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Sheri’s Palm Springs Area Blog

Whether it be real estate updates, restaurant reviews, events, or highlights of unique homes in Palm Springs, follow Sheri as she covers all that Palm Springs and the surrounding area has to offer.

Dining Around The Desert: Fortun’s Kitchen & Bar, La Quinta

I had the pleasure of attending the soft opening of Fortun's in Old Town La Quinta, right before Thanksgiving and have been back several times since. A year and a half after starting the remodeling of the old Desert Sage, the transformation is complete. I've got to say, the wait was worth it!

Great Bar In An Open Setting

Owned by Steve Fortun, with the kitchen led by Chef Keith Otter, the new space is right on the money for what today's patron wants in a restaurant here in the desert. Namely, a large bar, lots of high-tops, and an open concept. They also turned what used to be a driveway in the front, into a spacious outdoor patio area which doubles the seating.

The bar features an ice strip to keep your libations cold and plenty of televisions turned to various sporting events. Besides the open kitchen, there's a second area with a spit where the meats are roasted along with the pineapple that they feature in some of their cocktails.

Fortun's Menu Has Something For Everyone

The menu is a good mix of Salads, Pastas, Burgers, Sandwiches, House Smoked BBQ, Brick Oven Pizzas and Entrees of Fish, Chicken, Beef and Pork. Nothing on the food menu is over $30.

They have a nice selection of wine and beer and a laundry list of Signature Cocktails, from Hand-crafted Margaritas to Bloody Mary's.

My friends and I sampled Oysters Rockefeller, Calamari Steak Appetizer, Shrimp Scampi with Fried Artichokes and Drunken Clams from the Appetizer menu and everything received a thumbs-up all the way around.

I've had the Oven Roasted Turkey Cobb Salad, the Thai Noodle Salad, and the Shredded Pork Tacos. My friends tried the Caprese Salad, Tavern Cheese Burger with Tater Tots, Pan Seared Scottish Salmon, Rotisserie Chicken, Enchilada's Suzas and the Pepperoni Pizza. Everything was tasty and we all look forward to trying more items.

The staff is very friendly and seems glad to be there. They are attentive and personable.

The Details And Memories
This space has a place in my heart, as it's where Bill and I got married. Even though the look has totally changed, it still feels like home. I'm sure that Bill and Steve Fortun, the original owner, are together in Heaven, glad that we are all enjoying it.

Fortun's is open between 10 AM and 11 PM and has Happy Hour until 7 PM.

78085 Avenida la Fonda, La Quinta

760-564-8744

http://www.fortunskitchen.com is coming soon but you can look them up on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fortunskitchen/

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Dining Around The Desert, Lifestyles & Things To Do

Come Celebrate the Holidays at The Rink @ The River!

From November 22 to January 8, The River will be transforming a portion of their most popular water feature into a holiday ice skating rink.
The Rink at the River opened November 22 and will be open through January 8, 2017, with a grand Holiday Spectacular and tree lighting on November 29. Ice skating will be available daily under the desert's bright skies and every evening under the stars with local entertainment, including bands and DJs scheduled to provide holiday music to accompany most skating sessions.

The Holiday Spectacular and tree lighting at The River will include an ice-skating Santa, seasonal entertainment and special surprise guests.

The west portion of the water feature, adjacent to Cheesecake Factory and along the promenade that links to Babe's Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse Brewery, will become the ice rink. A skate rental shop will also open in a retail space along that walkway.

Envisioned by Coachella Valley's 104.3 Jimi "Fitz" Fitzgerald, who is also producing a fall music series for The River, The Rink at The River and the Holiday Spectacular are the very first seasonal events planned for the mid-valley shopping center on this scale.

http://theriveratranchomirage.com/rink-at-the-river/

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Lifestyles & Things To Do

Cards & Letters From Palm Springs Area Buyers and Sellers

Recently Sold at Madison Estates

We love hearing from our Palm Springs area homebuyer and seller clients. Almost everyday we receive emails, cards and letters.

