Arnold Palmer's
78-164 Ave. 52, La Quinta, CA, USA |
760/771-4653
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From the photos on the walls to the trophy-filled display cases to the putting green for diners awaiting a table, Arnie's
image fills this restaurant, surrounded by verdant greens and colorful gardens. The menu lists an array of steaks and chops,
including an 18-ounce cowboy bone-in rib eye and barbecued baby back ribs. A few seafood dishes, including halibut and vegetable
stir-fry and pasta with lobster, salmon, and shrimp in dill cream sauce, round out the selections. Reservations essential.
AE, D, MC, V. No lunch.
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Copley's on Palm Canyon
621 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA, USA |
760/327-9555
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Chef Manion Copley is cooking up the most innovative cuisine in the desert, drawing fans region-wide. Start with such appetizers
as roasted beet and warm goat cheese salad or perfectly grilled charred prawns and scallops. Oh My Lobster Pot Pie is the
biggest hit on the entrée menu. And save room for Copley's sweet and savory servings of herb ice cream. The rustic, casual
eatery is in a hacienda that was once owned by Cary Grant. Service is pleasant and friendly. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon.
No lunch.
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Cuistot
72-595 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA, USA |
760/340-1000
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Once hidden in an El Paseo courtyard, Cuistot is now easy to find. In late 2003 chef-owner Bernard Dervieux opened his new
restaurant in a big, bright, airy reproduction of a French farmhouse on El Paseo's west end. The menu lists rabbit bourguignon
with mushrooms and pancetta, along with such signature dishes as skillet-roasted veal chop with mushrooms and roasted garlic,
fresh Dover sole with hazelnut-lemon sauce, and handmade vegetable ravioli with white truffle oil. Reservations essential.
AE, D, MC, V. Closed Mon. and July and Aug. No lunch Sun.
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Europa
1620 Indian Trail, Palm Springs, CA, USA |
760/327-2314
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Housed inside the Villa Royale Inn, this restaurant provides both indoor and garden dining-and artfully prepared cuisine.
Popular menu items include rack of lamb with tapenade of dates and olives, duck confit with Grand Marnier, and salmon in parchment
with wild mushrooms. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon. No lunch.
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Hog's Breath Inn
78-065 Main St., La Quinta, CA, USA |
760/564-5556 or 866/464-7888
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Clint Eastwood watches over this replica of his Hog's Breath restaurant in Carmel, his presence felt in the larger-than-life
photos that fill the walls of its bright dining room. The menu lists a large selection of American comfort food ranging from
hanger steak to beef brisket. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
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Jillian's
74-155 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA, USA |
760/776-8242
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Husband-and-wife team Jay and June Trubee are the stars behind this trendy restaurant. Antiques and art fill the space, and
the nighttime sky sets the mood in the center courtyard. Try the monumental appetizer called Tower of Crab (layers of crab,
tomatoes, avocados, and brioche) and main dishes such as salmon baked in parchment and fettuccine with lobster. Save room
for the Hawaiian cheesecake with macadamia-nut crust. Men will feel more comfortable wearing jackets, and shorts are not allowed.
Reservations essential. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. and mid-June-Oct. No lunch.
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Krazy Coyote Bar & Grill
2220 Hoberg Rd., Borrego Springs, CA, USA |
760/767-7788
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Dine inside in the cozy bar or outside by the pool at this restaurant at the Palms at Indianhead. Either way you'll hear Bing
Crosby and Peggy Lee softly crooning '50s songs in the background as you enjoy a well-prepared seared ahi, spicy Santa Fe
crab cakes, or sesame-garlic grilled pork tenderloin. Be warned that summer hours vary. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.
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Le Vallauris
385 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA, USA |
760/325-5059
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Le Vallauris, in the historic Roberson House, is popular with ladies who lunch, all of whom get a hug from the maitre'd. The
menu changes daily, and each day it's handwritten on a white board. Lunch entrées may include perfectly rare tuna niçoise
salad, or grilled whitefish with Dijon mustard sauce. Dinner might bring roasted quail with orange sauce or rack of lamb.
Service is beyond attentive. The restaurant has a lovely tree-shaded garden. On cool winter evenings, request a table by the
fireplace. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch Wed.-Sat. in July and Aug.
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Palmie
44-491 Town Center Way, Palm Desert, CA, USA |
760/341-3200
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Its humble location in the back of a shopping center gives nary a hint of the subtle creations prepared at this gem of a French
restaurant. The two-cheese soufflé is one of several mouthwatering appetizers. Equally impressive are the duck cassoulet, duck fillets served with pear slices in red wine, and Palmie's signature dish: a perfectly crafted fish stew in a thin yet
rich butter-cream broth. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch.
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Picanha
73-399 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA, USA |
760/674-3434
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Carnivores flock to this bright and airy Brazilian grill and bar as much for the show as for the meat. The servers, booted
and bloused to resemble gauchos, move among tables passing chunks of skewered grilled meat that they cut to order for guests.
You can order beef, pork, chicken, sausage, or lamb. A salad buffet, consisting of 30 items, is also popular in this all-you-can-eat
restaurant. The restaurant also serves Brazilian cocktails, plus South American beers and wine. AE, MC, V. No lunch.
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St. James at the Vineyard
265 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA, USA |
760/320-8041
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A colorful interior, an outdoor terrace with street views, and a bubbling modern fountain all help to set a playful mood at
this hot spot for dining and sipping cocktails. The eclectic menu roams the world; entrées range from bouillabaisse Burmese
to veal shank osso buco. Some vegetarian items are available. Service can be rushed on weekend nights in high season. Reservations
essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.
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