Trustguy

[QUOTE=D1andonlyDman;13310469]Manhattan in the Desert is also a good place in Palm Springs (a NY deli-style place).

Sweet Willie

[QUOTE=D1andonlyDman;13310469]Been to both a number of times, my heart still goes out to Katz's or Langer's but for deli in the PSP area, IMO I give the nod to Sherman's even with it's PITA parking situation (made even worse by the the patrons, you just have to sit back and laugh)

Manhattan in the Desert
2665 E Palm Canyon
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 322-3354

Sherman's Deli
located in both Palm Springs & Palm Desert
http://www.shermansdeli.com/

Is El Mirasol still home-making their tortillas?

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Trustguy

[QUOTE=Sweet Willie;13311875]
Last time I was there the answer is yes.

For a nice wine tasting experience in downtown Palm Springs, try Wild for the Vine on Palm Canyon between Amado and Alejo (closer to big vacant lot waiting for development). For $10 or $20, you taste 4 or 5 wines and get a glass of the one you like the best. It is a great way to spend a lazy afternoon. ^

christianj

We too are annual PS vacationers and I have posted in various threads on PS with our recommendations. Just before our last trip in October 2009, I had read about a great BBQ place in a Travel and Leisure (or maybe Conde Nast Traveler) PS insert. It's called Cowboy Way and is only open for lunch but the food was great. I grew up in Texas and this is the way I remember real BBQ. Don't expect anything fancy...you will sit at a counter with locals. You can actually see the BBQ pit outside of the restaurant.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-cowboy-way-palm-springs

Another place that we had never eaten at in all our visits that turned out to be great was Spencer's!

http://www.spencersrestaurant.com/index.php

Sweet Willie

ok, Cowboy Way is on our list for next year, thanks for the tip^ We have been to Tootie's in Cathedral City http://www.tootiesbbq.com/ which claims to be Texas BBQ, the brisket is too thin, dry, w/o the smoke that a real Texas BBQ brisket has.

Thanks, we never did make it to El Mirasol. Instead we went to
Las Casuelas in La Quinta at the corner of Hwy111 & Washington (760-777-7715). The poblano mole at Las Casuelas was stunning, one of the best moles I've ever had. The carnitas with honey & ancho wasn't too shabby either.

I think there are other Las Casuelas in the greater Palm Springs area.

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Trustguy

There are 4 Las Casuelas restaurants operated by the children of the founders. There is the original in downtown (west of Alejo) and Las Casuelas Terraza near Tahquitz Canyon. The third restaurant is in Rancho Mirage and as a pretty good and fairly affordable Sunday brunch. Las Casuelas Quinta (where you ate) is the newest of the chain.

itsaboutthejourney

A huge second to the suggestion of the Cowboy Way ^^ Bring cash and a big appetite. It's not fancy, but full of charm and good food. I love it.

Sweet Willie

Some other observations about places where we dined:

Chez Pierre
44250 Town Center Way
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 346-1818
www.chezpierrebistro.com

Immediately upon sitting down our waters are poured and a serving of Chef Pierre's homemade duck & chicken liver pate is set before us. Devine.
Starters:
ROASTED MARROW, GRILLED GARLIC COUNTRY BREAD, was good but garlic bread was a bit too overpowering.
Terrine of goose liver w/armagnac, to die for !!
Duck confit spring roll w/mint, bits of orange zest, this item was the surprise hit of the evening.
Entrees:
Cassoulet w/chunks of lamb - very very good however beans were not cooked enough. Would have been a fantastic dish.
Boar w/lingonberries and red cabbage
ROAST CRISPY MAPLE LEAF DUCK, LAVENDER HONEY SAUCE, a long time favorite of my wife's here.
BRAISED SWEETBREAD MASCOTTE, done so right, a bit crispy with the proper bite.
Very good wine list, a bit pricey as I noticed a couple bottles that had 4+X markup over retail, but its Palm Springs area so I expect a little spike.
It was refreshing to see Chef Pierre make the rounds repeatedly; he greeted old & new guests with the same passion.

