The Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs — known for its rooftop pool and bar views of the city’s historic, palm tree–lined downtown and surrounding mountains — is becoming famous for another reason: being a dining destination that can satisfy every foodie.
Director of food and beverage Louis E. Martin says the property’s focus on extraordinary cuisine, exploring rotating, seasonal culinary delights, makes the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs not only a chic place to stay but also a fine choice for breakfast, lunch, drinks, and dinner.
“I am very health conscious when developing dishes to fit each season,” Martin says. “I grew up on a farm in Turkey where everything was made fresh — we grew our own produce, we had fresh tomatoes along with apricot and apple trees, and we homemade yogurt and cheese. I bring that knowledge to the menus at Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs so that our guests can experience dishes that are approached organically and creatively using the freshest ingredients.”
Before arriving at the Kimpton Rowan, Martin traveled the world to consult resorts on fine dining menus. He has honed his skills from New Orleans to the Cayman Islands. Now residing in San Diego, Martin has a small winery, two bee hives, and chickens for fresh eggs — truly living the organic lifestyle in his own backyard.
The wild-caught Icelandic salmon is served with white asparagus, a Dijon beurre blanc, and fine herbs.
The classic mojito (left) stars Havana Club rum, fresh lime juice, sugar, minced mint, and a splash of club soda. Try the Rowan Rita, (right) made with Tanteo jalapeno tequila, Mommenpop blood orange, fresh squeezed lime juice, agave, and watermelon juice.
4 Saints reception and dining room.
In addition to Martin’s expertise in building menus that maximize seasonal flavors, executive chef Richard Crespin and his team create recipes incorporating Martin’s market research.
4 Saints — a casually elegant restaurant featuring modern American coastal cuisine guided by the bounty of California’s ranches, farms, vines, and coastlines — receives the most buzz within the Kimpton Rowan, having been recognized by Michelin, the prestigious restaurant and hotel rating system. 4 Saints recently updated its menu for the season, and diners are raving.
“The dishes we continually hear about are the branzino and Chilean sea bass for those who gravitate toward fish,” Martin says. “In terms of starers, guests love the corn agnolotti with Dungeness crab, truffle, and hazelnut butter, and the beef tartare and grilled Spanish octopus are also popular.”
4 Saints also offers a seasonal chef’s tasting menu, which currently includes an amuse-bouche (a bite-sized appetizer gift from the chef) of a caviar cone with toasted Sicilian pistachios, crème fraîche, and chives; an appetizer of yellow fin tuna with sesame ponzu, avocado-wasabi puree, nori (dried seaweed), and French radishes; entree choice of prime rib-eye tenderloin or diver scallops with Martin’s favorite, a vanilla parsnip puree; and for dessert, a pear sticky toffee pudding with molasses cake, toasted sesame anglaise, poached pear, and caramel gelato.
A slice of the dairy-free dark chocolate torte features a pistachio, walnut, and date crust and is topped off with fresh berries and a raspberry coulis.
Stunning mountain views are the backdrop to 4 Saints terrace dining.
For breakfast, lunch, and all-day brunch, Juniper Table’s menu is a blend of eccentricity and comfort food with a healthy twist on many of the menu items.
Here you’ll find lighter selections like the yogurt bowl, starring a house-made matcha granola, or smoked salmon toast on sourdough with whipped lemon dill cream.
On the flip side, try lemon ricotta pancakes or the wagyu beef burger with whiskey caramelized onions and whole-grain mustard mayo served on an Amish bun. If you’re into sweet and savory combinations, try the ricotta and pear focaccia with mozzarella, pecorino Romano cheese, walnuts, and spicy honey.
Sublime sips at Juniper’s Table range from cold-pressed juices to “Special-Tea” cocktails, blending tea-infused vodka with fresh-squeezed lemon juice and simple or lavender syrup.
Aside from the Kimpton Rowan’s two signature restaurants, coastal cuisine can be found poolside at the property’s rooftop High Bar, including healthier items like a chicken Caesar wrap, blistered shishito, and Baja shrimp tacos. Mediterranean-inspired bites at Window Bar located in the lobby pair with cocktails that fuse botanicals and clear spirits with just a touch of showmanship.
Whether you stay at the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs to indulge yourself in all the property’s posh amenities or simply stop in to tour the seasonal menus, you’ll undoubtedly develop a taste for all it has to offer.