From Recent Palm Springs Area Homebuyers

"Hi Sheri, We were very happy with the service. Emily was always in touch and showed us a lot of houses without ever giving up on us. Even now, post purchase, with us being remote, Emily is helping with arrangements and providing info until we can get down to the desert to actually take possession. I think the personal service and knowing your whole team is supportive added great value. We very much appreciated the professionalism of Emily and your team. Please feel free to use us as a reference. Best Regards, Andy and Kerry Fraser, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

"Hi Sheri, Thank you for bringing us and this beautiful home together! You made everything so easy for us even when we were not present in providing some wonderful people to help get everything set up and keep us on track! You are truly unique with the care you give to every detail along with the kindness you've shown us! Thank you and your remarkable team for their concierge service and graciousness in welcoming us into our new home!" Janet Schmitz, Chicago

"Sheri, Thank you for all your help over the last year plus in buying and selling our La Quinta homes. We love our new home and are also happy to have sold the condo. It’s been a pleasure working with you and I will certainly recommend you to anyone I know looking for real estate in the desert!" Julie Arpe, La Quinta

Discover More Buyer Client Testimonials Here

From Palm Springs Area Seller Clients

"Dear Sheri and Team, Al and I would like to thank you for listing and selling our home in record time. I think we got an offer within two weeks of listing it. Right from the beginning, we both felt that we had picked the right realty team. From your assistant, Beverly, to your photographer, who did a great job in showcasing the house, we knew that we were in good hands. Beverly kept us informed on every aspect of the transaction along with answering any question that we might have had. We would strongly recommend you to any of our friends or family that are looking to either sell or purchase a home. Thanks again for a great job!" Gerri & Al Langley, Indian Palms Country Club.

Hi Sheri, I'm looking forward to setting up my new home and living my dream. I could not imagine having accomplished it without the help of Emily...she was knowledgeable, caring, helpful and supportive - while limping on her injured knee! I truly appreciate all that was done, and look forward to perhaps meeting you after my move. Certainly I will be recommending your company at every opportunity! With sincere thanks, Susan Holznagel – Sun City Shadow Hills

"Dear Sheri, Gary and I were very impressed with the efficiency and professionalism of your team. From the first day we met, until the day you sold our house, you gave us insightful advice, and excellent service in all areas. It's been a pleasure to have worked with all of you." Rozanne and Gary Kates, La Quinta

Read What Other Seller Clients Are Saying Here

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Buying - Info For Buyers

Coachella Valley Water District Drought Update

Coachella Valley Water District customers will no longer face drought penalties after June 1st. The Board of Directors voted recently to lift the penalties after the state decided to end mandatory conservation targets in favor of water supply-based targets, giving local water districts more control.

The water district also announced changes to its water use restrictions. CVWD will now focus on its long-term plan that calls for a 20% reduction in water use by 2020. CVWD General Manager Jim Barrett says eliminating overdraft of the aquifer is critical and can be done without the state's previous conservation target of 36% which was then reduced to 32%.

Updated CVWD Water Restrictions In Effect Through January

No irrigation during or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall.
Broken sprinklers must be repaired within 24 hours of notification.
Eating establishments may only serve drinking water upon request.
Hotels and motels must provide guests with the option of choosing not to have towels and linens laundered daily.
Applying water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes runoff to adjacent property, roadways, parking lots, etc. is prohibited.
Using a hose to wash an automobile, windows, solar panels, and tennis courts, except where the hose is equipped with a shut-off nozzle, is prohibited.
Applying any water to any hard surface including, but not limited to, driveways, sidewalks, and asphalt is prohibited.

Water Wise Landscape Rebates & Discounts

Coachella Valley Water District’s rebate program is designed to assist homeowners who want to reduce their outdoor water usage by converting their lawn to desert-friendly landscaping, installing smart irrigation controllers and replacing inefficient spray nozzles. Reducing your outdoor usage is the best way to meet your monthly water budget.

HOA's or community service organizations cannot block, stifle, or threaten homeowners from reducing or eliminating the watering of vegetation or lawns during a declared drought emergency.

Link To Helpful Coachella Valley Water District Videos

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Buying - Info For Buyers, Lifestyles & Things To Do

Dining Around The Desert: My Thai, La Quinta

David Henderson & Sheri Dettman

Just a short stroll across the parking lot from our Sheri Dettman & Associates offices in La Quinta you’ll find a new Thai restaurant–My Thai. A while back, my husband Bill and I went to My Thai for dinner during their first week in business. The food was great–not so on the service.

I’m happy to say that thirty days later the service was excellent, and the food was still top-notch. Because My Thai is so close to our offices, we’ve now been back six times. And frankly, that would not be the case if we didn’t enjoy My Thai.

