallone, just to name a few. Still going strong today, the restaurant is packed to the gills most nights, best loved for its stellar fare and warm ambiance.

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    Website

  • Bar Cecil

    Bar Cecil

    1555 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
    PALM SPRINGS

    If you know anything about the Palm Springs food scene, you’ve heard of this place – and it is absolutely worth all the hype! Offering fine dining in the non-stuffiest form (the menu even includes a burger!), this swank establishment opened in 2021 and has been the hottest ticket in town ever since! Named after British “rebel/aristocrat” Cecil Beaton, the vibe is excellently eclectic, with fine art and colorful collectibles lining the walls, and the fare is some of the best around. Not-to-be-missed items include Cecil’s Bread Rolls, Steaks + Frites (the fries are insane!), and the Chocolate Chip Cookies (served right out of the oven).

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    Website