{"id":50739,"date":"2018-12-28T10:43:30","date_gmt":"2018-12-28T16:43:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739"},"modified":"2026-04-06T10:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T16:00:00","slug":"ac3-palm-desert-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739","title":{"rendered":"AC3 – Palm Desert, California"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"
AC3 in Palm Desert, California<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hollywood\u2019s movie studio system of the\u00a01920s and 30s contractually required its greatest glitterati\u00a0 to remain within 100 miles of Tinseltown’s studio during production. Because of this \u201ctwo-hour rule,\u201d such stars as Cary Grant, Debbie Reynolds, Frank Sinatra and his “Rat Pack” buddies traded Hollywood’s frenetic, paparazzi-plagued lifestyle for the more secluded and sedate pace of Palm Springs, exactly 100 miles from Hollywood.\u00a0 This system of indenture is long gone, but\u00a0<\/span>A-list stars continue to flock to the high desert for a lifestyle suitable for the rich and famous.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Despite its reputation as a top getaway destination for Los Angeles luminaries, Palm Springs is not necessarily known as a top destination for foodies.\u00a0 In 2014, for example, neither Palm Springs nor its Coachella Valley were ranked among seventeen great destinations for foodies in California<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 Three years later, they weren’t ranked on a list of the 29 “best foodie cities in California<\/strong><\/a>.”\u00a0 Even such less well-known cities as\u00a0Rancho Cucamonga, Modesto and Bakersfield made the list.\u00a0 It certainly made me wonder what they have that Palm Springs doesn’t have.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
On a 63-Degree Day with 10mph Winds, it was much too Cold for Locals<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Maybe, I wondered, Palm Springs is perceived as living in its glorious past, celebrating the storied eateries frequented by the stars of yesteryear.\u00a0 Indeed, many of those restaurants remain as popular today as when they were during the halcyon days of the Hollywood movie studio system.\u00a0 Among those legendary A-lister favorites are<\/span>Melvyn’s<\/strong><\/a>, a hangout for the rambunctious Rat Pack and the iconic\u00a0Sherman’s Deli<\/strong><\/a> where Elvis Presley and his “Memphis Mafia” would reportedly commandeer the entire restaurant for a hot pastrami sandwich fix.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Contrary to the perceptions of the aforementioned pundits, the more research I did, the more it became obvious the Valley’s dining scene is one to be reckoned with.\u00a0 Sure, it embraces its classic (but don’t dare call them anachronisms) restaurants, but the valley’s restaurateurs have a 20\/20 eye toward the future.\u00a0 Eater Los Angeles<\/strong><\/a> describes it best: “Desert die-hards know that Palm Springs possesses a timeless allure, with a food scene that’s been on the rise for years to boot<\/em>.”\u00a0 Maybe someday it’ll be recognized as one of California’s premier year-round dining destinations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Lobster Cobb<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Given its proximity to fresh fruits and produce, it’s a given the Coachella would offer exemplary\u00a0farm-to-table fare.\u00a0 Also to be expected is dining\u00a0alfresco under a star-studded desert night sky at the base of the craggy San Jacinto Mountains.\u00a0 So are\u00a0supper clubs, food, wine and craft beer festivals.\u00a0 What the Coachella Valley offers that only New Orleans and a few other select cultural-culinary destinations can match is the\u00a0<\/span>Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival,\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>a week-long event where stellar restaurants from throughout the fruited plain set up shop in innovative pop-up fashion.\u00a0 What about the rest of the year, you ask.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the scant two weeks we’ve spent in the resurgent Coachella Valley we’ve uncovered a treasure trove of inspired and adventurous restaurants competitive with those of any city in which we’ve dined.\u00a0 Vibrant menus executed magnificently in spectacular milieus by innovative chefs have elevated our esteem for one of our very favorite escapes from winter’s frosty bite.\u00a0 More important for us, many of the restaurants we’ve discovered allow us to dine with our debonair dachshund The Dude.\u00a0 In fact, nearly a hundred restaurants in the Coachella Valley are dog-friendly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Braised Sweetcorn and Fennel Broth (Lobster | Balsamic Glaze)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Among them is AC3 Restaurant + Bar in Palm Desert which earned coveted “Best New Restaurant” honors in The Desert Sun’s “Best of the Valley” competition.\u00a0 AC3 is ensconced on the first floor of the Hotel Paseo<\/strong><\/a>, the first new luxury hotel in Palm Desert in more than thirty years. This boutique property is steps from upscale shopping, art galleries, restaurants, and nightlife on El Paseo, known as \u201cThe Rodeo Drive of the Desert.\u201d\u00a0 Hotel Paseo centralized location makes it an ideal jumping off point for exploring the beautiful Valley.\u00a0 First, however, you’ve got to explore AC3.<\/span><\/p>\n

AC3 Restaurant + Bar is a collaboration of two of the valley\u2019s best restaurants,\u00a0Trio Restaurant<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Copley\u2019s On Palm Canyon,<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0the latter housed in\u00a0in part of the former Cary Grant estate.\u00a0\u00a0Award-winning Chef-Owner Andrew Copley created a \u201cNew American\u201d dining experience highlighting familiar dishes using local ingredients.\u00a0 Within six months of launching, the AC3 team was showcasing those ingredients while serving two courses at the James Beard House in New York City.\u00a0 It’s not likely that’ll be the only time AC3 is mentioned in the same sentence as James Beard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Grilled Salmon Bowl<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

