Celebrating 20 years of bringing a taste of Europe to downtown Palm Springs, Pomme Frite provides an intimate, romantic ambiance for special nights out. The quaint setting evokes a continental café, with its street-side patio on bustling Palm Canyon Drive and the dulcet sounds of French music playing softly in the background. The greatest praise, owner-entrepreneur Jean-Claude Constant says, is when patrons tell him it feels like they’re in Paris or Brussels. “Because of the atmosphere, people feel they are transported to Europe for an evening,” he says. “That’s the best compliment I can get. And I get it frequently.” (Palm Springs Life readers voted Pomme Frite Best of the Best French Restaurant in 2013, 2014, 2018, and 2019.) Popular appetizers include the oven-baked French Onion Soup with “beaucoup” Gruyère cheese, imported escargots, and baked French brie. Steak lovers can choose from several cuts, complemented by brandy-green peppercorn sauce, bearnaise, bordelaise, or blue cheese cream. The signature Flemish-style carbonnade of beef simmers in Belgian beer and is served with pommes frites. Prefer the catch of the day? Opt for salmon, rainbow trout, filet of sole, grilled tiger shrimp and sea scallops, or the California bouillabaisse. Steamed Mediterranean black mussels — a house special — are prepared 12 different ways. Pomme Frite is open seven nights a week from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. From January until May, it’s open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.  

Take a bite of our Poblano Relleno, stuffed with cheese, tomato, and garlic, topped with our homemade ranchera and poblano salsa and you’ll see why it’s far from humble. Chef Ernesto Gastelum is inspired by his family recipes that are handcrafted with the best ingredients and served fresh and flavorful in a vibrant space. Let the food speak for itself. Gastelum’s extraordinary dishes will have you returning time and time again for the best of Mexico in the Heart of Palm Springs.

Ristorante Mamma Gina proudly serves the Palm Springs area with our very own taste of Italy. Founded in 1986, Ristorante Mamma Gina brought over its Italian heritage from our family restaurant in Florence to serve the residents and visitors of the Coachella Valley. We pride ourselves upon authentic traditional Italian cuisine, exceptional service, and a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere sure to enhance your experience. Ristorante Mamma Gina is the perfect spot for your next date night or special family occasion. Known for the “Best All-Day Happy Hour” in our Enoteca Bar; a local favorite in a vibrant and friendly atmosphere offering an extensive bar menu. Voted yearly as the “Best of the Best Italian Restaurant” in Palm Desert. … “At the table, one never grows old,” an old Italian proverb.   TRY THIS: The Gnocchi Gorgonzola features soft pillows of goodness prepared with homemade Gorgonzola sauce.  

Celebrate the end of a long day with Ruth’s Chris’ Sizzle, Swizzle, Swirl happy hour. Enjoy the relaxed, casual elegance of the bar Sunday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. with $9 full-size appetizers, handcrafted cocktails made with premium spirits, and select wines and beers. Consider starting with a taste of Louisiana in the form of crab beignets or spicy shrimp. Or indulge in the popular steak sandwich — generous slices of tenderloin finished with housemade béarnaise and served on a fresh-baked roll with hand-cut seasoned fries. Whether it’s a classic Ruth’s Manhattan, the refreshing Gin Basil Smash, or the Pomegranate Martini finished with a sugared rim, you’re sure to find something on the happy hour menu with which to cheers. And, if you’re craving something more, the restaurant’s Seasonal Classics menu, starting at $46.95, features three mouthwatering courses, including a starter, entrée with side, and a dessert. Savor some of founder Ruth’s favorites alongside new and exciting dishes. Each course is chef-curated and inspired by the season’s brightest ingredients and flavors. Available in the dining room and the bar, the menu is the perfect way to start the night.  

Sixth Avenue and West 54th Street in Manhattan isn’t as far as you might think! Just head to Sherman’s Deli & Bakery. A New York–style delicatessen with locations in Palm Springs and Palm Desert, Sherman’s serves up generous portions of all the classics: lox platters, chopped liver, a prodigious beef-andlatke sandwich with homemade potato latkes in place of bread, and old-fashioned cheese blintzes. Named Restaurant of the Year and voted No. 1 Sandwich in the Desert by the California State Senate and Assembly, the Supervisors of Riverside County, and the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce and featured in 2017 on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, the family-owned hot spot originated when Wisconsin native Sherman Harris moved in the 1950s to Palm Springs after serving in the Army in five major battles and began working as a line cook. By 1980, Harris had five delis of his own that had become a regular hangout for more than a few celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Rita Hayworth. Now run by his son and daughter, Sam Harris and Janet Harris, Sherman’s two valley outposts celebrate what the founder started: a strong sense of community and a focus on simply delicious food. Of course you can’t visit the deli and bakery without trying the homemade dessert, and there are cases full. If you’re in the market for a statement layer cake to fête a special occasion, Sherman’s has you covered. For those looking to eat and run, we suggest a goody bag of babkas and sticky buns to go.  

