First look: Birba

Patrons dine at Birba in downtown Palm Springs. (Credit: Becky Bartkowski, Metromix)

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Birba

New open-air downtown bar is all about the atmosphere

Birba

Libations: The drink menu is chockfull of options ranging from champagne bottle service to signature mixed drinks. Sip a glass of red or white, from Vallevo-Tribbiano on the low end at $6 a glass to Meiomi-Pinot on the high end at $11 a glass. Champagne selection ranges from $8 flutes of Lambusco to bottles of Perrier-Jouet for $180. The beer selection spans nations with Peroni, Chimay and Bitburger listed; all beers are between $3 and $6. On the cocktail front, there's a Habanero Margarita, the Birba Banger which includes cream, O.J. and vodka, and The Wrong Negroni; all cost $9. I drank the French Lemonade, a delicious, dry and sour take on the summery beverage. Click here for the recipe.

Food: The food menu is small yet thoughtful. Simple salads, ranging from $6-$12, boast delicious ingredients. The Di Stefano Burrata includes cherry tomatoes, english cucumber, fresh basil, Sicily-imported Frantioa olive oil and toast points; while the Tricolore chopped salad mixes fried garlic, 19 month parmigiano reggiano with radicchio, endive and arugula. Pizzas are the main event, varying from a basic margherita ($12) to a prosciutto and arugula pie ($15). Gluten-free dough is also available for an extra $2. Add your own toppings ranging from homemade sausage and ricotta to anchovy and vidalia onion for $1-$3.

Service: Service was quick and attentive, but that didn't sacrifice the laidback and leisurely atmosphere. The owner of the bar came over and chatted me up while I enjoyed my late afternoon drink at the bar. There were a few other patrons around, and between serving them the remaining waitstaff prepped for an anticipated dinner rush.

Décor: Birba is clean and simple in design, without sacrificing comfort. I took a seat at the marble bar and was happy to find my sleek barstool was upholstered. The bar space can be enclosed, but has a wall that rolls up like a garage unifying the bar and dining area. Wooden low benches line the outer walls and make mingling easy for large groups, and tall hedges make the setting more intimate. The dining area is composed of two- and four-seater tables, in dark wood and white, with bright orange and brown chairs.

Crowd: Birba is an oasis downtown with an attitude similar to the Ace, and I can definitely see it becoming a go-to hangout for the 20 and 30 something set in Palm Springs. It's also a low-key spot that would make a nice date night setting.

Bottom line: The bar is a social and simultaneously intimate atmosphere, and a great place for meeting up with friends for a night out or stopping by for a quick and easy drink.