California - Palm Springs Resturants and things to do?

Decided to take advantage of a Wyndahm promotion and head to Palm Springs for the weekend. I hope this is a good hotel as it'll be our last mini vacation until the house is completed.

Any suggestions on places to eat - preferably not a national chain and something not too expensive? Are the buffets or gambling at the Indian casinos worthy?

Also any advise on things to do if just there for 2-3 days? Right now, we're thinking Joshua Tree, maybe the tram (if there's snow), Idyllwild via the Palm to Pines highway. Are these good items or would you suggest somethng else.

Thanks.

Decided to take advantage of a Wyndahm promotion and head to Palm Springs for the weekend. I hope this is a good hotel as it'll be our last mini vacation until the house is completed.

Any suggestions on places to eat - preferably not a national chain and something not too expensive? Are the buffets or gambling at the Indian casinos worthy?

Also any advise on things to do if just there for 2-3 days? Right now, we're thinking Joshua Tree, maybe the tram (if there's snow), Idyllwild via the Palm to Pines highway. Are these good items or would you suggest somethng else.

Thanks.

For restaurant suggestions, I would recommend searching www.chowhound.com , you will find many suggestions. The Indian casinos are identical to any casino, they have all the table games and slot machines you will see in Vegas. The only difference (which I don't like) is that they pay out with paper bar coded tickets instead of cash. I've seen this at some casinos in Vegas tho too. The Spa casino in downtown Palm Springs and Morongo casino in Cabazon next to the huge shopping outlet mall both have buffets and are good if you like buffets. The Morongo Sunday brunch buffet comes with both complimentary bloody marys and champagne.

For things to do, Palm Springs is not that large a city and most people lay in the sun around the pool during the day. There are shows at the casinos, the McCallum theater, and the Annenberg theater. Supposedly the Palm Springs Follys is good, however I've never seen it. Idyllwild is okay if you wish to go up to winter. There are several small art galleries there.

We usually take the tram to the top of the mountain. Snow playing in winter and hiking in any other seasons. We also like to go shopping in the factory outlet mall outside the Palm Springs. It's one of the biggest in US and has lots of fancy stores there. For food, we have not found anything really special yet, but if you have not been to the Roy's, there is one in Rancho Mirage which is pretty good.

Just got back from the Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage area, ate at a few places.

Sherman’s Deli & Bakery
73-161 Country Club Drive, #D
Palm Desert
760.568.1350

I think there are two locations.
Not a great deli but you’ll get a nice sandwich. Sherman’s does not cook their own meats, they seem to use Vienna products which are good but there are far better deli products on the market and if it matters to you, Vienna is not Kosher.
Had the Studio Special, piled high pastrami w/coleslaw on rye.

Chopped chicken liver was very good!!!

Bangkok 5 Thai Cuisine
We liked the atmosphere of Bangkok 5 quite a bit, rough white walls, dark wood shutters.
Started with potstickers and fresh spring rolls. Potstickers were ehh, fresh spring rolls w/shrimp were refreshing, not stellar.
Had two salads: the Thai sausage & cucumber salad and the shredded papaya salad w/dried shrimp. What can I not say about Thai or Vietnamese salads. THEY ARE SOOOOO GOOD and PACKED full of flavor and spice. Excellent.
Mrs SW had the duck for dinner which was almost more a continental presentation, not at all Thai influenced. Very good.
I had the catfish with chili sauce. Supposed to be very hot and I requested very hot but as I should have imagined, the typical clientele of the Palm Springs area (as with many areas of the country) do not like real spice heat, so my dish was not hot at all. It was good but I was hoping for a deeper, complex spice. Bangkok 5 is not cheap but a good meal.
Bangkok 5
70-026 Hwy 111
Rancho Mirage
760.770.9508

Fisherman's
78575 Hwy 111, #100
La Quinta
760.777.1601

for lots of fresh fish and seafood at what I felt were very reasonable prices, head to Fisherman's. Low key atmosphere. There are other locations. Had clam strips (not overcooked and tender), also the mahi mahi grilled plate, nice piece of fish. Skip the Shrimp Ceviche, not good at all. Mrs SW's lobster tacos were tasty. I believe there are numerous locations.

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Anyone know if the Desert Deli is still around?

Any suggestions on places to eat - preferably not a national chain and something not too expensive? Are the buffets or gambling at the Indian casinos worthy?
medic, where/what did you find?

Here's a copy of what I had posted in a past thread on restaurants in PS:

christianj:
Here's a list of our favorites:
- Shame on the Moon - Rancho Mirage - Great food but a little pricey - place has been around forever
- Kalura Trattoria - PS - Super italian food on S. Palm Canyon Dr. next to the theater.
- Zin American Bistro - PS - belgian influenced menu with great food on S. Palm Canyon Dr. - pricey
- Sherman's Deli - PS - for the biggest sandwiches
- El Mirasol - PS - for the best mexican food and magaritas
- Wangs - PS - for chinese

Other places we have either tried or have received recommendations for:

- Johannes
- Davey's Hideaway
- Thai Smiles

I would talk to the concierge at the resort for more info on menus from these restaurants. As for the Wyndham, I have never stayed there but it definitely is not known for being the "luxury" resort in PS. Overall I think it should be acceptable.

Things to do:
- Palm Springs Tram
- Joshua Tree
- shop for mid-century furniture and collectibles in the areas antique stores
- do a tour of the "stars" homes - Don't expect great things here. We actually did this ourselves in the rental car with a map we got at our resort. Can't really see much of the homes themselves. Lots of old Hollywood stars used to live in PS!
- relax and enjoy the great weather :cool:

- El Mirasol - PS - for the best mexican food and magaritas
you know, I too had made a prior post on restaurants in the PS area, now I can't find it.

Is El Mirasol the restuarant that makes their own homemade fresh tortillas? If so, this place is EXCELLENT. ^

Is El Mirasol the restuarant that makes their own homemade fresh tortillas? If so, this place is EXCELLENT. ^

I think they make their own! El Mirasol is just south of downtown close to the Stein Mart but on the other side of the street. There is a mexican place in town too but that is not El Mirasol.