Geographically set in the crusty carved chocolate mountains of La Quinta, the quintessential cove community of shops and restaurants in Old Town La Quinta allows even desert locals the feeling of getting away from it all.
I suggest making your first stop at the Old Town Coffee Company. You’ll love the chilled, refreshing taste of their fruit smoothies as well as their fresh brewed coffee, iced coffee drinks, delicious baked goods and healthy lunch items. Or enjoy a peach, strawberry or mango smoothie! Whatever you decide you’ll be introduced to the warmth of the people serving you as well as the community that supports this thriving, independent business.
From there you can peruse the quaint, unique shops Old Town has to offer such as Lulu’s Fine Home and Fashion Accessories. Once you walk through the door you’ll see a boutique decorated in seasonal splendor and you’ll enter an experience rarely found in a home accessory boutique. Artfully decorated and filled to the nines, LuLu’s will capture your interest with unique and rarely found items, including original art, jewelry, handbags, and lamps. Lulu, along with her husband Ron, continually seek out the unusual and unique to fill their store.
Caldi Caldi, another beautiful boutique is best described in their own words. “On a small Sicilian island in the breakfast room of a quaint hotel, I found the warmest, most delicious croissants fresh from the oven. I began waking up uncharacteristically early so that I would receive them at their warmest. After a couple of days the little old lady serving breakfast noticed my enthusiasm. As soon as she spotted my descent down the stairs, before setting off for the kitchen to fetch my prize, she would smile, wink and say ‘Caldi, Caldi’. Caldi Caldi put a smile on my face in Italy. It is indicative of the climate that surrounds us and is what we believe a home should be. My mom and I have compiled a boutique of unique home accessories from various locations to share with you. We hope you enjoy.” The boutique is open by appointment only until September.
Elizabeth & Prince is a resort lifestyle boutique that specializes in current but classic designer clothing, footwear, and accessories for women. Inspired by the pioneering restaurant and boutique shopping district that was their New York home, and the store’s namesake, owners Analisa and Shawn Holoubek seek to meet the needs of sophisticated, independent women who take a more individual approach to personal style and expression.
Gracie’s Emporium includes accessories, antiques, artwork, bath & body products, books, candles, gift items, greeting cards, hand bags, home & garden, housewares, jewelry, luggage tags, lunch totes, office supplies and the always popular pet items. Customers come to shop, but stay for the experience. The merchandise throughout the store is displayed in unique settings including a cabin, soda fountain and a man cave to bring out the explorer in all of us.
Gracie’s Kids is designed for children, newborn through 7 years of age. Shelves are stocked with educational toys, children’s books, puzzles, pretend play, clothes, backpacks, puppets, nursery items, videos, baby supplies, child decor, creative learning tools and so much more. Gracie’s Kids is a whimsical place for kids and adults young at heart to explore.
Homec Jewelers has a great selection of in-stock creations and have a fine selection of hand selected gemstones and settings. Their custom design program will give you personalized service in a relaxed friendly atmosphere. They promise to give you the information you need to make the right choice as you find that perfect gift for that special someone.
La Quinta Olive Oil Company provides a welcoming tasting room where you can sample over 50 olive oils and Balsamic Vinegars from around the world. They will show you how to pair the olive oils and balsamic for use in vinaigrettes, desserts, marinades or just plain enjoying with a piece of bread. Great gift packages can be arranged using their wonderful selection of olive wood products and Italian ceramics and can be personalized.
Logan Gallery offers traditional paintings and sculpture, specializing in California Impressionism. Beautiful canvases reflecting Italy, France and Local Desert scenes including figurative and still-life works. They also feature unique hand blown glass by Laguna Beach artist Christopher Jeffries.
Old Town Optometry: Let Dr. Jensen and his staff be your eyewear fashion consultants with the latest from today’s designers. Comprehensive eye exams are available in a comfortable boutique setting. They also offer 35-50% off designer frames and sunglasses.
Tarah Jade is a lifestyle boutique with eclectic mix of women’s and men’s clothing, accessories and gifts. The company is based on the belief that the customers’ needs are of the utmost importance and are committed to meeting those needs.
After all this shopping, you may need a place to put your feet up and have a glass of wine at The Wine Bar at Old Town, La Quinta’s premier wine bar and wine shop. They offer around 300 wines from around the world in our Retail Wine Shop and 30 to 40 wines by-the-glass in the wine bar. Plus, you are welcome to grab any bottle from our retail shop and we will open it for you to enjoy in our house (no corkage for bottles purchased in our retail shop). For the beer drinkers we will have a number of craft beers in our bar for you to enjoy as well along with a beautiful light menu to compliment your beverage of choice. With a staff passionate about wine, they can help you select wines for special occasions, as well as affordable everyday wines.
Perhaps you’ll prefer a cool taste of Italy and indulge in Cool Options featuring all natural gelato (Italian ice cream) and sorbetto (a real fruit frozen treat). Delicious, intense and tantalizing flavors made fresh by Villa Dolce with true uncompromised raw ingredients. No artificial additives or unhealthy fat. They also offer frozen and unbaked pies from the world famous Julian Pie Company, such as Original Apple, Dutch Apple and Apple Mountainberry (a wonderful blend of apples, boysenberries, strawberries and raspberries).
When you get hungry Old Town La Quinta offers some of the best dining in the desert:
Enjoy the relaxed, casual atmosphere at The Grill on Main, a fresh take on Classic American Fare, specialty micro-brews, an interesting wine list and full bar. The menu includes a wide variety of cuisine including appetizers, fresh salads, traditional American favorites, seafood, pasta, steak, gourmet sandwiches, burgers and desserts. Serving lunch & dinner they offer daily specials, comfortable dining on a beautiful patio, happy hour daily, live weekend entertainment and a weekend brunch served on Saturday and Sunday.
Carrying on the tradition of its Carmel sister restaurant, Hog’s Breath Inn serves specialty entrees and fresh seafood in a comfortable dining room filled with memorabilia from Clint Eastwood’s legendary movie career. A heated patio with expansive views and a lively bar (Clint Eastwood has been known to play our piano!) make this a popular dining spot for lunch or dinner.
Or try Solano’s Bistro. This fabulous restaurant, with full bar offers something for everyone, serving fresh seafood, steak, chicken or pasta. Co-owners chef Francisco “Paco” Solano and Alex Lee Wipf change the menu seasonally, taking advantage of the freshest produce, poultry and seafood available.
Last but definitely not least try a local favorite, Stuft Pizza. A friendly, fun place for tempting small plates, fresh salads, sandwiches, pasta and the finest pizza from our wood fired oven! Our lively bar is a great place to meet friends or unwind watching the game with the “best, happiest hour around”.
Other services are available as well at Old Town Nail Salon, As Time Goes By Watch Repair, Salon Montana, Alankara Aveda Salon, and One West Bank. Old Town Massage and Angel’s Crossing boutique are a “must visit” when they re-open in September.
So, rent a bike, walk, run or skip… however you come to Old Town La Quinta, you will leave refreshed as if having been on a mini getaway. You may come as a visitor, but you will leave as a friend of Old Town La Quinta for years to come. Also check out the review of Grill on Main on page 14.
For more info go to: www.oldtownlaquinta.com.
To read previous CV Weekly articles go to Archives and click on following issues.
Old Town Artisan Studio – Issue# 21
Stuft Pizza review – Issue # 17
Twenty6 review – Issue# 13
Chapelli’s review – Issue# 8
Homestead review – Issue # 6
Wine Bar review – Issue# 4
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