AC3 offers distinct and distinctive menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner in addition to a value-priced prix fixe menu from 3:30PM to 5:30PM.\u00a0 A “weekender” brunch menu is among the best in the Valley while happy hour “bar bites” let you pair a dazzling array of small and full plates with your favorite adult beverage.\u00a0 Many of the restaurant’s appetizers and entrees can be modified for gluten-free considerations.\u00a0 Bread service is available upon request.\u00a0 A 63-degree day with 10mph winds ensured we had the capacious patio all to ourselves though it seemed most of the kitchen and hotel staff stepped outside to ogle The Dude.<\/span><\/p>\n

When my Kim sees lobster on a menu, she likes to quip “it’s my lobster,” a paraphrase of a popular quote from the 1990s situation comedy Friends.\u00a0 In one episode Phoebe exclaimed “see, he’s her lobster” after Rachel and Ross finally got together.\u00a0 AC3’s Lobster Cobb<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0(baby iceberg, apple smoked bacon, roasted corn, tiny tomatoes,Ch\u00e8vre, and egg drizzled with an avocado and cilantro dressing) was indeed my Kim’s lobster.\u00a0 Thankfully she shared this elevated Cobb salad with me.\u00a0 Talk about a generously portioned compilation of great ingredients, all of which went well together.\u00a0 We hadn’t seen so much sweet, succulent, glorious lobster in quite a while and were especially surprised at how well the delicate lobster meat paired with the pungent\u00a0Ch\u00e8vre (goat cheese).\u00a0 Similarly, the avocado and cilantro dressing provided complementary-contrasting notes which brought everything else together.\u00a0 Most artistic were the sliced baby tomatoes in shades of red, orange and yellow, each with slightly different flavor notes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Blonde Ale Battered Fish N’ Chips<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lobster is also a prominent ingredient on the Braised Sweetcorn and Fennel Broth<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 Though normally served cold, we asked the kitchen if it could be served warm in consideration of the cold (at least for Palm Springs) weather.\u00a0 Although it’s possible to heat any soup, it won’t necessarily be good (hot gazpacho, for example).\u00a0 This one was!\u00a0 In fact, it was one of those soups which might just make you close your eyes and luxuriate in its deliciousness.\u00a0 The flavor of sweet corn is prominent in the way corn is naturally sweet manner, not corn which has been sweetened.\u00a0 Fennel lends only a hint of its\u00a0sweet, aromatic, anise-like\u00a0flavor and there’s just enough Balsamic glaze to be discernible.\u00a0 Small chunks of sweet, red-pink lobster swim below the surface of the succulent amber broth.\u00a0 This is a superb soup!<\/span><\/p>\n

Our server told us the grilled salmon bowl<\/strong><\/em> (coconut rice, cabbage, carrots, edamame, green onions, micro-greens, red Thai curry, candied peanuts) is the most popular dish on the lunch menu.\u00a0 It’s easy to see why.\u00a0 Picture a lightly encrusted six-ounce salmon filet grilled so it has a slightly “burnt” flavor.\u00a0 Grilling induces the salmon’s “good” fat to ingratiate itself into the other ingredients on the plate, coalescing them into a delicious whole.\u00a0 Puncture the salmon with your fork and you’ll extricate flaky, tender white fish with a mild flavor which picks up just enough of the Thai curry to influence, but not change its flavor profile. It’s an excellent way to enjoy the versatility and deliciousness of one of the most popular fish in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
S’Mores (Flourless Chocolate Tart, Burnt Marshmallow Ice Cream, Graham Cracker, Cocoa Nibs)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not since the Beatles has this “side of the pond” embraced anything with such affection as colonists have embraced fish and chips which\u00a0have become a rather de rigueur restaurant offering across the fruited plain.\u00a0 You no longer need to find a British or Irish-themed restaurant to enjoy them.\u00a0 Fish and chips are on the menu of every type of restaurant–from elegant fine-dining to simple mom-and-pop.\u00a0 AC3 offers blonde ale battered fish n’ chips<\/strong><\/em> served with malt pickled onions, house seasoned fries and tartar sauce.\u00a0 A single, lightly-breaded, golden-hued plank of flaky, delicate fish is all fish without any of the residual “fishy” flavor.\u00a0 It’s a perfect vehicle for malt vinegar as are the seasoned battered fries.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

AC3’s dessert menu<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is a continuum of the same high-quality deliciousness as the rest of your meal, a perfect progression of one truly mouth-watering dish to another.\u00a0 Innovations such as S’Mores<\/strong><\/em> (flourless chocolate tart, burnt marshmallow ice cream, Graham cracker and cocoa nibs) served on a wooden plate are an elevation of the S’Mores you enjoyed as a child, a more sophisticated adult version.\u00a0 The flourless chocolate tart is dense and sweet, the marshmallow fluffy and light.\u00a0 Though not listed with other ingredients, the fresh berries lend a nice contrast.\u00a0 You probably won’t relive childhood experiences around a campfire, but you’ll create new experiences enjoying the grown-up version of a timeless dessert.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With restaurants such as AC3, the future of Coachella Valley’s restaurant scene has a bright and promising future.<\/span><\/p>\n

