By Daniel Paris
Due to Co-Vid restrictions, the Cups Cafe is half full. Owners Marco and Gustavo are enthusiastically optimistic about their restaurant. They greet and seat their patrons with eyes sparkling above their masked faces. They are grateful to the diners for their support and their positive energy fills the space along with a fun and eclectic décor with cups being the main design element.
With over twenty years of restaurant experience, Marco and Gustavo serve flavors from their childhoods and add some original dishes they have developed. Their Mexican-themed breakfasts are bursting with flavor. The chilaquiles are available with house-made red or green sauce, eggs any style, and finished with cotija cheese and pools of crema. You can add any available meats, but I recommend the chorizo. Their tortilla chips are thick enough to retain a nice crunch even though they are flooded with the perfectly-spiced sauces. Cups is expert in all things avocado from benedicts and toast to beautifully presented tacos.
Their brioche French toast is excellent and the pancakes are crisp and light. The standard egg omelet and breakfast meats are satisfying and filling. Hey, and the coffee is really good! Five benedicts are offered: crab cake, avocado, Mexican, lox, and traditional.
Lunches shine as well. Calamari, shrimp, grilled fish, Ahi towers, fish and chips, which can all be served in tacos or wraps, are all prepared at a perfect temperature. No dry seafood here. Sandwiches include chicken, flat iron steak (both with caramelized onions and green peppercorn sauce), BLT salmon, tuna melt, Ahi burger and several well-crafted burgers.
Cups also offers Dunch (dinner for lunch). Entrees include Steak Dunch served with potato chorizo croquettes and fresh veggies with a mushroom peppercorn sauce. Tamarind Sea Bass, Hawaiian Ahi, Sweet Devil Shrimp, and Risotto with scallops, salmon or shrimp. Wine, beer, and cocktails are also available for purchase. Prices are very reasonable. Keep your cups half full!
Cups Café
77192 Country Club Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92211
Open every day: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
760-200-0333
