DOWNTOWN. Star power is on call at this restaurant ­ not only was it a hangout for Cary Grant, but it's under the masterful tutelage of celebrity chef Andrew Manion Copley, and it attracts personalities like Anderson Cooper. Diners can't get enough of the romantic, open-air patio, and the sublime cuisine, informed by Copley's tenure at restaurants across the globe, includes Muscovy duck breast, seared Scottish salmon, lobster pot pie, and tandoori chicken breast. A broad wine list arranged by type promises an appropriate accompaniment. Terrific service is a pleasant perk. Closed during the month of 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.

PALM SPRINGS. Boldly patterned textiles and carpeting, reflective ceilings, expressive artwork, and a tension between light and dark hues add a certain quirky elegance to this estimable hotel restaurant. Updated bistro fare is the culinary signature, as evidenced by duck confit with truffled potatoes, osso bucco with saffron risotto, beef short ribs, and pistachio-crusted rack of lamb. Choose your favorite main course ­ following a starter of fresh oysters ­ and finish up with a pear and almond tart and a splash of dessert wine. Closed July and August.

RANCHO MIRAGE. This popular chain's New American menu features a broad array of dishes, from avocado egg rolls and Mexican chicken pizza to Jamaican shrimp and shepherd's pie. However, desserts really steal the show, and it's easy to see why once you've taken a gander at Linda's fudge cake, white chocolate raspberry truffle, chocolate mousse cheesecake, and coffee Heath Bar Crunch cheesecake. A perfect place for a late-afternoon respite, accompanied by gourmet coffee, good conversation, and, of course, one of 40 delectable cheesecakes.

DOWNTOWN. Zin's large, open dining room boasts golden walls, black bentwood chairs, and strong figural artwork. It's a perfect setting for sampling the Belgium-born chef's impressive cuisine, which includes starters of vichyssoise, steamed mussels, and Peeky Toe crab and avocado salad and runs to main courses of buttermilk fried chicken, Angus beef stew, and grilled hangar steak. A hefty, mostly-domestic wine list provides plenty of options, and the dessert list begins with a classic tarte tatin and ranges to chevre cheesecake with berries. If you're wondering, Zin is short for "zinfandel."