AC3 Restaurant + Bar<\/strong>
\n45350 Larkspur Lane
\nPalm Desert, California
\n<\/strong>(760)340-6069
\nWeb Site<\/strong><\/a> | Facebook Page<\/strong><\/a>
\nLATEST VISIT<\/strong>: 28 December 2018
\n# OF VISITS<\/strong>: 1
\nRATING<\/strong>: N\/R
\nCOST<\/strong>: $$$
\nBEST BET<\/strong>: Lobster Cobb, Braised Sweetcorn & Fennel Broth, Blonde Ale Battered Fish & Chips, Grilled Salmon Bowl, S’Mores
\nREVIEW #1086<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hollywood\u2019s movie studio system of the\u00a01920s and 30s contractually required its greatest glitterati\u00a0 to remain within 100 miles of Tinseltown’s studio during production. Because of this \u201ctwo-hour rule,\u201d such stars as Cary Grant, Debbie Reynolds, Frank Sinatra and his “Rat Pack” buddies traded Hollywood’s frenetic, paparazzi-plagued lifestyle for the more secluded and sedate pace of Palm Springs, exactly 100 miles from Hollywood.\u00a0 This system of indenture is long gone, but\u00a0A-list stars continue to flock to the high desert for a lifestyle suitable for the rich and famous.\u00a0 Despite its reputation as a top getaway destination for Los Angeles luminaries, Palm Springs is not necessarily known as a top destination for foodies.\u00a0 In 2014, for example, neither Palm Springs nor its…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":50745,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46,703,134,5647,553],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50739","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-california","category-dog-friendly","category-fine-dining","category-rating-n-r","category-across-america"],"yoast_head":"\nAC3 - Palm Desert, California - Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"AC3 - Palm Desert, California - Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Hollywood\u2019s movie studio system of the\u00a01920s and 30s contractually required its greatest glitterati\u00a0 to remain within 100 miles of Tinseltown’s studio during production. Because of this \u201ctwo-hour rule,\u201d such stars as Cary Grant, Debbie Reynolds, Frank Sinatra and his “Rat Pack” buddies traded Hollywood’s frenetic, paparazzi-plagued lifestyle for the more secluded and sedate pace of Palm Springs, exactly 100 miles from Hollywood.\u00a0 This system of indenture is long gone, but\u00a0A-list stars continue to flock to the high desert for a lifestyle suitable for the rich and famous.\u00a0 Despite its reputation as a top getaway destination for Los Angeles luminaries, Palm Springs is not necessarily known as a top destination for foodies.\u00a0 In 2014, for example, neither Palm Springs nor its…\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/nmgastronome\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-12-28T16:43:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-06T16:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/AC3-06.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"582\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"700\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Gil Garduno\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Gil Garduno\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/?p=50739#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/?p=50739\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Gil Garduno\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/423b9c3eeeb199e43ab4f1f584fa67bf\"},\"headline\":\"AC3 – Palm Desert, California\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-12-28T16:43:30+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-06T16:00:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/?p=50739\"},\"wordCount\":1700,\"commentCount\":2,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/?p=50739#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/12\\\/AC3-06.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"California\",\"Dog Friendly\",\"Fine Dining\",\"Rating: N\\\/R (Not Rated)\",\"United States\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/?p=50739#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/?p=50739\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/?p=50739\",\"name\":\"AC3 - Palm Desert, California - Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/?p=50739#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/?p=50739#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/12\\\/AC3-06.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-12-28T16:43:30+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-06T16:00:00+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/?p=50739#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/?p=50739\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/?p=50739#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/12\\\/AC3-06.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/12\\\/AC3-06.jpg\",\"width\":582,\"height\":700},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/?p=50739#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"AC3 – Palm Desert, California\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog\",\"description\":\"Follow the Culinary Ruminations of New Mexico's Sesquipedalian Sybarite. 1,522 Restaurant Reviews, More Than 14,900 Visitor Comments...And Counting!\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"\",\"contentUrl\":\"\",\"caption\":\"Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/423b9c3eeeb199e43ab4f1f584fa67bf\",\"name\":\"Gil Garduno\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/140571d25459ad5954bce10ffc2f8c8d21c92edf345ea30e6145c3e68a417af1?s=96&r=pg\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/140571d25459ad5954bce10ffc2f8c8d21c92edf345ea30e6145c3e68a417af1?s=96&r=pg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/140571d25459ad5954bce10ffc2f8c8d21c92edf345ea30e6145c3e68a417af1?s=96&r=pg\",\"caption\":\"Gil Garduno\"},\"description\":\"Since 2008, the tagline on Gil\u2019s Thrilling (And Filling) Blog has invited you to \u201cFollow the Culinary Ruminations of New Mexico\u2019s Sesquipedalian Sybarite.