Happy Thursday, desert dwellers. Big week ahead. If you only do one thing after reading this, make a dinner reservation. Here's why.
TOP STORY
Restaurant Week Starts Tomorrow and You Need a Plan
Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week kicks off tomorrow (May 29) and runs through June 7. Ten days. Nine cities. Dozens of restaurants offering prix fixe menus you won't see the rest of the year. Lunch starts at $15. Dinner starts at $39. No tickets, no coupons, no catch. Just book and show up.
A few spots to put at the top of your list: Richard Blais' Kestrel at Indian Wells Golf Resort (elevated American), Shorebird in Palm Desert (seafood with a great wine list), Foxy's in Rancho Mirage (always delivers), and Saffron's in Palm Springs (modern Persian, one of the most underrated kitchens in the valley). The Agua Caliente Casinos are putting four of their own restaurants in the mix too.
Book through DineGPS.com and $1 from every reservation goes to FIND Food Bank. The popular spots fill up fast, so don't wait until next week. Full list of participating restaurants at visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/restaurant-week.
THIS WEEK IN THE DESERT: 5 Things Worth Your Time
Palm Springs VillageFest (tonight) Every Thursday, 6 to 10 PM on Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs. The weekly street fair with art, live music, food vendors, and shopping. Free to attend. If you've never been, it's one of those things that makes living here feel special. If you go every week, you already know.
Palm Springs 70mm Film Fest (May 29 to 31) The 70mm format festival returns for its second year at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Classic and contemporary films projected the way they were meant to be seen. If you love cinema and appreciate the difference between watching a movie and experiencing one, this is your weekend.
GenX Takeover Comedy Tour (tonight and tomorrow) Tonight at The Dragon's Den in Palm Desert (5 PM, $10 to $20) and tomorrow night at The Show at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage (8 PM). Four GenX comics doing what GenX does best: making fun of everything, including themselves.
Mana at Acrisure Arena (Saturday, May 31) The second show, added due to overwhelming demand. Vivir Sin Aire Tour. If you didn't get tickets for the first date, this is the last chance.
Frey House II Tour (Saturday, May 30) Albert Frey's personal hillside residence above the Palm Springs Art Museum. One of the most iconic mid-century modern homes in the desert. Rare chance to walk through it. If you appreciate architecture, don't miss this.
NEW & NOTABLE
Marilyn Monroe Turns 100: Palm Springs is gearing up to celebrate what would have been Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday. Palm Springs Pride is putting together an event with food, drink, entertainment, and an attempt at a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of Monroe lookalikes. You can order an "icon kit" (blonde wig, white subway dress) to participate. Date is June 1. Details at pspride.org.
Rancho Mirage Farmers Market Season Finale: The Certified Farmers Market at Rancho Mirage Community Park has its final Friday session tomorrow, May 29. 8 AM to 2 PM. Stock up on local produce before the summer break. Fresh produce, chef-prepared foods, and artisan vendors.
THE LOCAL SCOOP: Restaurant Week Is the Best Week to Be a Local
Here's a secret the tourism board won't tell you: Restaurant Week is better for locals than it is for visitors. Visitors use it to try one or two restaurants they've heard about. Locals use it to finally try that place on El Paseo they've been meaning to check out, or to go back to the spot that impressed them last year and see what's new on the menu.
The prix fixe format takes the pressure off. You're not staring at a $65 entree wondering if it's worth it. You're getting a multi-course experience at a set price, which means you can take a risk on somewhere new without the buyer's remorse. That's the whole point.
My recommendation: book three dinners across the 10 days. One at a place you know and love. One at a place you've been curious about. And one total wildcard. That's how you use Restaurant Week like a local.
QUICK HITS
High of 97 today, cooling to 93 by Saturday. Summer is officially here. Plan outdoor activities before 10 AM or after 6 PM.
VillageFest tonight on Palm Canyon Drive. 6 to 10 PM. Free. The best Thursday night routine in the desert.
Coachella Valley Lakers season ticket deposits still open at coachellavalleylakers.com. $100, fully refundable at seat selection.
Firebirds update: check coachellavalleyfirebirds.com for the latest.
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