Join the party at DINK's

Having dinner at DINK’s in Palm Springs reminded me of two forgotten life experiences: the last house party I went to in France and the first time I was kicked out of the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel. DINK’s is a restaurant and cocktail lounge that is Palm Springs appropriate – generous outdoor seating, mid-century modern design overtones, private booths inside, and an extensive cocktail menu.
Why did DINK’s remind me of these two things? Both of these memories shared a certain amount of contained chaos. The party in France was just outside of Paris, involved a late night, lots of whiskey, dim lights, cigarettes, and flirting in multiple languages; a description of an average party, so far. Except that someone brought their grandmother, someone else brought a German Shepherd (?!??), a Swiss rock star showed up, and a pizza arrived with an egg, sunny side up, cooked on top. At a certain point, I decided that I had fallen down the rabbit hole and stopped trying to make sense of anything at the party. In retrospect, I realize that the only thing missing was music involving an accordion. Cue the Stereo Love.
And – ahem – being asked to leave the Polo Lounge? That was one of my favorite birthdays and later involved illegal transportation home (don’t ask) and an ice cream cake (mint chocolate chip with chocolate cake, if you must know).
So, as my memories show, there can be a lot of positives about chaos. But, there is also a fine line between good chaos and a prison riot. Where does DINK’s fall? I guess that depends on how much you can handle.
DINK’s hosts various bands or performers, depending on the night of the week. When the jazz band plays, the reasonably sized dance floor is put to good use. The music is great – but loud. So, be prepared to dine with limited conversation or to text your dinner companion during your meal. You can also keep it in mind if you need to dine with someone to whom you’d rather not listen. Who hasn’t been in that situation?
The last time I stopped for dinner, I enjoyed a great Pineapple Upside Down Cake Cocktail. And, truthfully, I’ve never been disappointed with the cocktails at DINK’s. I was particularly excited to see that they have a selection of champagne cocktails – which is uncommon. Usually I can find one or two on a menu – but DINK’s regularly has half a dozen. Gold star!
The menu is extensive and includes a wide selection – ranging from small tapas-style bites to sushi to traditional steak, chicken, and seafood options. The dishes in each genre include the usual suspects – which can be exactly what fits your appetite at times. But don’t look for food trends here – carrot foam and the like aren’t on the menu.

How much mischief can you fit into a cabana?

The atmosphere? My best description is: controlled chaos – and I say that without a negative implication. The last time I was there for dinner, there was a large bridal party in attendance, a radio talk show was broadcasting live from one of the private booths in the dining area, all the dinner tables were full, a jazz band was playing, the dance floor was crowded, and the outdoor patio busy. For a fun evening out in Palm Springs, DINK’s is a great jump off point – especially after a day by the pool in the sun. There is a lot going on under the circus tent, and when that is the mood you are in – it is the perfect spot. And, if your group of friends is in that mood – your antics are a lot more likely to fly under the radar. (Consider that my lesson learned from the Polo Lounge).
When you go: Closet – ranges from resort-casual to date-night-out; Wallet – entrees range from $12 – $30, cocktails from $9 – $12; Mood – spirited