Local Restaurants Brace For The Summer

In its 6 years at The River in Rancho Mirage, Piero’s Acqua Pazza has developed quite a clientele.

Yet, General Manager Willie Rhine is the first to tell you with the summer heat now taking hold and the snow birds gone, business is off about 50 percent from peak season. Hence, this time of year the push is to bring the locals through the doors by offering reduced prices almost across the board on the menu.

“Everyone appreciates a little discount whether you’re a banker, we have bankers that come in here with 20 percent coupons, we have people who can just barely afford to go out for dinner with a coupon. It’s our way of saying thank you for supporting us all year long,” said Rhine.

An indication that the restaurants summer marketing strategy is working, cocktail server Carol Lee who has worked at Piero’s for 3 years says her paycheck is about the same all year.

“It’s a slight decrease, but nothing dramatic,” said Lee. “You know there’s people getting laid off and having dramatic hours cut, so I am relieved to be in the position I am definitely.”

Over at the Blue Pear Texx Mexx in Palm Springs, they’d like to think they can avoid any business drop off this summer. The restaurant opened in early May and co-owner Donnell Weston believes the fact nothing on the menu is priced over $9.95 will keep people coming year round. “I think overall that it’s going to keep em in.” Said Weston. “I am sure there will be some fluctuation, but we’re really hoping that with the price point people can afford to eat out multiple times during the week.”

So far, if customers like Randy Cupp are any indication, it appears the concept is catching on. “There’s a lot of buzz about this restaurant. I know a lot of people who come here and I think everything under 10 bucks is really a big draw, especially in this economy.” Said Cupp.

One thing working in favor of the Blue Pear Texx Mexx this summer, customers are invited to take a dip at the adjoining pool house. “Essentially someone can order a chicken sandwich and then later decide they wanta work off that chicken sandwich and they can have a dip in the pool and kinda of work it off.” Said Weston.

You might call it a two-for-one. Beating your appetite and the heat at the same time.