Palm Springs

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This motel is like stepping back in time - they have done a great redo completed in 2001 and made sure things are up to date, and yet the charm and feel of 1964 was kept in place.

They offer 90 spacious guestrooms around a large pool with great mountain views. Tikis and grass roofs abound all over the motel. The hotel is all non-smoking (would Dean Martin approve?).

Rooms are large and offer turndown service. It's a great place for families with junior suites at a rate families can afford. Included in your price is a deluxe breakfast and a complimentary morning newspaper. Rooms have refrigerators and voicemail.

The motel has offered a small spa room where you can get a quality massage. Attached to the motel is a good Mexican restaurant and a fun tiki bar that offers entertainment on the weekends. You can get the best Mai Tais in Palm Springs here!

The motel hosts DADS IN THE DESERT each fall, which is the big two dad family weekend. We stayed in our condo but were here for the all the activities. Folks who stayed here, enjoyed the motel and loved the up keep and kitschy feel. Our kids loved the pool as it was four times the size of our condo pool. The staff could not have been more friendly or welcoming.

The rates are affordable - in the off season they offer specials of only $75.00 per night. (See web page in this review for dates and rates) They also have lots of in season specials like a third night free or half price Sundays.

Caliente Tropics also accepts pets. So if FiFi always wanted to go to Hawaii, you can probably fool her and take her here for a week!

Caliente Tropics has stood the test of the time and can wear the "cool" crown one more time! Caliente Tropics is unique.

The hotel is located just a few blocks behind the main shops of Palm Springs on a quiet palm tree-lined street.

The first thing you will notice are handsome muscle boys in one size too small T-shirts, waiting out front to valet your car.

When you enter the whole lobby is lemon yellow, black, and white. It's very striking. The front desk and all the staff are young and hip.

The hotel has only 74 guestrooms, suites, and private villas. It has a spar that features holistic and biodynamic treatments. It has two pools and the pool crowd looks like a Calvin Klein photo shoot. There is not a bad body in the place! Viceroy also offers a restaurant called Citron that is California eclectic. You can order in the restaurant or poolside.

The rooms offer Frette linens, custom beds and amazing entertainment centers with full cable access and DVD players. Each room has some over sized pieces of furniture and is way too cool for words.

Viceroy is it. If you want to play in Palm Springs with the rich and famous, then you have found your place. It doesn't get any better than this. It's already made Conde Nast's HOT LIST and Travel and Leisure has voted it one of the Top 5 spas to watch in the world.

Don't miss out. Viceroy is as hot as Palm Springs.

There are so many great choices in the desert, but friends insisted the Miamonte was just what we were looking for. They raved about it.

We booked a suite for $265.00 a night and were looking forward to our stay. We checked in it was late. The lobby was faux Italian, a little cheesy, trying to stereotype what they thought an Italian villa should look like. At check-in the girl told us our credit card had been rejected. We had just zeroed out the balance for this trip and I checked 12 hours before and knew the limit on the credit card. I asked her to try again and she got very testy. She swore it declined and demanded a new card. I asked if I could call the card company and find out what the problem was. She told me the front desk could not call out. I called on my cell and the card company promised me that my card had not been put thru for any approval in the last day, she should try again. After begging, she did and presto - it went through. We went to the room and were disappointed. It was small, not a suite at all. The furniture had cigarette burns in it and the drapes were hanging off the rod. We had a parking lot view with an RV parked right below our window. The RV was having a party with loud speakers. . I called the desk and learned the difference between a suite and regular room was a couch! We indeed had a couch so our room was indeed a suite! We could not switch rooms as the hotel was sold out.

In the daylight we noticed more things wrong with the room including a carpet nail sticking up from the carpet that I gashed by foot open with. We called the front desk and asked for a supervisor to call our room. None ever did! We then went to the pool for breakfast. We ordered our breakfast, it took one hour to come and when it came it was stone cold (not even a hint of heat). We met some guys downtown who we saw staying there. They checked out and moved because the service was so bad. We learned that almost all the guests (including ones with pool views) were charged a special rate of $199.00 that we were never offered when we called the hotel to book.

I parked myself in front of the front desk until I could talk to a manager. One came out and dropped our rate to 199.00 but did not change our room.

There are a lot of great choices here, this is NOT one of them.

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Fair
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Poor
• Family Friendliness: Fair
• Service: Poor

The food is great -- steaks, pasta, and lamb. . . lots of it. They always have a big smile with your meal. It's great. There is a small outdoor seating area. It's small crowded and dark -- and everyone loves it!

The margaritas are outstanding. One of their specials is the crab enchiladas -- they are not on the menu, so ask your server if they can make them that night. If they have them, you are in for a treat, so don't even open the menu! However, our son swears that they also have the best burritos on the planet!

The restaurant isn't much to look at. There are a few fountains scattered around, a few pieces of bad art, and the bar is small. However, it's all about the food here and it is THE BEST!

The wait staff is great and even with the crowds they seems focused and friendly. This place is very gay friendly and is a popular destination to hit prior to a night of bar hopping. The crowd is fun and lively. We never miss a night at El Mirasol when in the desert!

(There is also a resort in Palm Springs called El Mirasol; they are NOT connected. If you call or ask for directions, make sure you are getting the Mexican restaurant and not the resort.)

UPDATE 10/11/04 I went with a friend to El Mirasol, and he turned me onto a dish that is not on the menu, but can be ordered. It's chicken enchildas with mole. The mole here is worth writing home about and over their enchiladas, it's too good for words. You won't find it on the menu, but it's a house favorite, just ask your server, they all know it. It's kind of the insiders' secret dish!

The wait staff is good -- they will make sure your coffee cup is always full. Be prepared for a wait on Sundays; they don't take reservations and this is a popular breakfast stop. It's popular with all ages, families, and gay tourists and locals.

We recommend sticking to breakfast at Elmer's. They also have lunch and dinner, which have been a disappointment. It's all about the pancakes and breakfast items here!

