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Sheri’s Palm Springs Area Blog

Whether it be real estate updates, restaurant reviews, events, or highlights of unique homes in Palm Springs, follow Sheri as she covers all that Palm Springs and the surrounding area has to offer.

Dining Around the Desert: 4 Saints at the Kimpton Rowan Hotel in Palm Springs

On a recent weekend in October, Michael and I stayed at the Rowan Hotel and enjoyed several meals and cocktails. As the Coachella Valley’s only rooftop venue, 4 Saints offers a variety of different atmospheres, from the intimate lounge to the outdoor patio bar.

The highlight was dinner at 4 Saints, the fine dining option at the hotel.

As the highest restaurant in Palm Springs, 4 Saints raises the bar — literally — on desert dining. Perched on the seventh floor of the Kimpton Rowan Hotel, the rooftop restaurant showcases clever cocktails and the global cuisine, set against a backdrop of 270-degree valley views.

4 Saints’ beverage menu, with its creative cocktails, local brews and thoughtfully curated wine list, is designed to complement their seasonal menus of snacks, small plates and shareable entrees.

We started with the Pristine Oysters on the Half Shell with a Shallot Vinaigrette which were delicate and delicious. I then had the Seared Firecracker Tuna with Springtime Sprouts, Black Garlic and Chili Oil and the Crispy Spanish Octopus with Minted Peas, Blue Potato Salad, Yuzu, and Greens. The tuna was like butter, flavorful, spicy and perfectly seared. My favorite was the Octopus. Cooked to perfection, and the peas were like a taste of Spring.

Michael had the Fish in the Forest which was Steelhead Salmon, Spring Vegetables, Cedar, and Smoking Wild Juniper. He said that it was some of the best salmon he’d ever had.

I tried to resist, but Michael ordered The Four Sinners for dessert which is a Chocolate Cake with Ganache, Espresso Cream, and Mascarpone Mousse. Even with all that chocolate, it wasn’t too sweet and was wonderfully moist and decadent.

We enjoyed the hotel’s spacious guest rooms, gym, poolside lounge and the eating venues. All in all it’s a great addition to the Coachella Valley.

HOURS

Dinner: Sunday-Thursday 5:30pm - 10pm
Friday-Saturday 5:30pm - 11pm

Brunch: Saturday-Sunday 9am - 3pm
Bar: Sunday-Thursday 3pm - 11pm
Friday-Saturday 3pm - 12am

CONTACT

100 W Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
MAP & DIRECTIONS
Phone: 760.392.2020
MAKE A RESERVATION

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Dining Around The Desert, Lifestyles & Things To Do

Why People Are Relocating to the Desert

Why Greater Palm Springs?
A small-town vibe and plenty of big-city amenities have made relocating to the Coachella Valley a “hot” thing to do.

Courtesy of WINSTON GIESEKE OCTOBER 15, 2019 CURRENT DIGITAL, VISION

Futurist Alvin Toffler’s 1970 book Future Shock described an evolution to a transient society,” says Palm Desert resident Anna Miller, the visionary behind ValueRays Heated Computer Accessories. “It left quite an impression on me and actually molded my future.” Miller is referring to her relocation from the “rat race” of Los Angeles to the peace and tranquility of the Coachella Valley.

Inspired by Toffler, and with many thanks to advances in technology, the ingenious Miller — who has a master’s degree in business education and once worked as a Playboy Bunny in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin — has been happily self-employed and working from home in the field of ecommerce for more than two decades. In 2007, she left the hustle and bustle of L.A. and moved her home and business to the historic B Bar H Ranch outside Palm Springs. “I feel like I’m on vacation every day,” she says of her life now. “This area is a slice of heaven on earth: peaceful, tranquil, and with just the right amount of solitude to wake up every day feeling grateful and ready to take on whatever life offers. Plus, there is access to everything you need here, spiritually, physically, and intellectually.”

Read the rest of the article here…

PHOTOGRAPH BY LANCE GERBER

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Buying - Info For Buyers, Lifestyles & Things To Do

SilverRock Development Update

SilverRock Resort in La Quinta

Owned by the City of La Quinta and Managed by Landmark Golf Management, SilverRock Resort's Arnold Palmer Classic Course is a challenging 7,239 yards sprawling over 200 acres with massive native bunkers and stunning water features. Set against the backdrop and natural beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains, SilverRock is a former home course of the PGA Tour’s Bob Hope Classic from 2008-2011.

