Grand Central Palm Springs Heats Up Special Event Offerings

Media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

Grand Central Palm Springs
Heats Up Special Event Offerings in Cool Air-Conditioned Art Gallery Setting for Summer featuring groundbreaking work by local artist Lucia Grossberger Morales

Sunday & Monday: 7:30am – 3pm
Tuesday – Saturday: 7:30am – 9pm
New “Nibbles & Bites” Tapas Menu Daily 3pm – 5pm

NEW “Tequila Thursdays” offers wide range of
high end Mezcal food & drink

“It’s always Grand Central Time”
#GCT-PS

http://www.grandcentralpalmsprings.com/

9 August 2022 – Palm Springs, CA: EST? PST? What time is it? The answer at Palm Springs’ iconic Grand Central (www.grandcentralcafeps.com) is #GCT-PS. It’s always “Grand Central Time” for brunch, munch, lunch, dinner or the new “nibbles and bites” offerings at the restaurant that is, literally, at the center of everything in Palm Springs, smack dab in the middle of the classic downtown gathering spot, La Plaza. Starting this week,  “Tequila Thursdays” offers a wide range of  high end Mezcal food & drink.

“Palm Springs is now a year-year destination,” said Rita Capponi, founder and co-owner of Grand Central. “That means that Palm Springs is also a year-round food destination, so we’ve expanded our hours, and our offerings to meet the demand.”

With a patio, dining room and bar long known as the place “to see and be seen” by Palm Springs and Hollywood’s weekend glitterati, Grand Central also boasts a true “hidden gem”: its spacious special event space, complete with separate entrance, for the perfect Instagram-able wedding, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, birthday or business gathering. With a regular rotation of local artists, the “Art Gallery” special event space is quickly becoming a “go to” spot for this year’s post-worst-of-COVID Holiday parties.

“As they used to say at our namesake Grand Central Station in New York City, ‘meet us under the clock’,” said co-owner and founder John Diskin. “It may be the height of the summer, but we’re already seeing a real pick-up in bookings and inquiries for the Holiday Season, so call us now to reserve your spot.”

Currently, highlighted is the work of local artist Lucia Grossberger Morales, whose unique creations are based in her groundbreaking career at the forefront of personal computer graphics.

“I remember vividly in 1979 seeing my first Apple II computer,” recalls Lucia. “That night I dreamt that I was a ten-year-old boy walking on the shore, and embedded in the sand, I found a black box. When I opened the box, small dots of light danced in the night sky. When I woke up, I knew the computer would become my medium.”

In the ’80s, Lucia coauthored the Designer’s Tool Kit, a graphics program published by Apple Computer. Lucia’s software and artwork on the Apple II computer work are archived at the Rochester Museum of Play.

As computer technology exploded, Lucia innovatively used images, text, animation, and interactivity to tell her story of leaving her homeland at three to emigrate to the United States. In 1969, starting at sixteen, she returned to Bolivia. The experience was overwhelming. Lucia created a CD-ROM Sangre Boliviana that has been shown around the world and is stored in perpetuity at the National Library in Paris.  Lucia’s work can be seen online at www.Lgmanimation.com and www.lgmappleii.com.

“As a LatinX artist, Lucia blends cutting-edge technology with themes of social justice and gender equality,” said Grand Central husband and wife team Rita and John. “This is exactly the sort of art and perspective we want to highlight and celebrate in our restaurant gallery space.”

In addition to its artistic backdrop, the spacious “Art Gallery” special event space can comfortably accommodate 150 for a seated dinner or over 200 for standing cocktail reception. Additionally, Grand Central is open for a full buyout of the restaurant with the “Art Gallery” room set up for dancing either with live music or a DJ.

What makes Grand Central Café Palm Springs unique?

“Our brunch is very much based on California cuisine with influences of the coffee cafe culture of Auckland, New Zealand, Dublin, Ireland and Melbourne, Australia,” John explains. “Our goal and our mission are to bring those flavors to Palm Springs.”

“For dinner, we expand our offerings to bring a fine dining experience in a more casual and relaxed environment,” says Rita, known for her personalized touch as hostess and creator of Grand Central’s iconic and seasonally-changing “Book Holiday Tree” in the main dining room. “Good food doesn’t have to be overly complicated, and lovely surroundings don’t have to be stuffy. At Grand Central, we stand for approachable elegance.”

