Tommy Bahama Hosts 20th Anniversary Party on El Paseo

Palm Desert location will sport special weekend menu to mark company milestone

JIM POWERS El Paseo

Tommy Bahama will toast to the good life, celebrating 20 years in business with anniversary parties at its restaurant/stores, including the Palm Desert location on El Paseo.

Tommy Bahama-Palm Desert, 73595 El Paseo, will recognize the company's anniversary with a party from 3-7 p.m. June 28 featuring live music, refreshments, giveaways at its retail store, and an Island Time Happy Hour with specially priced drinks and appetizers.

A special menu has also been cooked up for the entire weekend, including selections from the first Tommy Bahama restaurant, bar and store in Naples, Fla., with original classics such as Key West Conch Fritters, Boca Chica Chicken – dusted in Caribbean Crackermeal and a delectable Barbados Brownie served with vanilla bean ice cream and chocolate ganache and scratch caramel sauce.

Tommy Bahama has been about capturing an island-like mentality in its clothing to the food its serves.

“This is such a milestone for us that we couldn’t let it pass without thanking our loyal guests for their support,” said Rob Goldberg, senior vice president marketing at Tommy Bahama. “A party seems like the perfect way to celebrate our 20th anniversary.”

The Palm Desert store opened in 1998 and has received a couple of recent makeovers. The restaurant, long a hub for the El Paseo crowd, became an even more engaging hot spot social scene. Some of the changes included:

• Completely refreshed décor from old Colonial plantation island to a fresh, beach-house look, with light, airy, soothing natural tones, grass cloth, white with gray wainscoting, and teak accents.

• Bar in the center of the restaurant makes room for more tables indoors and on the expanded patio, centralizing the bar buzz.

• New private dining room and outdoor lounge area. Patio wraps around the front and east side with views of El Paseo and mountains.

The retail store also took on a bright, airy design to enhance the colors from the sportswear, swimwear, accessories and home décor collections.