Willie’s Modern Fare: A Refined Afternoon Tea in the Coachella Valley 

Having spent my first 26 years growing up in England, afternoon tea evokes strong memories. It was a Sunday ritual at Grandma’s house when she rolled out the sandwiches, the baked goods, and of course the tea. It wasn’t something that happened in my parents’ home, so Grandma’s teas always felt like an indulgence.

And having spent the second half of my life in Palm Springs, I’ve long craved the flavors of home — the kind that would send me on trips to Los Angeles and beyond in search of classic fare and a proper pot of tea.

Now, we have Willie’s Modern Fare . Owner Willie Rhine, a Scotsman by birth (and voice), has brought a taste of the homeland to his latest desert‑modern concept. It’s an experience that captures the spirit of British afternoon tea while giving it a polished, contemporary frame.

Willie Rhine: The Host Behind the Experience

To understand why Willie’s Afternoon Tea works so well, you have to understand Willie Rhine — a name woven into the fabric of Coachella Valley dining.

Rhine’s hospitality career in the valley dates back to the 1990s, long before Palm Springs became the design‑driven culinary destination it is today. He built his reputation through front‑of‑house mastery, operational steadiness, and a hospitality style rooted in genuine warmth.

He went on to open his own spots — Eight4Nine , 1501 Uptown Gastropub (now under new ownership), and now Willie’s Modern Fare — his most refined concept, blending European and contemporary elegance. It’s a culmination of everything Rhine has learned: style that sets the tone, hospitality as craft, dining as ceremony, and service as storytelling.

How Willie’s Modern Fare Came to Be

After the success of Eight4Nine and 1501, Rhine wanted to create something polished, intentional, and quietly glamorous. He envisioned a dining room where locals could dress up without feeling overdressed, where classic European culture met modern plating, and where hospitality remained the centerpiece.

The Afternoon Tea service fits naturally into that philosophy. It’s not an add‑on; it’s an extension of the restaurant’s DNA. Before Willie’s, there was no refined tea service in the valley. If you wanted tiers, clotted cream, curated blends, and polished presentation, you drove to LA.

It fills a void that fits intrinsically into the desert lifestyle — a place where late afternoons are a time to relax, wind down, and escape the heat. And the valley has a large population of transplants who appreciate traditions that feel familiar and nostalgic.

Sunday afternoon tea also conveniently fills the gap between Sunday brunch and dinner. During that window, Willie’s transforms its dining room into a refined tea salon. They break out the fine china, silverware, teapots, and white tablecloths, transporting the vibe to a different time and place.

There’s a gentle hush among the diners and an elevated refinement among the staff as they offer a preview of what to expect. There’s only one decision — your choice of leaf tea. They offer several blends from the historic Harney & Sons. But of course, true to my roots, I had to go with Yorkshire Gold. Served in a huge pot, I never had to ask for a refill.

The Food: Classic, Comforting, and Beautifully Presented

The food is predetermined, each course layered in advance on a tiered tea stand and displayed for anticipation and visual delight.

First course: sandwiches, daintily cut —

• Scottish salmon with dill crème fraîche on rye
• Classic egg salad on soft Pullman bread
• Chicken salad with cranberries and walnuts with kale pesto on brioche

Next: the scones, perfectly soft‑baked with sultanas and served with house‑made strawberry jam and velvety clotted cream. I loved the clotted cream.

Finally: the pastries, which sit enticingly at the top of the stand, demanding willpower and restraint while you work through the first two courses.

• Opera cake (almond sponge, coffee syrup, buttercream, ganache)
• Fondant Fancies (cardamom‑lemon syrup, buttercream, icing)
• Passion fruit mousse bombes (white chocolate, mandarin supremes, glossy ganache)

Each one is a quaint but sinful delight.

Final Thoughts: A Highly Recommended Experience

Wherever you’re located, high tea is a delightful novelty — an ode to an era gone by. In the Coachella Valley, it’s much more of a rarity. It’s a true delight to dress up, intentionally slow down, and relax into the Sunday evening desert sunset.

Each serving is a joy, as is the sense of ambience and quiet occasion. Regardless of where you grew up, Willie’s Afternoon Tea is nostalgic and elegant, but perfectly Palm Springs.

Willie’s Modern Fare 
Website: williesrm.com 
Address: 69830 CA-111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 

Willie’s Afternoon Tea is Sunday’s from 3 pm to 5 pm