Development Overview

The City, in conjunction with SilverRock Development Company, LLC, has created a development program for SilverRock Resort. The program includes a luxury hotel with branded luxury residential, a lifestyle hotel with branded lifestyle residential, a conference and shared services facility, a mixed-use village, resort residential village, renovation of the existing Ahmanson Ranch House, construction of a permanent golf clubhouse, and associated road and utility infrastructure. This $420 million dollar project specifically encompasses:

A 140-room, 5-star quality luxury hotel and spa and a 200-room, 4-star quality lifestyle hotel;
A 71,000 square foot conference center and shared services facility shared by the luxury and lifestyle hotels;
A resort village with 150,000 square feet of resort residential units and up to 40,000 square feet of retail space with recreation areas;
35 luxury and 60 lifestyle branded residential homes that are associated with their respective hotels;
160 resort style homes for private ownership with the option for owners to offer as short-term rentals;
Renovation of the Ahmanson Ranch House facility as a public event center and to serve as an amenity to the resort; and
5,000 square feet of temperature controlled space with large outdoor patios and event lawn.

To keep up to date visit:
http://www.laquintaca.gov/our-city/city-departments/facilities/silverrock-golf/silverrock-frequently-asked-questions

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Buying - Info For Buyers, Buying – Info For Canadian Buyers, Dining Around The Desert, Golf Communities, Lifestyles & Things To Do, Real Estate Market Updates

Dining Around the Desert: Coming Soon: Eddie V’s in Palm Desert

On a recent weekend trip to Austin, Texas, Michael and I had the pleasure of dining at Eddie V’s, a high-end chain with locations from Newport Beach to Boston to Orlando. I was especially interested as we are getting our own Eddie V’s soon in Palm Desert.

I’ve heard of Eddie V’s described as “The Mastro’s of seafood”, and I’d say that’s an apt description.

This quote from their website gives you an idea:

Seafood is what we’re known for, but our specialty is excellence. Fish arrive daily from pristine waters around the world including Swordfish from Block Island, Scallops from George Banks, and YellowFin Tuna from the Caribbean. USDA Prime steaks are hand cut and specially aged for more than 28 days to ensure peak flavor. Devotion to excellence is the guiding principle in all that we do. From making fresh tortillas by hand daily for our lobster tacos to including a full half-pound of Jumbo Lump crab meat in our crab cakes, we strive to go above and beyond in every step of preparation. Our intent: to prepare the finest meal you’ve ever had.

Michael and I enjoyed a glass of champagne along with Kung Pao Calamari with Wok-Fried Vegetables and Roasted Cashews, and an Heirloom Tomato Salad with Italian Burrata Cheese, Basil, EV Olive Oil and Aged Balsamic Vinegar. It was one of the best Calamari dishes either one of us had ever had.

Moving on to entree’s, I had Gnocchi with Shiitake Mushrooms, Asparagus, and Sundried Tomato Pesto, which was melt in your mouth delicious.

Michael enjoyed the Texas Redfish with Sautéed Jumbo Lump Crab, Meunière Style.

We also couldn’t resist the Brussels Sprouts and Truffled Mac and Cheese.

We topped it all off with Creme Brûlée but next time we’re looking forward to the Dark Chocolate and Crushed Toffee S’Mores with Toasted Homemade Marshmallow.

We were seated next to the piano at a high-top booth and were fortunate to be up close and personal with the trio providing classics along with the great atmosphere.

The service was outstanding, the vibe was fun and happening, and overall it was a great experience. We are looking forward to having our very own Eddie V’s this coming season.

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Dining Around The Desert, Lifestyles & Things To Do

Why you should never turn off your A/C unit in the summer

Experts explain why turning off your A/C system could be detrimental to your home.

