
Palm Springs is a colourful oasis in the desert, an art-deco paradise infused with the playful side of old Hollywood.

But tucked away from the blazing sun, the more kitschy sites, and the boisterous tourist-laden shops and eateries, is Copley’s – a fine dining restaurant that succeeds in being casual, elegant and romantic all at once.
In fact, the 1940’s building was the former guesthouse of Hollywood movie star Cary Grant. Converted now to provide a welcoming outdoor “garden grove” dining experience under the starry desert sky, you can’t help but feel the glamour of an earlier era.

The menu is California-contemporary, creative and elegant. For our part, we sampled the restaurant’s signature Caesar Salad with its show-stopper warm pineapple croutons and the Little Gem Salad featuring chorizo, Cotija cheese and honey-roasted peppers and shaved fennel.
My entree, that evening’s special, featured a twist on surf and turf that I’ve surely not seen before: a bone-in organic chicken breast and lobster tail. It was great! Served with a basil couscous and white wine cream sauce, the meal was rich but somehow felt light and airy, like our outdoor surroundings.
For him, another special feature: sesame seed-coated seared ahi tuna with prawns, served on wasabi-smashed potatoes and dressed with a ginger vinaigrette. On paper it sounds like it has a tad too much going on, but honestly it worked beautifully. Both our meals were tied together wonderfully with a buttery-rich Rombauer Chardonnay.

You might notice the lack of photos from this dining adventure, and I apologize! We visited Copley’s on our last evening in Palm Springs, our energy seriously flagging by then from a packed schedule and the heat of the desert (including literal walks in the desert!). Yet even still, our meal at Copley’s stands out in our Palm Springs memories as a hidden gem – a welcome bit of calm and elegance amidst the heat, hustle and noise.
Next time, we’ll be sure to work in a visit here first on the itinerary – or at least, sooner. We highly recommend that you make time for Copley’s, too if you’re in the area.
To learn more about Copley’s or to make a reservation, visit copleyspalmsprings.com