Sixth Avenue and West 54th Street in Manhattan isn’t as far as you might think! Just head to Sherman’s Deli & Bakery. A New York–style delicatessen with locations in Palm Springs and Palm Desert, Sherman’s serves up generous portions of all the classics: lox platters, chopped liver, a prodigious beef-andlatke sandwich with homemade potato latkes in place of bread, and old-fashioned cheese blintzes. Named Restaurant of the Year and voted No. 1 Sandwich in the Desert by the California State Senate and Assembly, the Supervisors of Riverside County, and the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce and featured in 2017 on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, the family-owned hot spot originated when Wisconsin native Sherman Harris moved in the 1950s to Palm Springs after serving in the Army in five major battles and began working as a line cook. By 1980, Harris had five delis of his own that had become a regular hangout for more than a few celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Rita Hayworth. Now run by his son and daughter, Sam Harris and Janet Harris, Sherman’s two valley outposts celebrate what the founder started: a strong sense of community and a focus on simply delicious food. Of course you can’t visit the deli and bakery without trying the homemade dessert, and there are cases full. If you’re in the market for a statement layer cake to fête a special occasion, Sherman’s has you covered. For those looking to eat and run, we suggest a goody bag of babkas and sticky buns to go.  

Teppan Steak, Dazzling Dining Experience. Discover a whole new dining experience at Shōgun Japanese Restaurant. Let master chefs dazzle you with their samurai-like swordsmanship as they skillfully slice and dice, juggle and entertain, all while preparing delicious entrées on a sizzling teppanyaki grill. Watch as the steak, seafood, chicken, and vegetables become the culinary stars in a unique presentation of the chef’s creation. It’s an exciting and memorable experience for people of all ages to enjoy. Test your taste buds with Teriyaki Steak, Hibachi Scallop, or a customer favorite, Colossal Shrimp seasoned lightly with fresh lemon. Try the chef’s specials, including the Caliente Roll made with tempura-style spicy tuna, jalapeño, and cream cheese topped with eel sauce and spicy mayo, or the Crunchy Roll, a shrimp tempura roll covered with crispy tempura flakes and eel sauce. Savor an array of premium sake ranging from light and smooth, medium bodied, hot, or unfiltered to accompany your experience or sip one of the many original cocktails. Happy hour, twilight, or senior dinner specials are available every day where specific teppanyaki entrées are featured. Or taste the the traditional Japanese combination dinner. At Shōgun, you experience the Japanese omotenashi-style of service that entertains guests from the heart. “Come for the show and come back for the taste” at Shōgun. DID YOU KNOW? The first Shōgun Restaurant opened in 1980 in Pasadena followed by San Diego, La Verne, Corona, San Marcos, Temecula, and Palm Desert. Coming soon in Rancho Cucamonga.

Set at the historic Palm Springs Tennis Club, an exclusive gathering place for such celebrities as Katharine Hepburn and Bob Hope since its inception in the 1930s, Spencer’s Restaurant is synonymous with the desert’s classic style. Elegance and comfortable informality intertwine to accommodate any dining occasion, from a power lunch or private party to a romantic evening for two or Sunday brunch. Named after owner Harold Matzner’s award-winning 110-pound Siberian husky, the swanky restaurant welcomes well-behaved pups on the patio. Outdoor seating is temperaturecontrolled, and the terrace is shaded by trees — a scenic atmosphere rivaled only by the sumptuous cuisine. The signature colossal shrimp cocktail, pan-fried Chilean sea bass, Australian rock-lobster tail, and Black Angus filet mignon are house favorites, but don’t overlook the tempura specials or seasonal Maryland soft-shell crabs. Select a glass or bottle from the extensive wine list (it garnered the Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator) to sip over dinner, or enjoy a craft cocktail at the indoor-outdoor bar. Save room for dessert: The banana split is sinfully good, and the “24 Carrot” cake is a must. On Sundays, choose from the popular spinach-and- wild-mushroom frittata, the signature waffle, or among seven variations of eggs Benedict (available with gluten-free bread). Spencer’s exquisite atmosphere has garnered national acclaim: It was named one of the 100 Best Brunch and Al Fresco Restaurants in America in 2019 by OpenTable diners. The storied mountainside Bougainvillea Room is a picture-perfect setting for weddings and events of up to 250 guests. The kitchen also offers catering, with options including carving stations, hors d’oeuvres, and buffets.   Photography by Kaminksy Productions