Executive Chef Michael Hung

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Eating & Drinking SoCal News Travel California

Palm Springs: Executive Chef Michael Hung Unveils flagship restaurant, Navigator, New Elevated Dining Voyage in Heart of the Desert

By Contributor — 1 month ago

Palm Springs: Executive Chef Michael Hung Unveils flagship restaurant, Navigator, New Elevated Dining Voyage in Heart of the Desert Play Ground

Executive Chef Michael Hung Unveils flagship restaurant, Navigator, New Elevated Dining Voyage in Heart of Palm Springs

The Palm Springs Surf Club announces the opening of their flagship restaurant, Navigator, on Friday, November 15th, 2024!

Photo Credit: Oscar Flink

This innovative new dining destination bridges the worlds of desert living, hospitality, and surfing.

Guests will experience dramatic views of the San Jacinto Mountains, explore the expansive 13-acre property complete with resort amenities, and marvel at the sights and sounds of surfing in the state-of-the-art wave pool.

Photo Credit: Oscar Flink

Leading the Navigator team is acclaimed Executive Chef Michael Hung. As the Executive Chef of Navigator and Director of Food & Beverage for the Palm Springs Surf Club, Chef Hung brings his culinary artistry to this highly anticipated opening.

Executive Chef Michael Hung

Executive Chef Michael Hung

Chef Hung’s impressive career spans from renowned New York kitchens Daniel and Aquavit, through San Francisco’s celebrated establishments, including the James Beard Award-winning team at Jardiniere, led by the renowned Chef Traci Des Jardins and Michelin-starred La Folie with Chef Roland Passot.

His culinary path has included Faith & Flower in Los Angeles which earned accolades from Esquire, Los Angeles Magazine, and Travel + Leisure.

Hung’s talent continued to shine with Viviane at the Avalon Hotel, praised by Los Angeles Times esteemed food critic Jonathan Gold and renowned San Francisco Chronicle food critic, Michael Bauer.

Chef Hung brought his expertise to the luxury hotel and hospitality scene in Palm Springs as the Executive Chef for Steve Hermann Hotels, where he revamped menus at The Colony Club at The Colony Palms and SO.PA at L’Horizon Resort and Hermann Bungalows, earning a Michelin Guide listing for The Colony Club.

Photo Credit: Oscar Flink

Now, at the Palm Springs Surf Club, he applies his expertise to both Navigator and the larger resort’s food and beverage offerings, promising an elevated dining experience rooted in a global culinary perspective.

Photo Credit: Oscar Flink

Navigator’s Menu will highlight modern American cuisine infused with influences from renowned surf locales, including flavors inspired by Portugal, Morocco, Mexico, Indonesia, and Hawaii. Each dish is crafted with the finest local ingredients, blending global flavors with a California sensibility.

Signature offerings include Olive & Herb Dinner Rolls with Tomato Jam, Crispy Wagyu Beef Cigars, Hawaiian-style Garlic Shrimp, and large-format dishes such as a Pan Roasted Whole Rainbow Trout or the 20-oz Ribeye with Bone Marrow Gremolata. Chef Hung’s thoughtfully curated Vegan options,Sides, and inventive Desserts like the Crème Catalan Parfait and Valrhona Dark Chocolate Mousse promise an array of flavors for every palate.

Photo Credit: Oscar Flink

The Wine List, curated by Beverage Director Anthony Dougherty emphasizes California’s finest labels, while Dougherty’s Bar Menufeatures a refreshing selection of Handcrafted Cocktails and a robust Tap Beer program highlighting local producers.

Photo Credit: Oscar Flink

Service will be led by renowned restaurateur, Cameron Hirigoyen, who for 30 years owned and operated San Francisco’s classic Basque restaurant, Piperade. Cameron brings her graceful poise and deep knowledge to Navigator’s dining room.

Navigator’s design pays homage to the oceanic heritage of South Pacific navigators—surfers who traversed seas by the stars, currents, and wildlife. The restaurant’s décor reflects this maritime inspiration, with custom teakwood furniture, woven textile ceiling treatments, and a hand-carved outrigger canoe serving as a focal point for the dining room. The ambiance combines nautical aesthetics with a luxurious, natural warmth, creating an upscale, intimate setting for guests to relax and dine in style.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michael Hung to the Palm Springs Surf Club family,”

Colin O’Byrne

managing partner

“His creativity and expertise are an ideal match for Navigator and our overall vision at the Palm Springs Surf Club, which is to offer guests an elevated dining experience and amenities alongside the world’s premier surf pool.”

Navigator at the Palm Springs Surf Club officially opens for Dinner on Friday, November 15th, 2024, and will be open every Monday through Sunday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Lunch is served Monday to Friday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Navigator serves Weekend Brunchevery Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The Happy Hour menu is available from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday and from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. For more information or reservations at Navigator, please visit www.NavigatorPS.com or call Navigator directly at 760.205.3634.

 

Navigator

Palm Springs Surf Club

1500 S. Gene Autry Trail

Palm Springs, CA 92264

T: 760.205.3634

www.NavigatorPS.com

About Palm Springs Surf Club: The Palm Springs Surf Club is an unparalleled destination, blending state-of-the-art wave technology with luxurious resort-style amenities. Guests can enjoy various attractions, from a winding lazy river to private cabanas by the wave pool, creating a perfect oasis in the heart of Palm Springs. With three bars, two restaurants, and dynamic event spaces, the Palm Springs Surf Club offers distinctive culinary and beverage programs, designed to cater to every taste and every occasion.

