El Jefe Desert Cantina

A Cool New Palm Springs Agave Bar Arrives Just in Time for Coachella | Eater LA

"An agave-focused, late-night cantina inside the Saguaro Palm Springs hotel with an LA-meets-desert, kitschy speakeasy vibe. The bar features 20 house cocktails — highlights include a soft pour corn (tequila and corn liqueur), a mezcal-rum-green tea clarified punch, and a tequila–vanilla-cinnamon horchata twist on the espresso martini — alongside classics like margarita, paloma, and mezcal daiquiri, plus Spanish and South American wines by the glass and locally made craft beers. The interior mixes playful and retro touches (’80s video-game consoles used as cocktail tables, leather sofas) with large murals of masked luchadores and pool floaties by artists Yusufu Bwire and Family, and the previously lobby-adjacent bar is now walled off with a hidden bookcase door for entry. Executive chef Ben Diaz is offering rotating, botanas-style small plates that nod to Mexican street food, with opening dishes such as citrus corn nuts, barbacoa chicharones, and a 36-hour sous vide octopus aguachile. Open late (starting at 8 p.m.; until 1 a.m. Thursday and 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday), it launched to coincide with the Coachella period as a new post-show cocktail destination." - Lizbeth Scordo

"Much like the color-happy Saguaro Hotel it’s situated in, El Jefe is super casual (communal seating, reclaimed wood-paneled walls) and great for accommodating kids and larger groups. Inspired by Mexico City’s thriving street food scene and helmed by chef Jose Garces (of Iron Chef fame), the small-plates menu is extensive yet easy to navigate. For breakfast there’s torrijas (a delicious citrus-vanilla French toast dish) and loads of egg-centric options. Lunch and dinner are devoted to South-of-the-border favorites like ceviche, sopas, and of course, tacos—our go-to is the veggie-and-mushroom Hongos con Rajas. "