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 SPRINGS. This upscale CPK franchise is the brainchild of former attorneys Larry Flax and Rick Rosenfield. The place specializes in 9-inch wood-fired pizzas with every sort of topping imaginable. Voted as having the best pizza in the desert by the Palm Springs Life's readers' choice poll. Also located on El Paseo in Palm Desert.

PALM SPRINGS. A sunny study of retro chic and Hollywood glam, Citron surrounds patrons with white-lacquered chairs, mirrored panels, white marble floors, and lemon-hued walls. The restaurant's a magnet for hip visitors, who relish its California cuisine graced by plenty of fresh produce. A double-cut grilled pork chop gets a kick with sage and fig barbecue sauce, while seafood risotto is enriched with saffron and preserved lemon. Steaks, rack of lamb, and fish can also be had. The restaurant bar is a stylish gathering place for after-dinner drinks and polished camaraderie.

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.

PALM SPRINGS. What began as a small, family-run eatery has grown into one of the area's best-loved Mexican restaurants. Casual, friendly El Mirasol extends a warm welcome to everyone and proves its hospitality with terrific grilled meats, fantastic guacamole, potent margaritas, and rich, full-bodied sauces. Spicy shrimp, chicken mole, and crab enchiladas are divine, and you'll find plenty of pork and beef items as well. Some dishes aren't listed on the menu, so if you're adventurous, ask for a verbal run-down of the more exotic options.