The Desert Sun from Palm Springs, California • Page S6

6 MYDESERT 'FRIDAY, JULY 5, 2013 DESERT Alicante: New name, same attention to great food ALICANTE Where: 140 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Outdoor seating: Yes Reservations: Yes Contact: (767) 325-9464, www.alicanteps.com was a real problem." But when her business partner and chef Nicholas Klontz died unexpectedly just before Zini's opening in 2009, Reed didn't want to be too hasty in re-branding and changing the concept. The cuisine The other reason for the name change is to distinguish Alicante as Spanish Mediterranean cuisine, a trend that Reed has been moving towards over the past four years. Hers was one of the first Palm Springs restaurants to introduce the concept of tapas.

Spanish tapas are a mainstay on Alicante's, which also embraces tastes of other Mediterranean countries. Alicante, a seaport in Spain on the Mediterra- By Pamela Bieri Special to MyDesert PALM SPRINGS What's in a name? Could be confusion! The back story Mindy Reed, owner of Zin American Bistro and the former Zini Cafe Mediterrano, knows that two restaurants with similar names, located within two blocks of one another, has been very confusing to customers. "Confusion between the two restaurants is 90 percent of the reason for changing the name from Zini to Alicante," said Reed. "People will make a reservation at one restaurant, and be at the other. Zini was never a name that I wanted, and realized right away it nean, some four hours from Barcelona, uses local ingredients in a cuisine that is greatly influenced by other Mediterranean cultures from Morocco to Italy, Spain and Greece, she said.

"Zini Cafe Mediterrano started out with more Italian influences, but I soon took out a lot of the Italian pastas, introduced tapas, and redid the wine list with more Spanish wines," said Reed. Two favorite tapas are the grilled baby octopus ew Menu! Spanish Mediterranean choices, including pizza and tapas. See Our New Modern Look' ETjiouTFresh1 The menu at Alicante offers SUBMITTED PHOTO with tomato hummus on a crostini with sesame and lemon; and the grilled artichoke with asparagus, friend egg, Serrano ham and Man-chego cheese. Another to-selling tapa reflects a more California influence: beets roasted in a vinegar with baby green beans, Laura Chenel goat cheese with spiced walnuts. Pizzas are another mainstay on Alicante's menu: Funghi is with mushrooms, tomato, mozzarella, Grand Pada-no and garlic, fresh oreg-ano and olive oil.

The vegetarian pizza includes tomato, artichoke hearts and roasted peppers. Of course, seafood: Zarzuela de Mariscos, a Spanish seafood stew, offers the chef's choice of fresh fish, mussels and clams in a tomato, fennel and saffron broth. Veal Marsala, Prime hanger steak, and Polio alia Diavola a macad-amia crusted chicken scaloppini in a spicy tomato sauce with Spanish anchovies are oth 3 Course Meal for TWO Starting at $22.95 up to 50.95 Select one of the following entrees and receive a second entree of equal or lesser value FREE! With This Coupon er popular entrees. Reed also offers guests separate vegetarian and gluten-free menus so those with allergies and food preferences can easily find the right choices. Alicante is open for breakfast with a variety of omelets, Mediterranean inspired egg dishes and waffles.

A three-course $19 menu is available for lunch or dinner weekdays; $25 on Friday and Saturday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The drinks Reed's international wine list is grouped by price point $6 per per bottle up to $10 per glass $40 per bottle as well as varietal and country of origin. From Italian pinot Grigio, to Spanish Garna-cha rose to a Napa Valley sauvignon blanc, selecting or finding a wine is easy. Alicante also carries a number of imported beers from Italy, Greene, Belgium and Spain as well as domestic beer. Creative cocktails include the blood orange mojito muddled with mint, lime and Captain Morgan's Lime Bite; or the Marilyn Forever, champagne with a splash of Chambord and a cherry.

Pitchers of sangria and special infused vodkas for Bloody Marys are other house specialties. The vibe As the new name Alicante clarifies a distinct identity from Zin American Bistro as well as moving it to the opposite end of the alphabet Reed plans to refresh the restaurant's decor over the summer months. The sidewalk patio will have a new awning, and the interior cafe and bar will be refreshed with new paint, while retaining the French doors. Currently local artist Emilio Hernandez' work is on exhibit and part of the proceeds of any sales benefit the Stroke Recovery Center. Baked Flounder New York Steak Sauteed Scallops Chicken Piccata New Zealand Rack of Lamb Pacific Grilled Salmon Braised Lamb Shank Provencal Mixed Grill Kabobs Seafood Fettuccine Filet Mignon Filet and Lobster Tail Lobster Tail Chicken Breast Franco Swiss Pot Roast ffer valid 7 Days a Week 5:00 Reservations Required For Information Call 760 320-6868 ext.

470.