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Coachella Valley Independent
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Barring a last-minute change, a new California law banning restaurant surcharges and other “junk” fees on bills will go into effect on July 1—but that last-minute change may be coming.
According to the new law, passed last year as Senate Bill 478: If a restaurant charges a mandatory fee, it must be included in the displayed price. Under the law, a restaurant cannot charge an additional surcharge on top of the price listed. This is great news for diners!
However, at our press deadline, a bill was moving through the California Legislature that would soften the new law. So what will happen? Stay tuned; we’ll keep you posted.
Summer Help for People in Need
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It’s summer, and school’s out—but hungry adults and kids still need food. Here is some news on local efforts to address food insecurity:
• Food pantries remain open on all College of the Desert campuses for students enrolled in at least one class.
• The state has a new summer food program in 2024. Families with school-aged children who qualify for free and reduced-price meals through CalFresh, CalWORKS or Medicare, as well as children attending Head Start, experiencing homelessness, living in foster care or part of immigrant families, will be automatically enrolled in the SUN Bucks program, which provides $40 per month for each child in June, July and August. Learn more at cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks.
• The food bank run by the LGBTQ Center of the Desert has eliminated its wait list for accessing its services. The food bank, at 610 S. Belardo Road, in Palm Springs, is open to everyone from 5 to 7 p.m. each Thursday regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
In Brief
Congratulations to chef Antonello Zito of Palmina by Puglia, at 2500 N. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, for winning the “Battle Italiano” on longtime Food Network TV show Chopped. To celebrate, the restaurant is offering a special menu of appetizers, an entrée or pizza, and a glass of wine for $39.95. Learn more at www.palminabypuglia.com. … Palm Springs Wine Tasting and The Good House, at 12885 Eliseo Road, in Desert Hot Springs, have launched a Soak and Sip series combining wine, food and a relaxing soak in the mineral-rich waters of The Good House’s pool. From 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, July 27, they will feature six summertime wines and handmade pizzas, crudites and cheeses. Tickets are $50; more information can be found at palmspringswinetasting.com. … Call it the Chef Shuffle. Chef Jeremy Loomis, formerly of Trio Restaurant in Palm Springs, has moved to La Quinta Cliffhouse, at 78250 Highway 111. He tells me he will slowly adjust the menu and honor the restaurant’s long history. Meanwhile, chef Gladis Lizarraga has taken over the kitchen at Trio, at 707 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, with a mission to expand the seasonal offerings while maintaining the quality and reputation of Trio. Chef Lizarraga was most recently heading the kitchen at Wildest Restaurant and Bar, at 72990 El Paseo in Palm Desert. … A new coffee house has opened in Indio. K-Fé 7, at 43763 E. Circle Drive, is a faith-inspired coffee shop where every cup comes with a touch of scripture. Learn more at www.instagram.com/kfe7coffee. … Also new in Indio: Italica, at 82867 Miles Ave., aims to create an immersive Italian experience with food, cocktails and decor. The restaurant enforces a strict upscale dress code—a rarity here in the desert—so dress up before you go to enjoy pasta. See the full menu and check out the vibe italica.bar. … A third valley location of Dave’s Hot Chicken has opened at 31875 Date Palm Drive, in Cathedral City, so those in the west valley now have an opportunity to get chicken tenders ranging in spice level from “no spice” to “reaper”; get details at daveshotchicken.com. … This summer, Maleza at the Drift Palm Springs, at 284 S. Indian Canyon Drive, is taking a break from regular service. But don’t worry—you can still get your taco on thanks to their “taco pop-up,” featuring tacos, crudos and cocktails through September. Two tacos will cost between $14 to $16, with happy hour fish and carnitas tacos costing just $6. See the full menu at malezapalmsprings.co. … Joyce’s Sushi has opened a second location at 425 S. Sunrise Way, in Palm Springs, in the space formerly occupied by Asadero Los Corrales. The Rancho Mirage location is well known for its whole tuna-cutting demonstrations. Get details at joycessushiranchomirage.com. … Popular Palm Springs eatery Birba (622 N. Palm Canyon Drive) will open a full-service restaurant in the Desert Hills Premium Outlets, at 48400 Seminole Drive, in Cabazon. This is being billed as the first full-service restaurant at the outlets. Get more info at birbaf10.com.
Do you have a hot tip or news to share? Reach out: foodnews@cvindependent.com.
Coachella Valley Independent’s award-winning journalism is available to all, free of charge. Help keep it that way.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Charles Drabkin is a native of McMinnville, Ore., the heart of the Oregon Wine Country, where the relationship between food and people was instilled in him at an early age. After working his way around… More by Charles Drabkin
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