| The Desert Sun - Best of the Desert |
Best Bagels  WINNER: BENNY'S BAGELS COFFEEHOUSE
Two locations valleywide: 72-785 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 568-4990; 50-620 Eisenhower Drive, Suite 105, La Quinta, 777-9102
Imaginative, always fresh bagels have made Benny's a valley favorite for years. Finalists
Cosi, 46-660 Washington St., La Quinta, 771-5747
New York Bagel & Deli, 73-845 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 340-9930 | Best Brunch  WINNER: LAS CASUELAS NUEVAS
70-050 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 328-8844 The Mexican standards are reliable, the prices are affordable and the atmosphere is relaxed, which add up to three good reasons why Las Casuelas Nuevas is such a bustling place and why there seems to be a party going on in every corner. Finalists
Lakeview at Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort and Spa, 74-855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, 341-2211 Potrero Canyon Buffet at Morongo Casino, 49-500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, 800-252-4499 | Best Coffee  WINNER: STARBUCKS
23 locations valleywide
Maybe the recent nationwide emergency training of Starbucks staff did the trick, or maybe desert residents didn't believe the chain had lost its touch. One thing is certain: Starbucks remains the rendezvous of choice across the valley. Finalists Koffi, 515 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 416-2244
Old Town Coffee Company, 78-100 Main St., La Quinta, 564-5233 |
Best Bakery WINNER: ASPEN MILLS BREAD CO.
555 S. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, 323-3123 A wide range of breads, from sweet to spicy, are baked every day at Aspen Mills, as well as scones and muffins. The sandwiches please the lunch crowd.
Finalists
Jensen's Finest Foods, five locations valleywide
Cosi, 46-660 Washington St., La Quinta, 771-5747 | Best Burger  WINNER: TYLER'S BURGERS
149 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 325-2990
Great fries and consistently tasty burgers have made this landmark cafe a destination for both locals and tourists. Finalists
In-N-Out Burger, two locations valleywide
Grill-A-Burger, two locations valleywide | Best Continental Restaurant  WINNER: KAISER GRILLE
205 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 323-1003 Kaiser Morcus and his son Lee have built a desert empire of accessible eating places. The Kaiser Grille offers pizzas, good burgers and steaks, great salads, and some more eclectic and adventurous dishes. The patio of the Palm Springs restaurant, in the heart of downtown, is a great place to people watch.
Finalists
Cork Tree Restaurant, 74-950 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, 779-0123 Bing Crosby's 71-743-A Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 674-5764 |
Best Thai Restaurant  WINNER: THAI SMILE Three locations valleywide: 42-476 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, 341-6565; 651 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 320-5503; Highway 111, La Quinta, 777-9901 Family owned and operated, the Thai Smile chain is especially valued for its soups, vegetarian dishes and custom orders. The Tom yum gai is a particular crowd pleaser. Finalists
Bangkok Five Thai Cuisine, 70-026 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 770-9508 Pepper's Thai Cuisine, 396 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 322-1259 | Best Sushi  WINNER: OKURA ROBATA GRILL & SUSHI BAR Two locations valleywide: Point Happy Plaza, 78-370 Highway 111, La Quinta, 564-5820; 105 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 327-1333 With some of the most elegant and creative sushi found in the desert, Okura has made a great success in La Quinta and Palm Springs. Finalists Hibachi Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar, 71680 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 674-0078 No Da Te at Azur, 49499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta, 564-7600 | Best Frozen Yogurt  WINNER: GOLDEN SPOON Two locations valleywide: 78-742 Highway 111, La Quinta, 564-7549; 40-101 Monterey Ave., Rancho Mirage, 340-0402 The Golden Spoon practically created soft serve back in 1982. Since then, it has sprouted more than 85 franchises. Finalists The Yogurt Cafe, 72-795 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 674-0416 Cactusberry, 116 La Plaza St., Palm Springs, 325-3228 |
Best Barbeque Place WINNER: BABE'S BAR B QUE GRILL & BREWHOUSE 71-800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 346-8738
The combination of funny, deliberately kitschy décor, micro-brewed ales, take-no-prisoners cocktails, hickory smoked meats and chicken, and delicious sweet potato fries makes this the barbecue place guys can take their dates or just go stag. Finalists
Tootie's Texas Barbeque, 68-703 Perez Rd., Suite A1, Cathedral City, 202-6963
Tony Roma's Famous For Ribs, 73-155 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 568-9911 | Best Chinese Restaurant  WINNER: PF CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO 71-800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 776-4912
This highly successful national chain has designed a menu that pleases; its Americanized Chinese dishes provide something for everyone and the friendly service adds to the party atmosphere. Finalists Wang's in the Desert, 424 S. Indian Canyon Way, Palm Springs, 325-9264 Canton Bistro, 79-405 Highway 111, La Quinta, 771-9129 | Best Dinner Deal  WINNER: HOG'S BREATH INN 78-065 Main St., Suite 200, La Quinta, 564-5556 This La Quinta inn has an irresistible variety of margaritas, a piano bar, a fireplace, a balcony view of Old Town and many of reminders of its connection to Clint Eastwood, the former owner of the Carmel original. There's also the Dirty Harry Dinner: chopped steak with wild mushroom-Dijon mustard sauce. Finalists Sullivan's Steak House, 73-505 El Paseo, Palm Desert, 341-3560 Elephant Bar & Grill, 73-833 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 340-0456 |
