OFF DOING "FOOD RESEARCH" IN ITALY

GOING TO EAT MY WAY FROM FLORENCE TO THE TOWNS OF TUSCANY TO PORTOFINO........AND MORE.

YUMMMMMM.   YOU'LL HEAR ALL ABOUT IT, AND, MAYBE, WHERE YOU CAN FIND A GOOD VERSION OF IT IN OUR VALLEY!


BE BACK SOON......(SORT OF)

FERNANDA'S EL SALVADORIAN---OMG!

I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS FOOD THE OTHER DAY.

Fried Sweet Corn Tamales, Pork, Cheese, Bean Pupusa, Plantain with cream

THIS IS FROM FERNANDA'S IN A SHOPPING CENTER ON DATE PALM.
You see before you a plate of Fried Sweet Corn Tamales, a Pork, Cheese, and Bean Pupusa, a Fried, Caramelized Plantain, and Creamy Re-Fried Beans.

I cried at the first bite.

There is a delicacy to El Salvadorian food. The flavors are balanced and not overpowering. When you bite into the tamale, you are hit with a crisp, sweet crust that gives way to puffy, light, corn batter. And, the Plantain...........just melts into your mouth.

Look at this Plantain with cream!

A Pupusa looks like a Frisbee. It does not taste like one. You can get them plain or with cheese, beans, pork---or any combination thereof. They are not oily; not dry; they are perfect.

Fernanda opened this reataurant four years ago, and her chefs are Alex and Alicia. Alicia cooked this and came out to see how I liked it. I was dabbing my eyes at the time.......

Plate of Pupusas

The Cole Slaw has a bite, and is unlike any other you've tasted. You eat it with the Pupusa.

While the menu might sound ike you're at a Mexican restaurant and you see words like Machaca, Huevos Rancheros, Chilaquiles.....you're NOT at a Mexican restaurant. Everything has a different twist on it. For instance, the normal Chilaquiles might be fried eggs on top of scrambled tortilla chips, salsa and cheese. Well, NOT at Fernanda's. They fold their tortillas, fill them with cheese, and then dip the in egg batter and fry them. Whoa!

They don't have a website.
Prices are very inexpensive, and the place is immaculately clean, with great service.



34351 Date Palm Dr. Suite B
Cathedral City, Ca. 92234
760-328-2922

FRANCESCO'S CAFE--ITALIAN AND PERSIAN!!!!

WHO EVER HEARD OF ITALIAN AND PERSIAN FOOD.........
          IN THE SAME RESTAURANT?

I DIDN'T, BUT ONE VISIT TO FRANCESCO'S CAFE IN RANCHO MIRAGE AT DINAH SHORE AND BOB HOPE, HAD ME RETURNING AGAIN AND AGAIN.

Frequently, since I am a Food Freak, I will read the menu ahead of time (many times) and start fantasizing about what I'd like. With Francesco's you have to decided what "country" do you want to visit. Do you want Lamb Kabob with Saffron Rice, Grilled Tomato and maybe some Pita and Hummus? Or, do you feel like going to Italy and fill that craving for Fettucini Alfredo. Rome or Iran? What do you think?

Chicken Parm

Sometimes, if I can't make up my mind, I just go to the restaurant, sit in the booth, read the menu slowly, and see what overtakes me. Or, I have been known to think about the Persian Salad all day, arrive at the restaurant and physically NEED Eggplant Parmesan. That's the fun of it.

What's so incredible about this restaurant, is that they do both countries well. However, I would stay away form their pizzas. It's not that they aren't good, they are just unremarkable, and caaories an carbs are better spent elsewhere.

Shwarma Beef Plate

The service is excellent here, very friendly, and they'll answer any of your questions. If you want pasta, they have every kind of noodle imaginable with every kind of sauce---Pomodoro, Carbonara, Pink, Meatball sauce, Primavera, Pesto--you name it. They also have Lasagna to-die-for, as well as other stuffed, baked noodle dishes.

Chicken or Veal---you bet---any way you want it from Piccata to Parm. You can order a side of pasta with it, as well.

Let's not forget about ANY Italian seafood dish you could want, as well.

