The Colony Palms Hotel launches LA guest chef series with Chef Vartan Abgaryan & Chef Michael Hung. Five-course tasting menu Nov 9. Reserve now at 760.969.1800.
When two celebrated chefs join forces in the desert, magic happens on the plate
Palm Springs has always been where Los Angeles comes to play, and now the culinary scene is heating up in the best possible way. The Colony Palms Hotel is launching its first-ever Los Angeles guest chef series, and they’re bringing in serious talent to kick things off. Executive Chef Michael Hung is partnering with Chef Vartan Abgaryan of Tommy’s Beverly Hills for an unforgettable five-course tasting menu that bridges LA’s sophisticated dining culture with Palm Springs’ laid-back desert elegance. This November collaboration at the Colony Club marks a fresh chapter in the region’s evolving food landscape, offering upscale diners from Beverly Hills to West Hollywood a compelling reason to make the scenic drive east.
A Culinary Collaboration Worth the Desert Drive
The Colony Club’s Los Angeles guest chef series represents more than just another tasting menu—it’s a conversation between two distinct culinary voices. Chef Abgaryan brings his Modern American sensibility honed at some of LA’s most acclaimed restaurants, while Chef Hung showcases his seasonal approach perfected in the Coachella Valley’s unique microclimate.
The five-course journey ($89 per person) alternates between both chefs’ signatures, creating a dynamic dialogue on each plate. Abgaryan opens with Golden Snapper Crudo brightened by passion fruit, basil, and finger lime—a dish that captures his stated philosophy: “I am driven by flavor, and I want to cook with flavors that evoke emotion.”
Hung counters with a Salad of Roasted Delicata Squash featuring shishito peppers and spiced pepitas in sherry vinaigrette, demonstrating why seasonal cooking thrives in the desert’s dramatic temperature swings.
Meet Chef Vartan Abgaryan: From Late Bloomer to LA Culinary Star
Not every great chef starts in their teens peeling potatoes at a Michelin temple. Abgaryan discovered his calling at twenty—relatively late in an industry that often recruits teenagers. That hunger (both literal and figurative) propelled him through Le Cordon Bleu and into the kitchens of legendary establishments like Andre Soltner’s Lutece.
His career trajectory reads like a greatest-hits tour of Southern California dining. As executive chef at Cliff’s Edge, he earned three stars from LA Weekly’s Besha Rodell and became known for what Eater LA’s Matthew Kang called “among the most beautiful plating in the city.” At 71Above, perched on the 71st floor of Downtown LA’s US Bank Tower, he garnered another three-star review while Jonathan Gold praised his suckling pig as “something out of a charcuterie dream.”
Currently overseeing the kitchen at Tommy’s Beverly Hills, Abgaryan brings his flavor-forward, emotion-driven approach to California cuisine with contemporary Italian influences. According to the James Beard Foundation, this kind of chef collaboration elevates regional dining scenes and creates memorable culinary moments that extend beyond a single restaurant’s walls.
What’s on the Plate: Five Courses of Pure Flavor
The third course showcases Abgaryan’s playful sophistication: Heirloom Potato “Lasagna” with Parmigiano Reggiano cream and Siberian Sturgeon caviar. It’s the kind of dish that makes you rethink what comfort food can be—familiar yet elevated, approachable yet luxurious.
Hung’s fourth course brings savory richness with Crispy Pork Belly accompanied by Brussels sprouts, market apples, and mustard jus. There’s something deeply satisfying about perfectly executed pork belly, especially when balanced with fall’s best produce.
The evening concludes with Abgaryan’s Classic Burnt Cheesecake de Basque—that Instagram-famous dessert with the deeply caramelized top and creamy, almost-custardy center. It’s a crowd-pleaser that happens to be genuinely delicious, which is rarer than you might think.
The Colony Club’s Bar Manager Kelly David has created specialty handcrafted cocktails to complement the menu, and an optional wine pairing is available for those who want the full experience.
The Colony Palms Hotel: Where Old Hollywood Meets Desert Modern
The Colony Club exists within The Colony Palms Hotel, a property steeped in Hollywood history. The venue offers dining in the main room or poolside with mountain views—because in Palm Springs, even November means potential al fresco dining.
For cocktail enthusiasts and wine collectors from Santa Monica to Culver City, this guest chef series represents exactly the kind of curated experience that makes the 100-mile drive worthwhile. It’s dinner as destination, but without the stuffiness that sometimes accompanies special-occasion dining.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Colony Club Los Angeles guest chef series with Chef Vartan Abgaryan?
The five-course tasting menu featuring Executive Chef Michael Hung and Guest Chef Vartan Abgaryan takes place Wednesday, November 9th, 2022, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at The Colony Club.
How much does the Los Angeles guest chef series dinner cost?
The five-course tasting menu is $89 per person, not including tax, gratuity, or the optional wine pairing. Reservations can be made by calling 760.969.1800 or through OpenTable.com.
What are The Colony Club’s regular hours?
Dinner is served Sunday-Thursday 5:00-8:00 pm and Friday-Saturday 5:00-10:00 pm. Lunch runs Monday-Friday 11:00 am-3:00 pm, breakfast Monday-Friday 8:00-11:00 am, and brunch Saturday-Sunday 8:00 am-3:00 pm.
Why This Collaboration Matters
In an era when celebrity chef pop-ups have become almost commonplace, the Colony Club’s Los Angeles guest chef series stands out for its thoughtful pairing and accessible luxury. This isn’t about chefs slapping their names on a hotel restaurant for a night—it’s about genuine collaboration between talents who respect each other’s approach to flavor and technique.
For the fun-loving food obsessives who track restaurant openings in West Hollywood and debate the merits of various omakase experiences, this dinner offers something different: a chance to see two accomplished chefs working in harmony rather than competition.
Ready to experience this culinary collaboration? Book your table now for The Colony Club’s Los Angeles guest chef series. Call 760.969.1800 or visit OpenTable.com. The Colony Palms Hotel is located at 572 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Learn more at ColonyPalmsHotel.com.
Heck yes! Great news for Palm Springs