A Big Change May Be Coming to Local Supermarkets
The Kroger and Albertsons grocery-store chains are trying to merge, and they have announced that if successful, four Coachella Valley grocery stores—the Albertsons in Palm Springs and Palm Desert, and the Vons in Palm Springs and La Quinta—would be sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers, the company that owns the Piggy Wiggly brand.
The Federal Trade Commission is suing to stop the merger, which was first announced in 2022, because it would likely negatively affect consumer choice and prices; the sale of these stores and others was proposed to make the merger more palatable.
The case is slated to head to trial sometime in August.
The Ace Shows Off the Talents of Guest Chefs
The Ace Hotel and Swim Club, at 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, is continuing its “Taste Buds” summer series with James Beard Award-nominated pastry chef Caroline Schiff, from Friday through Sunday, Aug. 16-18.
This series brings nationally recognized talent to the Coachella Valley, as they add dishes to the existing King’s Highway menu for a weekend. Next up, from Sept. 20-22, is Los Angeles-based chef Wes Avila, of Piopiko.
Get more details on this and other Ace events at acehotel.com/palm-springs/goings-on.
Closures and Restaurants for Sale
Rio Azul Mexican Bar and Grill, at 350 S. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, appears to have closed—suddenly and permanently. Readers of this column may recall its extended closure last year due to electrical problems in the building. The restaurant was sold; the sale fell through; and it reopened in August 2023 under the same management. Phone calls to the owners have not been returned, so keep an eye on this space for possible updates.
Sol Agave, at 262 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, has for a while had a sign up saying it is temporarily closed. Calls to its other restaurants for more information have not been fruitful.
Restaurants we’ve seen on the various sites for sale include Mega Café, at 78375 Varner Road, in Palm Desert; and Dillon’s Burgers and Beer, at 64647 Dillon Road, in Desert Hot Springs. Both appear to be operating normally. Also listed: Carnival Restaurant, at 69820 Highway 111, in Rancho Mirage; I don’t remember it ever being open.
Two restaurants listed for sale are in the midst of summer closures: French Miso Café, at 19 La Plaza, in Palm Springs; and Sol y Sombra, at the Paloma Resort, at 67670 Carey Road, in Cathedral City. Current owners have announced plans to reopen on Oct. 1 and Sept. 17, respectively.
In Brief
El Toro Loco has opened a new space at 50991 Washington St., Suite 1, in La Quinta. The Mexican restaurant and grocery store serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and sells meat, produce, seafood and baked goods. Learn more at eltorolocolaquinta.com. … The owners of the popular Chula Artisan Eatery, at 47150 Washington St., Suite B, in La Quinta, have opened a sister location at 74929 Highway 111, in Indian Wells: Chulita Café. Both locations are open for brunch, lunch and co*cktails. The menus at the two locations are different but show the same respect for traditions and ingredients. Learn more at www.chulitacafe.com. … Apong’s Cathedral City is moving from next to the strip clubs on Perez Road in Cathedral City, to 35850 Date Palm Drive, Suite A, with an expected opening in mid-September. Their other location at The River in Rancho Mirage is up for sale, but the current owners promise me that no transfer of ownership will be completed until the new Cathedral City location is up and running. So, do not worry—we will not be without Krispy Krunchy fried chicken or Filipino food. Learn more at apongsphillysteak.com. … Jon Butler has joined Palm Springs sister properties Holiday House (holidayhouseps.com) and Sparrows Lodge (sparrowslodge.com) as executive chef. Butler’s pedigree includes working at Tra Vigne in St. Helena, Calif., and Noma in Copenhagen. Most recently, here in the valley, he was at The Penney in Rancho Mirage, and Kiki’s in La Quinta. … A new specialty wine shop is open in downtown Palm Springs. Perry’s Fine Wines and Liquors, of Provincetown, Mass., fame, has opened at 641 N. Palm Canyon Drive. As at their P-Town location, they stock a variety of specialty foods in addition to liquor. The owners have designed the space to reflect Palm Springs with a nod to Cape Cod. Learn more at perryspsp.com.
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