graymale "Palm Springs Foodie"

To celebrate our 20th Anniversary we went with friends to our favorite restaurant in Palm Springs, Copley’s on Palm Canyon. Always lovely, this restaurant has never failed us. Tonight was no exception.

Juliana Manion Copley welcomed us warmly and we began with some wine and cocktails. Steve had the chilled Summer Pea Soup & Asparagus, while I had the Peking Duck & Warm Artichoke Salad, and James & Richard the Tossed Green Salad with Figs to start. The specials for the evening appealed to us too; and we went with the Braised Short ribs, Walnut Crusted Halibut with Lobster, and Roasted Fillet of Scottish Salmon. All excellent. Desert was shared with an Apple Tart and a trio of Pistachio, Cinnamon and Ginger ice cream. Another wonderful evening at Copley’s courtesy of Executive Chef & Co-Owner Andrew Manion Copley.

Manhattan in the Desert is Palm Springs’ more upscale deli. Ever since this deli opened about three years ago, it is always mobbed. Never mind if it is breakfast, lunch or dinner, the parking lot is full and you usually have to wait; often though for only a few minutes. Of course while you are waiting you are face-to-face with their humongous deserts and pastries; each of which could easily serve two to three.

Being that it was a rainy evening I think brought out everyone who had been home going stir crazy. Our waiter was swamped, mostly with very fussy older customers, but the hostess was right on the ball and came over to greet us and take our order. (Our busser had already brought over water and the ubiquitous tray of pickles and sourkraut.)

I ordered a cup of the Mish Mash Soup (chicken with rice, carrots, noodles, matzo ball and kreplach) and my partner had the Beef Barley Soup. My soup was delicious. Just right for a damp night. No need for the saltines that they served with it however.

From there I went on to a half a pastrami sandwich on rye with potato salad, and Steve had the chicken liver and onions with veggies and mashed potato. The pastrami was just right; warm and moist, and Steve’s liver and onions had everything he liked about them too; crispy and tender and lots of flavor.

Our waiter returned and he was still charming after a long day of fussy customers, and used his sense of humor with the desert tray to make everyone feel good. We settled on a piece of five-layer chocolate cake with raspberry and chocolate frosting to split between us when we got home. The cake was just a decadent as Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park that we watched while consuming it with a cup of coffee.

Coming out of The Secret Life of Bees, I was actually hungry for southern cooking, but my friends weren’t up for it. We decided to walk a few blocks to a favorite, Café Amusé.

Getting there shortly before the kitchen closed, the server was bubbly and energetic and said of course they could accommodate us.

We did listen to the specials, but instead went with items on the regular menu. Crab cake, Beef Stroganoff and Strip Steak. All were prepared well and served to us very quickly. The flavors of the stroganoff were wonderful with lavendar scent and the sauce and French fries with the strip steak excellent.

Dessert was a shared Banana Bread Pudding with Chantilly Cream and Chocolate Sauce. Yum

Recently reopened after their summer hiatus, Café Amusé is the perfect place for lunch. (Brunch was great too; the last time I was there.)

Located across from the Spa Hotel this casual restaurant provides French-influenced American cuisine for breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Currently, Wednesday through Friday, for lunch they have a special of three “mini” bites for $10 that includes both salads and sandwiches. Each of the three of us went for this idea.

I had the Caesar salad, Rare Roast Beef Sandwich with Irish Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Heirloom Tomatoes, Romaine, Horseradish Mayo, Pommery Mustard on Sourdough, and the Andalusian Sandwich with Paquillo Peppers, Manchego Cheese, Grilled Eggplant, Zucchini, Fennel, Roasted Garlic, Basil Aioli, Picholine Olive Tapenade, Arugula on Ciabata.

My other two friends had "The Wilker” salad (Pine Nut Crusted Goat Cheese, served warm, with Baby Spinach, Pickled Red Onions, Fresh Blackberries and White Balsamic Vinaigrette), mini-burger and the Andalusian sandwich.

We also shared a (small) bowl of Vichyssoise that came with some nice herbs and olive oil on top. We also considered the Carrot Cake, but at the last minute decided our lunch had been just right.

Whenever I crave a fun family-style Mexican restaurant, there is only one place that comes to mind: El Mirasol.

Located just around the corner from where we live, the place is usually hopping and we have to wait, but not usually more than 15 minutes. They have two interior dinning rooms, and an outdoor patio. Early in the evening it is filled with lots of families, but as the night gets later (7:30 on) it becomes a lot more gay.

A lot of folks come here for the Margaritas and Frozen Daiqairis, but I’d just as soon have a Corona. They also bring you great chips and salsa, that you can spice up if you like with the large bottle of hot sauce they’ll bring to you.

Tonight I ordered one of the specials: Crab Enchilladas that was served with rice and beans, along with sour cream. They were delicious. My partner had the Carne Asada Tacos which were not as good as their fish ones. (the beef was a bit too overdone).

There are definitely lots of Mexican restaurants in the Palm Springs area that have a large menu, but none as down home or fun.

Tonight we met one of our former neighbors at Wang’s in the Desert for Happy Hour; the place to be on Friday night. How this came to be I have no idea. It seems that there are various places to be with the “In Crowd” depending on the night of the week.

I don’t think this is how it always was, since I can recall eating at Wang’s when it first opened and I don’t remember Fridays being any different from any other day. However we have since discovered that Wang’s is where the guys go on Fridays for Happy Hour. And I mean hundreds. You can hardly move in the place. Those $2 drinks really pull them in. It seems this is where the Los Angeles party boys begin their weekends.