Falafal Plate

On the Persian side, it is salads and kabobs---swordfish, chicken, lamb, beef, shrimp, and also they have the various ground versions. My favorite is Beef Koobideh. Each plate comes with Basmati or Saffron Rice.

You can also have all the Persian side dishes you'd like---Hummus, Tahini, yogurt.....
And, if you order the Persian Salad (similar to Greek) they will put any Kabob or Koobideh on top. It's Killer. Oh, yes...there are the Falafels and Shwarmas.

I'm just in love with the place.

Chicken Entrees    $15.95
Veal Entrees          $18.95
Pastas                   $11.95-$13.50
Kebobs                  $14.19-$19.95


Francesco's Cafe
72047 Dinah Shore Rd.
Rancho Mirage 92270
760-202-4425
no website

DON AND SWEET SUE'S CAFE CATHEDRAL CITY

    IF OZZIE AND HARRIET OWNED A               RESTAURANT, THIS WOULD BE IT.

The counter in the first, more casual room that also has tables

I call this the "formal black-tie room."

Don and Sweet Sue's Cafe was actually started years ago by Don and Sue. They don't own it any more, but the current owners honor Don and Sue's homey, delicious meals and quaint decor. The servers and managers have been there for ages, and they are immediately your family.

If you want a life of Chicken 'n' Dumplings, Goulash, Stuffed Cabbage, Classic Turkey Dinner, or lunch items like the Perfect Patty Melt, a Tuna Salad Sandwich, or a Chinese Chicken Salad.....or maybe you want breakfast all day with choices of Chicken Fried Steak, Biscuits and Gravy, Vanilla-Scented waffles, Eggs Machaca, Benedict, or just an Omelette....Don and Sweet Sue's is your dream come true. 

I'm pretty sure my grandmother is in the kitchen making all the food.

Wanna know what makes a Perfect Patty Melt? Each ingredient must be at its simple, perfect best. It may look like cheese, onions, meat and rye bread to you, but it's the right American Cheese, the superbly Caramelized White Onions, and quality ground meat seasoned to perfection. The right amount of butter is on each side of the grilled top-of-the-line Rye Bread, and it is done to the right crispness.

And Eggs Machaca? Are you kidding me?

You really have to know what you're doing to make this right. The meat must be seasoned and cooked so it's easy to pull apart. The peppers and onions can't be over or undercooked. There has to be the right ratio of meat/eggs, otherwise it's off-balance. And their refried beans? Wow.

I'd like to bury my face in this Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs. Just look at that gravy and the crispness of the meat.

The classic Tuna Sandwich. Right Mayonnaise; right amount of Salt, pepper, and celery

The Beverly Hills Hotel adds vanilla to their batter. So does Don and Sweet Sue's. Yummmmm

BE THERE OR BE SQUARE. 
Go to their website and read their menus. You'll be crying with joy.

Breakfast items range from $5.95-$17.95
Lunch is $8.95-$13.95
Dinner is $15.95-$17.95

Don and Sweet Sue's Cafe
68955 Ramon Rd. #1 (at Date Palm)
Cathedral City 92234

donandsweetsues.com

WONDROUS WATERCRESS IN PALM SPRINGS

        WATERCRESS IS A GEM OF A                          VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

The food here is simply THE BOMB! Watercress is owned by a doctor who wanted to achieve his dream of having a special restaurant- Both the inside and the outdoor patio are charming, and the service, particularly by Adorable Angela, is wonderful. She is extremely attentive and informed.

Angela

The Vietnamese Crepe is a joy to behold Their batter is really fluffy and light, and the crepe can be ordered with shrimp, pork, chicken, beef or veggie meat
Don't laugh at veggie meat---it's fantastic


Batter: Mix rice flour, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and turmeric together in a large bowl. Beat in coconut milk to make a thick batter. Slowly beat in water until batter is the consistency of a thin crepe batter. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup dried mung beans
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk, stirred before using
• 2 cups white rice flour
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 4 cups water
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric
• Salt
• Vegetable oil
• 3/4 pound boneless pork loin, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 3/4 pound medium shrimp—shelled, deveined and halved lengthwise
• 1 medium white onion, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
• 3 cups bean sprouts
• Red leaf lettuce and mint leaves, for serving
• Sweet and Spicy Vietnamese Dipping Sauce

SPEAKING OF VEGGIE MEAT---You can have it in any number of sauces I like the Chili-lemon grass version
The meat is marinated and actually looks like barbecued beef, and the texture is perfection!

