Reforma – Palm Spring’s Newest Music Venue

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Palm Springs is known for unique entertainment and dining venues, many of which you just can’t find in other cities, and that’s just what you’ll discover at Reforma Palm Springs. With 9,000 square feet of space to dine, play and be entertained, it’s the largest venue of this type in Palm Springs.

Meet The Owners

Rob Giesecke and husband, Bill Vastardis, made their way to the hospitality industry by chance. Having sold their New York and San Francisco based financial services business, they came to Palm Springs full-time in 2017.

When Chill Bar on Arenas Road became available for sale, they jumped at the opportunity to own a bar in Palm Springs, something he had always dreamed. Since then, Chill Bar has grown, known for top-quality entertainment in a fun, casual environment. They are an anchor in the Arenas District among other LGBTQ nightclubs and restaurants.

At the end of 2020, Bill and Rob decided to expand their business in Palm Springs with second venue, Reforma Palm Springs.

Historic Midcentury Building

The location in the historic J.W. Robinson’s building is perfect.  Originally built as a department store and designed by Charles Luckman and William Pereira,  it was completed in 1958 and is an important part of the Palm Springs midcentury architecture collection and retro vide.  It also gave the couple an opportunity to rehabilitate an icon midcentury building. The property includes ample parking and a large space for both dining and entertainment.

Located at 333 S. Palm Canyon Drive.

Why the name Reforma?

Paseo de la Reforma (Promenade of the Reform) is a wide avenue that runs diagonally across the heart of Mexico City. Think of it similar to what the Champs-Élysées is to Paris. La Reforma refers to modernizing measures that were taking place in Mexico in the 1850’s. Today, the Reforma is bustling with tourists, enjoys new and hip restaurants, luxurious hotels, an array of public art, just like Palm Springs.

Reforma Palm Springs takes its name after this famous promenade. The name evokes the inspiration for the restaurant’s modern cuisine, cosmopolitan fare inspired by the metropolitan centers of Latin America. Enjoy a combination of elegant plates and imaginative street food.

The Reforma Experience

The service at Reforma Palm Springs is modeled after a supper club. Guests enjoy their dinner in a dramatic environment and can stay and dance the night away. The space is transformed into one of Palm Spring’s largest dance floors with a state-of-the-art sound system and light show.

For a quieter evening, a private lounge and bar offer additional environments to have a meal or late night bites with a unique craft cocktail. Entertainment will include DJs and live performances.

Events Calendar

A striking mural by artist Ricardo Ruiz (the elder) enhances the Latin interior setting. Each of the four panels are 6 1/2 x 9 feet. This is one of the panels.

Navigating the Menu

While the name is a nod to Mexico, the cuisine includes flavors from Mexico, Argentina, Spain, and Peru. Think of it as metropolitan Latin American and the capital cities. The flavors are the creation of executive chef Erick Hernandez.

Lunch

At the present, lunch and Happy Hour starts at 3pm. Lunch service will begin at 11am in the near horizon.

The Cubano is a wonderful sandwich with roasted pork, Swiss cheese, and sliced ham. They also have a lovely chicken milanesa, which is chicken pounded thin and served with an egg on a brioche bun. Ask about their the chef’s burger of the week, which is a ribeye blend and served with french fries.

Dinner

Start with a sharable. Perhaps something from the sea like Spanish beer steamed mussels made with Mexican chorizo, fennel, and pickled Fresno chiles. Or, the Peruvian Ceviche served with sweet potato chips.

For an entrée, they feature the Peruvian Lomo Saltado with stir-fried steak, served with a variety of fresh veggies.

The Mexican Short Rib Mole is also wonderful.

If you want to really treat yourself, their La Reforma Argentinian Tomahawk (32 oz. Argentinian beef) is over the top. Grilled to your preference and topped with house-made pomegranate chimichurri sauce.

Continuing with a seafood theme, the Spanish Paella Del Mar includes sea bass, mussels, Spanish chorizo, and shrimp.

Finish with a creamy house-made horchata ice cream. It sings with the comforting flavors of cinnamon and toasted rice. Or enjoy the more traditional butter pound cake with fresh tres leche cream.

Reforma Drinks

There is also a variety of specialty cocktails that pair nicely with the menu, but they are also great stand-alone. The featured cocktail is the King Bayabas – Don Julio Reposado, lime, grapefruit, guava, agave, and aromatic bitters. The name comes from a Philippine legend king folktale who is said to have given us the guava fruit.

Cocktails include specialty liquors like Spanish gin, Mezcal, Oaxaca Rum, Havana Club Rum, Nixta Corn Liquor, and Pajarote Guava liquor.

3-2-1 Happy Hour Special!

Enjoy Reforma’s unique 3-2-1 deal from 3 – 6 pm daily, which is $3 off all liquor, $2 off craft cocktails or wine, and $1 off all beer.

Events Calendar

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