\u201d To date, more than six million visitors have trusted (or at least visited) my recommendations on more than 1,300 restaurant reviews. Please take a few minutes to tell me what you think. Whether you agree or disagree with me, I'd love to hear about it.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/%20\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/nmgastronome\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/nmgastronome\\\/\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nmgastronome.com\\\/?author=1\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"AC3 - Palm Desert, California - Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"AC3 - Palm Desert, California - Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog","og_description":"Hollywood\u2019s movie studio system of the\u00a01920s and 30s contractually required its greatest glitterati\u00a0 to remain within 100 miles of Tinseltown’s studio during production. Because of this \u201ctwo-hour rule,\u201d such stars as Cary Grant, Debbie Reynolds, Frank Sinatra and his “Rat Pack” buddies traded Hollywood’s frenetic, paparazzi-plagued lifestyle for the more secluded and sedate pace of Palm Springs, exactly 100 miles from Hollywood.\u00a0 This system of indenture is long gone, but\u00a0A-list stars continue to flock to the high desert for a lifestyle suitable for the rich and famous.\u00a0 Despite its reputation as a top getaway destination for Los Angeles luminaries, Palm Springs is not necessarily known as a top destination for foodies.\u00a0 In 2014, for example, neither Palm Springs nor its…","og_url":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739","og_site_name":"Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog","article_author":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/nmgastronome\/","article_published_time":"2018-12-28T16:43:30+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-04-06T16:00:00+00:00","og_image":[{"width":582,"height":700,"url":"http:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/AC3-06.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Gil Garduno","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Gil Garduno","Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739"},"author":{"name":"Gil Garduno","@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/#\/schema\/person\/423b9c3eeeb199e43ab4f1f584fa67bf"},"headline":"AC3 – Palm Desert, California","datePublished":"2018-12-28T16:43:30+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-06T16:00:00+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739"},"wordCount":1700,"commentCount":2,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/AC3-06.jpg","articleSection":["California","Dog Friendly","Fine Dining","Rating: N\/R (Not Rated)","United States"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739","url":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739","name":"AC3 - Palm Desert, California - Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/AC3-06.jpg","datePublished":"2018-12-28T16:43:30+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-06T16:00:00+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/AC3-06.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/AC3-06.jpg","width":582,"height":700},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=50739#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"AC3 – Palm Desert, California"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/","name":"Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog","description":"Follow the Culinary Ruminations of New Mexico's Sesquipedalian Sybarite. 1,522 Restaurant Reviews, More Than 14,900 Visitor Comments...And Counting!","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/#organization","name":"Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog","url":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"","contentUrl":"","caption":"Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/#\/schema\/person\/423b9c3eeeb199e43ab4f1f584fa67bf","name":"Gil Garduno","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/140571d25459ad5954bce10ffc2f8c8d21c92edf345ea30e6145c3e68a417af1?s=96&r=pg","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/140571d25459ad5954bce10ffc2f8c8d21c92edf345ea30e6145c3e68a417af1?s=96&r=pg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/140571d25459ad5954bce10ffc2f8c8d21c92edf345ea30e6145c3e68a417af1?s=96&r=pg","caption":"Gil Garduno"},"description":"Since 2008, the tagline on Gil\u2019s Thrilling (And Filling) Blog has invited you to \u201cFollow the Culinary Ruminations of New Mexico\u2019s Sesquipedalian Sybarite.\u201d To date, more than six million visitors have trusted (or at least visited) my recommendations on more than 1,300 restaurant reviews. Please take a few minutes to tell me what you think. Whether you agree or disagree with me, I'd love to hear about it.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/%20","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/nmgastronome\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/nmgastronome\/"],"url":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?author=1"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50739","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=50739"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50739\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79166,"href":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50739\/revisions\/79166"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/50745"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=50739"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=50739"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=50739"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}