Lemongrass-Chili Veggie Meat

And, also, I suggest you try the wok fried noodles with the fat noodles. Add whatever protein you wish or make it veggie. What's important to know about Watercress, is that each of their sauces is so different, so flavorful, and so multi-layered.

Wok-fried noodles

DO YOU ASSOCIATE DESSERT WITH VIETNAMESE FOOD? NO!
WELL, THAT'S NOT THE CASE HERE.

Watercress is famous for their Shaved Ice Cream Desserts                            Do not forget to order it!

Yes, this is shaved ice cream!!!

Appetizers range from $7-$11
Entrees range from $16-$25Specialties and Seafood $17-$26


Watercress Vietnamese Bistro

www.watercressvietnamesebistropalmsprings.com

415 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

 (760) 832-9927

A PERFECT HIDEAWAY

A HIDEAWAY----A PLACE THAT IS USUALLY DARK, OFF PEOPLE'S RADAR, QUIET, WITH GREAT FOOD.

Having dinner in the main room of Mr. Lyons in Palm Springs is a delightful experience. But, if you are in the mood for some wine, or a martini (or two) and a snack---AND, you don't want to get "dressed," and/or you "wish to be alone in dark lighting by yourself or with a special friend", the bar at Mr. Lyons is for you. I PROBABLY SHOULDN'T BE TELLING YOU THIS.

My go-to is their Cheeseburger (there we go again) with an order of their onion rings. The Cheeseburger follows my requirements of high-end meat and an interesting bun. And their Onion Rings......OMG.

There are tables in there, but arrive early so you can slide yourself into one of the leather banquettes. Many of the banquettes are even hidden by columns. Perfect hideout......

So perfectly dark

Check out this divine snack menu:

• BITES BABY ICEBERG WEDGE /12 House made Bacon, Point Reyes Blue, Shaved Egg, & Onion 
• CAESAR SALAD /11 Romaine, Crouton, White Anchovy, Parmigiano-Reggiano MR. LYONS 
• GRILLED STEAK SALAD /15 Hanger Steak, Mixed Greens, Tomato, Broccoli, Cheddar 
• FRENCH ONION SOUP /10 Brioche Crouton, Gruyere, Comté 
• STEAK TARTARE /17 Capers, Cornichons, Mustard, Shallots, Fines Herbs & Quail Egg 
• SHRIMP COCKTAIL /18 Dill, Old Bay, Cocktail Sauce 
• HAMACHI /15 Crème Fraîche, Shaved Fennel, Pickled Blueberries & Serranos 
• STEAK FRITES /20 Hanger Steak, Peppercorn Sauce 
• FRIED CHICKEN SANDWHICH /13 HM Piri Piri Aioli & House Made Potato Chips 
• FOIE GRAS TERRINE /21 Mission Figs, Celery, Toasted Pistachios, Pickled Mushrooms, 
• Brioche MUSHROOM TOAST /9 House Made Date Bread, Roasted Mushrooms, Mascarpone
• BRAISED BACON /14 Suedoise, Frisee, Pickled Mustard Seeds 
• MACARONI AND CHEESE /9 CRISPY BRUSSELS SPROUTS /9 BEER BATTERED ONION RINGS /8

Mr Lyons

233 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264

 (760) 327-1551

BURGER WARS IN THE VALLEY

         A CHEESE BURGER IS A GLORIOUS THING.
         IT CAN BE ANYTHING YOU WANT IT TO BE.




But a cheeseburger isn't just a cheeseburger. There are versions----Sloppy, like a Tommy's chili cheeseburger where you need to take a bath after eating; neat; old-fashioned; new age. But mostly, it depends on the meat. Don't forget that. And, if you know where to go, you can get exactly what you want.