USA TODAY

2:12 p.m. PDT July 26, 2019

https://www.usatoday.com/videos/money/2019/08/07/why-you-shouldnt-turn-your-c-unit-off-vacation/1836622001/

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog

What to Do at the Top of the Palm Springs Tram

Enjoy More than Just the View at 8,500 Feet

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY

We found a special deal and activities that will enhance your experience at 8,500 feet above Palm Springs.

Courtesy of Palm Springs Life: JIM POWERS AUGUST 8, 2019 ATTRACTIONS, CURRENT DIGITAL

Once you've taken the 2.5-mile ride along the cliffs of Chino Canyon on the Palm Springs Tram, here are five things to enhance your experience at the top at Mountain Station.

You have about a month before the Tram shuts down from Sept. 9-29 for its annual maintenance.

First you're at 8,516 feet elevation, so note the temperature difference (about 15-20 degrees cooler than the desert) and let your body, particularly your breathing, adjust to the altitude. That means hydration and operating at a little slower pace to start. Plan ahead to ensure you have enough time to enjoy the surroundings rather than try and rush through a hike or physical activity.

DEAL

From now until the end of the year, you can buy a $36 ride and dine combination ticket from 4 p.m. daily with dinner from 4:30 p.m. at the Pines Café. Children are $23.50, ages 3-10. visitgreaterpalmsprings.com

HIKING

Mt. San Jacinto State Park is located at the top of the mountain, giving you access to 54 miles of hiking trails and 14,000 acres of amazing terrain. There are several easy hikes to try first – from three-quarters of a mile following nature trail posts to a 2.5-mile trail that is considered moderately strenuous. There is no fee for hiking.

CAMPING

There are six designated camping areas ranging in distance from the Mountain Station of 2.5 miles to 6.0. Each sits at a different elevation level – the highest is 9,700m feet – so take that into consideration. There is a $5 fee per person for camping permits. Depending on how much you want to rough it, some come equipped with water access and all of them have a pit latrine.

NATURE WALKS

In association with the Mt. San Jacinto Natural History Association, you can register for guided nature tours in August and again in October. In addition to high altitude exercise, you receive an education on a variety of topics from photography, the San Andreas Fault, to the environment. The classes are free, but you must register. msjnha.org/events

DINING

The Pines Café offers the typical food selections you might expect at a tourist attraction — pizza, sandwiches, soup and salad — but the Peaks Restaurant offers an opportunity to enjoy a fine dining experience. The accompanying Lookout Lounge serves a variety of alcoholic beverages. The last reservation taken for the Peaks is 7:45 p.m., and reservations are recommended.

For more information on the Palm Springs Tram, visit pstramway.com.

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Dining Around The Desert, Lifestyles & Things To Do

Dining Around the Desert: Tacos Gonzalez in Indio

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Tacos Gonzalez is a tiny little taqueria right on Hwy 111 and Jefferson on the North/East corner. It consistently comes up when we ask anyone where the best tacos are. It’s a true mom and pop organization, with a very friendly, helpful staff and about 8 tables. You order at the counter but they are very attentive and if you need or want something more, they will take your order and you pay at the end of your meal.

We enjoyed beef, chicken, and pork tacos along with a couple of beers, chips and salsa. All were very tasty, the service was quick and it measured up to all of the good reviews.

They are pretty much open 8AM to 8PM every day, but they’ll close for example on Mother’s Day so that the staff can have the day off. They don’t have a website, but there are plenty of reviews on Yelp and they also have a Facebook page. I don’t think anything is over $10 on the menu and the portions are generous.

80120 US Hwy 111
Indio, CA 92201

760.347.6858

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From Sheri Dettman
In Dining Around The Desert

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Dining Around The Desert

Dining Around the Desert: Angler in San Francisco

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This past weekend Michael and I were fortunate enough to enjoy a couple of days in San Francisco, a city near and dear to my heart as I used to live there and loved it. And since it’s only an hour flight, it’s a nice, quick get-away from the desert.

The current restaurant scene has exploded. It’s always been great, but as my friend, Adam and his wife Jeanne who joined us at Commons Club, said, “It’s like the old days”! He’s in the restaurant and hotel consulting business and knows what he’s talking about.

