Eating El Paseo: The Flavors of the World in Palm Desert
El Paseo offers a world of dining options, from Mexican fare and Cadillac margaritas at Armando's Bar & Grill (73260 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-346-0744) to joie de vivre spirit at Café Des Beaus-Arts (73640 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-346-0669) and the European Old Country “history of food” concept at Il Sogno (73375 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-837-1999).
Here are other favorites:
• Jillian’s (74155 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-776-8242) for European cuisine in a fine-dining atmosphere
• Le Paon (73399 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-610-5320) for its thousands of French, Californian, and Italian wines and fine cuisine
• Cuistot (72595 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-340-1000) for its traditional French cuisine and award-winning wine list
• Mastro’s Steakhouse (73405 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-776-6777) for prime hand-cut steaks, seasoned with a secret dry rub, and The M Bar
• Sullivan’s Steakhouse (73505 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-341-3560) for fine steak and seafood with hand-shaken martinis
• The Venue Sushi Bar & Sake Lounge (73111 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-346-1500) for a chic, modern experience in sensual dining
• Pacifica Seafood Restaurant (73505 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-674-8666) for its innovative fish dishes and vodka bar
• Tommy Bahama’s (73595 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-836-0188) for tropical fare and “a vacation state of mind”
• Ristorante Mamma Gina (73705 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-568-9898) for its Italian fare and Enoteca Wine Bar
• Piero’s PizzaVino (73722 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-773-5271) for authentic Neapolitan pizza
For a nice breakfast or lunch, we also like Clementine Gourmet Marketplace & Café (72990 El Paseo, 760-834-8814). And for contemporary California dining, try Firecliff (73725 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-773-6565), which offers prime steaks, fresh seafood, rack of lamb, and other classics.
Coming soon: Wolfgang Puck (73130 El Paseo) will bring his pizza bar concept to Palm Desert — handcrafted pizzas on artisan dough, plus custom cocktails, regional wines, and local craft beers.
— David A. Lee, Daniel Vaillancourt, and Steven Biller
Soul of Mexico / Arthur Coleman
Mexican Hot List: Where To Go For Authentic Fare From South Of The Border
• Las Casuelas Terraza pulses with live music. Try a tamale made from a 100-year-old Delgado family recipe.
222 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-325-2794
• El Gallito is small but mighty. Try the Steak Ranchero or Nachos Especial.
8820 Grove St. (parallel to East Palm Canyon Drive), Cathedral City; 760-328-7794
• Maracas Cantina Mexican Cantina and Grill focuses on fresh ingredients.
72775 Dinah Shore Drive, Rancho Mirage; 760-321-1001
• Armando’s Bar & Grill offers seafood specialties and classic Mexican entrées.
73260 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-346-0744
• El Mexicali Restaurant is understated and excellent. Start with the chile guerritos or the shrimp-stuffed peppers.
82720 Indio Blvd., Indio; 760-347-1280
• Guillermo’s Restaurante serves up robust, authentic dishes in a homespun atmosphere.
72850 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-341-0980
• Fresh Agave is small but bold with traditional and contemporary dishes, including vegetarian options.
73325 Highway 111, Palm Desert; 760-836-9028
• Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill serves Ernesto Gastelum’s interpretations of Mexican favorites.
350 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-992-5641
• Soul of Mexico treats you to the recipes of the Lua Family of Jiquilpan, Michocan, Mexico.
44100 Jefferson St., Indio; 760-200-8787
Keedy’s Fountain Grill / David A. Lee
Best Breakfasts: Where To Start Your Day
• Cheeky’s, 622 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-327-7595
• Escena Lounge & Grill, 1100 Clubhouse View Drive, Palm Springs; 760-992-0002
• Keedy’s Fountain Grill, 73633 Highway 111, Palm Desert; 760-346-6492
• Palms Greens Café, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-864-9900
• Sherman’s Deli & Bakery, 401 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs; 760-325-1199
• King’s Highway, Ace Hotel & Swim Club, 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-325-9900
Nature’s Health Food and Café / David A. Lee
Garden Variety: Our Favorite Eateries For Vegetarians, Vegans, And Others Who Go Meat-Free
• Luscious Lorraine’s serves organic juices, smoothies, shakes, salads, wraps, sandwiches, and homemade soups.
Inside Harvest Health Foods, 73910 Highway 111, Palm Desert; 760-862-1911
• Nature’s Health Food and Café offers a 120-item menu and breakfast all day. Try the tofu scrambles with vegetables, brown rice, and toast.
555 S. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs; 760-323-9487
• Palms Greens Café prepares all-organic foods using flavors from around the world — with no additives, preservatives, or high-fructose corn syrup.
