Five Things I’m Currently Loving in the Desert: Brews, Bites & Brushstrokes

RUTINA COFFEE

This beloved farmer’s market staple has finally opened a brick-and-mortar in Palm Desert — and it was worth the wait! Rutina (Spanish for “routine”) is a truly welcome addition to the desert coffee scene. The minimalist, chic setting is the perfect spot to gather for hours with friends over a warm brew. And the coffee? Absolutely superb! Being diabetic, I opted for a traditional latte, which was frothy and delicious. But my friend Kaylie, of Kaylie Nicole, swears by the shop’s slightly sweeter signature Pablo Latte — a sumptuous mix of espresso, condensed milk, and panela (raw, unrefined azúcar). Salud!

Very rarely am I a member of the clean plate club, but a recent dinner at this Palm Desert eatery had me practically licking my Pollo alla Piccata dry. Perfectly pounded, topped with a zesty sauce, and paired with the most delicious julienned veggies, I couldn’t get enough. My husband and mom were just as enamored with their meals — Pappardelle alla Bolognese and Carpaccio di Manzo — each disappearing just as quickly as mine. With its charmingly intimate ambiance and exceptionally friendly service, Trattoria Tiramisu has earned top billing in my family’s dining routine.

I have a notoriously low tolerance for alcohol and am always on the lookout for great mocktails whenever I find myself behind the wheel. So I was thrilled to recently discover the Non-Alcoholic Aperol Spritz at La Fe Wine Bar in Palm Desert while attending an Emerge Palm Springs networking event. Refreshing and crisp, the drink — made with Lyre’s Italian Non-Alcoholic Aperol and Lyre’s Classico Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine — is just as good as the real thing and had everyone I came in contact with asking what delicious concoction I was sipping. I’ve been back several times since, and the beverage always hits.

I’ve long been obsessed with Baltimore’s The Awakeningsculpture, crafted by J. Seward Johnson, Jr. (who was also behind Palm Springs’ Forever Marilyn statue), so stumbling upon a similarly designed installation in Palm Desert was such a thrill! Stretching 12 feet across a grassy knoll in Civic Center Park, Dreamer, unveiled in 1991, is the work of David L. Phelps and depicts a man casually lolling in the desert sun. It’s half-buried state immediately brought to mind Johnson’s iconic piece — and had me (and everyone else around) grabbing our phones to snap a pic. It’s a definite centerpiece!

I’m not exactly artistic, but when my friend Cherry, owner of Old Town La Quinta’s Roam.e, invited me to a Craft & Sip Welcome Mat Painting Workshop hosted by Coachella Valley Craft, I jumped at the chance! Offering custom designs, I couldn’t resist creating a doormat featuring a mock-up of my Everything Palm Springs logo. The process was surprisingly simple — I emailed a PDF ahead of time, and my design was waiting for me when I arrived at La Quinta Brewing Co. for the class. Thanks to the seamless instruction, painting it was a breeze, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. It’s the perfect piece to welcome guests at my door.