Isn't it called Sloan's now?

The Tack Room at Empire Polo
Escena -- pricey
Villaris -- pricey but beautiful

I can no longer recommend Fisherman's Grill in LaQuita.

I was overcharged for the lunch special, but didn't realize it until I got home.

Later, they brought us more fries, which I hadn't asked for, because "they didn't put enough on the original order." It did look rather small. The server made a nasty crack when she insisted we take the fries.

The "manager" asked us to leave or go outside, because I had an e-cigarette (no tobacco, no smoke, no smell, no residue, and fully legal), and he thought the "look" of it might hurt the restaurant's repurtation, even though there had been no complaints. He said he knew what it was and what it wasn't, and even though actual smoke and steam emanate from their open kitchen into the restaurant, it might give customers "the wrong idea."

On an earlier occassion, I had met the owner, a kind, gererous and very hospitable man. I am writing to him.

So I was cheated, insulted and shunned all in one day. Isn't this how it started in Nazi Germany, shunned because of how you would "look" in a business?

I can no loger recommend a restaurant that I cannot trust with their ability to be hospitable and honest with customers.

Tried the Indian Wells (IW) Club? If not a weekend, consider La Quinta's Solano's--take the whole restaurant. Also, what about Vicky's Santa Fe? Palm Desert is close in, and there are two places, Fresh Agave Mexican Bar & Grill, and The Elephant Bar, whose menu has grown over the past years, and has great food. These restaurants should be booked early, as they fill up.

I don't know what your "budget" is, but there is a location that is less pricey than the ones you mention, but very nice. It is the POM restaurant at the Fantasy Springs Casino.Past the bar downstairs, there is a separate dining room for large groups, and their prices are quite reasonable.

It's working niow. Thanks.

Now that I remember my log-in ID, things are OK. Thanks for helping me.

One other thing--nothing shows up on my saved boards.

Thanks. I forgot.

Can you help me navigate?

Chef George's
40100 Washington St
Ste 125
Bermuda Dunes, CA 92203
Cook Street exit off the I-10, southeast corner.

This is a local gem, hidden in a shopping mall. Great European cooking, like grandma used to make. Chicken paprikash. That sort of thing. Rervations are essential. The salads and entrees are so generous, you will have take-home. Yes, you can order half a salad, and don't say you weren't warned. You go for the food, atmosphere, and the food. Family run, and the chef is the best.
(760) 200-1768

Depends on the kind of food you like.

One question. After you hit all these places, how can you still walk? lol

Also Johannes is a special event place.

There is a good Santa Barbara BQ place in downtown Indio on Miles called the Warehouse--casual, inexpensive.

There is ROC's Casita at the polo grounds for BBQ and polo.

The other listings I have above are still good.

Also for a special occasion, try Spencer's or Morton's (for steak), or Melvyn's for retro dinner and dancing.

Downtown PS, the new place is Lulu's--very contempo--same menu as Aqua Pazza at The River, which is good for people watching. Also at The River is Babe's--BBQ, great short ribs and real strawberry shortcake, yum.

For the feel of a NY supper club, try the Daily Grill on El Paseo in Palm Desert. For a good breakfast, try Mimi's on Hwy 111. A $6 sit-down lunch is at the
Fantasy Springs casino POM restaurant out Indio way. The patio is lovely.

The Thursday Desert Sun newspaper has a two-page section of restaurant coupons and deals. Check out the Cheap Eats column in the on-line version, www.mydesert.com .

This is a quintessential Pasadena experience. Great food, lovely, romantic ambiance. The best time to visit is the Sunday Buffet Brunch--a real gastronomic treat. Call for reservations.

(626) 796-9501
www,maisonakira.com

-----
Maison Akira Restaurant
713 E. Green St., Pasadena, CA 91101

This is great dim sum, up to SF level, with good prices. If you want to drop some change, order the lobster~~$14-16/lb. It is a real treat.

Lovely room, great service, uses a picture menu for the dim sum. Free parking.

-----
Capital Seafood
333 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91006

This place is under new management/ownership with redecor. and some lower price adjustments. You were right, monku. Good instincts.

-----
Manhattan In the Desert
2665 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA

Corn Maiden is very good. The corn tamales have soft corn kernels throughout. The beef tamales are spicy and good. All their tamales are larger than most of the others. Don't miss this one next time.

Their telephone is 760-342-1999 They man be listed under Jackalope Ranch or Jackalope Ranch Tamales.

-----
Jackalope Ranch Restaurant
80400 Us Highway 111, Indio, CA

Lucky's is an order-ahead, carry-out place. They have the best tamales in the Coachella Valley. Priced from $2.25 to <$2, depending on how many you order. They have pork, beef, chicken and grreen corn. Regrigerate or freeze and reheat. You are always in stock. They also do full carry-out meals, like Thanksgiving.

You'll love the sushi here, even the Jumping Shrimp. There are two of these, but this one's the best. Get a map for this one, it isn't easy to see from the 111.