Pad Thai is my Thai Thing

I’ve tried several menu items, but I keep going back to my favorite Pad Thai. The combination of pan-fried thin rice noodles with egg, bean sprouts, crushed peanuts, and scallions is mouth watering. Bill loves curries, and he’ll alternate between the Yellow Chicken Curry and his new favorite the Pa-Nang Chicken Curry. The My Thai menu labels this dish as an authentic Thai curry with thick coconut milk, peas, carrots, snow peas and basil leaves.

Some Like it Hot!

All My Thai dishes are available on a spice scale of 1 to 5. Personally, level 3 is at the top of my spice comfort level. On our last two visits, we tried level-2, and it was perfect. Keep in mind that you can always add more spice to any dish, but downgrading does not work.

Authentic Thai Cooking

Chef Sathin (pronounced “saw teen”) is the owner/chef, and she’s in the kitchen daily. Her love of preparing Thai food began at age eight in Thailand where she was born on a rice farm. Sathin trained under some of the finest Thai chefs in Bangkok while she attended university to study Thai cuisine. Sathin moved to the United States in ’01. You can often find Sathin’s husband David Henderson behind the bar offering big smiles and friendly banter.

Chef Sathin & Husband David Henderson

My Thai serves beer, wine and sake and is open for lunch and dinner and do a brisk take out business. My Thai is located at 46520 Washington Street, Suite 3, La Quinta. (760) 564-8424. No reservations.

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Dining Around The Desert

Dining Around the Desert: Jillian’s Palm Desert

Sheri Dettman Entering Jillian's Restaurant, Palm Desert

Jillian's Restaurant, named for owners June and Jay Trubee’s daughter Jillian, is housed in a historic 1940s-era hacienda in Palm Desert. My husband Bill and I hadn’t been there in about ten years, and since it was my birthday, we decided to revisit it. We were seated in one of the smaller dining rooms located around the outside of Jillian's interior courtyard patio.

Jillian's Extensive Old School Menu

The menu features pasta, fresh seafood and meat entrées. I started with the Pear and Goat Cheese salad with organic field greens, slivered Oregon pears, goat cheese, candied pecans with a light balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Bill enjoyed the Spicy Corn Chowder, topped with a fiery salsa, cracked bacon and chives.

Our Main Courses

June Trubee & Jillian

For my main course, I went for one of the nightly specials; Scallops and Sweet Corn Risotto. This dish was excellent and plentiful. Bill enjoyed the Salmon in Parchment. This organic Scottish salmon was wrapped in parchment paper with julienne veggies with creme fraiche and aromatic herbs. Cooked Perfectly! You can check out Jillian's menu here.

Jillian's Wine List

The wine list is lengthy, and there’s something for everyone. We sipped a nice bottle of Nickel & Nickel Chardonnay. We skipped dessert as a friend had dropped off an entire chocolate silk pie to my office. Regardless, we were brought a nice selection of dark chocolate, dried apricots and ginger cookies to nibble on to finish our meal.

Jillian’s is one of the few “traditional” places where they have a dress code so no shorts although jackets are not required. In keeping with that old school desert vibe, they are also one of the few restaurants that also closes during the summer months. Jay Trubee’s imaginative eclectic cuisine paired with June’s Scottish charm make Jillian’s a most unique experience.

Serving dinner with live entertainment Monday through Saturday from 6 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended. Jillian's is located at 74-155 El Paseo in Palm Desert (760) 776-8242

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Dining Around The Desert

Palm Springs Area Real Estate Marketing Slogans

Andalusia La Quinta Golf Homes

Did you know that many Palm Springs area golf and country clubs and gated communities have catchy marketing slogans? I’m not sure who makes these slogans up, but I do find some of them interesting.

Palm Springs Are Community Marketing Slogans

The Desert’s Coolest Place To Live: Andalusia, La Quinta
Love Where You Play: Indian Ridge Country Club, Palm Desert
Life Well Played: The Lakes Country Club, Palm Desert
A World of Recreation And Fun: Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage
The Jewel of The Desert: Mountain View Country Club, La Quinta
The Private Club Redefined: The Club At Morningside, Rancho Mirage
Where Traditions Are Preserved And Lifelong Friendships Are Made: The Palms, La Quinta
It’s A World Apart: The Quarry, La Quinta
A Charming Mix Of Now & Then: The Citrus Club, La Quinta
Discover The Spirit of Ironwood: You guess it; Ironwood Country Club, Palm Desert
6 Legendary Courses, One Extraordinary Club: PGA West, La Quinta

My Two Favorite Palm Springs Real Estate Slogans

First Place: My personal favorite is “Once Here, You’ll Know You’ve Arrived." This slogan is used by The Tradition Golf Club in La Quinta. Let’s see, when I arrive in Paris, yep, I know I’m in Paris!

