Last week, I wrote about the hotel we stayed at for the NATJA conference in Palm Springs, the Riviera Resort & Spa. While some aspects could use improvement, it is overall a decent place with a beautiful pool area, spa, and fitness facilities, as well as a mid-century atmosphere. Now I’ll write about the activities and restaurants I enjoyed during my stay.
We attendees had about options of tours to choose from. I got the ones I wanted, which were the Spa at Sec-He and the agricultural tour near La Quinta, which primarily consisted of a visit to the Packhouse at Aziz Farms. For our dine-around dinner, I visited Foxy’s in Rancho Mirage after requesting to change from a Mexican restaurant because I didn’t want to have that kind of food three nights in a row.
Since attending last year’s NATJA conference in Galveston, I have appreciated the places we visited and the restaurants we dined at. This year would be the same, just in a different city. Although I preferred those activities in Galveston more, Palm Springs had plenty of great things to offer and enjoy. One note: The Packhouse at Aziz Farms isn’t technically open to the public, but it’s still worth mentioning as a place that champions a disappearing industry.
The Spa at Sec-He
I didn’t know that a good share of Palm Springs is comprised of checkerboard squares of property owned by the Cahuilla Indians. Specifically, the group that owns these parcels is the Agua Caliente band, which is Spanish for “hot water.” That’s only fitting because this facility has taken that naturally occurring element and elevated it to several degrees of luxury wellness. It has won awards, including the "Best Spa in the Country" designation for two consecutive years by the Spas of America organization, as well as recognition from Good Housekeeping and USA Today.
This extensive facility was previously several pools, including the large main one. That’s when the tribe opened a 73,000-square-foot building that houses spa rooms with unique treatments, including quartz pebbles, chakra lights and hydrotherapy inserts in the beds. Another defining feature of Sec-He is the individual suites, separated by gender, that have mineral bath pools. Wearing your swimsuit is optional, so it’s like taking a bath in your own home. The facility also features two salt lockers for respiratory issues, steam rooms, saunas, cold plunge pools, a nail salon, and private lounge facilities for groups, as well as a snack bar.
Packhouse at Aziz Farms
I appreciate where food comes from, having grown up in a family with agricultural roots in Northern California. So, when we visited this wholesale family farming operation in the eastern Coachella Valley, I was instantly fascinated with what they were all about. Mark Tadros, whose father founded Aziz as a date orchard, has worked to bring agriculture to school-age children through field trips and summer camps, as well as by hosting private events for companies and individuals for weddings and parties. He and farmer Ellen Way explained that this was their strategy to preserve a disappearing way of life and industry.
Naturally, the beautifully maintained grounds, which include canopied groves and a large pond, are mostly lined with date palms. The fruit is then cultivated, harvested, and packed for shipment worldwide. However, Tadros also collaborates with local restaurants to cultivate organic micro-crops of vegetables, often tailored to their specific needs. We tried cucumbers and squash taken directly from the ground, and because they didn’t have pesticides or chemicals, they didn’t need washing and were as fresh as can be.
Foxy’s
I almost think that Palm Springs’ default option is to go retro. Whether it’s food, architecture or retail, the mid-century modern approach is fully embraced. I think that’s true of this Rancho Mirage eatery, which was previously known as Shame on the Moon under different ownership. Teri and Tim Fox opened this business two years ago, and it has been a popular mainstay for locals, winning several awards. Even the décor, with its slightly darkened lights and half-circle booths along the walls, gives off that historic vibe.
Our group chose classic American and continental entrées and starters, such as Caesar salad, roasted beet and avocado salad, clam chowder, osso buco, chicken piccata, and honey-glazed salmon. I chose the chowder and salmon, which turned out to be fantastic choices. However, I sampled everyone else’s dishes, and these were equally delectable and carefully crafted with high quality. Our evening was capped off with irresistible desserts: coconut crème meringue pie, fudge cake a la mode and acai berry sorbet. But what also made the dinner special was Danny, the restaurant's maître d’ and all-around dynamo.
grand Central
I won’t say too much about this downtown place, which is right in the heart of Palm Canyon Drive, the city’s main drag. That’s because I don’t think it was at its best culinary showing. They hosted our conference last evening, and that meant hosting all the NATJA staff and attendees in a cavernous, sound-bouncing room that typically holds art exhibits. As a result, the noise was deafening, and I could barely hear the conversation with those I was sitting next to.
Additionally, the selected menu was simply adequate – nothing too exciting, and some items were outright dull. It consisted of deviled eggs and green salad with lemon vinaigrette for starters; salmon, lamb Bolognese and pasta primavera for entrees; and churros for dessert. Still, I wouldn’t judge this place solely on this offering. I would return if the opportunity arose.
