After a three-month revamp, The Parker Palm Springs has reopened one of its most beloved—and elusive—culinary gems. On Thursday, October 16, Counter Reformation officially reemerged, unveiling a bold reimagining defined by sybaritic discovery, spontaneous conversation, and playful food-and-wine pairings.
The intimate 22-seat vinoteca, designed by Jonathan Adler, has long been a local favorite for its moody European charm and mischievous spirit. Now, that energy has been dialed up even further. The refreshed space exudes an after-dark allure, complete with dimmed lighting, rich textures, and ornate confessionals repurposed from decommissioned European churches—a setting that feels both indulgent and delightfully irreverent.
A Menu Meant for Play
Executive Chef Pedro Baroso, a Portugal-born talent with Michelin-starred experience across the globe, has crafted an adventurous lineup of globally inspired small plates designed to pair seamlessly with an eclectic bottle list. “Rather than food and wine operating separately, these plates have been designed to play off each other, making every combination feel purposeful,” says Baroso. “The result is a menu that feels fresh, daring, and highly curated.”
Expect lobster bolognese served on chopsticks, hearts of palm calamari with nori seaweed and tomatillos confiture, and jamón mousse with poached pear and mustard seeds on brioche toast. For a touch of whimsy, there’s even a faux foie gras sea salt macaron—a conversation starter in its own right.
The wine list reads like a passport through the world’s vineyards, featuring both renowned and lesser-known producers from Germany, Hungary, France, Chile, and beyond. You’ll even find rare gems like a Gewürztraminer grown at nearly 6,500 feet in Mexico’s Valle de Colón, available only here in the Coachella Valley.
Sip, Guess, Repeat
In true Parker fashion, the experience doesn’t stop at the glass. Counter Reformation is introducing blind-tasting sessions—a convivial, zero-intimidation way to explore wine and test your palate. Guided by a sommelier, guests sample a flight of four 3-ounce pours, guessing whether each wine hails from the Old World or the New. From France’s Loire Valley to Victoria, Australia, it’s part education, part adventure, and all fun.
This fall, bold European reds—Bordeaux, Barolo, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape—take center stage, celebrating the depth and diversity of Europe’s finest terroirs.
Come As You Are
True to its rebellious soul, Counter Reformation remains first come, first served—no reservations, no pretense, just pure pleasure.
Counter Reformation
At The Parker Palm Springs
4200 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA
TEL: 760.770.5000
WEB: The Parker Palm Springs.