A barrage of dazzling midcentury modern design is one of the biggest draws to Palm Springs. Boozehounds only opened last year, but the 7,000-square-foot space exudes that glamorous California spirit all the same, albeit with a sprinkling of contemporary desert hideaway vibes.
Boozehounds stands out not only for its décor, but a distinctive concept. Here, dogs are welcomed to dine on chicken jerky and steamed rice beef bowls alongside their owners in the atrium or on the outdoor patio, and soon, can frolic with fellow pups in daycare. This inclusive philosophy was sparked in tribute to Striker, owners Jimmy McGill and Steven Piacenza’s late rescue dog.
Another canine-loving owner, Bryan Rogers, is married to Jenni-Kate Rogers, founder of the bi-coastal photography studio Raven & the Willow, who brought the Boozehounds interiors to life. She mixed plenty of velvet and flora and swathed the restaurant in an earthy palette of sage, mustard, and terracotta that references the environs. Those diners without dogs in tow can sit in the dining room, main bar, or lounge and joyfully look onto the San Jacinto Mountains.
Complementing the design is the menu of Southern California cuisine with Asian inflections, including pozole ramen, Japanese yellowtail with mustard-yuzu soy and charred tangelo, and dukkah-dusted whipped ube potato toast. There’s even an Eastern riff on fish and chips that calls for miso-marinated Chilean sea bass.
The restaurant doesn’t take its name lightly, though. There are plenty of cocktails to choose from, including the floral Old Yeller with Sipsmith London dry gin, Cocchi Americano, saffron Strega, and lavender citrus mist, as well as the house Margarita dressed with smoked citrus salt. As a decadent prelude to wandering the Moorten Botanical Gardens and Cactarium, look no further than the brunchtime cold-brew Martini, accompanied by pancakes slathered in toasted coconut-calamansi butter.
