Welcome to "The Desert Food Trail" Southern California, USA
There is a neckless of towns and villages that run along the northern eastern base of the southern edge of the Coachella Valley that are home to some of the fine culinary establishments outside of the major city areas of Southern California. They are linked by Highway 111 that runs from Palm Spring to the North West all the way through La Quinta and Indio to the Salton Sea in the South East. The high season is winter time with its pleasant balmy weather and temperatures that are irresistible to those from the freezing northern climes. We love to be here on the shoulder seasons when all the restaurants are open but the floods of sun seekers have yet to stike, or have gone home.
The desert is a place of its own. On one side of a road you will see sand and tumble weed while on the other is green swards as far as the eye can see with water fountains, ponds and water falls and endless acres of golf courses. Its the play ground of the wealthy but home to far more every day folks who also like to eat well. So we intend to feature the best of the best as well as the best of the 2nd tier that are more every day restaurants that do what they do very well. So as we cover this region, we will share our findings with you.
PRIMA RESTAURANTS OF DISTINCTION:-
Restaurant "Le Vallauris", Palm Springs, California ****
“Le Vallauris Restaurant”, on a quiet street off the main drag in Palm Springs, has been a favorite of the glitterati for many years. It is iconic, timeless and consistently delicious. With French born owners M. Brugemens and M. Haddedou and French Executive chef Jean Paul Lair, it reminds us of the wonderful meals savored in France in each of its many regions that honored their local produce and turned out the kind of plates that you journeyed to that glorious country to enjoy over the years.
The warm and welcoming inside dining room is all France with touches of modern and roots in tradition. The same could be applied to the cuisine. But in good weather, it is the tree shaded patio that is the star; straight out of summer days in Provence, Dordogne or Brittany or anywhere in France when the sun is shining and filters through the leaves. This is about both the enjoyment of food well prepared as well as the embience in which it is enjoyed.
They also host once a month cooking demonstrations. After watching the mouth watering "how to's" you get to eat the foor for lunch.
The Grill on Main is located in the heart of Old Town La Quinta. A local Bar-Restaurant for all occasions. Lovely covered patio and an interior that is both traditional and modern, an interesting feat to achieve. The cuisine is superbly executed focusing on a modern approach to traditional California and American food. This is a fine restaurant where you can eat often with modest prices, good food and well worth visiting and not just for special occassions.
78-065 Main Street, Suite 104 La Quinta, CA 92253
tel: 760.777.7773 Site
Thai Smile of Palm Desert, CA.
Thai Smile produces clean, delicious Thai cuisine with a house soup that makes your toes curl. Located right on El Paseo, it is central for all the shopping that the El Paseo is famous for. It is a place populated by regulars who just keep coming back either to take food home, eat with a friend or have groups meals together either sitting on the raised patios for people watching or inside in the light and airy dining areas. Lots of parking in the back.
73-725 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260
tel: 760.341.6565 Site
