Palm Springs: Classic and New

by Amanda Friedman

Palm Springs: Classic and New

How to go Midcentury or Modern in Palm Springs.

MIDCENTURY SPA
Spa Resort Casino: Take advantage of Palm Springs’ mineral waters, flowing from the San Jacinto Mountains, with the Taking of the Waters treatment, an old sanitorium favorite. Treatments start at $40; sparesortcasino.com

MODERN SPA
Palm Springs Yacht Club: In The Parker’s newly renovated spa, a coed relaxation area features a saline pool, two whirlpools, a candlelit nap room and, best of all, cocktails. Treatments start at $60; theparkerpalmsprings.com

MIDCENTURY BRUNCH
Spencer’s: This stalwart features seven variations of eggs Benedict, like the surf and turf, made with crab cakes and filet mignon. Brunch starts at $20; spencersrestaurant.com

MODERN BRUNCH
Cheeky’s: Market-driven dishes based on local ingredients change weekly, but staples include a delicious yam sandwich with cilantro, feta and tomato. $ Brunch starts at $15; cheekysps.com

MIDCENTURY DINNER
Copley’s: Located in part of Cary Grant’s former home, there’s an elegant outdoor terrace and dishes like lavender-and parsley-scented rack of lamb. Dinner starts at $50; copleyspalmsprings.com

MODERN DINNER
Trio: This is dinner as spectator sport. Stick with standards like the skirt steak or sea bass and delve into the vibrant Palm Springs singles scene. Dinner starts at $25; triopalmsprings.com

MIDCENTURY ART
Palm Springs Art Museum: Opened in 1938, it has a wonderful selection of modern art and temporary exhibits, like “Comic Art Indigéne,” featuring Native American artists, starting June 17. psmuseum.org

MODERN ART
Michael H. Lord Gallery: This three-year-old gallery on the North Palm Canyon shopping strip displays local artists like Nel Ivancich and big names like Robert Rauschenberg. michaelhlordgallery.com

MIDCENTURY NIGHTLIFE
Melvyn’s: With waiters in tuxedos, old Hollywood photos and Veal Ingleside, Melvyn’s channels midcentury Palm Springs, often with the same players and patrons. Dinner starts at $40; inglesideinn.com

MODERN NIGHTLIFE
Torme’s: Mel Tormé’s daughter, Melissa, opened Tormé’s last October to rekindle Palm Springs glamour. With great food and live music, she succeeded. Dinner starts at $30; tormespalmsprings.com

“Do not go where the path leads, travel instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”   @wbbrjp

CIRPAC Travel / Phone  213 387-4345 / 3407 W 6th Street, Los Angeles CA