While El Paseo has been a favorite destination since the early 1950s, the street has evolved alongside the city of Palm Desert from a seasonal escape to a year-round residence for young professionals and families.
“The city is seeing a lot of change in terms of a wider variety of community,” says Ed Levy, executive vice president of Chartwell Properties Inc., which manages The Shops on El Paseo, a subset of elevated eateries and boutiques that act as the street’s grand entrance. “It’s a much more dynamic and exciting environment now.”
In addition to upscale restaurants, designer shops, and valet parking, merchants also cater to casual patrons and families with dining options like California Pizza Kitchen and The Daily Grill. Later this year, Shake Shack — the classic franchise boasting fresh burgers, ’dogs, and soft-serve ice cream — will move into The Shops on El Paseo, taking up residence in a corner location that will offer spacious patio dining. “Shake Shack [serves patrons] who are looking for fast-casual comfort food,” says Levy.
Refined palates can enjoy five other culinary adventures at The Shops on El Paseo, including the recently opened Shorebird, which features a raw bar and coastal cuisine prepared on a wood-fire grill or rotisserie-style in a laidback atmosphere.
There’s also Porta Via, a contemporary farm-to-table experience known for ripe, organic ingredients (as well as its opulent interior design and patio). This Palm Desert location includes exclusive menu items you won’t find at the restaurant’s other Southern California outposts, such as seasonal oysters and sashimi, plus a New England lobster roll. Oenophiles with a palate for natural, small-production varietals will enjoy the robust wine selection here.
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood offers “the finest seafood and prime steak in the desert,” Chartwell president Fred Fern says. Chefs have seafood flown in daily to prepare fresh dishes like Georges Bank scallops, Norwegian salmon, and Parmesan sole. Signature “cocktails with an attitude” provide the perfect accoutrement.
For brunch, lunch, happy hour, or late-night live entertainment, head to Kitchen 86 + Bar. Morning hours dish out delish specials like French toast and a California scramble, best washed down with an 86 Mary or mimosa. Dinner caters to meat lovers and plant-based diners alike with tableside cheese-wheel pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and a wide selection of shareable small plates.
Milkshakes from Shake Shack.
Shake Shack fries, cheese burgers, and chicken sandwiches.
Next door, Molé Comida combines centuries-old recipes with contemporary cooking techniques to serve modern Mexican cuisine in a sophisticated setting. Brunch, lunch, and dinner feature casual fare like tacos and enchiladas with an elevated twist, while entrées showcase the chef’s passion for fine dining.
“While our restaurants previously skewed more toward upscale and older, we’re casting a much wider net to capitalize on growth across all demographics,” Chartwell’s senior vice president Amy Smith says. The team at Chartwell predicts Shake Shack will be an exciting addition to this eclectic set of offerings.