Taco Maria’s Carlos Salgado Expands into Palm Springs Next

Taco Maria takes to the desert

Some big news out of sleepy Palm Springs this weekend, as chef Carlos Salgado of Taco Maria has agreed to take over food and beverage operations for the Ace Hotel out there. The partnership officially begins February 1, says The Desert Sun, with Salgado and his team changing the menus at Kings Highway, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, as well as their Amigo Room.

The move to bring Salgado on board marks yet another watershed moment for the greater Coachella Valley. Adding in the culinary lineups at the various high-end music festivals throughout the year there, and suddenly the desert is looking a lot less like a culinary backwater, and more of a major player for millions of folks who travel there annually. Salgado says he’s as interested in ever in bringing Alta California cuisine to the Ace, which will include his use of heirloom corn. Chef Carlo Guardado will be overseeing the daily menu, with guidance from Salgado, who remains in Orange County.

A tragedy in North Hollywood

One man is dead after an incident at Star Garden bar and adult entertainment venue in North Hollywood, after a bouncer for the establishment punched a patron who then fell into the street and was struck and killed by a passing car. According to the LA Times, the bouncer has been arrested and charged with murder following the December 15 incident.

Papa Don’s Deli closes in South Pasadena

It’s the end of an era for long-running Papa Don’s Deli in South Pasadena. The casual eatery at 303 Pasadena Avenue stopped serving sandwiches as of December 17, with one final send-off for customers before they closed forever.

Under the radar Silver Lake

Want to know the best spots you don’t know? Chef Jeffrey Yuguchi from Fundamental LA has some Silver Lake spots you might not be frequenting enough, sharing his list of underground hits with LA Weekly.

Encino does comfort food

Things continue to simmer up in Encino, with a newer option called American Heritage bringing comfort food to the area. Ventura Blvd. Magazine is all over it, calling the place a quality gastropub serving craft beer, burgers and more.

Inside Far East Plaza

Chinatown’s booming Far East Plaza gets the USA Today treatment, with the national paper taking a look at all the fun stuff happening there, including Howlin’ Ray’s, Endorffeine, Chego, Lao Tao, and Unit 120.

Taking shape at Felix

Things are starting to come together at Felix, chef Evan Funke’s Italian restaurant slated for Venice. Here’s a shot from the chef himself of the under-construction pasta lab.