A Saturday of strolling

Erin and I spent our Palm Springs Saturday strolling, shopping and stopping along Palm Canyon Dr.  We first went to the Palm Springs Art Museum, as museums always have inspiring gift shops.  We viewed a few of the exhibits in the intimate space.

We walked, shopped, walked, shopped along Palm Canyon.  Palm Springs shopping is known more for the home decor of the 50s, 60s and 70s.  Not so much for fashion.  I believe Trina Turk is the main designer label in town.  That was fine by us, we did manage to scoop up some summery finds on the cheap.  

I read about the creative, vintage-style pizza options at Matchbox, a local indoor/outdoor bistro right in the heart of Palm Springs.  And what made our stop ideal, it was happy hour, we were spoiled with $3 beer and $6, 10" pizza.  The beer, pizza with a prime view of foot and car traffic was a perfect way to end the afternoon.

 

And, next door to the Matchbox is a spot we didn't try but heard buzz about -  The Falls, known for their "halfy" hour specials.    

So many happy hours, so little time. 

Friday night done right

My friend from Mpls, Erin, came for the weekend.  We spent Friday night at Copley's for a delicious dinner, my second there in five days.   Of the four of us dining, two had fish, two had steak - all were very satisfied with the generous and creative concoctions of flavors and textures.   

I then brought Erin to Melvyn's ,yes, another old-school 1950s dining + piano bar, but Melvyn's has been untouched by renovation.  So where you sit taking in the piano man, maybe Bob Hope sat, or  Frank, or Goldie Hawn, or one of these celebrities.   So there's a strong sense of spirit there, which welcomes the mix of the old, the young, the locals and the visitors - all sitting back taking in a taste of time gone by.

Spots near the 8 x 8' dance floor that packs them in:

The thing is, I think Elvis was here...

The Roaring Riviera

Several locals mentioned grabbing a drink at the Riviera Resort & Spa. Well, my drink, a glass of red was typical, what was outstanding was the $70 million renovation. Pulling up to he Riviera is quite a visual draw. Unlike the modest street presence of most PS options, the Riviera is the ultimate extrovert. Before turning off of Indian Canyon Rd the burst of red velvet décor and lights can be seen from your car, and gets stronger as you approach the grand entrance.

The entrance contains a front desk that you can easily miss, but an expansive lobby lounge/bar area you couldn’t miss if you tried. It’s pure posh and glam - from mirror-tiled pool tables, swank seating areas with patterned over-sized chairs, to chandeliers of epic proportions.








No visual detail has been missed at the Riviera. As far as food, hit or miss. I recommend a drink or two in the multitude of sizzling settings. That, and the people-watching should fill you up.

Palm Springs Villagefest

Every Thursday, six blocks of Palm Canyon Drive, are closed from 6-10 and devoted to Villagefest, a street fair for all. You’ll find families, friends, the young, the old, dogs, couples and I even spotted a parrot. The vendors are just as vast, creating products by hand or from the local land - jewelers, farmers, masseuses, makers of soap, candles, pillow, purses, lotions and potions. All of which are surrounded by food vendors covering the “you name it” street food favorites - gyros, kabobs, hot dogs, cotton candy, roasted peanuts and more.

As you stroll along, be sure to look up, the sky turns a brilliant blue, which makes a hot dog taste that much better....

A day of shopping!

Thursday I spent the day in Palm Desert, home to the "Rodeo Drive of the Desert" El Paseo Street. Gucci, Coach, Burberry, Tiffany & Co, Leggiadro, St John, and Saks are mixed with small boutiques, art galleries, salons, spas and restaurants. On my 12 mile drive there, I passed what seemed to be 57 golf courses, one more plush than the next. Palm Desert is a town of luxury.

One of my first and favorite stops was, "She She", 73199 El Paseo # H. A store of all-things feminine for woman and girls. Owner, Amy Gaertner, was so welcoming and attentive. I also found other small and unique spots such as, Trio, Pampered Bath, Josie, Dot and Marga's. For a complete list of all the shopping in El Paseo, click here.

Earth Day & Mobsters, only in Palm Springs

After my day filled of lounging by the pool and lounging in the pool, I greened up myself and walked to the Earth Day free event at the Ace.   I was greeted by an enthusiastic grade-schooler with her handmade signs:

Worked my way through the Ace campus and spent time wondering through the green vendor displays, took in the local music and earth blessing.  The Ace hotel really seems to get what it means to be green.  

My night then took me to the Colony Palms Hotel, and the Purple Palm Restaurant.  Driving down Indian Canyon Rd you can easily miss their modest street presence.  But once inside, it was another outstanding visual delight of ultimate decor, landscape, patio and pool.  And my time at the bar was enjoyed with Jillian, the attentive bartender who gave me the scoop on this historical spot.  The Colony Palms established in 1936, first owned by an alleged mobster who equipped the hotel with a basement casino, speakeasy and a brothel.  This drew Hollywood's elite, such as Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart and Carol Lombard.    I'm hoping, when I stop back Saturday night, that I can get a sneak peek at this space of oozing nostalgia.  

I went not only to check out the space, I went to eat, and I ate well.  I ordered their Mac and Cheese, which was spiced up with bread crumbs and dried red peppers.  The Spanish-style setting is stunning, warm and cozy.   

The Purple Palm is a great spot for lunch, which can be enjoyed by the pool, which is paradise.  They also offer, "Collation" from 2:30 - 5:30, where you can choose from fries, a kobe waygu burger, organic salad, sorbets and other small plates.  

Let Robin, the Purple Palm's friendly host, manager, girl with a thousand hats,  know that Radar sent you!

Ace is so the place.

I was so looking forward to checking out the new Ace Hotel, and once I pulled into the retro parking lot, my excitement was confirmed.  The Ace, set on campus-like grounds of a former Howard Johnson's, is complete kitsch.  The lobby and main restaurant, once an A&W and then a Denny's, is true 1960s modern.   The menu is simple - full of the basics with a creative twist and local touch, oh and at incredible prices.  

Just off the lobby, before hitting bar, stop by and get your picture taken in the photo booth.

Past the photo booth is the intimate, dark-lit bar, yes it's original, and was the only Denny's in the country with a bar.   My bar-mate, Smitty, a vet of the Korean war, told me Bob Hope would hit the bar after he enjoyed his Denny's pancakes.  The bar's  hippy-like vibe, brings an eclectic mix of hotel guests and locals who've been sitting at this spot since the beginning.  

The bar menu, like the restaurant is basics with unique and fresh local touches.  I  started with the a cabernet, then on to pasta w/ fresh arugula, prosciutto and parm-reggiano, another cab, chatted w/Terry, a British PS local (with a wife from Duluth, MN), then ordered the brownie dessert, washed down with a latte.  Total, $35.72!  

And the Ace holds on-going events for both guests and visitors, check their calendar.  Today, there's an  Earth Day event I hope to check out as well as the pool experience:  

EARTH DAY @ the ACE Hotel - Palm Springs
701 E. Palm Canyon Drive
Wednesday
April 22nd
6pm - 10pm

Join us for:
Music - Solid Ray Woods & the Raw Soul Revue
Food & Beverages - available through the Ace Hotel (fee)
Movie - view an inspiring "Earth Day" video
Earth Blessing & Didgeridoo Music by Kerry Henwood
Art Show - with Venus Studios
Exhibitors - show off their "green" products
Alternative Vehicle Show

There is NO CHARGE to attend this FREE Community Event!

What a tough day ahead...