PALM DESERT. You have to see this place to fully appreciate it. The airy, two-story restaurant features a winding metal, glass, and cherry staircase, along with concrete floors, black carpets, animal skin prints, and striking artwork. Its French menu features tempting creations like Chilean sea bass and grilled spicy shrimp with chayote squash slaw and sun-dried tomato vinaigrette. An extensive wine cellar offers the finest French vintages. Closed summers.

LA QUINTA. Azur's lovely dining room was once the hotel's lobby and is rife with circa-1926 architectural detail, from rustic beams to beautiful tilework, simple chandeliers, and graceful arcades. The menu walks the line between French and Californian definition, featuring pan-seared foie gras, scallop and halibut ceviche, roasted veal tenderloin, rack of lamb, and Maine lobster poached in coconut butter. Live music is a lovely addition to the romantic ambience, and the restaurant's lounge makes for good mingling and people-watching. Closed during the summer season.

PALM DESERT. With an expansive, all-weather patio that affords fantastic people-watching, this charming cafe is a standout for morning fare and easy-going dining. Choose to sit indoors and browse the changing artwork, or stake a claim on the patio and prepare to be indulged. Although morning fare isn't served throughout the week, it's a treat worth savoring, as indicated by wonderful crepes, perfectly prepared eggs and frittatas, and other delicacies. Lunch and dinner bring classics like coq au vin, bouillabaisse, and quiche Lorraine. The cafe is closed seasonally in July and August.

PALM DESERT. Chef-owner Bernard Dervieux runs this charming restaurant, which offers quaint dining rooms, an outdoor patio, a bar, and a separate room for diners indulging in tasting menus. The eclectic cuisine has French and Californian influences, as seen in lobster ravioli, roasted rack of lamb, and sweetbread-stuffed quail. Other possibilities include oven-roasted beef chop, rabbit, and veal. A great wine list is available too, along with homemade desserts and a gourmet lunch menu of salads, sandwiches, and hot entrees.

A romantic dinner awaits at this elegant Mediterranean-style villa, where you can dine fireside or on the patio underneath the stars. The award-winning menu features such tempting entrees as medallions of pork sauteed with apple brandy and fresh dates, and salmon in parchment with creme fraiche, zucchini, mushrooms, and fresh dill. You'll also find pastas, steaks, and fresh seafood.