March 24, 2014

All in the Family at Wilma and Frieda’s Café in Palm Desert

All in the Family at Wilma and Frieda’s Café in Palm Desert

The waitress had Nutmeg sold at the mention of homemade English muffins…she did not even need to talk about the jams. Kelly McFall had a vision for a cafe a dream that was 10-years in the making. Where most people would shy away from a new restaurant project in a fickle, seasonal marketplace with high-end rents, Kelly continued to move her idea forward and recently opened Wilma and Frieda’s Café, a tribute to youthful recollections of her two grandmothers. (more…)

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May 6, 2013

Exploring the California Desert by Jeep

Exploring the California Desert by Jeep

Flawless green lawns, vivid crayon-coloured annuals, miniature potted palms and manicured golf courses all exist on land that was once desert scrub. Nutmeg disgusted with her golf game and not a dedicated shopper decided that it would be time well spent to understand more about their natural surroundings. Good news – she found Desert Adventures. Not knowing much about the company she asked Kimberly Nilsson one of the co-owners for a bit of background. (more…)

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February 18, 2013

Cruising El Paseo in Palm Desert

Cruising El Paseo in Palm Desert

El Paseo in Palm Desert, California gets high marks from well-heeled fashionistas for its array of retail stores. Like “sister” streets around the world iconic, exclusive, name-brand boutiques grace the roadway where gleaming automobiles some more expensive than the average house, are parked close by. It is so customary to see fancy cars that a roaring motor is hardly extraordinary – until there are 300 of them! (more…)

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June 2, 2010

The Bump and Grind in Palm Desert

The Bump and Grind in Palm Desert

Before you let your mind get too far with that, it is the name of a HIKE! Nutmeg is terrified of snakes and a good girl scout, so there is no way she is going hiking alone.  The Bump and Grind hike is different, it is like going to the gym outside.  You park in a very urban setting, right behind Target and basically follow the crowd.  It is a very good workout, 2 miles up and about 750 feet of elevation gain.  The path is wide so you can easily pass slower walkers and you can see the snakes if they are on the trail (thankfully none in sight).  Like every hike in the desert make sure to take water, a hat, sunglasses, wear sunscreen and do not wear white shorts (no one should).  Other than a decent workout, the people watching is certainly lots of fun. Here is Nutmeg’s association of hikers on the trail to the cars parked at the start; Roadster:  with some new shiny, enhanced parts Ferrari: in a big hurry and strutting their stuff Wide Load:  I am sure you get the picture Rag Top:  some good-looking California men with their tops off Classic: slow and steady every morning Pick-Up:  Well I am sure you can figure that one out Bottom line – Do the Bump and Grind in Palm Desert – it’s a spectacle and a good work-out.  Drop by the Starbucks on El Paseo after and you have had a really great morning of people watching. [tfb username=’GingerandNutmeg’ count=’true’ lang=’en’ theme=’light’]

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April 21, 2010

Coffee Oasis in the California Desert

Coffee Oasis in the California Desert

Nutmeg could not be happier to discover some coffee options in the land of Starbucks.  The alternative coffee-house options much like really good restaurant options in Palm Springs, Palm Desert and most of Riverside County are limited.  There are of course the ubiquitous Starbucks outlets in almost every second strip mall.  However, as you may have gathered that is almost the land of last resort for Nutmeg.  (more…)

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April 21, 2010

Would you eat Sushi in the Desert

Would you eat Sushi in the Desert

If you were stuck on a desert island what would you eat? If you are visiting Palm Desert what would you eat?? The choices on an island are slim and in Palm Desert are vast, although far from fantastic.  In Palm Desert (and most of the surrounding area) it is a safe bet you will find lots of food chains, big restaurants, large menus, sizable helpings and mediocre food.  Nutmeg says this may sound terrible and although it is not a crisis, you need to try hard to find the gems – don’t worry this is one challenge she is always up for! One of these gems is NO DA TE on El Paseo in Palm Desert .  This small sushi restaurant has never disappointed.  The sushi chef and owner Shin is very involved, if he is not making sushi he is in the restaurant making sure the quality is just so.  Ideally, try to sit at the sushi bar to catch the food preparation in progress and the people scene developing – neither of which disappoint.  The people scene usually involves some enhanced body parts, large hair, bright very white smiles and possibly some illicit couples…lots of fun if the food prep is boring. The food will not disappoint.  They have many really creative inside and outside rolls.  Nutmeg has voted M-63 her favorite with shrimp tempura and spicy tuna.  The carpaccios are awesome too – the halibut and yellow tail were fantastic this week – always ask the chef for his recommendations.  In addition, they have specials and ladies nights with half-price rolls so it is worth checking into if you are in town. So whether you are stuck on a desert island or Palm Desert you will be great hands if you visit NO DA TE. Enjoy! NOTE:  the other great rolls to try are No Name 5, B-Kevin and GSP 2 (it’s not on the board as for a GSP with Spicy Tuna) [tfb username=’GingerandNutmeg’ count=’true’ lang=’en’ theme=’light’]

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