things to do

We are planning one week in Palm Springs in Feb. 2006. We would like to know the name of a few highly recommended restaurants in the downtown area. We will be staying at the Terrazo Hotel. Also would like to know the 3 or 4 main attractions worth visiting.

things to do

Restaurants we liked when we were there all located on Pam Canyon Drive:

Riccios at the west end-fantastic food and service. Nice quiet place.

The Falls-ask for a table on one of the balconies so you can people watch below. Wayyyy lots of food.

Chop House - good food at upstairs for lunch.

Al Dente-very good italian and has sidewalk seating for those nice evenings.

Avoid Blue Coyote Grill. Horrible food and margaritas. Who knew you could ruin a margarita?

Activities:

Aerial Tram- Was pleasently surprised at what a great time we had on this. tram ride is interesting and view is terrific. Take walking shoes and you can hike around when you get up there.

About an hour away is Joshua Tree National Park.

Red Jeep Tour

Visit a Canyon to see waterfalls and palms:

http://www.indian-canyons.com/canyons.html

things to do

In addition to those posted above, I%26#39;d reccomend Le Vallauris. It%26#39;s one of my favorite restaurants. I believe I%26#39;ve read somewhere that the restaurant above the Chop House was going to close. I don%26#39;t think they%26#39;re changing owners, just changing the type of restaurant. If it does stay open, it%26#39;s great for an inexpensive dinner outside on the balcony. Great to watch the downtown happenings. Kaiser Grille is a nice midpriced restaurant, also has patio seating. Also, St. James at the Vineyard.

Thursday nights is the downtown Street Fair. Always fun. Also not sure what time in February you%26#39;ll be in town, but the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Golf tournament is held in Indian Wells February 24th and 25th. Also, don%26#39;t forget the east end of the valley for great restaurants and things to do. The Living Desert in Palm Desert/Indian Wells is a great 1/2 day activity.

It%26#39;s a pity that we didn%26#39;t stay in PS longer because we had the restaurants PSgal recommends on our list. Check out menus online for all three and I guarantee your mouth will be watering!!!!

If you get out to Indian Wells we ate at Le St Germain and had the absolute best service ever and the food was very good.

I love Las Casuelas Terraza and Bonaducci%26#39;s...gosh now that I think about it I haven%26#39;t been out to Palm Springs for many years. I hope those two restaurants are still open.

';Bonaduccis'; or Banduccis has been closed for almost a year.

Chop House upstairs is also closed, it was called The Deck, and is reoping as a abarbeue place.

Riccios is extremely overpriced for what its worth - better Italian, also high end is Johnny Costas in downtown PS

I wonder about what people mean when they say ';overpriced for what its worth'; On our visit to Riccio%26#39;s we had high quality food and outstanding, gracious service. That%26#39;s what I go out for, otherewise I%26#39;d make my own dinner.

I don%26#39;t go for large portions and dumb-as-a-rock service which is what we got at The Falls. Great table but wayyy too much food and remarkably dumb waiter. About the same price as Riccios but experience was quite different and not nearly as enjoyable.

Instead of making blanket statements like ';overpriced for what its worth'; perhaps reviewers could be more specific about what they like or don%26#39;t like. Just my 2 cents.

Suzie,

You totally just reminded me of Riccio%26#39;s! I haven%26#39;t been in forever, but always loved it! I have always thought the prices comperable to other upscale restaurants and have always thought the service above par.

Being that it%26#39;s a family restaurant, not a chain, I think that the everyone from the host to waitstaff are fantastic.

I think I%26#39;m going to hit my husband up tonight for this weekend!!

OOOOO PSGAL I hope you get to go!!

See write-up I did on area after March 2005 visit:

members.virtualtourist.com/m/6538f/b8446/4/

For mid-price darn good prime-rib, try Billy Reeds on Indian Canyon. We used to love the Chop House, but were a bit disappointed with the service and quality in July. Maybe they had a new chef.

My 3 favorite Mexican restaurants (and I have tried many in all the desert cities) are (in no particular order)

Las Casuelas Terraza - Palm Springs

Don Diegos - Palm Desert

El Matador - DHS (best bang for the buck!)

Favorite Chinese:

Wangs in the Desert - primarily Gay, but excellent service and food

Best Deli and Bakery:

Manhattan of the Desert - over 100 menu choices - This restaurant is far better than the classic Shermans Deli

Best Brunch:

Las Casuelas - Rancho Mirage

Warning:

Stay away from NY PIzza Co - dough was raw last 3 times i ordered from them

Stay away from Elmers (used to be my favorite) - but pancakes were not cooked (twice) and dinner was cold - I have not been back since the winter.