Cheap Eats

Summer Dining Deals in the Desert

Pamela Bieri Restaurants

Trio Restaurant   
One of the desert’s best dining bargains is Trio’s three-course prix-fixe menu for $19. Pick from house specialties, including Australian sole, roasted chicken or braised short ribs with a choice of starter and dessert, available 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.
707 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs.
760-864-8746; www.triopalmsprings.com

Escena Grill & Bar
Escena Grill & Bar’s U-PIC prix-fixe menu offers three courses for $30, available July through October. Choices include filet mignon, boneless short ribs, and roasted half chicken. Escena’s popular summer wine pairing dinners are on the third Thursday of the month.
1100 Clubhouse View Dr., Palm Springs.
760-992-0002; www.escenagolf.com

The 3rd Corner Wine Shop & Bistro
Sunday brunch is available all summer at The 3rd Corner. If you’re an eggs Benedict lover, try the traditional version with brown butter Hollandaise and crispy rosemary potatoes or a super Benedict with fried pork belly, orange-infused maple syrup, and arugula topped with poached eggs. Frittatas, French toast, salads, and sandwiches are also among choice of entrées with fresh fruit and mimosas for $16.95.
73101 Hwy. 111, Palm Desert.
760-837-9600; www.the3rdcorner.com

Las Casuelas Terraza
Salads highlight summer dining at Las Casuelas Terraza. Owner Patty Delgado created a tropical salad with diced mango and dates, grilled chicken, avocado, red bell peppers, tossed with garden fresh greens and topped with a honey poblano dressing. Other dynamite salads include chicken cilantro and the Terraza Mexican chop loaded with chicken, bacon, tomato, avocado, jicima, cilantro, and jack cheese, topped with tortilla strips.
222 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs.
760-325-2794; www.lascasuelas.com

LuLu and Acqua Pazza
This hip pair of California bistros continue their three-course feast at $19.99, available daily through the summer. Between 3 and 5 p.m. enjoy the early-bird version for $15.99. Choose from two soups or two salads for the first course, and among 12 signature items for the entrée — from sand dabs, lobster ravioli and chicken piccatta to linguini with shrimp or, for $3 more, filet mignon or swordfish steak. Desserts include tiramisu, cappuccino or vanilla ice cream, and triple-chocolate cake.
Acqua Pazza,
71800 Hwy. 111, The River at Rancho Mirage, Rancho Mirage.
760-862-9800; www.acquapazzabistro.com
LuLu,
200 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs.
760-327-5858; www.lulupalmsprings.com