Tonight we gave it another go. It was packed. Once we had our spot, we didn’t move. Everyone was in a good mood, the booze was flowing and everyone was in a great spirits. Fortunately our friend had made reservations or who knows how long we would have had to wait for food.

That too was great: Coconut Shrimp, Tangerine Beef, Sichuan Eggplant, Kung Pao Chicken and Kung Pao Shrimp and Scallops. And, since I really don’t like chinese food, this is the only Chinese-style restaurant that I have found I love most everything.

A little wine and we left satiated and happy.

“Happy Hour” is going strong here, and Azul has a “2 for 1 or 2 Happy Hour Daily from 4-9 pm and midnight until 2 am.” And, since one can’t consume that much alcohol without a bit of food, Azul has adopted the “tapas” concept.

We have been to this very “gay” and “hip” restaurant several times and we love the patio with its outdoor bar and tables, double garden-style gliders, and upbeat dance music. Most of the wait staff is just as upbeat and friendly as the music and the food fulfills its role as an accompaniment to the drinks.

One of my favorite things here are the flatbreads and on Thursday, we sampled each one: Spinach, artichokes, roasted garlic and mazzarella; Goat cheese, olive tapenade, garlic and basil pesto; Pulled pork, mozzarella and honey barbeque sauce; and Chicken, tomato, mazzarella and basil pesto. Tonight we went for the Goat Cheese again.

Each evening during the week they also feature a dinner special and our two friends had the Pork Chop with garlic mashed potatoes and salad, while Steve went for the Pan Asian Tuna Roll of Diced Ahi Tuna rolled in knori paper with a drizzle of wasabi, chive oil and giner soy vinegrette. I had the Spinach Fetucchini with chicken, artichokes, parmesian and cream. A nice portion seasoned just right.

Of course, to celebrate Steve’s birthday, we all shared the Chocolate Cake with French vanilla ice cream, raspberries and sprig of mint.

Once again a fun evening of drinks, food and friends.

For several months we been hearing about The Tropicale Restaurant & Coral Seas Lounge that opened last fall. At first it seemed that it might attract more of a tourist crowd since it was across from the casino. Then, as with any new restaurant, the buzz seemed to be mixed about the service and food.

However a couple of weeks ago two of our friends who we value for their restaurant recommendations, told us that they had had a wonderful meal there. So when we were coming back from a very HOT weekend in Los Angeles, I suggested we go there. We were not disappointed.

From the outside it is hard to get a sense of the place, but they have a nice small parking lot in the back and a lovely outdoor patio and bar area. (Even with the misters on, it was too hot for us.) Once inside where it was cool, we were seated at a large banquet with very high backs. I don’t know why more places don’t use these higher banquets as they help to make your space a bit more intimate and your conversation enclosed. Some places now get so noisy that it is very hard to hear at your own table.

We started out with two of their specialty cocktails from their “Coral Seas Lounge”: a Peach Mojitos (Bacardi Peach Rum, Ginger Ale, Mint & Lime) and a Desert Pear Margarita
(Patrón Silver Tequila & Desert Pear Juice with Fresh Lime and a splash of Grand Marnier). Just yummy on a hot night.

Our waitress couldn’t have been nicer; on the ball, relaxed, funny and informative. What else could you ask for? Three of us ordered the Thai Grilled Shrimp & Papaya Salad with Cucumbers Sweet Red Onons, Toasted Pine Nuts & Lime Ginger Vinaigrette; the Pressed Cuban Sandwich with Roasted Pork Loin, Smoked Ham, Swiss Cheese, Dill Pickles and Mustard, and the Grilled Yucatán Chicken Sausage & Jalapeño Pizza with Jack Cheese, Roasted Corn, Red Peppers and Cilantro.

There were lots of nice smaller dishes too, but no one wanted to share, so we’ll have to go back for them. The entrees also looked great, as did the deserts. But for a hot evening, this place had just the right touch. It was cool in so many ways from it’s decor to those dining, that I am sure we’ll be spending more nights at The Tropicale.

Last night four of us went for the first time to Purple Palm as part of Dining Out for Life. (They donated 100% of their proceeds to the Desert AIDS Project). Upon arriving the valet greeted us and we walked into the Colony Palms Hotel where we were greeted with a spectacular setting and the restaurant directly in front of us. Unfortunately there weren’t any signs telling us exactly how to get to it, we ended up going to the right which lead us to the restaurant, but not to the host’s stand. However, once we figured that out and told him our name, we were seated immediately at a lovely banquet where we could look out at the entire restaurant and pool area.

The couple beside us immediately said that this was the best food they’d had in the desert, and upon looking at the menu we were also hooked. We started with perfectly made drinks. The waitress was attentive and knew exactly how each dish was prepared when we asked about some of the French preparations. We were offered several different types of breads, as well as a small Amuses-bouche of seared tuna. Our appetizers were wonderful; the salad, dill & fennel soup, and mushroom and artichoke dish. Main courses of duck and scallops were also exquisitely presented and seasoned. Desserts were big enough to share and we shared the macadamia nut tart and the rhubarb and gelato and sorbet combo. Yummy. The only failure of the evening was that once our first glass of wine had been poured, it was hard to get the wine steward’s attention to pour more and our waitress was very busy and we couldn’t reach it.

However, for a very busy evening, the service was great, the food fabulous and the setting divine. We will be back.