King's Highway at the Ace Hotel, Palm Springs California

OK, I hope that you didn't arrive here today expecting some healthy smoothie recipe or workout tip. If so, you will be wildly disappointed.

Today, we visit the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs, CA. The vibe there is really cool. It's hip but not exclusive. There are people from all walks of life: families, gay, straight, old, young, trendy, not trendy. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, they invite you to hang out at their pool and even give you a towel. There is also a killer BBQ outside with Bratwurst & Italian sausage. There are hammocks and misters and you honestly don't feel the triple digit heat, even outside. The music they play is really varied. Like Led Zeppelin? You got it. Latin music? Sure, why not. Blondie? They do that too.


It's mid-century modern with a casual twist. There are macramé cords hanging from the reception area that almost looks like sailing ropes (does anyone remember macramé? Is it back in style yet?) Near the ceiling, there is a huge plexiglass display with a model desert scene complete with cacti, desert flowers and a stuffed coyote. Funky.


The restaurant is called the King's Highway. Click here for the menu. The Amigo Room looks like a speakeasy: dark inside with leatherette booths.

Why "The Amigo Room"? Have a few of their drinks and everyone becomes your Amigo.

My brother, Steve and I grazed on a bunch of sides that were incredibly reasonably priced for the size and quality.

"Survival Guide: A Manual For Food, Drinks and other Ephemera". I admit it, I had to look up "Ephemera"

We had:

• Poblano Chile and Cheddar Grits (from the breakfast menu, probably the star of the meal)
• Truffle oil popcorn (yes, popcorn, and it is as amazing as it sounds)
• Fries (sooo dark and crispy) with garlic aioli
• White bean and sirloin chile with a gorgeous hunk of corn bread (it would have been better with chunks of sirloin as I remember it from another visit- today it was ground sirloin.)
• Ceviche (YUM) with tortilla chips (meh). I'm secretly happy when chips are 'meh' or fries are soggy. Less temptation that way.

(Edited to add: I've also tasted the pizza, the brisket burger, mezza plate and the Date Pudding with vanilla bean ice cream. All were off the hook, even though I prefer pizza with a wafer thin crust).

Love these menus on old-school binders...from school. Old. School. Anyone remember binders from the days when there were no laptops or Powerpoint presentations?

I basically stuffed my face with the ceviche and had nibbles and tastes of the rest. My bro did triple axle flips over this place, which is really saying something. He's quite the gourmand.


The photographic evidence:

SmoothieBro Steve samples the popcorn

Ignore the pizza on the upper right- this is a recycled photo from another meal another day. Instead, behold the ceviche, corn bread and popcorn.

I will readily admit that this is my new favorite restaurant in the desert. The good news from a damage-control perspective? I did attend the best step class in the desert. I also did manage to squeeze in a huge, filling pre-workout breakfast smoothie, which definitely helped me to graze on the uber-caloric foods rather than inhale them.


Steve will know that I am the nicest sister on the planet as I refrained from posting the best-ever photo I took of him conked out on the sofa after our lunch. Trust me, it took a LOT of self-restraint. Instead I will show you that I, too felt it necessary to recline, with a feline:

Cat nap anyone? (Sorry, I couldn't resist)

Q: What unusual dish have you seen on a menu? Did you order it? I think that popcorn is odd to find on a menu... Fabulous. But very, very unusual.