The Prettiest Foods in Palm Springs

Last week we were in Palm Springs and we spent 5 days eating and sightseeing and window shopping (with both shops and homes) and soaking up some much needed sun. We did a lot, but we also relaxed quite a bit. 

We went to a handful of "must-visit" restaurants while there and had some of the prettiest food we've seen, which I always enjoy and like to share, because you eat with your eyes first. Here's a quick tour of our trip through dishes we were served:

Farm

We made it off the plane and our car was dropped off (we used Turo) and we were starving, so we headed straight downtown, found free parking, and headed to Farm. This French country restaurant uses locally-grown and sourced foods that all looked beautiful. I was even able to get a watermelon juice. I haven't had one of those out since our trip to Ecuador. Anyway, I asked our waiter his preference between two dishes and he recommended the eggs Florentine. My eyes and my stomach were both happy with that decision.

Gastropub 1501

I knew we weren't going to want to eat too heavily on our first day. Our flight was just before 8am, so we were on our way to the airport at 5:30. We ate pretty much as soon as we got off the plane, but travel days are always weird, so I opted to hit up a much-recommended gastropub for happy hour. We aren't drinkers, but we love a good discounted food menu. I'd been looking forward to this charcuterie board all week and I was not disappointed when it arrived at our table, with the exception of the marcona almonds, but then realized those were awesome with everything else. 

Eric also ordered this avocado toast, which was lovely to look at, but he was less than thrilled by the bland "heirloom" tomatoes, and I thought the onions weren't pickled enough. When he mentioned his thoughts on the tomatoes, the waiter said he'd heard that before. I wonder how many time times they need to hear it before they change the kind they use to something more palate-pleasing. 

Boozehounds

I found this restaurant on a list of Instagram-worthy dining spots and chose it because it had great reviews and also was a hot-spot for people with dogs. I made reservations for brunch and we sat on their pretty patio, so I could see diners with their pups, and ordered this blueberry ube blintz plate and French toast (it was nothing exciting to look at, but was tasty). This came with matcha powder and edible flowers. 

The food was good, but not amazing. The biggest disappointment here was the crazy prices for their coffee. Eric ordered a French press ($9!) and I got a double-espresso ($2.50) that they served me in a shot glass instead of an espresso cup and it was stone cold by the time he brought it to the table and explained the menu. I will give them credit for the gorgeous restaurant, inside and out, and the amazing bathroom.

Tac/Quila

We were able to walk to downtown/uptown from our timeshare, so we did and we got a lot of bonus exercise this way. The people who started Farm decided that they wanted to venture into a different kind of food from another part of the world. The opened an upscale Mexican restaurant and serve everything from specialty cocktails to small plates to platters. We both had tacos (calamari and steak), but we started with taco chips, which are like tiny tacos filled with refried beans and served with a trio of sauces/dips. I love their plates. Click through my link to see the restaurant and their amazing bathrooms.

Wilma and Frieda's

All the most-recommended restaurants seem to be right next to each other, but Palm Springs is actually fairly small, so that's not surprising really. We finally made it to Wilma and Frieda's on Sunday for brunch with a very short wait. Their menu has a ton of things that sound delicious. I ordered the biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs and country potatoes. It was very good, but not visually interesting, though the eggs were that very fresh deep yellow color. Instead, I give you Eric's bangers and rings, an eggs Benedict with a split open grilled cheddar sausage and poached eggs nested in onion rings. It could have used more sausage, but other than that, it was interesting to look at and to eat.

 

Local restaurants tended to be fairly expensive, so I only made one reservation a day, and it was usually breakfast. Dinners were hard to get reservations some days and the price per entrée were more than we were willing to pay.  Overall, the food in Palm Springs was very good, but somewhat overpriced. Coffee, almost everywhere, was outrageous, but my $7.50 coffee at a coffeehouse was better than all the (even more) expensive coffee at restaurants. I'm not sure what sort of coffee crowd they're catering to, but if I'm paying almost $10 for a drink, it either better be a damn good artisan coffee with flavors and spices or have booze in it. Even so, I can't wait to go back to Palm Springs. 

What are some of your favorite places to travel for the food? 

Budget Winter Travel Destinations

It's the middle of winter, and if you're one of the majority of people who don't live in a sunny locale, then you might be looking for a quick getaway and a break from the snow/rain/cold. We just returned from our warm weather vacation and I don't blame anyone else for needing to do the same. Here are just a few ideas for affordable winter destinations.

Tucson, Arizona

Tucson is pretty affordable all the time, but the much of the year can be horribly hot, but the winter months are quite lovely and still warm enough to not need a coat most of the time. You also won't be looking at airfare that's out of your budget, though you will have to share the road and attractions with Snowbirds (retired people who spend 3+ months in warmer destinations).

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

If water sports and the beach are totally your thing, this is your destination. February is the best month to visit, with plunging airfare (especially if you're already on the east coast) and affordable lodging.

Paris, France

Now that the holidays are over, and it's not Spring yet, Paris is the perfect getaway. We spent a week there in September and had excellent weather, but now if you pack a jacket and some great walking shoes - because you will be walking a ton - you can still get some good sun and lines for museums and other attractions will be much shorter. If you've got a valid passport, and want to get out of the country, France is lovely, plus the Euro is basically a one-to-one conversion to the dollar, making it even more affordable.

Cairo, Egypt

Another great warm-weather destination that's outside the US is Cairo. Right now you can find airfare for under $400 round trip and you can soak up all that sun and history for less. You'll feel proud of yourself for getting in a once-in-a-lifetime trip for so little, while also eating all that delicious middle eastern food.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Trying to stay stateside? That's okay, too. February and March are awesome months to visit The Big Easy. The weather is beautiful, it's not that humid, and if you go a few weeks before Mardi Gras, or the week after, you can get screaming deals on airfare and hotels, plus you'll miss all the crowds and actually be able to walk around and see/do things. One of my favorite things I've done there is a visit to the Sazerac House, which is free and you get to drink and learn some history.

Santa Cruz, California

California is always a good road trip state, especially if you're in a nearby state, but there are plenty of flights going in and out every day. Santa Cruz should have pretty good weather, though you'll probably need a jacket for the evenings, and the boardwalk will be open (a must if you've seen The Lost Boys, Killer Klowns From Outer Space, Us, Sudden Impact, Dangerous Minds, Back to the Beach, or any of the other movies filmed there). There are a ton of things to do there, including free things, so you can easily stay on budget.

I hope you are all having a great start to 2023. We were so excited for our first trip that I think I've discovered a new tradition for our January trips. Shockingly, we don't mind being nerds. You only live once, so you might as well have fun. I had room in my bag for these totally unnecessary headbands, because I know how to pack light.

Where are you hoping to head for winter or later in the year?

2023 Travel Trends

I love looking ahead and seeing what the new trends for travel might be and how people will be vacationing around me. Although it seems budget travel is becoming more popular - people want a good deal for their money - travelers are also willing to pay more for better service and experiences. Let's look at what's big in travel for this year:

In the next few weeks, you can look forward to posts on how to pack lighter, when you should start looking/booking airfare, how to enjoy your family, instead of wanting to stab them, on a vacation, and why family trips are important and how to save when there are more of you than usual.

You can also look forward to posts here and on Instagram on my trip to Palm Springs, including some save and splurge dining options, free and cheap activities, and unique things to do whether you're traveling with a partner, your family, or solo.

How will you be traveling in 2023?