The restaurant is located on Palm Canyon to the north and a little out of the thick of the main tourist action. When you arrive it's not much to look at, but don't judge a book by it's cover.

Everything is cooked to perfection! Our favorite dish is the Green Mountain. It's so good I seldom stray from this old favorite. Although I have had their chicken curry and it too is worth the trip here. The kitchen totally understands spices.

The waitstaff is all Thai and very polite and sweet. The owner is always on duty and she makes sure everyone is happy. She usually will take time and stop by the tables to chat a bit and make sure you are enjoying your stay here. I have to say Thai Smile is a perfect name for this place, as smiles are everywhere.

The restaurant isn't much to look at inside or on the outside, it is somewhat plain. Inside is clean but sparse. But the service and food make this a stop you must make!

They have opened a second fancier Thai Smile in Palm Desert. It's new and very Palm Desert, it looks sharper but serves the same great food. However the old run down Thai Smile will always have a place in my heart. New Thai places keep springing up, but none compare to Thai Smile. Check it out and you too will leave with a Thai Smile!

It's a true deli with huge overstuffed sandwiches and the best matzo ball soup anywhere on the west coast! They have a pastrami sandwich that instead of using bread, uses two potato latkes to hold the sandwich together -- OUTRAGEOUS but wonderful! If you have room (you won't), the desserts are huge and wonderful. One thing NOT like a New York deli is the staff. The desert deli staff has big smiles and make sure your stay with them is comfortable and enjoyable.

Sherman's does have some outdoor seating with misters in the front of the deli. It's great on a warm desert day except it's the only place to smoke and everyone is lighting up like crazy. I prefer the clean air inside! However, the outdoor seating is also dog friendly and you always see a poodle munching on a bagel under the tables there!

The deli will not accept reservations so be prepared for a wait at busy times. The lines do move fast as the staff gets everyone fed and in and out. Be prepared you may even see your favorite star having a nosh, we have seen several biggies here.

Sherman's does close for a few weeks each summer. It is also a block from the big casino so if you are not a winning streak head over for a piece of cheesecake. Sherman's can't be beat!

From the outside you may not be impressed. It's a bit strip mall in feel and is located right on busy Indian Canyon Drive. But who cares what the outside looks like? It's what inside that counts!

The restaurant is mid century in design. It has some modern bright details and is bright fresh and clean with lots of color. It has two rooms and a long bar on one wall. Even with reservations you may find a bit of a wait and this bar is a great place to hang out waiting for a table. The bartenders are friendly and chatty.

The menu is mixed. It does have some old Austrian favorites like Weiner Schnitzel, but it also has some fresh California items thrown in as well. The food is always fresh and whatever you get will be cooked to perfection.

It is a little pricey and most people like to save this for their big night out. This is one of the places you don't mind the price, the tastes and service is worth every penny.

It's on the corner of Arenas and Indian Canyon so it's near Hunter's and the other gay bars. It hosts a very attractive gay crowd each night, but is by no means a gay restaurant.

Johanne does run a tight ship and he most likely will stop by your table to make sure things are running smoothly. The service is excellent. Who knew you would have to come to Palm Springs to find a great Austrian meal.....well with Arnold in office I guess Austrian is the new California chic!

This is a find in every sense of the word. When you drive up you will swear you are in the wrong place. It's looks like you are pulling up behind Jensen's Supermarket, into their back delivery area - and you are! Yes you have found it! Just look at the cars parked everywhere! You then walk up to a very plain door (you feel like you are going into a Speakeasy). The door opens into a wonderful garden full of tables and happy diners. The outside area is large, the inside area is much smaller. You feel like you are transported to a garden in the south of France.

The service could not be more friendly and helpful. Most of the servers are older woman who love their jobs and love people. You will be called "honey" "dear" and other pet names during dinner. The cocktails are huge and generous. The menu changes nightly, but they usually have a rack of lamb that is the best anywhere. I call the cuisine French in my category because it always has some French dishes, but it also has some hearty American choices as well. For dessert order the apple pie a la mode. You get a huge slice of homemade apple pie and a half a gallon of vanilla ice cream on the top of it. (Don't order alone, it's for sharing!) However the best part are the prices. Palm Springs can be overpriced, but not here - everything is a value and you will wonder how they make a profit!

The guys who own it go to the south of France each summer and John Henry's closes each summer and open each year in the late fall for the winter season. It's got a large gay following, but nobody will want to miss this find. We have friends who go down for the week and eat here every night - it's no question the best value and the some of the best food in Palm Springs. Plus as it's hard to find and quirky in it's set up you will think you have found some private club nobody else can ever find. The truth is - they have found it, so don't be disappointed, book your table early, you don't want to miss John Henry.

The inside is pretty bland with some bad Thai art and a few knick knacks thrown in. The lighting is bright.

But did you come for great lighting or good food? The food is always great here. They know their spices and everything is flavorful and great tasting. The help is attentive and helpful with suggestions.

The Pad Thai is outstanding as is the chicken curry. The staff will make sure the spice level is to your liking. The other reason to stop here is the pricing. Everything seems like a deal here when you have just come from some of the other tourist traps further up the road.

We have eaten here a few times and we always note how few customers they have, a few times we have been the only ones here! I think it's more about the location than the food or service. Most tourists wouldn't give this place a second look and are speeding by coming or going into Palm Springs. However if you go up on the tram one day, this is an excellent spot to stop for a great Thai meal on your way back to your hotel.

Several years ago there weren't two Thai restaurants anywhere in the desert. In the last few years Thai restaurants have been springing up like weeds . We enjoy trying new restaurants and have given some of the new guys a try. The two we have found worth sticking to are Peeraya and the always good Thai Smile.

Most tourists don't come out here so they serve mostly locals. I keep my fingers crossed that they can make a go of it and prove good food, fair prices and good service are what people really want. So if you want to get away from the high price tourist traps, drive a bit further north and you will find prices and quality that will make you happy.

