Fine Dining, Art, and Ambiance
While many of us spent the past year endlessly video chatting or learning how to bake lackluster bread, the visionaries behind Bar Cecil were cooking up inspiration. After all, it takes hard work to create tomorrow's Palm Springs dining and drinking experience.
“We had so much free time on our hands that we could obsess over every little detail from the cocktail napkins to, I mean, every little thing,” narrates Nate VanDeventer, partner and General Manager of Bar Cecil. “As bad as 2020 was, we took advantage of that time, and just the five of us here were kind of brainstorming.”
About Cecil - The Spirit Behind Bar Cecil
Sir Cecil Beaton was a photographer, designer, diarist, and unabashed lover of beauty—an artist whose life blended elegance, wit, and a touch of theatrical rebellion. His work shaped how the world saw glamour, from Vogue portraits and Hollywood starlets to the Oscar-winning costumes of My Fair Lady. Bar Cecil is inspired by this very spirit: refined, expressive, and delightfully unexpected.
Beaton’s career carried him from London society to wartime China, where he often worked in dangerous conditions and produced some of his most iconic photographs. His ability to capture both grit and grace mirrors the restaurant’s philosophy, classic at its core, but never afraid of a bit of drama.
His romantic, complicated friendships with figures like Greta Garbo, who had ties to Palm Springs, lent emotional depth to his images. That fascination with character, what makes people interesting, lives on here in Bar Cecil's celebration of individuality, artistry, and bold living.
Beaton believed rooms should feel “dressed,” and his love of theatrical spaces influenced everything from his sets to his portraits. Bar Cecil carries that legacy forward through its curated art, layered details, and warm, intimate lighting. Nothing is accidental. Every corner tells a story.
“The Beaton Woman,” a term coined by Irving Penn, embodied a certain effortless glamour. Today, that sensibility animates the restaurant itself: stylish, playful, and always ready for its close-up. Bar Cecil isn’t a museum of Beaton’s work; it’s a living homage to his worldview, where hospitality meets creativity, and every guest is invited into a bit of Cecil’s magic.
Gabrile Woo and Nate VanDeventer
Guests are immersed in the aesthetic of a bold, gregarious era. “The general vibe, there's no mistaking it. Right when you walk in, it is in your face, colors, and textures, and just really vibrant,” beams Nate. “It's right on the edge of overstimulation. There are so many textures. The artwork is almost like a small art gallery. So much to look at. Instead of just being filled with bottles, the back bar is filled with art and books, and the bottles are mixed in, so it's nonstop conversation pieces if you're sitting at the bar.”
And the first item on that conversational agenda is naturally: what are you having?
The $50 Martini: A Conversation Starter
One of Bar Cecil’s most recognized offerings is the $50 Martini, a signature indulgence that developed a cult following.
Served on a silver tray with Absolut Elyx Vodka, a house-pickled cocktail onion, and a deviled egg topped with caviar, it embodies the restaurant’s “go big” spirit. The “Why Not?” section of the menu, which includes items like their in-house–aged Tomahawk steak, celebrates that same playful extravagance.
“It’s a splurge,” Nate says. “Let’s go for it.”
The Menu — A Little Indulgence, A Lot of Artistry
Chef Woo’s background includes years of hosting communal dinners at boutique Palm Springs hotels like Sparrows Lodge and Holiday House, which have shaped his approach to hospitality. “I love seeing people get to know each other over delicious food,” he says. “Bar Cecil lets us bring locals and visitors together in a setting that feels warm, social, and celebratory.”
To Begin: Whimsy, Warmth & Small Pleasures
The opening dishes channel Cecil’s love of detail. Warm Cecil’s Bread Rolls arrive with date–sage butter, while Deviled Eggs and Colossal Shrimp Cocktail elevate timeless favorites. For something richer, guests gravitate toward the Caramelized Onion Tart, Duck Liver Pâté with cherry chutney, or the Red Thai Curry Mussels, layered with ginger, lemongrass, and coconut milk. Even the Steak Tartare comes with a flourish—truffle aioli and cured yolk that feel worthy of a Vogue spread.
Greens & Garden Notes
Two standout salads—the Girl & Dug Farm Salad Blend and the Bibb Lettuce Salad—offer bright, refreshing pauses between more decadent choices.
The Main Event: Classics with Character
Entrées at Bar Cecil embrace bold flavors and impeccable technique. Favorites include:
- Roasted Mary’s Free-Range Half Chicken, served with potatoes and charred green beans
- Pan-Seared Halibut with celery purée and Pernod beurre blanc
- Steaks + Frites, with Café de Paris butter and Béarnaise
- Smoked Bone-In Duroc Pork Chop with potatoes au gratin and seasonal chutney
- Cacio e Pepe, enriched with Bar Cecil’s signature pepper blend
- Blanca’s Ratatouille, a vibrant vegan option layered with San Marzano tomatoes
- The iconic Beaton Burger, a house favorite that feels both modern and nostalgic
A Sweet Final Act
Desserts are playful and celebratory. The Aniston’s Pavlova has become a cult favorite, joined by a Local Lemon Tart, Fresh-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies, and a decadent McConnell’s Sundae topped with Valrhona chocolate sauce.
“We're just excited,” declares Nate. “We all believe that it's kind of the Roaring '20s, are back again, after what we went through, and people will be ready to be close to one another again and have a great time.”
What Visitors Should Know
Reservations
- Bar Cecil is consistently one of the hardest tables to secure in Palm Springs.
- Reservations open in advance and often fill quickly. 760-537-1122
- Walk-in options are limited to the bar
Location & Vibe
- Located at 1555 S Palm Canyon Drive, in South Palm Springs
- Expect a lively, design-forward atmosphere, with a social dining room and an outdoor patio.
Menu Notes
- The menu blends elevated comfort food with inventive touches.
- Vegetarian and seasonal options rotate regularly.
- The $50 Martini remains a beloved conversation piece.
Ambiance
- Think art gallery meets cocktail lounge—vibrant, spirited, and visually rich.
- Ideal for celebrations, date nights, and design lovers.