Taste of Palm Springs - Showcasing the Best in Desert Dining
Desert Observer's pageLast evening friends and I had dinner at the Palm Springs Convention Center. It was the annual Taste of Palm Springs dining experience benefiting the AIDS Assistance Program. A $45 ticket provided admission to the four hour event, an incredible array of food choices, and four glasses of wine. The program copy lists thirty-nine participating restaurants and food service shops and that's probably why the event is billed as "Showcasing the Best in Desert Dining". My dining experience left me in agreement with that billing.
This evening food extravaganza is definitely one with lots of bang for the buck. There was more food available than my friends or I could handle. We couldn't even handle the offerings of wine. Between the twelve glasses available to us, we managed to drink seven.
Aside from the excellent qualify of the offerings, one of the most significant features of the evening was the enthusiasm of the staff. We were served by chefs and others who produced the dishes they proudly offered and our feedback sparked enthusiasm. It's not often you're able to interact with food preparers in restaurants and those serving you usually don't have a personal stake in your opinions. That's what made Taste of Palm Springs so different - and a better dining experience - for me. The staff were so proud of their selections, very interested in our feedback and so enthusiastic in their service, that it really added to the character of the dining experience.
Did I manage to taste something from each of the thirty-nine booths. No! There was too much food, too many booths, and too many overly generous servings. It wasn't a good night for those on a diet.
Bond Shands
Palm Springs
April 10, 2008
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