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Eating & Drinking Most Popular Travel California

Palm Springs’ The Colony Palms Hotel: Executive Chef Michael Hung Welcomes Chef Vartan Abgaryan To First-Ever Los Angeles Guest Chef Series

By Joe Wehinger — 2 years ago

Executive Chef Michael Hung Welcomes Chef Vartan Abgaryan To The Colony Club’s First-Ever Los Angeles Guest Chef Series At The Colony Palms Hotel in Palm Springs!

Join Executive Chef Michael Hung as he welcomes Guest Chef Vartan Abgaryan of Tommy’s Beverly Hills to

The Colony Club’s first-ever Los Angeles Guest Chef Series

They will be presenting a very special Five-Course Tasting Menu, Optional Wine Pairing, and Specialty Handcrafted Cocktails at The Colony Palms Hotel in Palm Springs coming up on Wednesday, November 9th, 2022!

Chef Vartan Abgaryan began his career late compared to most in the field. At the age of twenty, his hunger for food and love for cooking lead him to the kitchen.

Educated at Le Cordon Bleu and after working at the famed Andre Soltner restaurant, Lutece, at the age of twenty-five he became the chef at Red Pearl Kitchen in Los Angeles and then, at twenty-six, ‘A’ Restaurant in Newport Beach;

The sultry speak-easy style venue that was ‘The Arches’ for some 80 years, was reinvented and given a fresh start, where Chef Abgaryan’s cooking became the heart and the soul of this intimate establishment.

After three years in Newport, Abgaryan relocated to Los Angeles, this time to Public Kitchen and Bar at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

With Vartan Abgaryan as Executive Chef, Public Kitchen and Bar received a 2-starreview from S. Irene Virbila and the Los Angeles Times and was mentioned as a ‘Restaurant to Watch’ in Esquire Magazine by John Mariani. In 2012, Abgaryan joined Cliff’s Edge as Executive Chef.

His cuisine is best described as Modern American, and he sums it up by saying:

“I am driven by flavor, and I want to cook with flavors that evoke emotion.”

At Cliff’s Edge he became known for his highly seasonal approach with ingredients and the stunning presentation of his dishes. Eater LA’s Matthew Kang called out Abgaryan plates by saying he was “among the most beautiful plating in the city.”

In 2014 under Chef Abgaryan, Cliffs Edge was awarded 3-stars by LA Weekly’s Restaurant Critic Besha Rodell.

In summer of 2015, Chef Abgaryan announced that he would be leaving Cliff’s Edge in October of that year to begin preparing for the opening of 71Above, a soon-to-open restaurant on the 71st floor of the US Bank Tower in Downtown Los Angeles.

71Above opened in July 2016 and since the opening, the restaurant has seen great critical acclaim and was awarded 3-stars by LA Weekly Restaurant Critic Besha Rodell.

Los Angeles Magazine named 71Above one of the ‘Top Ten New Restaurants of 2016’ with their Restaurant Critic Patric Kuh remarking, “The experience is luxury that reflects on-point execution,” while Los Angeles TimesRestaurant critic Jonathan Gold called his suckling pig dish, “Something out of a charcuterie dream.”

Colony Club Guest Chef Vartan Abgaryan

Chef Vartan Abgaryan is currently overseeing the kitchen at Tommy’s Beverly Hills, a restaurant concept from Tommy Salvatore featuring a California-inspired menu with contemporary Italian influences.

Executive Chef Michael Hung and The Colony Club’s Los Angeles Guest Chef Vartan Abgaryan will be offering his Five-Course Tasting Menu ($89 per person) to be enjoyed in The Colony Club’s Main Dining Room or poolside with a stunning view of the mountains.The Colony Club will has created an Optional Wine Pairing and The Colony Club, SO.PA, and Hermann, Bungalows Bar Manager Kelly David will be offering Specialty Handcrafted Cocktails for guests to enjoy as well.

 

Executive Chef Michael Hung & Chef Vartan Abgaryan’s

Five-Course Tasting Menu

$89 Per Person

(Does not include Tax & Gratuity)

1st Course

Chef Vartan Abgaryan

Golden Snapper Crudo

Passion Fruit, Basil, Finger Lime

2nd Course

Chef Michael Hung

Salad of Roasted Delicata Squash

Shishito Peppers, Spiced Pepitas, Sherry Vinaigrette

3rd Course

Chef Vartan Abgaryan

Heirloom Potato “Lasagna”

Parmigiano Reggiano Cream, Siberian Sturgeon Caviar

4th Course

Chef Michael Hung

 

Crispy Pork Belly

Brussels Sprouts, Market Apples, Mustard Jus

Dessert

Chef Vartan

Classic Burnt Cheesecake de Basque

 

Optional Wine Pairing & Specialty Handcrafted Cocktails

will be also be available.

 

Executive Chef Michael Hung will welcome Chef Vartan Abgaryan to The Colony Club’s Los Angeles Guest Chef Series Five-Course Tasting Dinner ($89 Per Person – Does not include tax and gratuity) on Wednesday, November 9th, 2022, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For more information about The Colony Club’s Los Angeles Guest Chef Series at The Colony Palms Hotel or to make reservations, please call 760.969.1800 or visit OpenTable.com. 

The Colony Club at The Colony Palms Hotel is open for Dinner every Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and every Friday and Saturday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Lunch is server every Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Breakfast is offered every Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, and Brunch is served every Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. For more information about The Colony Club at The Colony Palms Hotel or to make reservations, please call 760.969.1800 or visitwww.ColonyPalmsHotel.com.

The Colony Club at The Colony Palms Hotel

572 N. Indian Canyon Drive

Palm Springs, CA 92262

T: 760.969.1800

www.ColonyPalmsHotel.com

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