As the locals rev-up to experience the gustatory glory on offer for 2015 Palm Springs Restaurant Week (May 29-June 7), don’t forget to consider the incredible restaurants tucked inside the amazing array of hotels throughout the valley.
Why let visitors have all the fun? Consider a stay-cation for an evening as you experience the 3-course menu offerings curated by talented chefs, and get over your tourist-envy.
Head to Lantana Restaurant, located inside The Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, and experience the $38 Restaurant Week menu curated by Chef de Cuisine, Andrew Daly. Offering contemporary California cuisine, starter courses include two different salads or an interesting preparation of risotto, fried to resemble marbles. Entrees include Roasted Chicken Breast, Blackened Salmon, Spaghetti Bolognese or Vegetable Ravioli.
Photo courtesy of Lantana Restaurant/Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
Vegetable Melange Ravioli is one of the featured entrees at Lantana and will satisfy vegetarians and omnivores alike, with soft pillows of pasta filled with summer vegetables and generously coated in tomato-parmesan cream sauce.
One of the best parts of three-course dining during Restaurant Week is the opportunity to indulge in dessert as part of the menu. So, save room for something sweet and relax into the tourist mindset. After all, you are on stay-cation.
Photo courtesy of Lantana Restaurant/Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
The unique presentation of this cheesecake will have you so mesmerized that you will readily dive in to experience the sweet indulgence. Squares of banana cheesecake are served with toasted walnuts, white chocolate crème, and a plate painted with decadent chocolate ganache.
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, 44-600 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells, 760-674-4090; www.bit.ly/WxV56Z
The Ritz-Carlton in Rancho Mirage boasts one of the most breathtaking views in the valley. You will truly feel you have stepped into a relaxing oasis as you enter the hotel and dine at State Fare Bar & Kitchen.
Photo Courtesy of State Fare Bar & Kitchen/Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage
Dining at State Fare Bar & Kitchen offers inside dining featuring a Chef’s Display Kitchen so you can watch your meals being prepared by culinary experts, or enjoy the beautiful grounds of the Ritz-Carlton in Rancho Mirage viewed from the outdoor terrace.
The $26 Restaurant Week menu is designed to make the most of California ingredients prepared with artisan flair, such as Appetizers including Fried Avocado and House Made Pork Sausage. Entrees include choices of short ribs, fish and pasta. Order from an impressive list of California wines to accompany your meal.
Photo Courtesy of State Fare Bar & Kitchen/Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage
If fish is your wish, select the Striped Bass entree served with Summer Bean Ragout, Salsa Verde, Chorizo and Piquillo Puree.
Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage/State Fare, 68900 Frank Sinatra Drive, Rancho Mirage, 760-202-4710; www.ritzcarlton.com
The Parker Hotel in Palm Springs has a long-held tradition of celebrity guests.
The white walled, heavily landscaped location keeps it hidden from obvious view. The hush-hush history, intimate grounds, and private outdoor areas have made it a popular setting for weddings.
Norma’s Restaurant is a casual, outdoor spot for guests of the hotel and Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity to discover it as a local. Norma’s $38 menu is geared for not-too-fussy and comfort-food driven diners. Starter selections include Warm Goat Cheese Tart, Corn off the Cob Soup and Fristo Misto.
Photo Courtesy of Norma’s Restaurant/Parker Hotel Palm Springs
Light tempura batter coats a variety of fried delights such as shrimp, calamari, oysters, asparagus and avocado. This is a seafood-lover and fried-foodie kind of indulgence and a great way to start of your meal.
Entrees on offer are an eclectic mix of homey Brick Chicken and potatoes, crowd-pleasing Crispy Fish Tacos and a turn to the health-conscious with Vegan Red Quinoa. Norma’s iconic Mini Pies are one of the dessert selections, along with a Macadamia & Coconut Cake.
Photo Courtesy of Norma’s Restaurant/Parker Hotel Palm Springs
Vegan and health-focused diners can rejoice in the Vegan Red Quinoa, which is served as a salad with broccolini, bell peppers, shaved Brussel Sprouts and wild mushrooms.
Parker Hotel Palm Springs, 4200 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760-321-4630; www.theparkerpalmsprings.com
The Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs is one of the newer hotels to hit the scene and Simon Kitchen + Bar has been creating a solid reputation in town, as headed by celebrity “Rock and Roll Chef” Kerry Simon, who has restaurants in metro areas around the country.
The menu at Simon Kitchen + Bar strives to put an edgy spin on contemporary cuisine and offers a mix of small plates and full entrees. The décor of the restaurant is a cool blend of rock themed touches with a hip design aesthetic. The $26 Restaurant week menu is a fun mix of edgy comfort food served up as small plates.
photo courtesy of Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs
Wok Charred Edamame and Black Mussels with Chorizo, Saffron and Fennel are two of the small plate selections to rock your socks off at Simon Kitchen + Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs.
Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs, 150 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760-325-9676; www.harhpalmsprings.com/simon.htm
Visit http://palmspringsrestaurantweek.com/ for a full listing of the 90 restaurants participating in 2015 Palm Springs Restaurant Week.
Lori Cohen-Sanford is a private/personal chef, cooking class instructor and owner of Nourishfoods Organic Meal Services www.nourishfoods.biz. Her food column, Tastes Around Town, will appear weekly on Wednesdays. Have a story idea? You can contact Lori at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @nourishfoodsps.
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