The hottest neighborhood vibes come from the Uptown Design District, making it Palm Springs’ most trendy neighborhood in a renaissance along N Palm Canyon Drive, home to a growing number of antique and gift shops, art and furniture galleries largely dealing in mid-century design, clothing boutiques such as Trina Turk, and several new fun restaurants. These new hip, yet casual eateries have joined more established ones such as the original Koffi in the Corridor Shops, Thai Smile and Rick’s. Newer ones we especially like include Trio Restaurant and Bar, Jake’s, Cheeky’s Restaurant, Caffe Birba, Rick’s Desert Grill, and The Purple Plum.
Trio is approaching its two year anniversary and is fast becoming the place to be for meeting friends for a drink at the bar or having the full dining experience. They serve up a delicious menu they describe as American Modern, with innovative and comfort foods, including, for example, a tasty tower of short ribs. The ambiance is lively with a friendly wait staff all turned out in their signature orange shirts. They offer a 3-course prix fixe menu for early arrivals and are open seven nights a week. Jake’s is another with bistro atmosphere, that opened a short while back and has the bonus of both indoor and outside courtyard seating. They offer lunch and dinner, and also offer a prix fixe option on their fresh, appealing menu. The restaurant is named not after an owner but rather after their doggie! Rick’s newer restaurant, called Rick’s Desert Grill, is located just a few blocks south of the original and serves dinner only. Both Rick’s offer a menu reflecting their favored Cuban flavors. When ordering a selection Cuban style, be sure to try the plantains!
The Most Trendy Neighborhood in Palm Springs
Cheeky’s (like the original Rick’s) serves breakfast and lunch. Cheeky’s is jammed at peak hours and on weekends. As with Trio and Jake’s, there is a very fresh approach at Cheeky’s, with a frequently changing menu. For breakfast they offer bacon cured many different ways and available by the strip, and the brown sugar-cured is to die for. The husband/wife owners have expanded next door with their brand new Caffe Birba, which, along with cafe style seating, offers a large bar. Caffe Birba opens later and is a good late night destination option. Lastly, just a block over on Indian Canyon, you’ll find The Purple Palm, in the Colony Palms Hotel. The restaurant is a handsome addition to this intimate boutique hotel. They offer valet parking.
For those who are buying homes in the North End of town, there is now a lot to enjoy that’s hip, yet casual within mere steps of Palm Canyon. And for the rest of us, it’s fun for us to be there too, especially on a first Friday night of the month, like tonight, when they’re open late, welcoming all to come enjoy the most trendy neighborhood in Palm Springs.