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Modern Supper Club with Big Tropical Drinks

Inspired by upbeat 1950s and ’60s Palm Springs-style supper clubs, The Tropicale Restaurant and Coral Seas Lounge has a hip, modern ambiance. After more than two years of planning and building, this swanky new venue emerged in November 2007 out of a former body shop across from the Palm Springs Post Office, the creation of partners Tony Di Lembo, Rob Kenzi, and Ranz Wienert.

Di Lembo brings his Culinary Institute of America training and formidable Los Angeles restaurant experience to The Tropicale as chef. Kenzi comes from a family of Chicago restaurateurs, and Wienert is an experienced barman from Hard Rock Café, Atlas Supper Club, and the Key Club at Morongo Casino.

With chic, sophisticated mid-century modern décor, The Tropicale combines cool Miami tones, stacked stone and textured walls with touches of tropical palm leaf motif fabric, a hammered copper triptych, and hand-painted mural.

A fusion of stainless steel, stone, and glass, the bar wraps around to a mirror image of itself in the 2,000-square-foot outdoor patio, taking advantage of great year-round weather. Seating as many outdoors as in, the Coral Seas Lounge is a hot, new gathering place. Like the carefree, fun-loving 1960s movies where everyone had a cocktail in hand, The Tropicale specializes in big fruity drinks from daring Cosmos and refreshing mojitos to The Tropicale Hurricane.

Slide into one of the dining room’s high-back semi-circular booths for a cozy view of the action. Smart, chic tables flicker with amber glass candles and are ready for launching into the restaurant’s exotic “world cuisine.” Start with an array of small plates — a fusion of Asian, Pacific Rim, and Latin tastes. Temptations range from entrées such as Chilean Sea Bass in Thai Red Curry and Kahlua Barbecued Pork Chops to sandwiches, original salads, gourmet pizzas, and desserts.

Open for dinner Sunday to Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday to 11 p.m. The Coral Seas Lounge remains open until midnight Sunday to Thursday, and later Friday and Saturday. Happy hour is from 4 to 6 p.m. daily; Sunday brunch during season from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Large party accommodations.

“A modern version of the upbeat lounges of the ’50s and ’60s.”

Text by Pamela Bieri