Alice B Elevates the Foodie Scene in Palm Springs

Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken Bring Their Passion for Food to the Desert

To know the award-winning culinary duo of Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger is to love them. To have been to any of their award-winning eateries in Southern California like Border Grill, CITY, or Socalo, is to love their food. Feniger and Milliken teamed up over 40 years ago, and their most recent creation, Alice B, proves that these two tamales are still red hot.

“Over the years, we’ve allowed each other to embrace what we were passionate about. And we trusted each other enough to give each other that space. That really allowed our partnership to get stronger and stronger over the years,” says Feniger.

Alice B is Palm Springs’ newest upscale restaurant and offers a California twist on Mediterranean cuisine that combines innovation with timeless flavors. Inside the doors of Living Out, Southern California’s first and only luxury, active adult LGBTQ community, Alice B is one of the first sights you’ll see when you enter the main doors. The restaurant has a warm inviting ambiance of mid-century modern design and desert colors and has a chic vibe and buzz about it. Our team visited on a Wednesday night, and there was nearly a seat available in the main dining room, on the heated outside patio, or in the bar area.

Invoking its name, the restaurant’s central art pieces are paintings of Alice B. Toklas and her life partner Gertrude Stein. Other exceptional artwork adorns the walls, with pieces created by local female and LGBTQ+ artists, enhancing the dining atmosphere.

The menu is a collaborative effort between Feniger, Milliken, and Executive Chef Lance Velasquez, showcasing their passion for bold flavors and global influences, using seasonal inspiration that Southern California provides. Each dish is crafted to tantalize the taste buds and ignite the senses. Whether you’re craving comfort food with a modern twist or adventurous creations that push the boundaries of culinary exploration, Alice B delivers on every front. “The way we operate is to constantly refresh. We’re never sitting still. We’re always evolving menus,” says Milliken.

A start to any meal at Alice B (after ordering a signature cocktail) must begin with Chef Velasquez’ signature Cornmeal Cheddar Drop Biscuits with cardamom honey. (Chef Velasquez was named a “Rising Star Chef” by Esquire and “Best New American Chef” by Food & Wine Magazine.) Crunchy on the outside and deliciously flavorful and moist on the inside, give me a plate of these biscuits and a glass of wine and I’m set for the evening.

Alice B (Photo by GED Magazine)

Alice B (Photo by GED Magazine)

Alice B (Photo by GED Magazine)

Alice B (Photo by GED Magazine)

Alice B (Photo by GED Magazine)

Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken

Continue your culinary journey with small plates, such as the Spring Carrot and Ginger Soup – a refreshing soup with turmeric cashew crunch and crème fraiche. The lingering note of ginger on the palate was a pleasant finish. The Crispy Yukon Gold Potato Croquettes are a unique mix of potato, smoked ham, Emmental cheese, poblano chile, topped with an espelette pepper aioli. The Kenter Farms Chicory Salad with garlic balsamic vinaigrette, fried bread, and parmigiano reggiano, is large enough for two.

Our main course standouts included the Branzino and Grilled Prime Ribeye. The perfectly crispy skinned Branzino was garnished with celery root remoulade, potato puree, and a uniquely delicate and savory arbequina olive almond relish that was a perfect complement to the fish and the accompanying micro-greens. The medium rare Ribeye was accompanied by fingerling potatoes, parsley butter, worcestershire vinaigrette, and black pepper crema. We added a side of charred Broccolini with pomegranate seeds to round out the plate.

No meal at Alice B is complete without sampling their decadent desserts. The Butterscotch Budino, basically an Italian pudding, was decadently rich and creamy with a hint of salt. The Tahini Ice Cream was also an unexpected treat, topped with chocolate sauce and crispy sesame seed clusters. Both offered a refreshing conclusion to the dining experience.

The service at Alice B is impeccable, with attentive, but not oppressive, staff who are there to ensure every guest has a memorable experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking an unforgettable dining experience, Alice B by Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken exceeds expectations at every turn and is a much welcomed addition to the Palm Springs dining scene.

For more information visit aliceb.com or call 760-537-4311 to make a reservation. Dinner is served Wednesday through Sunday starting at 5:00 pm, and brunch is now available on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.