Business partners Willie Rhine and John Paschal, along with Executive Chef Chuck Courtney, offer West Coast cuisine at new hip spot and local foodie hangout Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge. The upscale décor, coined “luxe French farmhouse meets Donald Wexler,” features white patent leather Louis XIV chairs that artfully mingle with rustic wood furnishings. A backlit onyx bar, original works by renowned artists and photographers, and bright hot magenta, teal, purple, and lime green upholstery vividly accent the eclectic 8,000-square-foot space.
Guests can choose from a reasonably priced lounge menu, a dashing à la carte menu, a four-course prix fixe menu, and a weekend brunch menu. Seasonal local produce from nearby farms graces all made-to-order dishes, including the Sonoma Duck Breast served with summer shelling beans and heirloom tomatoes; the Scallops and Manila Clams with truffled potato planks; and desserts such as the Coachella Key Lime Pie, made with limes from our valley.
849 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. 760-325-8490; www.eight4nine.com
photo courtesy of F10 Creative/mr. lyons steakhouse
Raw Garden Salad at Mr. Lyons Steakhouse.
The 12,000-square-foot Lyon’s English Grille has undergone a makeover to entice a new generation of fine food lovers. Reimagined by F10 Creative, the successful team behind Cheeky’s and Birba, the newly christened Mr. Lyons Steakhouse features an elegant ambiance that mirrors a sophisticated menu, blending both traditional and contemporary selections. Standout appetizers include the Raw Gardener, featuring 17 freshly chopped vegetables and roasted candy-striped beets in an orange vinaigrette, and the artery-busting Roasted Beef Marrow Bones served with shallot confit and parsley salad. The longtime English Grille house staple, Beef Wellington, appears on the new menu with the addition of a sumptuous foie gras. The romantic candlelit bar, The Lounge, features retro favorites such as the Boulevardier, Sidecar, and Old Fashioned.
233 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. 760-327-1551; www.mrlyonsps.com
photo by dre naylor
Outdoor dining at SO.PA Restaurant.
Nestled within the glamorous L’Horizon Resort and Spa, SO.PA Restaurant delights all senses in an intimate, exclusive setting where alfresco dining is brought to the next level. The indoor/outdoor midcentury and contemporary furnishings include elegant leather booths, romantic candlelit tables, and twinkling chandeliers that enhance the dining experience. Dishes have both hints and broad strokes of Middle Eastern, Asian, and Mediterranean influences. SO.PA’s Michelin-starred chef, Giacomo Pettinari, has created breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus inspired by his cooking experiences throughout the world. “I apply new techniques to some very old classics to present them in a new way,” he explains. “It is not just a feast for your eyes but you must also fill up your belly. My food speaks for itself.”
Standout dishes include muhamarra (red pepper dip) served with homemade yogurt naan; Squid Ink Gnocchi with Maine lobster, crustacean reduction, and scallions; Veal Cheeks in red wine; and Carnaroli Rice Risotto.
1050 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. 760-323-1858; www.lhorizonpalmsprings.com/sopa-restaurant