The food is always good here however the real value is Sunday brunch when for $21.95 you can have the all you can eat buffet which includes Salad, Tempura, Yakitori and a huge selection of fresh sushi, plus dessert. I am not always a buffet fan, but the items here are always fresh and top quality. This is one of the best values in the desert. It's all you can eat and if you are a sushi fan, you have found nirvana....just help yourself! Reservations are strongly suggested for Sundays.

Some nights they offer the same buffet on weeknights. This still remains a mystery to me, which nights and when. It changes on a whim and even the times vary. I have looked at the web site and weeknight buffets are not even mentioned. My advice is when you arrive Palm Springs call Otani and ask them if they are doing weeknight sushi buffets during that week. I have lived in the desert for years and I still haven’t figured out when and how this works?

Otani has a web page with all their information plus coupons that range from $2.00 off per person to 15% off the entire bill. It pays to check their web page and print off these coupons prior to eating here. The web page is: Otani.

This is one sushi place you won't leave hungry!

My sister-in-law chose to have her 60th birthday party here, and it was a perfect spot. Europa has a beautiful, small private dining room that comfortably sat our party of 12. At one end of the long table is a fireplace. You may not think you would need a fireplace in hot Palm Springs, but on that night it was wet and raining, and the fireplace was a welcomed feature.

The service here is some of the best on the desert. We always ask for our favorite waitress, Annette. She is from the south of France and makes you feel more like you are a dinner guest in her home and not a customer. Through the years, we have gotten to know her, and I trust her suggestions. Annette will be honest about what is fresh, what looks good, and what doesn't look so appealing that night. We have found when we go with her suggestions we are never disappointed.

The chef is inspired. The menu is very French, but has a few surprises thrown in. Also, they will use local produce. I have had the lamb twice, and it's one of the best lamb meals I have ever had. The kids love the steaks here and will tell you save room for the chocolate cake. The wine list is one of the best in the desert, and not only has a lot of California wines, but a great selection of French wines.

This is a romantic spot, or a perfect place to celebrate a special event. More information is located on their web page Europa>

My initial intuition was nearer the truth than my friend's suggestion. The Chop House and Deck are located on Palm Canyon in the very heart of Palm Springs. The Deck sits on the second floor and overlooks all the hubbub of downtown Palm Springs and Palm Canyon Drive.

When we got upstairs it was clear the patio was the place to sit. The patio was full and the inside tables were empty.

It didn't take long to understand why the outside was so popular. These tables were fogged in by a haze of blue smoke and the smell of cigarette and cigars. Let me explain something about the strict California smoking laws. You can't smoke anywhere inside a restaurant, but if they have a patio and the restaurant allows it, go ahead light up! Now the patio clause is up for interpretation. This room did indeed have an open side that faced the street and a few of the tables were under the open sky. However most of the tables were inside at least three sides of wall and roof. But clearly smoking was not only allowed but encouraged. What happens is a few places have found a niche of being liberal on the smoking laws and there seems to be an underground smokers network who know all these places. The Chop House is one of them. Nobody comes for the food, you come because you can smoke during dinner. It's not like in days gone by when some tables would light up after dinner, here you get the aggressive smoker who wants to puff away every moment of the meal.

So we sat in the middle of the blue haze and next to a table of men who all were puffing away on big cigars.

The menu was pretty much what I had expected, it had lobster tails, steaks and pork chops. It was a real meat and potato kind of place.

The wait staff was friendly. The drinks were generous.

I had a filet and Chris had a pork chop, our friends also both had steaks. They were good. My medium rare was done about medium well.

Overall the meal was good, but far from great. The service was okay. The cigarette smoke was downright annoying.

The location is great and it's a great view of downtown PS. However the meal was pretty average. If you are someone who has to light up at dinner, you have found your haven. Otherwise I suggest you bypass The Chop House.

Miro's calls itself a Home Style European restaurant. It claims to serve food from Budapest, Rome, Vienna, Sarejevo or Mostar. On the lunch menu you will find gulasch, chicken paprikasch, stuffed cabbage and wiener schnitzel.

Miro's is very pleasant. They offer outdoor seating in the front of the restaurant that is perfect for Palm Springs. It has a nice mountain view and is surrounded by fresh blooming plants. The inside is cozy and comfortable with a nice bar and warm colors and crisp linen. It certainly brings a little of old Europe to the desert.

During lunch they offer a great special - all entrees are only $10.00 and include soup or salad and a basket of delicious homemade breads. Ten dollars for lunch like this in Palm Springs is unheard of!

The service was professional, friendly but not intrusive. My ice tea was kept filled and empty plates were whisked away. I ordered a gazpacho as my soup and it was one of the best I ever tasted. The homemade breads were really homemade. My chicken dish was delicious, and when I told the waiter he seemed sincerely flattered.

I will surely be back to Miro's. I took a peek at the dinner menu and liked what I saw: osso busco, trout, liver and chicken cordon bleu. A lot of these things are my favorites and you can seldom find them in California. The prices were all less than $20.00 except for the rack of lamb which was $23.00.

I can't say one bad thing about this experience. The food was excellent, the service was great and the view sitting on the patio made me happy to be in the desert. Plus the price was one of the best bargains in the area. Sometimes trying a new place is worth the exploration and gamble.

Parking your car is not a problem, parking your rear is. There is always a wait here. Come early and get your name of the list then wait. My one complaint is that they have no bar or anyplace to wait. They have a few small benches on the outside and that's it! On weekends in season the wait can approach two hours!

The food is good and the service is fast paced but friendly. I really like their cheese enchiladas, chile rellenos or their burritos. The salsa here is one of the best I have tasted. I am not a mole fan, but my friends tell me it's numero uno here.

The place is small and noisy. You quickly get pulled in the whole El Gallito atmosphere and it's a lot of fun. The employees seem to have a good time working here. They do a great job of moving folks in and out of here quickly.