Why the name Grand Central?

“In cities and train stations throughout the years, people have been meeting ‘under the clock’,” explains John. “Grand Central’s iconic clock is a reminder to take a breath. Take some time to relax and enjoy innovative food and drink at our table.”

“Most importantly,” reiterates Rita. “Take some time to be with family and friends.”

Grand Central opened in May of 2018 after extensive renovations to the previous Palm Springs Institution, Desmond’s Department Store. After sitting vacant for over a decade, owners and husband and wife, John and Rita, revitalized and reimagined the space as a place for friends to gather and share good conversation, great cocktails, and a wonderful meal. The space was updated to a modern open concept with a large opening to the kitchen that helps bring the restaurant to life and ensures a one-of-a-kind experience, voted “Best of the Valley” 2020 by the Desert Sun

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Below is Grand Central’s “Tequila Thursdays” special menu:
Tequila & Mezcal inspired drinks and food

 

DINNER
Yucatán Steak
Steak, asparagus, rice served with a Mezcal mole sauce $29
 
Chipotle Tequila Shrimp
Penne pasta, chipotle tequila sauce, shrimp, bell peppers, onions and garlic bread $24

COCKTAILS
Mexican Candy Shot   $8
 
Thai Basil Margarita
Tequila blanco, Thai basil, agave, lime $14
 
Spicy Mango Margarita
Blanco tequila, mango juice, lime, agave, chili ancho liqueur, mescal float  $14
 
Pineapple Mescalita
Mezcal, pineapple, lime, agave $14
 
Prickly Pear Paloma
Tequila reposado, dry curacao, lime, grapefruit, prickly pear $14
 

TEQUILA
Arette Reposado  $12
Cada Dia Reposado  $12
Casamigos Blanco  $16
Casamigos Repsado  $17
Casamigos Anejo  $18
Codigo Teq Anejo 1530  $40
Corzo Silver   $12
Fortaleza Anejo  $18
Fortaleza Blanco Still   $14
Fortaleza Blanco   $14
Fortaleza Reposado   $15
Grand Mayan Reposado  $18   
Mezcal Amaras Cupreata   $14
Mezcal Verde   $9
Patron Silver   $14
Revel Reposado   $19

*     *       *        *

New Nibbles & Bites Menu
Tuesday – Saturday, 3pm – 5pm

CRISPY BRUSSELS SPROUTS  
Cotija Cheese, Pomegranate Seeds, Bacon,
Lemon Shallot Vinaigrette $7
 
MEXICO CITY STREET TACOS
Two Street Tacos, Barbacoa    $7

GOAT CHEESE SALAD  
Panko Crust, Mixed Greens, Parmesan, Cherry Tomatoes, Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette  $7
 
SHISHITO PEPPERS
Japanese Shishito Peppers, Corn, Sour Cream, Tajin $8
 
LEMON GRASS CHICKEN DUMPLING
Chicken Dumpling, Shoyu Sauce, Sauce, Arugula & Carrot  $9

COCONUT SHRIMP  
Ginger-Jalapeño Honey Mustard, Sweet Chile Sauce  $10

AHI POKE BOWL
Steamed White Rice, Seaweed Salad, Avocado, Sprouts, Cucumber, Carrot, Edamame, Ginger Shoyo Soy   $10
 
AHI TUNA WONTON NACHOS
Avocado, Pineapple-Mango Salsa, Serrano $10
 
FLATBREADS CHEF’S CHOICE  
Changes Daily Depending on the Market $10
(Sourdough Flatbread Dough by ‘Bread and Flours’ Palm Springs based Artisan Micro-Bakery)

SHORT RIB SLIDERS  
Two sliders, Pretzel Bun, Creamy Horseradish, Sauté Onions, Natural Au Ju, Fries $12
 
GRAND CENTRAL BURGER  
8oz Ground Australian Grass-fed Wagyu on Brioche Bun with Fries 19
Add Sautéed Mushrooms +$2, Cheese +$2, Bacon +$3

Draft   $6
GC Blonde  
Stem Hard Cider   
Almanac IPA
Laguna Baja    

GCPS House Wine Program $8
Alias Sauvignon Blanc,
Alias Chardonnay, Napa Valley CA 
Alias Pinot Noir, Napa Valley CA 
Alias Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley CA