Food enthusiasts across the Coachella Valley will have a rare opportunity to experience one of Southern California’s most innovative culinary voices when The Pink Cabana at the Sands Hotel & Spa in Indian Wells welcomes Chef William Eick of Matsu, the acclaimed Oceanside restaurant, for a one-night-only dinner collaboration with resident Chef Jason Niederkorn on Wednesday, November 12.
Chef Eick, widely regarded as one of San Diego County’s most accomplished chefs, has built a reputation for redefining Japanese cuisine through a distinctly Southern California lens. His restaurant, Matsu, has been recognized as one of the best Japanese restaurants in the United States, praised for its artistry, subtlety, and deep respect for Japanese culinary tradition.
“In the quiet, coastal town of Oceanside, California, where the Pacific whispers to the land and the seasons shift gently under sunlit skies, Matsu was born,” Eick explains. “It’s an intimate culinary sanctuary that reinterprets Japanese tradition through the terroir of Southern California—articulated with restraint, clarity, and soul.”
The special evening at The Pink Cabana will feature a multi-course tasting menu designed to showcase this unique philosophy, blending the refined balance of Japanese techniques with the vibrant, sun-soaked ingredients of California. Each course will be paired with curated wines that complement the intricate flavors and textures of the dishes.
Chef Niederkorn, known for his modern Mediterranean-inspired cuisine at The Pink Cabana, said the collaboration offers guests something extraordinary: “We both share a deep respect for seasonal ingredients and precise technique. This dinner is about bringing two culinary worlds together—Japanese elegance and California freshness—in a way that feels seamless and inspired.”
Set against The Pink Cabana’s chic, Moroccan-inspired backdrop, the event promises to be both intimate and immersive, appealing to gourmands and casual food lovers alike.
Limited seating is available for this exclusive dining experience. Tickets are $195++ per person, including wine pairings. Reservations can be made via OpenTable.
For those seeking an evening that captures the artistry of Japanese cuisine infused with the spirit of California’s coast and the elegance of the desert, this one-night collaboration at The Pink Cabana offers a chance to savor something truly unforgettable.