I enjoy the food and atmosphere here and when we go, we try to go early. I have also found lunch seems not to have the same endless lines and waits.

We do find El Mirasol in Palm Springs has truly the best Mexican food in the desert, but this ranks a close second. El Gallito has a better atmosphere and it seems to draw the crowds. Be warned they don't take credit cards, but the prices are right and it won't cost you a king's ransom to eat here.

I picked a night and was excited for a great Mary's burger and fun atmosphere! The building looked great, all new and whitewashed. Ceiling fans and palms, it looked like the Caribbean. The bar was cool, surrounded by colored lights and a big screen showing great videos!

It was Friday night at 7pm and there were only three tables full in the restaurant, although the bar was packed. The hostess sat me at a good table and then I waited, and waited, and waited for my server. There were four waiters and four tables sat, yet nobody was waiting on me! Finally an older woman came out and seemed puzzled that my waiter was not around. She took my order. Finally my server came out flustered announcing he had been in the bathroom (MUCH more information than I needed to know).

All during dinner he never once checked back, never filled my iced tea, and I had to hunt him down for the check. The place was empty and I was his only table, yet he seemed lost. He spent most of time talking to his co-workers in the bus station. This poor kid is not cut out for the world of service.

My burger was okay, average at best, the fries were way too crisp (burnt). The fries also have some kind of funky spice on them. My mojito was awful, it was a sour with rum and mint - not a real mojito! The service was downright horrible and the manager seemed too busy talking to friends at the bar to even notice. The worst part was a burger, mojito and iced tea was $20.00 - even for Palm Springs this was high and certainly not worth it for this meal.

I guess I will have to keep my good memories of Mary's in Honolulu or SF, because the new Mary's left me without any warm or fuzzy feelings.

Babes is great looking. It's located on the end of the river complex. When you enter you are greeted by three large bronze sows. The building is accented with light stone and is very inviting.

The inside is a little dark and I like the patio best, with misters in the day and a fire pit in the evening. The wicker furniture is great.

The wait staff all wears cowboy hats and jeans. It's a little corny for my taste. However the staff is friendly and they know their menu and bar selections. The big gimmick here are martinis and they have a lot of them! They also have a great variety of beers.

The menu is good. It tries to be Southern but comes up short. Chris is from the South and gave his thumbs down to the cornbread and the BBQ sauce, which is way too sweet for a Southern boy.

We did enjoy the buffalo wings and I found them the way I liked them, not too greasy. My steak was good and cooked the way I ordered it.

We did find the prices a bit on the high side. My steak was $26.00 and the chicken breast Chris had was $18.00.

The food was good here, but not outstanding. Most of the time the heavy meat dishes would not draw me when I am here in the desert. My suggestion would be this would be a great place to come for wings and a beer and sit by the open fire. It's great to look at and has a friendly staff, but for the price I can direct you to a lot better food in the desert!

The cute cafe is located in a great spot in downtown Palm Springs. It's just a half a block off the main drag of Palm Canyon. It's got a great outdoor seating patio and a few tables inside - it only seats 60 in all. You can't miss it the logo, it's a pair of huge red lips that hang over the door.

Our friend was there and welcomed our group with big kisses on the cheek. We sat down at the last empty table in the place. A full restaurant is always a good sign!

The restaurant was full of little cute touches. The coffee mugs have big lips on them. The milk for your coffee comes in little dollie milk bottles and over all the atmosphere is fun and festive.

I had the Green Eggs and Ham, which was scrambled eggs and pesto with a nice slice of ham. The price was $7.95 and included a potato pancake, homemade applesauce and toast. The juices are all fresh (and delicious) and the coffee is a rich Kona blend. All in all the meal was outstanding and the prices were in line. You won't go hungry here as the portions are large!

We have eaten breakfast here a lot and always feel welcomed. The owners are two great guys from LA who both attended the Culinary Institute of America. They own a very successful catering business in LA that goes by the same name. They have moved to the desert and we are happy they did! They are at the cafe most mornings and will make sure you are taken care of.

They also serve lunch. I have never been to lunch here so it's only breakfast that I can tell you about. The hours are 7:30am until 2:30pm. This is a not only a fun place but a place that serves great food. The prices are a tad higher than some other breakfast joints, but once you see the quality and portions you won't complain!

Maki Maki is located in the back of the The River complex and is a bit hard to spot or find right off the bat. I suggest looking at one of the maps of the complex or parking in the far back lot to find this restaurant.

When you do find it, you will be impressed. It's a brand new, very shiny, very hip building. It has a small outside area and inside it's very sleek and modern. The hostesses will give you a big welcome as you come in through the door.

The menu is fun and a bit unusual. They do have all your standard sushi and rolls, plus they have added a lot more. They also have other Japanese standards like shabu shabu.

We shared a spicy Lobster Dyna roll and it was great. It's a basic California roll with spicy lobster added and boy is it good! I had the shabu shabu and it also was very good. The price was $15.95, which is a little high but the quality was worth the price. Chris had the Kobe Filet that came with a sweet potato cake and the filet was topped with a white truffle and sake sauce that was out of this world. The steak was $23.95 and worth every penny!

The service was good. We were there during a busy time and everything ran very smooth. The meal was well paced and the bus staff kept our water and ice tea glasses filled.

This is a fun addition to Palm Springs. It by no means is a true Japanese restaurant. However, they do not bill themselves as one either. When you leave you will understand what Californian Japanese Cuisine is and I think you will be a fan!

Carrow's started in Santa Barbara and quickly spread throughout California. The concept is similar to Denny's or other diners, but improved upon with fresh foods and service.

Palm Springs has an all night party reputation. In reality this reputation is undeserved. Palm Springs can not bill itself as a city that never sleeps, it sleeps every night and very well! So finding a late place in this town is impossible. Carrow’s stays open until midnight and 1am on weekends. This is one of the few places you can find a late night meal in this city!

