Feniger & Milliken’s Alice B. Opens its Doors in Palm Springs This Week
Award-winning chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken, recipients of prestigious accolades such as the James Beard and Julia Child awards, are set to unveil their latest culinary venture, Alice B., on December 6th. Nestled within the lobby of Living Out, a luxury LGBTQ+ senior community near downtown Palm Springs, Alice B. marks the chefs’ first restaurant in this vibrant locale, and while it is located in the community, the restaurant will be open to the public.
Alice B. is open for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday with indoor and outdoor dining. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, the hours are 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Soon, Alice B. will be open seven days a week and will offer weekend brunch, catering, and private events. Alice B. is located at 1122 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262.
Feniger and Milliken have been culinary trailblazers for over four decades, starting from their time as the only women working at Le Perroquet in Chicago. Their groundbreaking City Café and CITY Restaurant in Los Angeles showcased eclectic dishes from around the world. The chefs achieved widespread recognition with the critically acclaimed Border Grill restaurants, the popular Food Network series “Too Hot Tamales,” and the founding of Mundo Hospitality Group, known for its vibrant flavors and beloved spin-offs.
“Alice B. represents a new era for us, a departure from the bold Mexican and Latin-inspired flavors we’re known for, and an opportunity to revisit our roots as chefs. Susan and I trained in the French kitchen, but we also love drawing inspiration from around the world. We’re so excited to introduce Palm Springs to our version of craveable California-inflected dishes where the ingredients speak directly to diners from their plates. Hospitality is in our DNA, and we can’t wait to take care of the Palm Springs dining community – starting with dinner, but soon to add weekend brunch, catering, and eventually lunch, too!” says Milliken.
The restaurant aims to introduce Palm Springs to craveable California-inflected dishes with a focus on seasonal bounty, French, and Mediterranean influences. Executive Chef Lance Velasquez, recognized as a “Rising Star Chef” and one of the “Ten Best New American Chefs,” collaborates with Feniger and Milliken to craft a menu that fuses globally-inspired California cuisine.
The dining experience at Alice B. transcends the culinary, reflecting the iconic mid-century modern style of Palm Springs. The restaurant, inspired by the life of Alice B. Toklas and Gertrude Stein, features an inviting bar and dining room, a rotating art gallery showcasing local female and LGBTQ+ artists, and live entertainment.
The menu includes a variety of dishes, from Kenter Farms Chicory Salad to classic Pepperoni Pizza (bar menu only), including Cauliflower Leek Soup, Vegan Sweet Potato Stew, Rancho Gordo Hummus & Labneh Dips, Roasted County Line Harvest Carrots, Crispy Weiser Farms Smashed Potatoes, Perris Farm Apple Gratin.
But diners who do not follow a vegetarian diet are not forgotten with such dishes as Short Rib & Potato Croquettes, Mary’s Seeded Chicken Cutlet, Grilled New York Strip with parsley butter and black pepper crema, Braised Lamb Shank, and Smash Burger (bar menu only).
Feniger stated, “Curating welcoming restaurants that bring people together over food has long been our passion. Mary Sue and I have spent many years in Palm Springs with our family and friends and have always loved the area. We want this to be a place where guests can come, feel comfortable, enjoy delicious meals and drinks with their loved ones. What’s even more special is that this restaurant represents an ode to the love Alice B. and Gertrude Stein shared, a feeling that will engulf you the moment you walk in and take you back to their impressive life together. Our hope is Alice B. will feel like your home away from home that you’ll want to return to time and time again.”