Thai Smile
42476 Bob Hope Dr
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
(760) 341-6565
There used to be a location in La Quinta but that has closed down, too bad as the Rancho Mirage location can get crowded quick (& often does), so we had takeout which I simply took back to the resort. I think Thai Smile is some of the best Asian food in the valley. Make sure to skip Bangkok 5 in Racho Mirage, so overpriced and the food isn't as good as Thai Smile.
Shrimp fresh spring rolls - good
Mu Shu Pork - obviously not a Thai dish but great none the less
Pineapple fried rice - normally fried rice for me is a meh item, after reading the gushing press on this item, we tried it, it was fantastic, somehow getting a smokey component incorporated into the dish
Fried Fish w/Thai Sauce - crisp, very fresh catfish with a somewhat spicy sauce.
Luscious Duck - a very good flash fried duck breast dish with a sweet sauce.
All the food is very good but did not have the spice depth that authentic Thai food has, my guess is that is due to the older clientele of the greater Palm Springs area. Next time we'll ask for more spice/heat.

Le Basil has very good and cheap Vietnamese food
(760) 773-1112 - 72695 Highway 111, Ste A10, Palm Desert, CA
(I think there is one other location as well)
We didn't go this trip so I don't have any food reviews.

Fisherman's Market & Grill:
78575 Highway 111
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 777-1601
http://www.fishermansmarketandgrill.com/
There are a number of location in the valley, we normally go to the La Quinta location as it is a bit larger than the other locations we've been to and doesn't seem to get as crowded (but it can get a rush).
Generally a very large selection of fresh seafood. I always get the fried clam strips which are made fresh on premise which is rare among restaruants, most use pre-breaded junk. On other visits I'll then get a fresh grilled fish plate or sandwich.
Just to manage expectations, Fisherman's is the type of place where you look at a big board of fantastically fresh seafood (for the desert), then place your order at a register, get your own drinks from a soda machine, and then take the number the cashier gives you to a table and sit down waiting for your order to be served. Don't want anyone to get the wrong idea and think it is a full service restaurant.

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christianj

I can't believe you guys like Las Casuelas!

Sweet Willie

As stated the carnitas were good and if you know of a better mole in valley, then please share as I'd be amazed. The remainder of the menu did have some items that I would never order (typical non-authentic items like chimichangas, crispy taco type junk)

AB2BC

Do you have another recommendation?

TimMeineke

[QUOTE=Sweet Willie;13311875]Yes - the parking lot a Sherman's is priceless. I ate outside on Saturday and there were people cutting each other off, driving on the curb, dashing into spots when the previous occupant had barely vacated it,and generally emitting bad vibes

christianj

The only other mexican place that we have been to is El Mirasol and their mole was okay...then again I am not a huge mole fan.

I also forgot to mention that we have had a couple of very good meals at Tropicale in PS (across from the post office). http://www.thetropicale.com/ One place that I would not recommend is Dink's in PS. Average food with horrible service and attitude.

Sweet Willie

Here are some breakfast places that we've been to in the valley:

Don & Sweet Sue's - www.donandsweetsues.com - a very good breakfast

I'm a hash fan for breakfast, corned beef, turkey, or beef, it doesn't matter, homemade at the restaurant hash is excellent, so while not really being casino people, we have been to the Fantasy Springs Casino (Indio) for breakfast where they make a prime rib hash. YUM^ www.fantasyspringscasinoindio.com

Michael's Cafe
35955 Date Palm Dr
Cathedral City, CA 92234
(760) 321-7197
I always get the lox platter at Michael's which is very good.

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anyone have other breakfast suggestions for the valley?

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Swissaire

1. The restaurant at the top of the Pal Springs Tramway is quite basic, and expensive. The view is spectacular. I've done quite a bit of mountain climbing there. The trails at that elevation ( Mt. San Jacinto ) can get rugged to technical, especially with Winter snow and ice. A Ranger pass is required for any trips beyond the Tram Chalet, orto round valley etc.

2. CABAZON: The Morango Indian Casino & Spa includes a 23 story Hotel, casino, circular pool, and restaurants. Hadley's Orchards nearby is now owned by that Indian Nation band, along with the Arrowhead waters bottling facility across the freeway and adjacent to the back of San Jacinto.

There are other Native-American owned Hotels & Casinos in the area with excellent ongoing programs and amenities.

3. All types of Restaurants abound in and around Palm Springs depending upon the season. A Brazilian all-you-can eat BBQ may not be very appealing when it is 40 C.

4. Yes you can fly there directly, however it is sometimes quicker and less expensive to rent a car and drive in. Quite scenic along the way.

5. Joshua Tree is worth seeing with a camera. Nearby are a number of thermal spa resorts and Hotels, some with day use only plans.