Five Things I’m Currently Loving in the Desert – Frames, Feta and French Toast

Well, my desert friends, summer is officially upon us! But that doesn’t mean there isn’t still plenty to discover, enjoy, sip, and savor around the Coachella Valley. Read on for five things I’m currently loving locally.

XO, Lindsay

WARBY PARKER ON EL PASEO

After months of catching my husband squinting at the TV with one eye closed, I finally got him to an eye doctor — and no surprise, he needed his first pair of glasses. We headed straight to the newly opened Warby Parker on El Paseo, and it did not disappoint. The store is sleek and beautifully color-blocked (be still, my Home Edit-loving heart!). But what really won me over was how easy the whole process was: half an hour trying on frames, five minutes to check out, glasses on our doorstep within three days. When he ended up later wanting to switch to progressive lenses, the exchange was just as painless. Welcome to the desert, Warby Parker! I’m so glad you’re here.

EMERGE PALM SPRINGS’ IN CONVERSATION SERIES

I’ve long been a fan of EMERGE PALM SPRINGS’ networking events (see this recent Spotlight for more), so when I heard about their new summer series, IN CONVERSATION, I couldn’t RSVP fast enough. Held one morning a month at The O’Donnell Golf Club, each session pairs a local leader with a single conversation-style topic—stress in the workplace, mentoring, tough decision-making. True to its name, the format feels intimate and collaborative, less like a panel and more like a real exchange of ideas. Best of all, the sessions offer a rare chance to step inside this storied, members-only club and take in its history and charm firsthand.

BAR VALERIE AT THE VELVET ROPE

Speaking of EMERGE, I first metdesigner extraordinaire David Riosat one of their events a couple of years back. He had just opened his new hotel, The Velvet Rope, and invited me in for a tour. Between the individually themed rooms and striking design elements at every turn, I was blown away. But the real scene-stealer was the onsite lounge, Bar Valerie—part Moulin Rouge, part Golden Age Hollywood, with whimsy woven throughout. I finally made it back for a recent Leadership Coachella Valleymixer and have to say, the drinks were stellar, the service warm, and the backdrop one of the prettiest in town. Bar Valerie is Palm Springs at its most glamorous—as ideal for a night out as a beautifully styled private event.

BRUNCH AT PONZU SUSHI

I am fully aware I have the palate of a five-year-old, which means sushi and fish are pretty much off-limits. So when I was invited to try the new brunch at Ponzu Sushi, I brought my husband along as my official sushi taster and figured I’d quietly observe from the sidelines. The staff had other plans, though, and were determined to find something I’d actually enjoy. Enter the Shokupan (pictured)—a Japanese-style French toast made with thick milk bread, matcha crème anglaise, and mixed berry mascarpone. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s one of the best things I’ve ever eaten, and thankfully not overly sweet (a small miracle for this diabetic). My husband, meanwhile, devoured his Tsukiji Chirashi—a chef’s selection of assorted sashimi over rice. Ponzu Sushi’s brunch literally has something for everyone—even palates as picky as mine.

THE WHIPPED FETA AT TOMMY BAHAMA MIRAMONTE

Speaking of one of the best things I’ve ever eaten, I wasn’t expecting to become completely obsessed with an appetizer—but here we are. Earlier this month, my friend Cherry (owner of Roam.e) and I popped in for drinks at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte bar and ordered the Hummus & Whipped Feta appetizer on a whim. I’m not a huge feta person, but this version—made with cream, sour cream, and sherry figs—is staggeringly good. Every element is crafted in-house, right down to the za’atar spices on the accompanying flatbread. Obviously, I had to go back—this time with my husband, a veritable feta fiend who basically licked the plate clean. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the hummus is excellent too, but next to that feta, it takes a definitive back seat.

Thanks for Reading…

 hope this issue leads you to discover some fun new favorites around the Valley. And if real estate is on your mind, I can help with that, too!