Eating Well in and around Palm Springs

In addition to enjoying beautiful views wherever we look, including this one as we walked down our street, heading toward Mt. San Jacinto and our condo, we've been eating well.

These are highlights of our first four dinners since our arrival.

EL MIRASOL

El Mirasol has become our traditional first night dinner in Palm Springs. It's a local favorite located a short distance out of the main downtown. We both had a combination of grilled Prawns and Scallops in the house made Pipian Sauce. We started with some guacamole and drank "Skinny Margaritas," a version of the traditional with no sweet and sour, just tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and a splash of soda, instead of lots of sweet and sour. Jim really liked the Skinny Margarita; I wanted a little sweet and our waiter brought me a glass of sweet and sour to add as much as I wanted.

CORK & FORK

On our second night, we met friends Mary and Bill for dinner at Cork & Fork in La Quinta.

Cork & Fork is a very new restaurant which is owned by one of my classmates from last summer's cooking tour/class In Provence. Classmate Jane Angwin Is also proprietor of Cooking With Class, a cooking school next door.

Jane's daughter, Andy Hubka, is the chef at Cork & Fork.

I was anxious to try Cork & Fork and am delighted to have discovered it.

The menu is mostly small plates that are perfect for sharing. Between the four of us we shared the Local Date Plate, the Farmers Market Salad, Thai Shrimp Cakes, Braised Beef Short Ribs, Cheese Risotto, and the Rustic Pizza.

For dessert, we shared Butterscotch pot de creme and the Pistachio ice cream sandwich.

Our meal was delicious and each dish was creative, inventive, and a true taste treat.

Unknowingly, we dined here on a Wednesday, when the happy hour menu is offered all evening, instead of just from 3 to 6 p.m.

Several of our selections, including our wines and Bill's Margarita, made with a Japanese wine, were from the Happy Hour menu.

The dining room was packed throughout our meal. The staff was efficient and very friendly. We had a great time at Cork & Fork. It's high on my list for a return visit.

LULU

Thursday night is Village Fest night in Palm Springs. Palm Canyon Drive is closed to traffic and the street is a mix of arts, crafts, food stands, and a Farmers Market.

Village Fest was started by Sonny Bono when he was mayor many years ago. Jim and I were at the very first Village Fest and return every year.

We chose Lulu for dinner while we were at Village Fest last night. It's an enornous glitzy restaurant, right on Palm Canyon Drive, seating up to 500 people!!! Lulu describes itself as a California Bistro. It's menu is huge, with a great variety.

Jim had BBQ Baby Back Ribs and I had Acorn Squash stuffed with Quinoa.

We were both pleased with our selections.

In addition to its fun and tasty food, Lulu has what it claims is the longest Happy Hour in the area; it goes from 11 a.m. (!!!!) until closing time.

My favorite Village Fest vendor is Chick Picks, a company owned by two women who make earrings out of guitar picks. They display their earrings on lamp shades in their booth. I own several of their creations.

TRIO
Trio, in Palm Springs, has been one of our favorites since their opening a few years ago.

We try to dine there for their Early Dinner which is a three-course dinner, featuring many selections from the regular menu, for $19.

That's what we did this evening.

Our first courses were Fried Artichoke Hearts and Fried Calamari.

Jim's main course was the Australian Sole Sandwich. I has the Fish Tacos.

Our desserts were an Ice Cream Sundae and a Brownie.