On Friday we enjoyed one of the hottest new places, Angler. Angler is a sea-life focused restaurant with views of the expansive wood-burning hearth as well of the San Francisco Bay from Chef Joshua Skenes and Saison Hospitality located on the Embarcadero waterfront. The service was flawless, the food perfection, the ambiance warm and inviting, and the location can’t be beat. In fact, it’s right next door to Boulevard, which is a long-time favorite in the City.

Beautiful Potato

We enjoyed oysters that were out of this world, and a whole chicken with a potato side that was heavenly. I know. It’s a seafood restaurant, but the menu is small and the chicken was calling our names.

What Zillow has to Say About Why You Should Use a Realtor to Sell Your Home

Why Use a Real Estate Agent?

According to Zillow’s Group Consumer Housing Trends Report, 89 percent of sellers list their homes with a real estate agent. The sellers listed a strong sales track record, local market knowledge, trustworthiness, responsiveness, and a good reputation in the community as the most important attributes in a top agent.

A great Realtor will make a big difference in all aspects of the selling experience, from your profits to keeping your stress level under control.

Read on to explore what else Zillow Palm Springs has to say about selling your home.

What is the standard commission for a real estate agent?

Real estate agents work on a commission basis, making a percentage of the sale or purchase price of the home their client is buying or selling. Typically, as a seller, you’ll pay 6 percent of the sale price, with half of the total serving as the buyer’s agent’s commission.

What is the difference between a listing agent and a buyer's agent?

The listing agent, also known as a seller's agent, works for the seller to help them sell their house, from listing to closing. The buyer's agent works for the buyer, guiding them through the process of finding a home they love, into negotiations, and all the way through closing.

Benefits of using a listing agent

You might ask yourself, “Why should I use a real estate agent to sell my home?” There are a number of services and plenty of expertise a real estate agent can provide, so it’s important for each seller to take a look at the list of benefits and decide if an agent is worth the expense.

1. Real estate agents provide local housing market expertise

They have access to a comprehensive list of comparable homes and understand the value of homes in your area.
Taking into consideration the current market conditions, they can strategize ways to craft the optimal selling approach, with the goal of earning the highest possible return on your home.
They can guide you to setting the right price for your home, one that will allow you to both pocket as much money as you can while selling in a timely manner.
They understand local housing codes and can point out any red flags on your property that buyers (and their home inspectors) will find.
They can recommend the specific home improvements that matter most to buyers in your area.
In our case, we know the developments inside and out and will share with you the good, the bad, and the ugly.

2. Real estate agents market your listing

They can provide recommendations for staging your home.
They can hire a professional photographer to take great listing photos.
Creating an enticing listing description of a property is an art form, and a skilled agent can call out features local buyers are looking for.
They list your property on the MLS and online real estate sites like Zillow. In fact, agents have access to more listing outlets than sellers who are listing on their own.
They host open houses and showings, physically showing your home to buyers.
They serve as a buffer between you and all potential buyers, fielding calls, answering questions, and scheduling showings.

3. Real estate agents network with other agents to increase buyer interest

They may show your home to an agent-only crowd to increase buzz.
They talk to other agents about your home, positioning it as a match for their buyers.
Homes sold by agents are typically more appealing to buyer's agents, as they know they’ll get a commission on the sale.

4. Real estate agents handle your negotiations

They vet all potential buyers, identifying the serious offers.
They skillfully work with the buyer’s agent to get you an offer that meets your needs in terms of price, timing, and repairs.
They help you make smart decisions when negotiating counteroffers.

5. Real estate agents ease the selling process

Selling a home comes with a lot of paperwork, and your real estate agent will handle it all.
Professional real estate agents keep an eye out for deal loopholes and unusual requests and read all the fine print.
In a multiple-offer situation, they’ll help you identify the pros and cons of each offer, making your decision easier.
They’ll recommend when you should counteroffer and when you should accept the deal.

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Selling - Info For Sellers

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Sheri’s Palm Springs Area Blog

Dining Around the Desert: 4 Saints at the Kimpton Rowan Hotel in Palm Springs

HOURS

CONTACT

Why People Are Relocating to the Desert

Why Greater Palm Springs?
A small-town vibe and plenty of big-city amenities have made relocating to the Coachella Valley a “hot” thing to do.

PHOTOGRAPH BY LANCE GERBER