Second place goes to the slogan; “Where Distinction Reigns" used by the new home community ofGriffin Ranch in La Quinta. Could it be that the ‘reigns’ was meant to part of the slogan because Griffin Ranch was originally developed as an equestrian community? Reign in those horses!

Let me know your thoughts.

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Golf Communities

It’s The Palm Springs Weather

Looking Good Palm Springs!

As usual, my husband Bill and I went to dinner last night. We chose Solano’s Bistro in Old Town La Quinta. Solano’s was kind of empty, so I asked our bartender/server, “When do you think most people start going back home for the season?” Our bartender/server Bill (yep, there's more than one Bill in the desert) said that he’s noticed that people have already started heading back home.

The Old Season (Turkey Day through Easter)

Back in the day, the Palm Springs season was primarily Thanksgiving through Easter. Today, though, we are seeing more and more people either staying longer or staying in the Palm Springs area full-time. So what’s changed?

Left Coast Palm Springs Weather

The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on the planet. The trade winds in the southern and eastern Pacific are remarkably steady while conditions in the North Pacific are far more varied with, for example, cold winter temperatures on the east coast of Russia contrasting with the milder weather off British Columbia, Canada during the winter months due to the preferred flow of ocean currents.

My Husband Bill; Boater & Jr Weatherman

My husband Bill is a long-time boater and sailor. And Bill will tell you (if you should choose to listen), that the Pacific, especially in Southern California, is a pretty friendly body of water. Here you’ll generally find milder temps and pretty predictable weather patterns. That said, Bill took a University weather class a few years back, and they taught that Southern California weather was one of the most difficult to forecast due to the convergence of the ocean, mountains, and deserts.

Difficult to forecast or not, Southern California weather is admired by much of North America during most of the winter months. Hey, it’s one of the many reasons we’re here in the Palm Sprigns area. Longer story shorter, Bill grabbed the weather forecast for this week. Sweet!

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Lifestyles & Things To Do

A Sunny Day At Lake La Quinta (& The Chateau)

Sheri Dettman With Chateau Manager Chris

With La Quinta temps in the mid to high 80’s this past week it was an easy choice for our video crew to choose to update our video tour of the Lake La Quinta community. Towards the end of the shoot, my husband Bill shot some footage at Chateau Lake La Quinta, located at the western end of the lake (formerly the Lake La Quinta Inn).

While at the Chateau (sounds pretty classy), Bill notice they’d remodeled their restaurant and renamed it Melange. They added a large bar in the center of the room and feature a new menu. Naturally, further investigation into the new space and menu was necessary, so Bill suggested that we go back that evening.

After twisting my arm, Bill and I headed for the Chateau (I just love saying that– Hey everyone we’re off to dine at the Chateau!). Upon arrival, Bill took photos of me with manager Chris. By 6 PM the joint was jumping as people enjoyed a mild evening on the lakeside deck surrounded by fire pits and space heaters of course.

Dinner At The Chateau

We started our evening there by sharing a Caprese Salad. We both agreed it was likely the best Caprese salad that we’ve had in the entire desert. For my main course, I thoroughly enjoyed the Tasmanian Ocean Trout. This Petuna ocean trout has been called the “Wagyu of the sea.” My fish was served with mushroom risotto and baby vegetables.

Bill went for the Newport Pork Chop. Now I’m not a big meat eater, but after sampling a bit, I have to admit that I enjoyed several more bites. At 16 ounces this was a big farm raised pork chop, served with sweet corn, red and green peppers, country mashed potatoes and a delish apple brandy demi-glace sauce. One word sums up this entrée–Yum!

About The Lake La Quinta Community

Homes at Lake La Quinta are located both on and off the lake. Lakefront homes have their own boat docks. Here, homeowners and their guests can enjoy a variety of activities including a cruise on their electric boat (or rent the HOA boat). Kayaking, fishing, tennis and hitting the community park or pool are other popular Lake La Quinta activities.

We dined at and reviewed the Chateau restaurant here in our blog in May of 2015. I can honestly say that the new menu and improvements are a big hit. Reservations are suggested. And if you go, please say hello to the manager, Chris.

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Dining Around The Desert, Non-Golf Communities

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