Best Of The Best

You picked 'em!

Site Staff Restaurants

You vote. We reveal. That’s how Best of the Best works. We ask readers and viewers to weigh in weekly at www.mybestoft hebest.com on their favorite people, places, and things in the Coachella Valley.

Best Wine List — Spencer’s Restaurant

The name Spencer’s is synonymous with Palm Springs’ classic style, boasting a historically significant midcentury charm inside and out. The ambiance offers stylish elegance and comfortable informality. An air-cooled, tree-shaded patio and stunning surroundings match its culinary excellence. Spencer’s wins awards annually in a variety of areas, including Best Outdoor Dining and Best Continental, as well as the prestigious Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its extensive wine cellar, which offers a bountiful selection of wines by the glass or bottle. Live it up with Chateau Petrus, Pomerol 1990 ($8,900) and Screaming Eagle, Napa Valley 2006 ($2,895) or the Dom. de la Sainte Jeante, Corberes, France 2006 ($23). 701 W. Baristo Rd., Palm Springs. 760-327-3446; www.spencersrestaurant.com

Best Happy Hour — Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse

Babe’s founder Don Callender built his restaurant on one simple premise: Everything begins in the kitchen and ends with customers enjoying the best dining experience possible. This commitment to excellence defines happy hour as well, and Babe’s award-winning beers are a big part of the package. Try them all half price on Beer Appreciation Mondays from 3 p.m. until close. Come back the following day for Top-Shelf Tuesdays, with top-shelf liquor at half price from 3 to 6 p.m. Enjoy happy hour weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. Happy hour drink specials include Babe’s microbrew beers, house wine, and well drinks. Fill your plates with items from Babe’s happy hour menu, such as BBQ spicy wings, Texas Tornado sandwich, and the Big Pig BBQ sandwich — all enjoyed at prices between $2 and $7.  71800 Hwy. 111, The River at Rancho Mirage, Rancho Mirage. 760-346-8738; www.babesbbque.com

Best Breakfast — Keedy’s Fountain Grill, Palm Desert 

Shades of Happy Days! Keedy’s Fountain Grill is a real blast from the past, opening in 1957 and still in the same location. The popular place features an old-fashioned fountain offering malts, milk shakes, and root beer floats. But according to loyal patrons, breakfast is where Keedy’s really shines. Suggestions include omelets, pancakes (they make a thin version that will rock your socks off), biscuits and gravy, and the delish hash browns. If you’re craving a little nostalgia and a plate full of great eats for your morning meal, grab the keys to the Thunderbird and head to Keedy’s. 73633 Hwy. 111, Palm Desert. 760-346-6492.

Best Steakhouse — Chop House, Palm Springs

Considered one of the best steakhouses in the desert, Chop House, Palm Springs offers USDA Prime meats, pristine seafood, fresh seasonal vegetables, house-made desserts, and an ample wine cellar. Steaks and chops are butchered in-house and grilled the classic way, which allows the flavors and tenderness to develop fully. Meals are prepared and presented with the highest standards of culinary excellence, service, and relaxed sophistication. Chop House has been recognized as a Primetime Top 10 Steakhouse, a DiRoNA inductee, and a recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Its tagline — “Best steaks in the desert” — is well deserved. 262 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs. 760-320-4500. www.restaurantsofpalmsprings.com

Visit www.mybestofthebest.com for full results of the poll, including runners up and information on how to participate.

Remember to cast your votes this month for BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT (deadline May 7), BEST FLORIST (deadline May 14), BEST ROMANTIC DINING (deadline May 21), and BEST CATERER (deadline May 30).