THE HOTEL BURGER:  THE RITZ-CARLTON IN RANCHO MIRAGE

No matter where you are in the world, if you are at a four or five-star hotel, you will get a burger with better quality bread, a thicker patty of possibly prime meat or a combo of meats, a bun that is usually toasted with a dash of butter, and condiments on the side Hotel burgers are very neat. I love them because you know the meat you are getting is healthier and tastier--not modified by lots of salt and additives. You also know you don;t have to rely on the condiments or the lettuce (usually butter lettuce) or tomato for flavor. If you want this burger, go to the Ritz Carlton in Rancho Mirage.

Ritz-Carlton 68900 Frank Sinatra Drive 760-321-8282

HOTEL BURGER: THE BARN KITCHEN AT SPARROW LODGE. This burger takes minimalism to extreme levels, and it pays off big time for them. This is all about the bun and the meat and you don't need anything else to flip out over the joy of it. Yes, they serve it with lettuce and tomato, but it's irrelevant. It is just to die for.

1330 E. Palm Canyon

THE CLASSIC AMERICAN:  TYLER'S IN PALM SPRINGS

A classic American burger, like The Apple Pan in Los Angeles, consists of good quality white bread bun, maybe a slightly-thinner patty than a hotel, and pure ingredients like mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, tomatoes and lettuce. It is not a fussy burger. It's just flat-out great. And, slider or burger, it makes no difference. Tyler's in Palm Springs delivers that burger. It has no equal. Add bacon or not.

149 S. Indian Canyon

NEW AGE BURGER:   TONY'S BURGERS----NOT THE BEST

There's a problem with this kind of burger. It has the philosophy of More is Better. Over the years there has been a mis-conception on the part of chefs that more ingredients make things fancier and more complicated, therefore, better. WRONG. An example of this is Tony's Burger's on Date Palm. His menu is over complicated, the meat is not tasty, and the burgers lack soul. They're OK, if you don't know better, but, if you do, there's no reason to eat them when you have places here that are so much better.

So unnecessarily overdone

So far.... I have yet to find the cheap, sloppy burger in Coachella Valley. I'm on the lookout. Any suggestions????

WELCOME TO "DISHING"

       FOOD IS MY LIFE. SO IS MUSIC, 
             BUT I CAN'T EAT THAT.


I have spent years in Hollywood and going around the world interviewing stars. But, I secretly was surveying restaurants at the same time. My reviews of restaurants have appeared in BEVERLY HILLS 213, CALIFORNIA HOMES, HAMPTONS, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, and others. I wrote a cookbook, THE BIBLE COOKBOOK, published by Health Communications, the company that publishes CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL.

As a child, when my parents were eating in a restaurant, they would frequently arrange for me to watch waiters and chefs work. I was under ten when I would shell peas with the waiters from Ah Fong's restaurant on Sunset. I've taken classes at the CIA in Napa, and have earned enough credits to take the exam as a Certified Wine Professional.

I once saw a news story about La Columbe D'Or restaurant in St. Paul De Vence, France on TV while I was sitting at home in Los Angeles. I picked up the phone, called France and made a reservation for a table there the next week. I bought my airline ticket, rented a car, and was only five minutes late for my reservation. It was worth it. 

La Columbe D'Or is famous for their Quenelles Nantua. When you bite into those little pillows, your mouth is filled with fluffs of ecstasy, enhanced by a creamy and astounding lobster sauce.

Basically puff pillows of ground pike in lobster sauce

and Veau Normande, pounded into slivers in apple cream brandy.

Pounded veal in a cream sauce with Calvados Apple Brandy

That's what I had and it was worth the thousands of dollars it took to have it.

I am also equally happy with a $4 cheeseburger from Capitol Burgers on Pico Blvd. in East Los Angeles. 

As long as I'm eating the best of a genre, I'm good. 


This blog will almost exclusively be about food in the Coachella Valley.

• I will tell you the truth
• I will save you money by urging you not to go somewhere if the food is mediocre, no matter what the reputation of the establishment is
• I will find hide-outs for you in every culinary genre
• I am your personal spy and reporter
• I don't go to restaurants "to be seen" or to be part of a "scene."
• I go to eat