Historic Restaurants of Palm Springs

Among its many attractions are the historic restaurants that have served locals and visitors for decades. These establishments offer delectable cuisine and a taste of the area’s storied past.

Las Casuelas 

Serving delicious iconic Mexican food since 1958,  Las Casuelas remains a testament to the authenticity of the past. While the family-owned spot now has several newer restaurants in the local chain, the original restaurant, known as “Original Las Casuelas,” was the first Mexican restaurant in Palm Springs and is also the oldest restaurant in Palm Springs.

The restaurant is named after an earthenware cooking pot called a “cazuela.” Sharp eyes will notice the restaurant’s name is not spelled the same way.  You can blame a wayward marketing company for misspelling the name on the sign out front, and since it would be costly to replace, the family opted to keep it.

368 North Palm Canyon Drive.

Some of its signature dishes include:

Chile Relleno: A classic Mexican dish consisting of a roasted poblano pepper stuffed with cheese, then battered and fried to perfection.

Carne Asada: Grilled marinated steak.

Enchiladas Suizas: Enchiladas filled with chicken, covered in a creamy tomatillo sauce, and topped with melted cheese.

Tamales: Traditional Mexican tamales filled with a variety of savory fillings such as pork, chicken, or cheese, wrapped in corn husks and steamed to perfection.

Fajitas: Sizzling hot platters of grilled meat (chicken, beef, or shrimp) served with sautéed onions and bell peppers. Las Casuelas Terraza’s fajitas are known for their generous portions and delicious flavors.

Purple Room Supper Club

The Purple Room, a living testament to the 1960s, was once a vibrant part of the Club Trinidad resort. It was the favored haunt of the Rat Pack, with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. gracing its tables. Today, The Purple Room continues to enchant visitors with its intimate ambiance, live entertainment that echoes the golden era, and a menu that cherishes its rich history. A visit to The Purple Room is a journey back in time, a nostalgic experience for any history enthusiast or lover of the golden era.

Once a vibrant part of the Club Trinidad resort, The Purple Room has undergone a remarkable transformation. Today, it stands as a blend of fine dining and live entertainment, offering classic American dishes accompanied by top-notch performers. The venue’s musical heritage is celebrated with a lineup of jazz, swing, and cabaret shows, evoking the spirit of the Rat Pack era.

Michael Holmes, a versatile entertainer and entrepreneur, took the reins of The Purple Room in 2014. Recognizing the venue’s historical significance, Holmes was not just determined to restore its former glory, but also to preserve its rich history. His dedication to maintaining the historical integrity of the venue while adapting to the modern era is a testament to his respect and admiration for the past, and his commitment to ensuring The Purple Room’s legacy for future generations.

Holmes is an accomplished performer known for his cabaret acts and his widely acclaimed show, “The Judy Show!,” a tribute to Judy Garland. This show has been a staple at The Purple Room, drawing crowds who appreciate Holmes’ talent for combining humor, music, and storytelling. His performances are characterized by their warmth, wit, and heartfelt tributes to Hollywood’s golden era.

Under Holmes’ stewardship, The Purple Room has become a hub for high-quality entertainment. The venue hosts an array of performers, from jazz musicians and vocalists to comedians and cabaret acts. This diverse programming ensures that something exciting is always happening at The Purple Room, maintaining its status as a premier entertainment destination in Palm Springs.

Dining at The Purple Room

The Purple Room’s menu features a blend of classic American cuisine and contemporary dishes designed to complement the venue’s sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere. Some popular menu items include:

Short Ribs: Braised beef ribs in a peppercorn sauce.

Scottish Salmon Puttanesca: Baked salmon with olives, tomatoes, garlic, and capers.

Port Marsala: Pork medallions in a marsala wine sauce.

Cajun Shrimp Pasta: Spicy tiger shrimp in a garlic white wine cream sauce.

1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive

Note: Purple Room season runs August – May.

Sherman’s Deli

Sherman’s Deli & Bakery, a cultural touchstone, was established in 1963 by Sherman Harris. Hailing from New York, Harris brought the flavors of a traditional Jewish deli to the desert. In the early 1960s, as Palm Springs was gaining popularity as a celebrity and tourist getaway, Harris saw an opportunity to introduce a new culinary experience. His deli became a local favorite, a testament to its enduring appeal and cultural significance.

Sherman aimed to replicate the authentic deli experience he had known in New York. The deli quickly became a hit, known for its generous portions, traditional recipes, and warm atmosphere. From the beginning, Harris was hands-on, ensuring that every dish met his high standards for quality and taste.

Sherman Harris’s legacy lives on through his family. The deli remains a family-run business, with Harris’s children and grandchildren involved. This continuity has helped preserve the original values and quality that Sherman Harris established.

Signature Dishes

Pastrami Sandwich: Thick slices of tender, juicy pastrami piled high on rye bread. The pastrami is brined, seasoned, and smoked in-house, resulting in a flavorful and satisfying sandwich that is a deli staple.

Corned Beef Sandwich: Generous portions of corned beef served on rye bread with deli pickles. The corned beef is cooked to perfection, tender, and well-seasoned, making it one of the most requested items on the menu.

Reuben Sandwich: Corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing grilled on rye bread. This classic deli sandwich combines savory, tangy, and creamy flavors, perfectly balancing every bite.

Matzo Ball Soup: This traditional Jewish soup features rich chicken broth and fluffy matzo balls. Known for its comforting qualities, it is a must-try, especially for first-time visitors.

Lox and Bagel Platter: Smoked salmon served with a toasted bagel, cream cheese, capers, onions, and tomatoes—a popular choice for breakfast or brunch.

Blintzes: Thin crepes filled with sweet cheese, sour cream, and fruit preserves.

