I will never tire of Palm Springs. It’s a gem for art whenever there are new Desert X installations, and we always love to visit the Art Museum. This past weekend they had a Juneteenth screening, Racist Trees, and featured an exhibit of Howard Smith’s work. Outside of art, there are plenty of gorgeous desert hikes with little oases like waterfalls and creeks to pay off the trek in the heat. That being said, I don’t usually visit for the food, not that I don’t enjoy my favorite vegan and brunch spots.
This past trip, I revisited some old favorites, tried out a buzzy new place, and ended with an unexpected gem outside the desert entirely.
Something Old
I cannot resist a traditional NY-style deli. Sherman’s Deli & Bakery is always a repeat for us. I’ve tried the lox and cream cheese, the egg salad sandwich, the French dip – everything has been solid. This time, I was craving roast beef.
The slightly grumpy waitress warned me that the roast beef was very rare and pink. Let’s just say I was well aware of what I was getting into. She must have served some unpleasantly surprised guests in the past.
For me, you really can’t go wrong with a sky-high pile of roast beef layered between three slices of sourdough with lettuce and tomato. It’s even better dipped in Beaver brand sweet hot mustard (plenty of bottles are available tableside). The side of potato salad was possibly the best I’ve ever had, big, creamy chunks that somehow still hold their shape.
Naturally, you have to enjoy your sandwich with one of their classic Bloody Marys. Still a strong 9/10. I’m docking a point only because sandwiches and drinks for two will easily run you over $100 once it’s all said and done.
Something New
We had to check out Bar Issi, the newest Eater LA darling. Described as “White Lotus come to life,” it was hard to resist. It’s backed by a few famous names, though I didn’t bother to find out who.
As with many hyped spots in Palm Springs, they lean heavy into décor. Think: pink and green palette, scalloped velvet furniture, chintz upholstery, zebra-print walls, and my favorite touch: pineapple-shaped chandeliers.
We stopped in for happy hour. The martinis and white pizza were just okay; the truffle arancini were tasty, but I prefer fewer, larger ones to the many minis they served. Service left a lot to be desired. Not a repeat visit for me.
Something Unexpected
Our last stop wasn’t in Palm Springs at all, it was on the drive home, in Corona. Hubs had read about a Vietnamese home kitchen in the LA Times, Tiny Saigon, and asked if I wanted to check it out. We both love home-style dining—it reminded us of our time in Cuba, where paladares (home kitchens) are the norm.
This turned out to be the best meal of the weekend. The backyard patio was cozy and charming, with a casual mix of tables and chairs that made it feel like dining at a friend’s mom’s house in the best way.
We ordered spring rolls, bun tom, thit, chao gio (vermicelli), and a bowl of pho to share. You can choose three different meats for the pho. I thought it was far superior to the Michelin Bib Gourmand winner in Garden Grove. The flavors, the vibe, the chef personally greeting diners plus dining al fresco can’t really be beat. 10/10.
JULIENNE CARROTS 