Best French Restaurant  WINNER: LE VALLAURIS 385 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, 325-5059 This may be the prettiest of all the desert's restaurants, lovely both at lunchtime and at night. Set in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, it has aged gracefully by preparing impeccable French fare subtly modified to give its classics a contemporary flavor. Finalists Cuistot Restaurant, 72-595 El Paseo, Palm Desert, 340-1000 Chez Pierre, 44-250 Town Center Way, Palm Desert, 346-1818 | Best Fast Food  WINNER: IN-N-OUT BURGER Two locations valleywide: 72265 Varner Road, Thousand Palms; 82-043 Highway 111, Indio Family owned for more nearly 60 years, this successful chain has had the reputation of being the best in the business, much praised for the freshness of its ingredients and preparation. A majority of desert dwellers agree with that assessment. Finalists Del Taco, multiple locations valleywide Port of Subs, three locations valleywide Subway, multiple locations valleywide | Best Fish Taco  WINNER: FISHERMAN'S MARKET & GRILL Four locations valleywide: 325 S. Indian Canyon, Palm Springs, 327-1766; 44-250 Towne Center Way, Palm Desert, 776-6533; 78-575 Highway 111, La Quinta, 777-1601; 233 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 327-1766 The fish taco at Fisherman's Market satisfies a multitude of cravings: it's fresh, it's easy to eat, it's well priced and it's tasty. Fish you can eat with your fingers - can it get any better? Finalists Rubio's, two valleywide: La Quinta and Palm Desert Shanghai Reds, 235 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 322-9293 |
Best Hotdogs  WINNER: COSTCO Two locations valleywide: 79-795 Highway 111, La Quinta, 775-0370; 72-800 Dinah Shore Drive, Palm Desert. 770-2819 This is where people go for bargains and where even chefs go to pick up emergency supplies. The hot dog stand next to the check-out lines is irresistible when you've finished a round of serious shopping. Finalists Deezer Dogs, 317 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 864-6486 Nathan's Hot Dogs at Morongo Casino, 49-500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, 800-252-4499 | Best Ice Cream  WINNER: COLD STONE CREAMERY Three locations valleywide: 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs 327-6892; 68-718 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 321-0158; 78-380 Highway 111, La Quinta, 771-8242 Founded in Tempe, Ariz., in 1988, this ice cream chain has built its reputation on its smoothies, cakes, shakes and the variety of ingredients it adds to its ice cream, made fresh daily. Finalists Baskin-Robbins, four locations valleywide Lappert's Hawaiian Paradise, 130 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 778-3700 | Best Italian Restaurant WINNER: LE DONNE CUCINA ITALIANA 72-624 El Paseo, Palm Desert. 773-9441 Small, friendly, serving a fairly simple and lovingly prepared menu of Italian classics, Le Donne Cucina has been open for more than 10 years and has been popular for much of that time. Try their veal dishes or their risotto - particularly "ai carciofi" (with artichokes). Finalists Mario's Italian Restaurant, six locations valleywide Castelli's, 73-098 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 773-3365 |
Best Mexican Restaurant  WINNER: EL GALLITO 68-820 Grove, Cathedral City, 328-7794 A beloved local institution, El Gallito is an emotional landmark as much as a physical one. It keeps its staunch adherents loyal by serving up consistent Mexican home-style cooking. Finalists El Mirasol, 140 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 323-0721 Las Casuelas Terraza, 222 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 325-2794 Best Steak House  WINNER: RUTH'S CHRIS STEAKHOUSE 74-740 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 779-1998 This New-Orleans-originated chain keeps plenty of its Louisiana influences, including Ruth's family recipe for creamed spinach and the lush bread pudding. But it's the steaks that keep people coming back. Finalists Chop House, two locations valleywide LG's Prime Steakhouse, three locations valleywide | Best Pizza  WINNER: MATCHBOX VINTAGE PIZZA BISTRO 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 778-6000 The crisp, tasty and creative pizzas aren't the only story at this exuberant pizza bistro. Michael Estrada, executive chef of The Falls, also supervises here and he makes sure there are plenty of other choices. Finalists Papa Dan's Pizza, two locations valleywide Haus of Pizza, 72-795 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 340-9040 Best Romantic Dinner  WINNER: JILLIAN'S 74-155 El Paseo, Palm Desert, 776-8242 Beautifully designed to take full advantage of its setting, this historic hacienda is upscale and relaxed at the same time, with an eclectic contemporary American menu and romantic dining either in secluded rooms or in the courtyard under the desert sky. Finalists Copley's, 621 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 327-9555 Chop House, 262 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 320-4500 | Best Japanese Restaurant  WINNER: KOBE JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE 69-838 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 324-1717 The emphasis here is on the beef, prepared with panache and with the sort of simplicity that makes customers feel confident of what they are getting. But don't neglect the sushi bar. Finalists Okura Robata Grill & Sushi Bar, two locations valleywide Mikado Japanese Restaurant, Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort and Spa, 74855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, 341-2211
Best Late Night  WINNER: YARD HOUSE 71-800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 779-1415 Boisterous, noisy and very, very popular, this chain is best known for its wide range of beers and its juicy burgers. But there's a lot more to offer, including a decent selection of wines. Weekends are even busier. Finalists Azul, 369 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 325-5533 Chop House, 262 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 320-4500 |
Best Seafood Restaurant WINNER: FISHERMAN'S MARKET & GRILL Four locations valleywide: 325 S. Indian Canyon, Palm Springs 327-1766; 44-250 Towne Center Way, Palm Desert, 776-6533; 78-575 Highway 111, La Quinta, 777-1601; 233 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 327-1766 The fish is brought direct from the docks in San Pedro and prepared simply with just enough variations to give its loyal customers a sense of choice as well as the satisfaction of getting a bargain. Finalists Pacifica Seafood Restaurant, 73-505 El Paseo, Palm Desert, 674-8666 Seagrille, at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort, Palm Desert, 341-1765 | | |
