Manhattan in the Desert — Restaurant in Palm Springs

Walking into Manhattans in the Desert used to feel like stepping into an East Coast hug right in Palm Springs. The old New York deli charm, warm service, and that unmistakable aroma of fresh rye bread, brined pickles, and cinnamon applesauce wafting a neighborhood bakery. Sadly, that feeling is gone.

What now greets you is a jarring and misplaced sports bar aesthetic as you walk in…an oversized misplaced bar dominating the space, and a sterile vibe that’s pushed aside everything that made this place special. The once fun vibrant interior, with its oversized hanging lamps and quirky art, now feels dusty…literally. Particles float down from unclean fixtures, settling on poorly wiped tables and neglected floors.

The heart of the restaurant, its New York, style Jewish bakery and large deli counter has all but disappeared. What used to be a bright, generous display of baked goods, smoked fishes, and deli staples is now reduced to a tiny, almost hidden case, shoved to the side behind an expo counter cluttered with alcohol bottles. It’s no longer the warm, bustling welcome it once was. Authenticity it’s now an afterthought.

Gone, too, is the warmth that made this place feel like home. It used to feel like stepping into someone’s family kitchen with servers who remembered your kids’ names, little touches that showed pride in tradition. Now, it’s cold and transactional. No more staff that had been here before the beginning, no more complimentary pickles or house-made sauerkraut on our table to start the meal.

This visit felt like a quiet, neglected, heartbreaking goodbye. Not just to a restaurant, but to the memories we built there. Manhattans in the Desert used to be where my kids fell in love with chunky cinnamon applesauce, where they clutched sprinkle cookies with sticky fingers, where they laughed at the tang of their very first pickle. It was a place that fed more than just our stomachs, it fed our family’s story here as Palm Springs locals.

Now, what’s left is just a shell of an iconic staple in our town. And while the space may still exist, the soul...

I’ve been going to Manhattan in the desert for almost 20 years and it’s always been wonderful. The service is always good, and last night was no exception. The wait staff was amazing! They’re friendly and attentive and professional.

I ordered the meatloaf special with coffee and a side salad. The coffee and salad were exceptional. The greens and veggies were fresh beyond compare. The Cesar dressing tasted house made and was authentic. The meatloaf arrived before I was finished with my salad but that’s ok. There was enough food on that plate for 2-3 people. 3 large slices of meatloaf covered with brown gravy, a scoop of mashed, and what looked like a cup of mixed frozen green beans and carrots.

The mouth joy that I experienced with the salad and coffee unfortunately couldn’t overcome the disappointment over the hot meal. The mashed potatoes were old and reheated, frozen veggies were still refrigerator cold in spots, and the meat loaf was definitely not a historic family recipe. It seemed less than fresh and reheated as well.

Hopefully this was just a beginning of season fluke or a bit of fallout from the pandemic, so I didn’t complain. I did however leave the 90 percent uneaten leftovers behind and generously tipped the waitstaff.

I’m not sure if I’ll go back anytime soon as there are other options around, particularly as I visit the LA area once a month or so and will hit up...

Although this is a long time, well established restaurant here, tonight was the first time I went after all these years visiting and living here. The service was outstanding and very personable - I loved my waitress. The food was good with large portions. Plenty of parking. On a Saturday night, at 6:30 pm, in the middle of 113° heat, the place wasn't completely full but almost. I had clipped a $11.99 summer dinner coupon that motivated me to come by. However, it was part of their normal menu, but no big deal. I'm sure they will continue for the remainder of the summer season. Large and varied menu that should handle most people. I ordered the turkey dinner which came with soup or salad, roast turkey slices, and two vegetable sides for $11.99. Drink was extra. As I said earlier, the portions were very generous and I left stuffed. However, I couldn't resist getting a Key Lime Bar to go. With tax and tip, the total was under thirty. A couple of weeks ago I went to Sherman's, which is surprisingly similar in every way. However, of the two, the food and service at Manhattan was much better. Cost was the same for their dinner special. With Manhattan's other restaurant in Palm Desert closing recently, for which I hadn't heard anything good about, I was hesitant to come here. But not now as I look forward to coming back soon. Definitely a place I...