Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week
Last year the Greater Palm Springs tourism board invited me to experience Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week; you may remember watching my culinary adventures via Instagram or Instagram Stories as I ate my way through the desert. Now that this yearly fête is but only a few months away, I thought it was only proper to blog about where I ate as to inspire your next trip to this desert oasis. I travel to eat, don't you?
Palm Springs is still one of my favorite California destinations and with it only being two hours from Los Angeles there's no excuse as to why you shouldn't pack your bag and hit the open road. While in the Greater Palm Springs area, I had the chance to eat in Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs. Maybe this is the first time you've heard of these cities–well, there's even more than that! When I'm in the desert, I function on two speeds: 100% chill or explore explore explore. I enjoy seeking out the best esoteric sites, luxurious hotels & spas, and delicious restaurants. I have a folder in my car dedicated to desert maps, facts, and a notebook where I jot down all of my discoveries. Palm Springs is amazing, but there is so much more to see beyond the city limits. I encourage you to drive down an unfamiliar road and see what you may find. And of course, eat as many good meals as you can.
Mark your calendars, Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week returns June 1 - June 18, 2018.
Pinzimini
71333 Dinah Shore Dr, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
760.770.2150
make reservations
Pinzimini is nestled inside Westin Mission Hills, located in Rancho Mirage, and ideal for the quiet set who wants to unplug and enjoy resort life. Whether you order a drink at the bar or indulge in a dinner wine pairing, this restaurant is a great place to kick back and imbibe. I will forever appreciate a hotel restaurant because sometimes you simply don't want to leave the property and I love the idea of living in a plush bath robe. Wine and charcuterie is a must at Pinzimini but for restaurant week you can expect a special prix-fixe menu.
Workshop Kitchen + Bar
800 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.459.3451
make reservations
I crowned Workshop Kitchen + Bar my favorite restaurant in Palm Springs after my first time eating there, or should I say first bite? The brutalist interior is absolute perfection. It's the kind of restaurant design that I have dreamt about, now witnessed come to life. Equally as great is the farm-to-table focused menu and superior cocktail program, slinging both classics and original creations. Make sure to pull up with a little extra cash because you are going to want to order everything on this spectacular menu. read my full review
Koutouki Greek Estiatorio
73675 CA-111, Palm Desert, CA 92260
760.834.8221
make reservations
Family-owned restaurants will forever be my favorite kind of establishments and the charm of Koutouki is something that cannot be bought, it's a vibe that can only be created through love. In addition to impeccable customer service and a welcoming ambiance, their Greek dishes are pure comfort. I could've sat al fresco all day enjoying every dish from their mezze selection: homous, kopanisti, tzatziki, dolmades, grilled octopus, et al. Grilled meats are a great choice from the menu but the lamb chops are a must order. This is my first choice for homestyle Greek food in the desert.
Essence at Two Bunch Palms
67425 Two Bunch Palms Trail, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
760-329-8791
make reservations
Essence at Two Bunch Palms is my favorite restaurant that I had never heard of and haven't stopped thinking about since my first meal there. Chef Jenna Van Loon is a genius simply of the strength of her quinoa pancakes which are prepared to heavenly perfection. I am not exaggerating. This is where you eat when you want to be nourished and unwind. If you're a guest on the property, robes aren't only welcomed at the breakfast table, they're encouraged. Essence's assortment of fresh juices and chilaquiles are stars on the breakfast menu, so make sure to order those.