It must be good because when we go here we see the local police department taking breaks here and the diner is full of locals. Your waitress will quickly assign you a name like honey or sweetie. She will know all the locals by first name and this is a great place to shut up and catch up on all the local gossip.

The food is great. The sandwiches are large and the salads fresh. They even a great pot roast or prime rib that is delicious. The pies are also killer here. If you visit during strawberry season don't miss the strawberry shortcake!

I know Carrow's also has a fine breakfast and lunch. Honestly, this is our late night hangout, so we have never tried their breakfast here. We do have friends who will swear by it.

This is a great late-night spot for a tasty sandwich and an earful of local gossip.

This location has been here for 25 years and owned by the same family. It is tried and true as some restaurants have a short lifespan in the desert. The family has run Mexican restaurants in the desert for over 47 years!

The restaurant is large. When you enter a costume clad hostess will seat you. I suggest the patio, as it is like sitting in a pretty garden in Mexico. They also have mariachis playing music here.

The menu is good, not great. It has a little bit of a Mexican chain restaurant feel to it. Most items are not very spicy here, as they seem to season it for the tourist trade. They put out a lot of meals, so the kitchen seems more like an assembly line. However all foods are fresh and the lettuce is always crisp.

I love the nachos here. They are piled high and some of the best in the city. I also enjoy the taco plate. A lot of people don't come here for the food, but for the margaritas. They are huge and they have fun flavors like banana or kiwi.

The staff is young and friendly. I think the Mexican costumes are a bit much and I think the staff agrees. This has the kind of bar or pub feeling in service, light and fun.

There is better Mexican food in the desert. However, if you want a good margarita, a super plate of nachos, and to listen to Mexican music in a beautiful garden, then you have found your place. Las Casuelas Terraza has its place in Palm Springs and is a popular choice.

The lines at noon are usually long. What you do is sign in using the honor system on a yellow legal pad and wait for your name to move up the list. The wait can be 20 or 30 minutes, as this is a small place. However the area has some fun shops and galleries and you can easily amuse yourself.

The menu is simple, hotdogs, burgers, fries, malts, and yes - even a cold beer! This is the place to come for a nice fresh juicy burger. Dr Atkins would have loved it. Over and over they win every Palm Springs poll for the best burger in town.

The burgers are fresh, big and juicy. The fries are really good and it all taste so good with an ice-cold beer. This is one place that is simple and doesn't try to add things that people don't want. If you want a burger, fries and a cold beer, you know exactly where to come. The long lines prove once again to keep it simple and keep up the quality and you will keep the customer happy.

The wait staff is friendly and quick and know how to keep the burgers flying. Tyler's does not take credit cards, so hit the ATM and be warned they don't do plastic.

Hamburger Hamlets can be found all over the LA area. They started in 1950 on the Sunset Strip and quickly became the chic place to order a burger and fries.

The Palm Springs location is excellent. It's located center of Palm Canyon Drive and most visitors will pass it as they explore downtown Palm Springs. This location offers a nice patio to enjoy your meal and watch all the action on Palm Canyon Drive.

I have long been a fan of Hamburger Hamlets in LA. It use to be one of my old "dating" spots and I have a lot of fond memories at the Hollywood location!

Most of the Hamlets are a little dark and clubby in feel. I guess this was popular in the 1950s. The Palm Springs location just went through an update and it looks a lot brighter and cleaner. The update has really helped it the indoor appeal of this location.

I have to admit I have NEVER had a burger here! I know they are popular, but the Hamlets offer so much more. My favorite item is the Stella Nelson, which is a bowl of lobster bisque and a half of sandwich. The lobster bisque here is outstanding. I have also had their chicken pot pie, which also is outstanding. They have steaks, ribs and even a few Mexican and Cajun items thrown in. So even though their name says hamburger, it offers A LOT more.

Patrick does enjoy the mini burgers. Hamburger Hamlets are kid friendly and offer a selection of fun items (like the mini burgers) for kids.

The staff is friendly and casual. I enjoy dropping in for lunch at Hamburger Hamlet. It may be old memories or just good food at fair prices, but I am a fan and keep coming back!

The Yard House is in The River Complex in Rancho Mirage. It's got a pretty good location, pretty much in the center of things, but has good parking spaces to its side.

The Yard House is great looking. It's big, fresh and modern. You will be impressed as you approach. Being in the River Complex, you have the faux river running by its front door. When you enter you have a large cavernous room with a huge bar that dominates the space. It's a bit noisy, crowded and lots of fun.

It bills itself as American/Asian fusion. It does have several Asian items on the menu, but for the most part it's pretty much an American pub.

The hardest part of the day is choosing a beer. They offer over 130 varieties of beers on tap. Okay, don't let that scare you. The staff knows their beers and will be happy to direct you to the beer that best fits your taste. Then order a yard of it! That's right you can order a yard of beer in a large yard long glass (thus the name - THE YARD HOUSE).

However now that you have your beer, don't forget your food. Our favorite way to go here is to order a lot of appetizers and everyone shares and digs in. They have a lot of pick from and several unusual ones. My favorite is the California Roll. Okay, you have had plenty of California Rolls in your life, but never one like this. It's more of a cake than a sushi roll. It has to be seen to be believed! Also the onion rings on a stick are pretty unique.

If you are not into sharing your food, I highly recommend the Classic Cheese Burger. It's truly a burger to write home about.

The Yard House has great food and beer and really is a fun night out. We love to make it our pre or post movie spot as it's near the theaters. I am sure Yard Houses will continue to pop up and this is one chain I will welcome with open arms!

Palm Springs has a great one in Rancho Mirage. It's hard to miss as it sits right on Hwy 111 and looks like a large Japanese temple or shrine. It has a large blue tile roof with koi ponds and gardens surrounding the landmark.

The kids love Kobe as when you enter you must cross the koi pond via a bridge. At one end of the bridge is a feeding machine for the koi and the kids have a great time trying to keep the little ones fed and fend off the big old granddaddies.