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-864-9900
— Donna Curran
Lulu California Bistro
Pet Friendly Patios
• Citron, Viceroy Palm Springs 415 S. Belardo Road, Palm Springs; 760-320-4117
• Copley’s on Palm Canyon, 621 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-327-9555
• Ernie’s at PGA West, 56150 PGA Blvd., La Quinta; 760-564-7125
• LuLu California Bistro, 200 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-327-5858
• Old Town Coffee Company, 78100 Main St., Suite 102, La Quinta; 760-564-5233
• Pastry Swan’s Fix, A Dessert House, 73580 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 760-340-3040
• ROC’s Firehouse Grill at the Cantina, 50950 Madison Ave., Indio; 760-342-2223
• Spencer’s Restaurant, 701 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs; 760-327-3446
• Zin American Bistro, 198 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-322-6300
• Zini Café Mediterrano, 140 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-325-9464
Le Vallauris Restaurant
A Table For Two: Where To Go For A Romantic Meal
• Spencer’s Restaurant offers an elegant, contemporary experience in its dining room and on its patio.
701 W. Baristo Road, Palm Springs; 760-327-3446
• Pomme Frite, is an intimate, Belgian-inspired restaurant in the heart of downtown.
256 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-778-3727
• Zin American Bistro, serves distinctive entrées such as veal and ricotta meatballs in sweet and sour gravy and a memorable wine list in an intimate, classic setting.
198 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-322-6300
• Chez Pierre, feels like an authentic French bistro with the exotic influence of Polynesia and the Caribbean.
44250 Town Center Way, Palm Desert; 760-346-1818
• Le Vallauris Restaurant, presents its daily offerings on a large board placed at your table and then delivers world-class cuisine and excellent service.
385 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs; 760-325-5059
Grove Artisan Kitchen
Farm To Table: Fresh, Local Ingredients On Every Plate!
Three growing seasons bless the Coachella Valley with bountiful agriculture. And nearby Hemet, Anza, and Temecula provide produce for local chefs to offer the freshest ingredients. These restaurants serve farm-fresh, seasonally attuned cuisine.
• Morgan’s in the Desert: James Beard Award-winning chef Jimmy Schmidt’s providers deliver the best quality and, in the case of meat and dairy production, raise animals in a safe, humane, and sustainable environment.
49499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta; 760-564-7600
• La Spiga Ristorante: Connie and Vince Cultraro’s restaurant has more than 5,000 feet of vegetable and herb gardens, fruit trees, and lush lawns.
72557 Highway 111, Palm Desert; 760-340-9318
• Chez Pierre: Chef Pierre Pelech sources produce from local certified farmers markets and farms in Mecca and Hemet.
44250 Town Center Way, Palm Desert; 760-346-1818
• Grove Artisan Kitchen: Executive Chef Robert Nyerick grows many of the herbs and fruits used in his dishes on property at Miramonte Resort & Spa and sources the rest from local artisan growers.
45000 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells; 760-341-2200
— Pamela Bieri
Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse / David A. Lee
Crafty Brews
When it comes to ordering craft beers, many people get as intimidated as they do when confronted with a long wine list. Armed with recommendations of the bars and restaurants serving the best craft beers in the Coachella Valley, it will be easy to find a brew (or two) you’ll enjoy.
• Amigo Room: Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA; Stone Ruination; Alesmith Nautical Nut Brown Ale; Eagle Rock Manifest Wit
Ace Hotel & Swim Club, 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-325-9900
• Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse: Babe’s 10th Anniversary Ale (9.8 ABV.); Desert Darkness Dry Porter; Vanilla Blonde Belgian Ale (Fermented with Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean & French Oak); Hog Tie Rye Unfiltered Double Rye India Pale Ale
The River at Rancho Mirage, 71800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage; 760-346-8738
• Schmidy’s Tavern: The Bruery 5 Golden Rings; Stone Brewing Lucky Bastard; Goose Island Matilda; Hangar 24 Double IPA
72286 Highway 111, Suite J3, Palm Desert; 760-837-3800
• Yard House: Rogue Pumpkin Patch; Deschutes Chainbreaker; Yard House Belgian Trippel; Firestone Double Jack IPA
The River at Rancho Mirage, 71800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage; 760-779-1415
— Lawrence Karol
Lulu California Bistro
Late-Night Bites: Appease Your Appetite After An Evening Out
Many restaurants and bars serve into the wee hours. Here are some of our favorites:
• The 3rd Corner Wine Shop and Bistro: Wines from around the world and a menu for discerning palates. Open until 1 a.m. daily.
73101 Highway 111, Palm Desert; 760-837-9600
• El Jefe: Small plates of diverse Mexican food and more than 100 tequilas and mescals. Open until midnight Sunday-Thursday and 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
The Saguaro, 1800 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-323-1711
• King’s Highway: Fresh California cuisine using local, organic, and artisanal products. Open until 1 a.m. Sunday-Wednesday and 3 a.m. Thursday-Saturday.
Ace Hotel & Swim Club, 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-325-9900
• Lulu California Bistro: An eclectic menu until midnight Friday-Saturday and 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday.
200 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-327-5858
• Acqua Pazza California Bistro: The sister restaurant of Lulu California Bistro at The River at Rancho Mirage serves until 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday.
71800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage; 760-862-9800
• The Nest: A lively music scene all night.
75188 Highway 111, Indian Wells; 760-346-2314
• Yard House: More than 130 menu items. Open until 11:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 1 a.m. Friday-Saturday.
The River at Rancho Mirage, 71800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage; 760-779-1415