Our Must-Try and Why Palm Springs Ethnic Eats

(Gerry Furth-Sides) We were happily surprised that our top Palm Springs places are ethnic or ethnic-influenced, with all the affection and care paid to guests as to the food. These few joyous days we spent in the town after the “official” season turned out to be filled with crowds happy to be out, as we were, and given all the more reason to do so by these places.

My cousin and partner rent the adobe house in Cathedral City from a friend who grew up in it. His dad was Dwight Eisenhower’s physician.

Lulu’s

Everyone in town knows Lulu’s, a rousing cross of brash South Miami Beach night club and NY deli energy. The place lives up to its many accolades and awards and makes any stranger feel a part of Palm Springs energy at its highest.

The menu is an internationally-influenced, fashionable one that really tries to please everyone and make sense at the same time. For example, there is an “Impossible Burger” vegan burger by trade name, AND Lulu’s own much tastier and less expensive black bean vegan burger AND a Wagyu burger. I ordered the Wagyu was happy with the substituted (slightly burned, skimpy) yam fries (delicious cole slaw the other option which was shared at the table with another order). I could not photograph it. And I did not care.

Why? We had to wait 15 minutes to be acknowledged by an impersonal staff – between busier lunch and dinner service- and then had to beg Lulu manager, Hunter, to turn on the misters. This he did. He also got our favorite waiter, James, to bring out a complimentary cotton candy. We gave it to the next table , where the recipient’s birthday was the following day, just like my host! You just are not surprised to find such fun happenings at this place. And they gave us a tiramisu to go instead.

//Lulupalmsprings.com, Lulu’s 200 S Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327. 5858)

Tri-lussa

The most accommodating, and not surprising to be Italian! Dark and cavernous in a very Roman way with just enough of a front outdoor patio to make it feel cozy even in a shopping center. Communal tables of attractive middle eastern families lingered even at closing time, no one on that patio wanted to leave.

//(www.trilussarestaurant.com) Trilussa, 68-718 E Palm Canyon Dr, Cathedral City, CA 92234, (760) 328-2300

Le Vallauris

Even though owner-founder, Paul Bruggemans sold Le Vallauris in Palm Springs last year, partner-chef and brother Tony still oversee restaurant dining or catered events of 50 in the historic, 1927 landmark Spanish home or parties straight up the mountain behind them. The original, signature naturally cooled patio still thrives, albeit without the whimsical elegance it once had, starting with the flower plants replaces with Sansevieria trifasciata (mother-in-law tongue succulents). Entrees are unnecessarily bigger in size and price (some at $50)

I relished every bit of the the exquisite yet wintery sweetbreads/ signature thymus gland (the best I have ever had), and the Warm Duck Confit Terrine in Filo Dough with Dried Fruits and Nuts, sublime even in the 100-degree evening.  

LeVallauris, 385 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA, 92262, (760)325-5059.  For details, menus and information, please visit: www.LeVallauris.com.

Tac/quila

Tac/Quila.was the answer both my hosts and I came up with simultaneously for the best Mexican/most indigenous cuisine. Somehow, although we are in the southwest, “southwest” cuisine never includes California. Here, Tac/Quila, billed as “Mexican/southwestern” is California influenced with a menu you have to really study because you want to order it all.

The extraordinary crab cakes, not really a California staple, are bursting with crabmeat so there is no room for filler, and dotted with tiny, festive diced red and green pepper ($16 for two that would make one meal with a small salad). My guest said he has had equally good: in Baltimore!

Grilled veggies and fruits, including avocado, and subtle, beautifully seasoned sauces are a trademark, along with the serene, southwest decor that is a recipe to enjoy and linger over food and drinks.

Tac/Quila, (//tacquila.com) 415 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, (760) 417-4471.

Primo Donuts

We started our trip with a pick up at Primo Donuts (for our Primo story please see //localfoodeater.com/celebrate-the-world-series-and-more-with-historic-primos-donuts-la-baseballs/. The idea was to take a birthday donut (one without a hole) with TIM written on it for our co-host’s birthday. Celia, daughter of the Primo’s, got on the phone with manager Wendy to order. You would have thought we were talking about making a wedding cake for 100 with so much thought put into the idea by them.

When I picked up “the donut” plus three other small ones, it turned out to be actual cake size with “Happy Birday” written on it! And Wendy added three more donuts! It set the fun, hilarious mood for the visit, and we’ll be talking about this for years.

Founded in 1956 by husband and wife, Ralph & Celia Primo, the highly ranked Primo’s Donuts family run business spans three generations. 

Primo’s Donuts, www.primosdonuts.com, 2918 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 900964, (310) 478-6930