Inside the temple is a little kitschy. It has a big cat buddha and lots of Japanese antiques to make it look like an old Japanese country inn.

It's popular, and in season be prepared for a wait, even with a reservation. Kobe has been here 25 years and has become part of the landscape, and everyone seems to know it.

It's a typical teppan yaki house, where you share with grill with other guests. The kimono-clad waitresses take good care of you, while the chef does his magic. In all honesty the chefs here may not be as flashy as some in big cities. They don't have a lot of the big WOW tricks, but they do a fine job and the kids are always amazed.

The food is fresh and top quality. I always get the steak and shrimp combo. Make sure you order fried rice as that too is done on the grill in front of you.

The prices are a little steep, but this is Palm Springs and they fall in line with other restaurants in the area.

I am a Kobe fan. Okay, there, I admitted it. The food is good, the atmosphere a little cheesy and the staff is friendly. Plus you get plenty to eat. Even if I can't get my foodie friends to join me, I like to stop by alone from time to time.

We have eaten here twice. The people could not be friendly or happier to see customers. They fall all over themselves to make things good for you. However that falls short when the food just isn't good.

Once I ordered the pistachio and it was way overcooked. The macaroni noodles were as hard as rocks. The Greek salad is okay, but I have had many that were much better. I have also had the calamari and it was tough and rubbery in taste.

They also have some American favorites on the menu like steak, salmon, and meatloaf. If the Greek food isn't good, I am not sure if I would try the American.

The place is small with some bad Greek murals on the walls. This last time there were only three tables filled for lunch and most of the lights were out, giving it a depressing feel. The bar area seems more like a storage area with boxes and books piled high on the bar.

The have a small stage and when they opened they did belly dancing shows. I guess that didn't work as they now have salsa, mambo, reggae, and DJs in hopes of drawing in the crowds.

They also offer what the call THE BIG FAT GREEK BUFFET for only $5.95. I have seen it advertised, but both times we were here for lunch it was not up and running.

Again, the family who runs this place could not be nicer or more willing to make you feel welcomed. However the bad food and depressing decor will keep us home. I am sorry Olympia is just not worth the trip.

It's not much to look at when you drive by on Highway 111 through Cathedral City. It's a one-story, square building with a lot of LARGE homemade signs and neon plastered on the front. You may even call it a little tacky. It's also a bit confusing as the building houses two restaurants, both owned by the same owner and both operate out of the same kitchen. The Red Tomato shares it's building with The Original House of Lamb.

When you walk in, it's kind of like the living room of your bachelor uncle in Queens. There are lots of black and white photos of dead movie stars like Marilyn Monroe and James Dean. It's dark and seems a bit dated.

However, you will be greeted with a smile and welcomed as a long time customer. The Red Tomato has a full bar, so order your favorite cocktail and look over the very extensive menu.

The Red Tomato is supposed to be Italian, but they offer all kinds of things, such as chicken and dumplings. The menu is about as eclectic as the décor - all the pastas are great and the meat dishes are just as tasty. The portions are huge and you won't go away hungry.

We have never had bad service here. The wait staff is a bit mature and very much into making sure the customer leaves happy. The owner always slips our kids free ice cream before leaving.

Watch or ask for the specials. The Red Tomato always has some special deal or an early-bird special. They frequently change, so my advice is to call ahead and ask what is going on during your stay.

This is a local favorite. The food is always good and there is always plenty. The owner seems very into his guests and keeping everyone happy. The combination of good food, good service, and low prices is one that I can live with.

Once you enter the Villa it's a different world. Pretty gardens and fountains seem like an oasis in the middle of the Target parking lot.

Dates is located around the pool and is pleasant. The furniture is a bit cheap, but the outside and the pool and desert are what it's all about here. The bar is active and you will find a few gay men nursing a cocktail. The area is pretty, but around the outskirts of the property you will find some garbage piles. The housekeeping is not great.

We have eaten here several times for brunch. The food is okay. It's not memorable and is pretty standard fare.

We ate here once and the first thing our waiter said was that most of the kitchen had called in sick and the wait for food would be very long. We had a group and we were enjoying our visit, so we were okay with a wait. He was right, the food took forever, but I really appreciated his honesty in the matter. It wasn't a hassle as nobody was in a hurry. However, it did let me know that the management wasn't doing a good job with staffing.

The other hassle we had was that I was in charge of booking a brunch for 50 gay dads and their kids for Dads in the Desert. I thought this would be a nice place as it was outdoors and pretty. I talked to the manager and they were thrilled at bringing 50 people in and fell all over us. That is until I mentioned there would be kids. His mood changed and he told me their insurance did not allow kids eating at the cafe. Okay, I get the idea, you don't want kids. So say that, but don't say your insurance does not allow kids to eat at your hotel. The lame excuse was pretty bad. I don't like any restaurant that discriminates, whether against people who are handicapped or because of race, religion, or sexual preference, but also one that discriminates against dads and kids! A gay restaurant should know better and they lost a lot of business that weekend as most everyone in town was a gay father with kids!

This is not a place I will hurry back to. It's not well run, it's a bit on the dirty side, the food is plain and I don't care for discrimination and the lame excuse to cover it up.

Spencer's is located inside the Palm Springs racquet club and is surrounded by the mountains, tennis courts, and one of the prettiest pools in Palm Springs. It's a favorite spot for weddings and other special events. It's pretty much the quintessential Palm Springs dining experience. We were happy to get a table on the open patio. The thump of tennis balls and the splash of the pool water only add to your experience here.

Brunch here was everything you would expect from Spencers. The crowd looked festive in their Easter best. Fresh flowers and Easter candy filled the tables, and, yes, there was even an Easter bunny (even though he looked more like yeti) and an Easter egg hunt for the kids.

We started with their famous Bloody Mary’s. We then moved on to our salads and main course. I had the lamb stew, which was delicious, but the real winner was the eggs Benedict with a huge piece of steak rather than the traditional ham. The folks at our table who ordered this gem all had to protect their plates, as the rest of us envied their insight to order the clear winner.

