PALM SPRINGS LIFE PALM ® 2014 DINE OUT 2014 WHERE TO EAT FOR EVERY TASTE AND OCCASION BE+ OUR GUEST WHY LOCALS LOVE RESTAURANTS AT HOTELS AND RESORTS TIME WINNER NaN tional Retailer of the Year Award California’s Largest Selection of Wine, Spirits and Beer Under One Roof – at the Lowest Prices! Total Wine & More®. The selection is incredible. Total Wine & More is like no other wine store you have ever visited. Each of our stores carries over 8,000 different wines, 3,000 spirits and 2,500 beers. With over 95 superstores, we have the buying power to bring you the best wines at the lowest prices. Our wine team is the best trained in the industry. Just think of them as tour guides guiding you through the great wine regions. They are committed and dedicated to bringing you the Total Wine Experience.™ NOW OPEN! PALM DESERT Desert Crossing Shopping Center 72339 California Hwy 111 www.totalwine.com Palm Desert, CA 92260 INSIDE DINE OUT | january 2014 4 WHERE TO DINE 44 LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA 68 LEON’S AT ON THE COVER For every taste and occasion DESERT PRINCESS Pinzimini at The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa 46 MARIO’S ITALIAN CAFÉS Sweet shrimp and pappardelle pasta with garden- 12 BEST OF THE BEST 69 MATCHBOX grown basil and tomato coulis. The best restaurants 48 THE NEST PALM SPRINGS Photography: Brian Leatart as selected by our readers ON THIS PAGE 50 PURPLE ROOM 70 THE NEW YORK 16 BE OUR GUEST COMPANY RESTAURANT Wally’s Desert Turtle. Photography: Jon Edwards Visit desert resorts and hotels 52 ROY’S RESTAURANT to savor some of the valley’s 71 PALM GREENS CAFÉ 54 RUTH’S CHRIS Follow us for the latest on food, fi nest menus fashion, and news: STEAK HOUSE 72 PIZZERIA VILLAGIO 22 ACQUA PAZZA AND LULU ITALIAN KITCHEN 56 SHERMAN’S DELI & BAKERY Indicates to watch a video at CALIFORNIA BISTRO www.palmspringslife.com 73 POMME FRITE 58 SPENCER’S RESTAURANT 24 BELLATRIX @palmspringslife 74 ROCKWOOD GRILL 60 STUFT PIZZA BAR & GRILL 26 CHOP HOUSE & BLUE STAR LOUNGE facebook.com/palmspringslife 62 TRIO RESTAURANT AND BAR pinterest.com/palmspringslife 28 CIRCA 59 75 SIROCCO 64 CALIFORNIA PIZZA Palm Springs Life magazine on 30 DON DIEGO’S 76 VUE GRILLE & BAR KITCHEN plus.google.com OF INDIAN WELLS 77 WASABI 65 CATALAN MEDITERRANEAN 32 ELMER’S RESTAURANT CUISINE 78 DINING MAP 34 FIGUE MEDITERRANEAN 66 EUROPA RESTAURANT RESTAURANT 80 GUIDE TO MEMBER RESTAURANTS 67 JOHNNY COSTA’S 36 HOG’S BREATH INN ©2014 Desert Publications Inc. Milton W. Jones, Publisher; RISTORANTE Franklin W. Jones, Associate Publisher; Joan Page McKenna, Editor; Richard Vaughn, Art Director; Olga Reyes, Managing 38 JACKALOPE RANCH Editor; Gracie De La Paz, Emma B. Reyna Advertising Art Directors; Marco Moracha, Digital Imaging; Laura Reyes, 40 KAISER GRILLE Production Manager; Juan Carlos Serrano, Production Assistant; Steven Biller, Editorial Director. Every eff ort 42 KOBE JAPANESE has been made to ensure the accuracy of information STEAK HOUSE provided in this publication. Desert Publications Inc. makes no guarantee of the accuracy of information supplied by this publication, advertisers, organizations, or individual contributors. The publisher is not responsible for loss or damage to unsolicited editorial or photography. 303 N. