speed of dark

Indie Mom is right--it's going to be hot this weekend at the Coachella, although hopefully not quite as hot as it was when we were there four years ago. Here's a tip: don't wear black. Dark colors are hotter.

If you will be in Indio this weekend or any other time, and you're not into Mexican food, here are some other restaurants that may be more to your taste.

Italian
Ciro's , (81963 Hwy 111, Indio) near the corner of Monroe and the Coachella Valley's main drag, Highway 111, is one of the oldest of Indio's restaurants and features a familiar Italian menu of lasagna, spaghetti, and other pastas. It also has very good pizza, and you can watch the pizza chef throw the dough up in the air. If Ciro's is too crowded, walk about a half-block west to Mario's Italian Restaurant, which is also pretty good. Anyway, it's hard to mess up basic Italian food.

Seafood
Frankie's Fresh Fish (81944 Hwy 111, Indio), tucked into a strip mall between Hollywood Video and the Pak Inn (decent Chinese), puts the emphasis on the food, not decoration. There is always a crowd for lunch, which can make service slow.
Fisherman's Market and Grill (78575 Hwy 111, La Quinta, best approached from south of 111 on Washington) is a bit more expensive but the ambiance is more pleasant than Frankie's. Menu items are hit and miss--remember, the desert is a long way from the ocean. Spinach-stuffed salmon was very good when we had it.

Burgers
Burgers and Beer (82530 Hwy 111, Indio) looks like a castle made of concrete block. I am told that the hamburgers here are very good, they have a large selection of beers, and they also have good salads and a breakfast menu.

Health Food
You'll have to go to (78370 Hwy 111, Suite 110) La Quinta for TLC Mind and Body, but it isn't terribly far. You'd never find this place without help: it's on the north corner of the intersection of Washington and Hwy 111, in the strip mall behind Del Taco (on Washington) and a gas station (on 111). TLC is a small health-food market that also features specialty teas, ready-made salads, and really good deli sandwiches made with organic breads. Stop in early--they sell out. Opens 9:00 AM M-F, 9:30 AM Sat, Closed Sunday.
Also in this area: Bad Ass Coffee. I've never tried it, but the name makes it sound fun.

Thai
I haven't tried Thai Smile (78-902 Highway 111, La Quinta) myself, but it's worth mentioning because it has a stellar reputation. When it opened, there were long lines. I don't have any reservation about recommending it.

Bands on my list to see this Saturday:

From Montreal, Islands, who just released the single "The Arm" from their second album, due for release on May 20.
The Arm from Arm's Way (2008)
MySpace | Website | Buy




Philadelphia's Man Man who have a brand-new album called Rabbit Habits on Anti Records.
Top Drawer from Rabbit Habits (2008)
MySpace | Buy






Norwegian electro-rockers 120 Days
Sedated Times from 120 Days (2006)
MySpace | Website |Buy


Unfortunately Man Man and 120 Days conflict with each other, so I'll have to make a decision. That's the bad part about festivals.