Soon the furry (and a little scary) Easter bunny hopped around and delivered Easter baskets to each table and sent the kids out into the grassy area to find his hidden treasures.

Too soon, it was time for desert, and huge plate of goodies arrived. I thought the waiter was bringing a dessert tray to pick from, but NO, each person was given this tray full of deserts and chocolate for themselves. It is too much for any one person, but somehow we all cleaned our plates!

The meal was absolutely delicious. Our service couldn't be more attentive, and the setting is open and scenic. I can't think of a place where everything is so flawless and all comes together. Our brunch was $50 per person and worth every penny. Spencer's also offers free valet parking.

After dinner, we took a walk around the grounds. We watched a few of the tennis players hit some balls and strolled by the pool. This is a perfect spot in Palm Springs for Sunday brunch and should make everyone's Must-Do list while in the desert.

The wave pool is a wonderful place to relax or just catch some rays on a float. They also offer a mild river ride where you can relax on a slow moving river on an inner tube.

The food is good with lots of outlets. They also have vending machines everywhere with sodas and frozen candy bars.

The park is well mantained and the staff is friendly. A few of the lifeguards have had their fill and can be a little testy with the younger set.

The crowds can be a little overwhelming and a few teenage groups can overrun an area with foul mouths and show off behavior, but for the most part, it's pretty mild and well taken care of.

The park does close for the winter months and is open from about March to October.

One hint is to go after 3pm and the prices drop to half price. There is also a $6 parking charge, which is unheard of in the desert! Check out updated information at Knotts Soak City. This is a great place to cool off on a hot, hot day!

The museum collection is a bit strange. It's VERY eclectic. I am never sure if it's an art museum, natural history or museum of local history. I guess all three, although I feel it would be clearer if they focused on being one thing and not a little bit of everything.

The art collection is good. They have some Chagall, Chihuly and my favorite two Duane Hanson sculptures. These are the sculptures that look lifelike of everyday people. The best one sits near the front door and is an older overweight tourist couple sitting on a bench. We have been a bunch of times, but every time I still expect them to move.

The museum also has exhibits on local earthquakes, Indian life in the desert and desert wild animals. It then also has the collections of George Montgomery and William Holden. These are a bit odd, as they have set up rooms of their homes in the museum. First, I don't think of Montgomery and Holden as BIG movie stars, and I am not sure why I would find what their dining room looked like as museum-worthy.

They also have some exhibits that rotate, like a great one on myths about desert animals and a wonderful exhibit on black-and-white photography. A few of their modern shows have been a little over the top - like one of thousands of jars filled with paper scraps.

They have a great little cafe downstairs and tables outside. The lobby gift shop is great for local books and gift items from Palm Springs. The museum connects to the Annenberg Theater, which brings a lot of big names to the desert.

The museum is closed on Mondays and the fee is $7.50 to get in. More information can be found at: Palm Springs Museum - it will show you what is happening here during your visit.

I may sound a bit down on the museum and I am not, it's a great place to spend a few hours on your visit. If nothing else, if you want to escape the midday heat and have your pool fill. My only complaint is that it tries to be too many things and lacks focus. This is a great place to hang out and get out of the sun!

Hunters has a great outdoor area in the front that is popular in the late afternoon and early evening and is very relaxed. As the night wears on things speed up and the crowd does get younger and the disco gets going. By 2am it's on full throttle.

The bartenders are cute and friendly and because a lot of people are here on holiday, you find an "I am on vacation" attitude among the patrons.

The hours are 10am to 2am and no matter what time you go you will find people here.

They have good videos and the even have a wall of computers to check your e-mail between moments on the dance floor.

Hunter's is on Arenas and is in the middle of gay Palm Springs. The street has other bars and gay shops and Hunter's keeps it all going. You can check the latest information from Hunters at: Hunters. If you are visiting Palm Springs make this ground zero.

The store has a bit of everything. It's a good place to pick up a risqué card or find a good gay guide book for Palm Springs. It has a large selection of clothing. However, this clothing you won't find at your local Old Navy. It's the stuff you see the circuit boys wearing and ask yourself, "Where do they find that stuff?" You have found where! This place sells everything from mesh bikini bottoms to teeny-tiny sparkly shirts. It's fun to look at, but not for me! However, it seems to sell, as there are herds of people racing to the dressing rooms.

GayMart does have your tacky gift section complete with rainbow flags and bumper stickers. It's pretty much the usual assortment you find in any gay store around the country. They do have a small room that is adult only in the back. This room is porn and videos.

GayMart is pretty average, although it's larger than most gay stores. The staff seems pretty "over it" and shows a little attitude. This is not a place you will find a smile and "come back and see us again."

Gaymart is a good place to spend a few minutes after dinner to browse. It's also a great place to pick up one of the free Southern California gay rags; they have all the newspapers for you at the front door.

Stewart Galleries is two parts. One room is full of antiques and treasures from around California. It's fun to poke around and find some interesting items. We bought a wonderful mirror here from the 1930s that was lined with seashells. It was in perfect condition and the price was perfect too! George has a fun eye for interesting items. I don't know where he finds this stuff, but we are glad he does.

The next room is the gallery and is a museum of California art. Stewart Gallery carries the most California Impressionists in the desert.

They recently had a show of John Morris who lived in Palm Springs. He was a favorite painters of Jackie Kennedy, Bob Hope and Joan Crawford. His pieces capture the color and flavor of wherever he paints.

Even if your aren't looking for a painting or a dining room table to cart back, it's a fun place to stop and look. George and Phil know a lot about art and are always happy to share a few facts with visitors.

This is a friendly place with a real sense of California art history. It's not far off the main drag and is right across the street from Johannes. If your poking around downtown Palm Springs move away from the t-shirt shops and visit Stewart Galleries, you won't regret the visit.