Sam's Sushi, 79485 Highway 111 La Quinta, CA

-----
Sam's Sushi
79485 Highway 111, La Quinta, CA 92253

OMG Just look at the website (lulupalmsprings.com ) Remember this is a restaurant-starved town, with a huge gay population, visiting Marines, and tons of retirees and snowbirds. Also, remember their other restaurant is very popular as a destination and for the food. Then, of course, the prices are quite reasonable for this usually overpriced town.

You tell me. This PS location thinks it's the latest, hottest, NYC-type opening.

Finally! Reasonable Dim Sum in the desert. The restaurant just started serving Dim Sum today, from a menu.

The general prices were $3.95 for the usual suspects, and $6-8 for broccoli and duck.

The har gow was good. So were the duck, custard tarts, shrimp with rice noodle. The steamed bao were a little small, but the BBQ pork inside was terrific. So were the langoons.

The broccoli was sauteed in a wok, not steamed, but had the usual oyster sauce. However the portion was small. The duck was a quarter duck, very crispy. Since everything was hand-delivered directly from the kitchen, the Dim Sum was hotter (temp.) that it usually is with carts.

They told me the prices compare to those in Monterey Park. I told them to check out Capitol Seafood in Arcadia, which is the one to use as a goal to meet.

There is a 10% off coupon in yesterday's Friday Desert Sun Weekend magazine, and they give you business cards with 10-20% discounts good through the rest of 2011.

They were interested in our input, Service was very good. The owner was friendly, too.
We definitely will be back to watch them grow.

They are located southwest of the Monterey/74 and 111 intersection, next to Starbucks.

Their breakfasts are interesting (like crab cakes eggs "Benedict"). Great ambiance and service. You can get discount coupons at their website. An overlooked placed for breakfast until 11 am.

Mimi's Cafe, Indio/PalmDesert

Solano's in Old Town La Quita is casual, romantic and nice. Off-season, you don't need reservations. The short ribs are perfect. The tortila coated fish is a find. Paco, a co-owner, is friendly and helpful. The walls are covered with local art. Free parking. You will have a good time.

Who goes out to eat in Indio? We do!

First, there is a wonderful Santa Barbara BBQ place on Miles in Indio. Family owned and great service. The brisket sandwich at lunch is pulled-beef heaven. The sauce is on the side, and is very good. Tri-tip is their specialty. Casual, street parking.

Then, there is the Pueblo Viejo Grill on 111 in Indio near Jefferson. Always have great green corn tamales. Food is very good, and they have bread pudding for desert, no less. A local favorite.

Also, there is Lucky's @ Jackalope Ranch on 111. It is the carry-out part of the restaurant, which happens to have a raving happy hour, and you order in advance for award-winning tamales (pork, beef, chicken, green corn) From $2.25 to <$2, depending on the size of the order. You can freeze, refrigerate, heat and eat. They also have Turkey dinners, but pricey. Except for HH, skip the restaurant, which is overpriced and underloved.

-----
Jackalope Ranch Restaurant
80400 Us Highway 111, Indio, CA

Pueblo Viejo Grill
81931 US Highway 111, Indio, CA 92201

I just found an ad for "Authentic Dim Sum" at Legacy Chinese Cuisine in Palm Desert @ Hwy 111 and 74. No online menu or to-the-point reviews on Yelp per se. I will try it out today or tomorrow. Times 11-5 daily. 760-776-6610. Is it too much to hope for good dim sum at reasonable prices?

monku,

If you're bored at Manhattan, just price the Danish in the bakery case. lol

Out of the way in PS--Indio:

Chef George's in Bermuda Dunes. 5-9 T-S. Reservations a must. If you don't order half a salad, you'll share it or have it for lunch the next day. Chicken paprikash,goulash, cioppino, etc., will make your tummy happy. All servings are huge. Discounts at 5-6 and 8-9. 6-8 is busy, noisy and just plain fun. Family owned, and they are interested in your having a good time. Hole-in-the-wall find.

John Henry is downtown behind the old Jensen's. Great regular dishes. Duck, shrimp, etc. Again, 5-9 M-S. Closed June to ?October. Reservations a must, usually a few weeks in advance. Does that tell you anything? Another hole-in-the-wall wonderful time.

Manhattan in the Desert on 111 is a deli alternative to Shermans.

-----
John Henry's
1785 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Chef George's
40100 Washington St, Bermuda Dunes, CA 92203

I miss Dim Sum, too. Capital is the very best, and well priced, too.

When I moved out to the Coachella Valley, I found very little Dim Sum, overpriced and underloved. You can do better on the Internet, shipping it in. I hope I live long enough to see real Dim Sum out here. There are a few other restaurants with token orders, including Joy and PFC and the Noodle place at one of the casinos, but they are seriously overpriced and not very good.

Otherwise it's a 90-120 min. drive to Arcadia and LA.