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262, 760-325-2333; FAX: 760-325-7008; www.palmspringslife.com JANUARY | 2014 WWW.PALMSPRINGSLIFE.COM do1 DINE OUT WHERE TO DINE FOR EVERY TASTE AND OCCASION Inspired. Fresh. Innovative. Award-winning. The wealth of restaurant choices in the Coachella Valley refl ects the region’s growing signifi cance on the culinary scene. From Zagat-rated cuisine and Wine Spectator–worthy cellars to hip patios and retro lounges, the array of local venues satisfi es every diner’s cravings. Explore, enjoy, and embark on a culinary journey through the desert. Your plate awaits you at these fi ne establishments. — Joan Page McKenna do4 WWW.PALMSPRINGSLIFE.COM | JANUARY 2014 DINE OUT LET THE EXPERTS HELP YOU DECIDE For an in-depth look at dining in the Coachella Valley, visit www.palmspringslife.com Watch videos of local chefs preparing their masterpieces, and explore the excellent dining options available in the desert. SEE VIDEO OF CHEFS IN ACTION AT: Acqua Pazza and Lulu California Bistro Bellatrix at the Classic Club Castelli’s Ristorante Chop House Circa 59 at Riviera Palm Springs The Crab Pot Don Diego’s of Indian Wells Europa Restaurant at Villa Royale Inn SHERRILL DISH: TAYLOR PAGE: FACING CASINO. RESORT SPA STEAK: Figue Mediterranean Restaurant Hog’s Breath Inn Vue Grille & Bar at Indian Wells Golf Resort Jackalope Ranch Johannes Great Steaks Kaiser Grille FIND THE PERFECT CUT OF BEEF FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE FEAST Kobe Japanese Steak House For those who relish the magnifi cent Riccio’s Steak, Seafood, and Las Casuelas Terraza sizzle of an expertly grilled steak, the Pasta 495 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Mario’s Italian Café desert abounds with high-end dining spots. Palm Springs. 760-325-3111; The Nest Steakhouse menus also feature fresh sea- www.ricciossteakandseafood.com Purple Room food, pasta, and excellent starters. The top- Morton’s The Steakhouse Roy’s Restaurant notch wine cellars at these restaurants off er 74880 Country Club Dr., Palm Desert. discerning oenophiles the ideal complement Ruth’s Chris Steak House 760-340-6865; www.mortons.com to rotund porterhouses, rib-eyes, and petite Sherman’s Deli & Bakery Mastro’s 73405 El Paseo, Ste. 120, fi let mignons. Save room for succulent side Spencer’s Palm Desert. 760-776-6777; dishes and fl avorful desserts. Trio Restaurant and Bar www.mastrosrestaurants.com Ruth’s Chris Steak House Chop House 74040 Hwy. 111, Palm Desert. 760-779-9888; 74740 Hwy. 111, Palm Desert. www.chophousepalmdesert.com 760-779-1998; www.ruthschris.com Sullivan’s Steakhouse 262 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs. 760-320-4500; 73505 El Paseo, Ste. 2600 (The www.chophousepalmsprings.com Gardens on El Paseo), 760-341-3560; Fleming’s 71800 Hwy. 111, Ste. C-101, www.sullivanssteakhouse.com The Steakhouse Rancho Mirage. 760-776-6685; Spa Resort www.fl emingssteakhouse.com Casino, 401 E. Amado Rd., Palm Springs. LG’s Prime Steakhouse 255 S. Palm 888-999-1995; www.sparesortcasino.com Canyon Dr., Ste. B2, Palm Springs. Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa, 760-416-1779. 78525 Hwy. 111, La Quinta. 32250 Bob Hope Dr., Rancho Mirage. 