by tony reverditto –
Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week’s “Grab a Bit to Treat” or DINEGPS for short, returns to the Coachella Valley to offer diners a chance to test new restaurants or return to their favorites for special tasting menus. Foodie enthusiasts can plan a self-guided culinary tour with family and friends, getting a little taste of this year’s inventive menus at Greater Palm Springs participating restaurants throughout nine cities in the region.
“Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity for food lovers, locals and visitors alike, to celebrate a sampling of what local eateries are cooking up,” said President and CEO Scott White, of the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“Thanks to our DINEGPS partners and creative chefs, we’re excited to showcase all the innovative culinary options that our region offers. Whether it’s fine dining in mid-century retro or contemporary surroundings, cozy bistros, urban-inspired gastropubs, global cuisine, casual hangouts and stylish eateries with indoor/outdoor dining… we really have it all.”
During the ten-day event, close to 120 of the region’s finest restaurants and eateries will showcase their unique cuisine with prix fixe menu offerings. Lunch menus offer two courses at $15, $20 or $25, and three-course dinner menus at $29, $39 and $49. Some may offer wine pairings and/or supplemental dishes for an additional charge.
Featured Restaurant: Eight4Nine
The Rage Monthly chatted with owner/founder of Eight4Nine, Willie Rhine, one of Restaurant Week’s participating gay-owned restaurants to find out about all things food in the desert and to what inspired him to open a restaurant in Palm Springs.
“I was the GM of two very successful restaurants and though I ran them as if they were my own, they were not. Palm Springs has been my home for over 20 years and I have watched it grow tremendously and the timing was perfect for my business partner, John Paschal, and I to open Eight4Nine,” he said.
“Over one million tourists visit Palm Springs each year and it’s a joy to know that in a very short time we have become a favorite stopping place. What’s even more interesting is the fact that we have grown so much simply by word of mouth… that only happens in small towns like Palm Springs.”
Rhine discussed why he thinks participation in Palm Springs Restaurant Week is important. “Many see restaurant week as an opportunity to raise the price and offer something extra. I don’t, I see it as an opportunity to bring more guests in! We lower our prices by offering a three-course meal at the lowest price level,” he shared.
“Many of our local residents look forward to Restaurant Week so they can enjoy Eight4Nine for less.” Rhine also hinted at what his favorite item will be on their menu that week: the Scottish Steelhead!
Guests will begin their dining experience with a selection from the First Impressions menu which includes either a Simple Green Salad, Giardiniera & Roasted Cherry Tomato Toast or Watermelon Gazpacho. Diners will then select from The Main Event course: Pablano Chile Relleno, Grilled Scottish Steelhead, Marsala Pork Tenderloin, Willa Jean’s Fried Chicken, Mesquite-Smoked Carne Asada or Cauliflower Steak and Puree. For the finale, options include: Peach Cardamom Crème Brulee, Coachella Lime Pie or your choice of Gelato or Sorbet.
Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge is located at 849 N. Palm Canyon Drive. For more information or to make reservations, call 760.325.8490 or go to eight4nine.com.
A new component to Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week this year focuses on giving back to the community. For every reservation booked via the dineGPS website, $1 will be donated to FIND Food Bank, the organization that distributes more than 10 million pounds of food annually to an average 85,000 individuals each month across the Coachella Valley. For every dollar donated, FIND Food Bank is able to provide seven meals.
Palm Springs Restaurant Week runs Friday, May 31 to Sunday, June 9 and does not require tickets to attend. Book online and $1 from every meal reserved and eaten goes to FIND Food Bank at dinegps.com.
Diners are encouraged to tag social media posts with #dineGPS and @dineGPS. For participating restaurants go to visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/eat-and-drink/restaurant-week.