See's is a California tradition. So many other regional candy stores are shutting their doors, but See's goes strong and remains a part of California.

No matter what See's you walk into, you will find it clean and bright. The one in Palm Springs is right on the main drag (Palm Canyon) and is in a small California style cottage with a tile roof and green wooden shutters. The See's building sits right in the center of things and is part of the Palm Springs landscape.

When you walk in, you will be greeted by happy employees in crisp white uniforms. On entering you will be offered a free sample of a chocolate and from that moment you are hooked!

All the chocolate is outstanding, but don't miss the other goodies like the carmel suckers, Christmas peppermints or peanut brittle.

See's makes an excellent take-home gift - it really says California. But even if you don't need a gift, next time you stroll down Palm Canyon stop by See's and get your free sample - you won't be sorry!

The complex is new and fresh and very well laid out. The stadium seating makes sure everyone has a great seat. The seats are as comfortable as that favorite chair in your den at home.

The complex's centerpiece is the theater but it also had cafes and shops when it first opened. Not all projects make it. The city has vowed to keep pumping money into the theater, but the cafe and shops have already closed. I worry that the theater may be next to close down.

The movies they show in Imax quality cannot compare to other smaller theaters. You feel the action, you are there! We have seen the Lion King and it was all-engrossing. The sound was beyond compare. I have also seen a documentary on looking for the Titanic and one on Alaska here. In both features it gives you a real sense of being here. Some movies are shown in 3D and those features are really fun! The ticket prices are $7.50 for adults and $6.50 for kids, not much more than smaller screen theaters.

IMax offers all the regular theater snack bar items like popcorn and candy. The cafe is closed, but the people working here promising the city is looking for a new buyer to reopen a cafe.

When we went to the Alaska show there were only six people in this large theater. However when we went to The Lion King the theater was packed.

Cathedral City has made a commitment to keep the IMax open. It would be a shame to close. Palm Springs needs more activities for the evening and this is a great alternative for a family outing or a fun date.

It's easy to find right on Hwy 111. It's a large complex and it can't be missed. Check out the latest offerings at Desert Imax. They built it, let's hope they will be coming soon!

Several years ago the nursery expanded into an artist community. Thirty studio spaces were built around the nursery and premier desert artists had a place to rent quality studio space and be part of a thriving artist community.

This was a great treat for all of us in Palm Springs. We had a beautiful nursery, and we had a place where we could come and see artists at work and buy their products.

I always make sure I bring our desert guests here for an afternoon. The studios include glass blowing, sculpture, jewelry making, painting and more. The artists are busy making their pieces and areas sell their art work to the public. It's interesting as artists will explain their techniques and methods and will gladly chat about what their art means to them. It's a very personal look at some great pieces of art and a true learning experience.

Being an artist haven it has some fun little quirks around the gardens. One of my favorite is an old olive tree that is now "The Poet's Tree". Here you can write a poem and drop it in the mailbox at the base of the tree. If your poem is unique, you will see it hanging from the branches of the tree in a few days. It's always fun to come here and read the poems hanging on the branches; some are from kids, some from love sick teens, and others from people who have seen it all. Some are deep, some are funny and most will move you.

This is still a working nursery. So if plants are your thing, you won't be disappointed. They have some unique tropical plants and desert flora. The garden staff is helpful and eager to give you some help with your gardens problems. They also have a great variety of water features for sale. Don't miss this place around Christmas when the whole garden explodes with bright red poinsettias.

I love coming to Palapas. You can get involved with an artist at work or just walk the gardens and hear the birds and water. It's a great place in the desert for a very special and very unique gift. It's easy to find, as it right on Palm Canyon Drive. Don't be fooled by a sign that just says NURSERY, as it's a whole lot more.

UPDATE: Sadly PALAPAS sold out to real estate developers who have leveled this Palm Springs instutution to make way for another housing development. Palapas will be sorely missed in the desert.

Palm Springs built this park in 2003. It's one of the largest and the best in Southern California. It's 30,000 square feet and the skateboarders love it. It's been voted one of the ten best parks by SoCal Skate Website.

It has several courses and pools and it's large. However, this is Palm Springs and the temp during the day can get really high, so the prime times to use this park are in the morning or early evenings. The mountain backdrop of the park is breathtaking. The cost is $5 per day for residents or $10 for non-residents.

As a parent, I like this park because they have a security guard on post all day long. The admission fee keeps out kids who just hang around the parks to cause trouble. They also keep tight with their rules like padding and helmets. If you don't wear them, you can leave. I like their style!

Patrick swears this is one of the best parks he skates in. He loves it. Other kids seem to agree.

The complex also has an Olympic pool. There are tons of pools in Palm Springs, but few that are Olympic-size for laps, so if you are into lap swimming, this is a great place to do it. Like the skate park, it's clean and well run. Most of the folks here are serious swimmers and not the float-and-play crowd.

The centerpiece of this complex is a large, multi-screen movie theater, The Century Theater. It shows first-run movies and is a large, comfortable movie theater.

Around the complex are plenty of places to eat and dine before or after your film. The River has a PF Changs, A Cheesecake Factory, a great sushi place, The Yard House, a steak place, and Babes BBQ. You name it, you will find it here. It also has treats like Johnny Rockets, Starbucks, and Ben and Jerry's ice cream.

The complex also has a limited amount of small retailers. The largest store is the Borders Book Store, the largest bookstore in the desert.

The complex also has a small, outdoor, lakeside ampitheater. Often on a Saturday night, a band will be playing music here for the shoppers to enjoy. Once, we came out of the movies and an astonomy club had telescopes set up and offered free looks up to space to see some of our neighbors. It was really cool.

For the perfect evening or a day on the links or at the spa is to come to The River. You can have a great meal and a few beers at Flemings Steakhouse, then catch the lastest flick at the theater. Grab an ice cream at Ben and Jerry's and browse at Borders, go back outside and listen to the band, and top it off with a night cap at the Yard House. Nights like that are the reason we live in the desert!