OUR STORY
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
On a crisp autumn evening in November 2012, a group of friends gathered in a rented artist's bungalow to experience an event called Taste of Autumn, a multi-course dinner created by Michael Fietsam and David Horgen featuring local, seasonal ingredients and a few theatrical surprises. The guests each contributed enough to cover the cost of the wine, and PS UNDERGROUND was born.
Word spread quickly, and it wasn't long before each event welcomed new friends to the table. What began as a hobby soon evolved into a pop-up dining adventure wherever a table would fit: art galleries, rooftops, gardens, shuttered restaurants, warehouses, and private estates. Over the next six years, PS UNDERGROUND hosted hundreds of experiences throughout the Palm Springs area and beyond, each with its own unique theme, secret menu, and sense of discovery.
In 2019, we found a permanent home, a 4,200-square-foot dining adventure space in the heart of Palm Springs, complete with a state-of-the-art kitchen and a flexible event venue designed to transform for each new experience. Our space serves as a blank canvas, where the creativity of our chefs, bartenders, servers, technicians, and performers comes together to create unforgettable evenings.
We believe great meals bring people together, but unforgettable experiences create memories that last long after the final course is served.
YOUR HOSTS
MICHAEL FIETSAM
Founder & Creative Director
Michael's theatrical journey began after being cast in a local production of Fiddler on the Roof at the age of 14. After several years of touring, performing, and directing productions across the United States, he landed in Los Angeles to pursue a career as an actor. Like many actors, he supplemented his income by waiting tables, where he discovered the remarkable similarities between the restaurant and theatre worlds. He developed a passion for hospitality, leading him to some of the nation's finest restaurants before ultimately serving as Food and Beverage Manager for casinos across the West Coast.
Although he enjoyed a successful career in hospitality, his passion for theatre never faded. When Michael and co-founder David Horgen created PS UNDERGROUND, he found the perfect opportunity to combine his love of theatre, hospitality, and storytelling into something entirely unique. Today, Michael enjoys creating immersive experiences that bring people together through exceptional food, live entertainment, and unforgettable moments. He's grateful to everyone who supported his early career and to the guests who have embraced PS UNDERGROUND since its beginnings in 2012. The journey is just beginning.
DAVID HORGEN (Chef Dave)
Founder & Executive Chef
Chef David Horgen was born in the Pacific Northwest into a family that inspired his love of food. His mother enjoyed canning and food preservation, while his father was an avid gardener. Growing up surrounded by fresh ingredients and home cooking, Dave developed a fascination with all things culinary. Encouraged to spend time in the kitchen, he quickly progressed from mastering basic recipes to creating original dishes for family dinners.
Over the years, Chef Dave worked his way through every aspect of the restaurant business, gaining extensive experience in both the kitchen and front of house. Seeking greater creative freedom, he eventually became a private chef, where he was able to move beyond the limitations of a set menu and fully explore his culinary imagination.
Today, Chef Dave transforms local, seasonal ingredients into innovative menus created exclusively for PS UNDERGROUND. Every event features a completely different menu, giving him the opportunity to surprise and delight guests with each new experience. His thoughtful approach to every dish reflects his belief that truly memorable dining engages all five senses.
TASTE THE MAGIC. SAVOR THE SHOW.
The magic of PS UNDERGROUND begins with the unknown. To preserve the anticipation, our menus and entertainment remain a closely guarded secret until they're revealed throughout the experience. Inspired by a unique theme, each event combines exceptional seasonal cuisine, live entertainment, and unexpected moments into a carefully orchestrated journey that unfolds one surprise at a time. Gathered around communal tables, strangers often become friends as conversations flow, laughter is shared, and unforgettable memories are created together.