Brisket Plate: Tender slices of slow-cooked brisket served with gravy, potato pancakes, and vegetables.

401 E Tahquitz Canyon Way

Le Vallauris

Le Vallauris was opened by Paul Bruggemans in 1974. Bruggemans chose a historic 1927 house known as the Roberson home in downtown Palm Springs. Bruggemans decided to retain the historic home’s original layout of cozy, intimate spaces and its expansive, shady patio, which is still one of the desert’s favorite outdoor spaces today.

Paul Bruggemans was born and raised in Belgium, where he developed a deep appreciation for fine food and culinary excellence. He trained in some of Europe’s most prestigious kitchens, honing his skills in French cuisine, which would later become the hallmark of Le Vallauris.

In the early 1970s, Bruggemans moved to Palm Springs, drawn by the burgeoning dining scene and the opportunity to create a restaurant that combined European sophistication with the relaxed elegance of California.

Although it has a new owner, it continues to serve French food with a handwritten menu on a board and presented to tables on an easel. Food features are fresh and often locally sourced with a French twist.

Signature Dishes

Escargots de Bourgogne: Traditional French escargots prepared in a rich garlic and parsley butter. This classic dish is a true representation of French gastronomy.

Duck à l’Orange: Roasted duck breast served with a classic orange sauce. The sweet and tangy sauce perfectly complements the duck’s rich, gamey flavor, making this a menu favorite.

Sole Meunière: Fresh Dover sole lightly dusted with flour, pan-fried, and finished with a lemon-butter sauce.

Rack of Lamb: Herb-crusted rack of lamb cooked to perfection and served with a rosemary jus.

385 W Tahquitz Canyon Way

Melvyn’s Restaurant & Lounge

Melvyn’s Restaurant & Lounge, located in the historic Ingleside Estate, opened its doors in 1975. Founded by Mel Haber, the restaurant’s old-world charm and luxurious ambiance made it a quintessential Palm Springs destination.

The Ingleside Estate was originally built in the 1920s as a private estate. Over the years, it transformed into a small hotel and welcomed many notable guests. By the time Haber acquired it, the Inn had a reputation for being a serene and secluded retreat.

Haber undertook extensive renovations to restore the property to its former glory. His vision was to create a boutique hotel that offered personalized service and a unique ambiance, evoking the charm of old Hollywood. The centerpiece of this vision was Melvyn’s Restaurant, which he designed to be an elegant dining venue that harkened back to the classic supper clubs of the 1930s and 1940s.

The restaurant quickly became a favorite among celebrities, politicians, and influential figures. Frank Sinatra, one of Palm Springs’ most famous residents, was a regular at Melvyn’s, as were many other stars of the era. The combination of exquisite food, impeccable service, and a glamorous setting made Melvyn’s a premier dining destination in Palm Springs.

Mel Haber passed away in 2016, but his legacy lives on at Melvyn’s. The restaurant continues to uphold the traditions and standards he established, offering a dining experience that honors its founder’s vision. The dedication to classic cuisine, impeccable service, and an elegant atmosphere ensures that Melvyn’s remains a cherished part of Palm Springs’ culinary landscape.

Signature Entrées

Steak Diane: Tender beef filet cooked tableside in a brandy and mushroom sauce prepared tableside.

Chicken Oscar: Pan-seared chicken breast topped with crab meat, asparagus, and béarnaise sauce.

Veal Scaloppine: Thinly sliced veal sautéed with lemon, capers, and white wine.

Dover Sole: Fresh Dover sole served with a lemon butter sauce.

Prime Rib: Slow-roasted prime rib of beef, served with au jus and horseradish sauce.

200 West Ramon Road

Johnny Costa’s Ristorante

Johnny Costa’s Ristorante was founded in 1976 by Johnny Costa, a talented chef who brought his passion for traditional Italian cuisine to the heart of Palm Springs. Costa, born in 1937, honed his culinary skills in his family’s restaurant in Chicago before moving to Southern California. His goal was to create a dining experience that combined the warmth and hospitality of an Italian home with the sophistication of fine dining.

From its inception, Johnny Costa’s Ristorante attracted a star-studded clientele. One of its most notable regulars was Frank Sinatra, who became a personal friend of Johnny Costa. Sinatra was so fond of Costa’s cooking that he often dined at the restaurant and even requested Costa to cater private events. This association with Sinatra helped cement Johnny Costa’s Ristorante as a must-visit dining destination in Palm Springs.

Over the years, the restaurant has remained a family affair, with Johnny Costa’s children becoming involved. Despite changes in the culinary landscape, Johnny Costa’s Ristorante has stayed true to its roots, consistently offering high-quality, authentic Italian dishes. The restaurant’s enduring success is a testament to Costa’s culinary expertise and dedication to maintaining the standards set by its founder.

Menu Selections

The menu at Johnny Costa’s Ristorante showcases a wide array of traditional Italian dishes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Some of the standout offerings include:

Spaghetti alla Carbonara: A rich and creamy pasta dish made with eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, pancetta, and black pepper.

Veal Parmigiana: Tender veal cutlets breaded and topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese.

Osso Buco: A classic Italian dish featuring braised veal shanks in a flavorful tomato and vegetable sauce.

Seafood Linguine: This delightful dish features fresh seafood, including clams, mussels, shrimp, and calamari, served over linguine pasta in a garlic white wine sauce.

440 S. Palm Canyon Drive

Palm Springs’ historic restaurants offer more than just meals; they provide a journey through time, capturing the essence of the area’s glamorous past. Whether savoring a gourmet dinner at Copley’s, enjoying live music at The Purple Room, or indulging in a hearty deli sandwich at Sherman’s, these establishments allow you to experience the rich history and vibrant culture that define Palm Springs.

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