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Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week: A Leading Culinary Celebration in SoCal

Once a playground for the Hollywood elite, Palm Springs, California, has developed into one of the top vacation destinations for all travelers due to its great activities, vibrant culture and stunning natural features. Since its inception, Palm Springs has been a go-to destination. Originally people flocked here in the mid-to-late 19th century thanks to the railroad opening up travel to the area and for the hot springs. The area became a prime destination for tourists with beautiful natural surroundings and the unmatched weather. In 1886, Dr. Welwood Murray built the first resort in the city, The Palm Springs Hotel, and the city hasn’t looked back since. Developers continued to build resorts and attractions through the 20th century and now Palm Springs is a world famous resort destination.

 

Regardless of whether you're looking for a world class culinary-themed getaway or a fun-filled vacation with the entire family, Palm Springs and the surrounding areas are sure to deliver. A great way to introduce yourself to the area and its people is by taking one of their great local tours. Bus, ATV, and horse drawn carriage tours each give you a unique perspective of the city, or you can take a walking tour at your own pace. The culture here is vibrant and one-of-a-kind. You’ll find all sorts of artistic expression at the wonderful local art galleries, shows, exhibitions and museums. The live music performances in the area cover a variety of genres, ensuring you’ll find a show that fits your style. The culinary experience here will leave any foodie awestruck. Some of the finest chefs call the area home and you’ll get to experience high quality cuisine all over the city. The local events and festivals are fun and a perfect way to meet new people. One great local event that has been a big attraction to the city is Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week.

 

Reaching the decade milestone this year, Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week is one of the most anticipated annual culinary events in the region. This week-long celebration showcases the great cuisine of the city and highlights the wonderful lodging and attractions. Over 90 restaurants will be participating this year. Each location has delicious and unique meals to enjoy. As you're touring the city enjoying different culinary delights, you’ll meet plenty of new people and get the opportunity to experience this beautiful region. Not only is this the ideal getaway for couples and friends, but the perfect opportunity to travel with the family and have an unforgettable experience. ResortsandLodges.com got the chance to interview Paulina Larson, Representative for the Greater Palm Springs Resturant Week, to talk about this big culinary event.

 

RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.

PL: This year, Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week celebrates ten years of showcasing the diverse dining and travel landscape found in the Coachella Valley region. Taking place from June 3-12, restaurant week provides travelers (and that includes families, couples, and solo travelers) a unique opportunity to “Eat. Stay. Play.” Visitors will find exclusive deals at area restaurants, package deals, discounted tickets to popular area attractions, and perks at luxury hotels and resorts.

 

RAL: What can attendees to find at the festival?

PL: During the ten days of restaurant week, prix fixe dinner menus are available for $26, $38 or $48 per person at over 90 restaurants. We’re excited to welcome new participants such as Chi Chi at The Avalon Hotel in Palm Springs, Koutouki Greek Estiatorio in Desert Springs, Reservoir at Arrive Hotel, and SO•PA Restaurant at L'Horizon Hotel and Spa. All of the previously mentioned restaurants are under the helm of Michelin-starred Chef Chris Anderson. PS Underground, normally a members-only dining club, participates by hosting the “Velvet” Supper Club pop-up concept.

 

These newcomers will join returning favorites such as Catalan Mediterranean Cuisine, Kaiser Grille, and Mr. Lyons, which just opened up their intimate back-of-house bar (Seymour's, serving classic cocktails). You can enjoy a classic steakhouse meal before heading to the bar for a cocktail or two in the evening. Another great option is Rockwood Grill at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, where you can take a gondola ride to get to the restaurant. If you like live music and dancing, head over to Vicky’s of Santa Fe.

 

Local attractions, from spas to Desert Adventures-Red Jeep Tours—feature special rates and premiums available exclusively during Restaurant Week. New highlights include $5 craft beer tasting from La Quinta Brewing Co. and a specially-priced treatment from the natural, hot mineral Spa at The Spring. And don’t forget, there’s always the classic option of lounging out by the hotel pool.

 

RAL: Tell me about the local lodging situation.

PL: Participating hotels for Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week offer an array of perks, including specialty room rates, upgraded in-room amenities, and more. Making their restaurant week debuts are the midcentury-modern L’Horizon Resort & Spa, a storied resort featured in Travel + Leisure’s 2016 “It List” of hottest new hotels, and The Avalon, a boutique hotel in the heart of Palm Springs.

 

RAL: What does the event mean to the community?

PL: Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week actually started as a small event in the city with only 30 restaurants. The Restaurant Week Board started their organization and event to boost sales at a time during the season that was historically slower. Ten years later, we have over a hundred participants in restaurant week. That number includes not just restaurants, but hotels and attractions as well. We’ve seen the community come together to showcase the best of the area during Restaurant Week.

 

RAL: Why should people come?

PL: We love seeing out-of-towners come to the desert and experience our continually developing culinary scene and make a vacation out of it with the participating hotels and attractions. It truly is an "Eat. Stay. Play." kind of affair! At the same time, we’ve also seen locals and longtime area residents come out and discover (or rediscover) restaurants that they typically might not get to visit.


For more information about the Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week, please visit their website.