760-771-9911; www.lgsprimesteakhouse.com 888-999-1995; www.hotwatercasino.com JANUARY | 2014 WWW.PALMSPRINGSLIFE.COM do5 DINE OUT Mexican, Italian & Asian WHERE TO FIND AUTHENTIC FARE FROM YOUR FAVORITE CUISINE Start your culinary adventure with a taste of these Mexican off erings: Don Diego’s of Indian Wells 74969 Hwy. 111, Indian Wells. 760-340-5588; dondiegorestaurant.com Las Casuelas Terraza 222 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs. 760-325-2794; www.lascasuelas.com El Gallito 68820 Grove St., Cathedral City. 760-328-7794; elgallito.menutoeat.com Maracas Mexican Cantina & Grill 155 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs. 760-322-9654. 72775 Dinah Shore Dr., Rancho Mirage. 760-321-1001; www.maracas-restaurant.com Armando’s Bar & Grill 73260 El Paseo, Palm Desert. 760-346-0744. El Mexicali Café 82720 Indio Blvd., Indio. 760-347-1280; ARTHUR COLEMAN; LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA COLEMAN; LAS CASUELAS ARTHUR www.elmexicalicafe.com Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill Guillermo’s Restaurante 72850 Next, venture to the Mediterranean and El Paseo, Palm Desert. 760-341-0980; 350 S. Indian Canyon Dr., breathe in the heavenly aroma of the www.guillermosrestaurante.com Palm Springs. 760-992-5641; classic Italian kitchen: Fresh Agave Mexican Bar rioazulpalmsprings.com Michael’s Pizzeria The River at Soul of Mexico & Grill 73325 Hwy. 111, Rancho Mirage, 71800 Hwy. 111, Ste. Palm Desert. 760-836-9028; 44100 Jeff erson St., Ste. E502, Indio. A122, Rancho Mirage. 760-341-4222; www.freshagavemexicanbarandgrill.com 760-200-8787; soulofmexicocv.com www.michaelspizzeria.com do6 WWW.PALMSPRINGSLIFE.COM | JANUARY 2014 DINE OUT Mario’s Italian Café Ease into the serene and spicy tastes 425 S. Sunrise Way, of fi ne Asian delicacies: Palm Springs. 760-322-6636. Jiao Palm Springs 73155 Hwy. 111, Palm Desert. 515 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs. 760-341-1130. 760-321-1424; jiaops.com 42104 Washington St., The Venue Sushi Bar & Sake Lounge Bermuda Dunes. 760-772-6100. 73111 El Paseo, Ste. 103, 78152 Varner Rd., Sun City, Palm Desert. 760-346-1500; Palm Desert. 760-345-8900. www.thevenuepalmdesert.com 49906 Jeff erson St., La Quinta. Wasabi 333 S. Indian Canyon Dr., 760-777-4055. 81939 Hwy. 111, Indio. Palm Springs. 760-416-7788. 760-775-2888. 83103 Ave. 48, Kobe Japanese Steak house Coachella. 760-863-1611; & Sushi Bar 69838 Hwy. 111, www.mariositaliancafes.com Rancho Mirage. 760-324-1717; Ristorante Mama Gina www.koberanchomirage.com 73705 El Paseo, Palm Desert. Thai Smile 100 S. Indian Canyon Dr., 760-568-9898; www.mammagina.com Palm Springs. 760-320-5503; LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA LAS CASUELAS Wolfgang Puck Pizza | Bar thaismilepalmsprings.com La Bella Cucina 72355 Hwy. 111, 73130 El Paseo, Ste. I, Wang’s in the Desert 424 S. Indian Palm Desert. 760-836-3280; Palm Desert. 760-568-2700; Canyon Dr., Palm Springs. 760-325-9264; www.labellacucina.com www.wolfgangpuck.com www.wangsinthedesert.com Castelli’s Ristorante 73098 Hwy. 111, Palm Desert. 760-773-3365; www.castellis.cc Johnny Costa’s Ristorante 440 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs. 760-325-4556; www.johnnycostaspalmsprings.com Facing page, top, left : Tacos from DAVID A. LEE DAVID Las Casuelas Terraza. Right: The gregarious Mario Del Guidice, of Mario’s Italian Café, displays his homemade Italian sausage. Top, left : Tasty bites from Soul of Mexico.