BEST Casual Dining in Rancho Mirage

Piero's Acqua Pazza (Crazy Water) at The River in Rancho Mirage recently won numerous awards for it's food, atmosphere and service. My favorite dish is their delicious Lobster Pot Pie (see photo). The flakey crust covers a lobster soup filled with large chunks of lobster and fresh veggies.

This Happy place offers Happy Hour from 11 am to closing daily. Sit at the friendly bar and receive a special Happy Hour menu with prices up to 50% off the regular menu. Or sit out on the patio overlooking the water and choose from their 3-course Feast for only $19.95 (from 3 pm to 5 pm it's only $15.95). The menu features 4 different appetizers (minestrone soup, Caesar salad),7 entrees (sand-dabs, filet mignon in a peppercorn sauce, cheese ravioli) and 3 desserts (chocolate mousse cake, tiramasu, or a ice cream sundae). 71-800 Hwy 111, (760) 862-9800.

Trader Vic's at LA LIVE

Our South Seas experience started with friendly servers and a basket of warm Taro bread, water crackers, and homemade peanut butter with coconut cream. WOW! That's different from the traditional bread basket and more fun to eat.

For entrees we ordered the Sea Bass cooked in the Chinese wood fired oven, traced back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC to AD 20). Meats are cooked by the heat of the oven, not fire. The American Heart Association approves this type of cooking. The fish is served in a delicious Miso sauce. The Crispy Duck was prepared at our table. The waiter brought half a duck, moo shu pancakes, scallion, cucumbers, and hoisin sauce. YUMMY!

The BBQ veggie and Tofu Curry is a colorful presentation! It's a combination of potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, apples, red pimentos, onions and Trader Vic's own blend of madras curry powder. I cooled the heat with the tray of sunflower seeds, currants, cucumber, banana, coconut, chutney, chow-chow and tomatoes. TRADER VIC'S - 213) 785-3330. Located at 800 West Olympic Blvd. # A120, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Twenty/20 Restaurant in Carlsbad

The chef at Twenty/20, Reed Andersen, knew he would be a chef at the age of five. His braised short ribs with the Pinot Noir roasting Jus sauce and a scrumptious creamy polenta with steamed broccolini was divine.

Another favorite was the grilled Hawaiian swordfish with a sweet tomato gazpacho. The fish was rubbed with chili, coffee and cocoa and then grilled to perfection.

We also ordered the grilled wild salmon (see photo) with braised red cabbage, bacon, homemade spring pickles and slightly herbed spatzle. Our waiter recommended a “Boom-Boom” Syrah with the salmon. It went well with the short ribs too.

For dessert, a little tree with desserts as ornaments arrived. There was a little peaches and cream glass, cream Brule, berry cobbler, chocolate mousse, and tiramisu. Fortunately, the portions were small, so we didn’t feel guilty only taking one spoonful of each for a sweet tooth treat. (760) 827-2500, 5480 Grand Pacific Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Los Gringos Locos - Crazy Good Guacamole

My favorite Mexican restaurant in La Canada is Los Gringos Locos, because I'm "locos" about the guacamole prepared tableside. It's the freshest guacamole in town. You choose if you want it mild, medium, or spicy.

I've heard so many people rave about the Kathy Hernandez Quesadilla Salad that I finally tried it, instead of always ordering a tostado. WOW, I love it. Imagine a thin cheese quesadilla with Romaine lettuce on top. Add tomatoes, onions, grilled chicken, avocado Pico de Gallo and served with a delicious creamy tomatillo dressing. Not too spicy, but has a little kick to keep you wanting more. Plus, when you order this salad, the owners donate $1 to La Canada schools.

The margaritas are also the best in town. It's a great place to see your friends, eat great Mexican food and walk out with a smile on your face.

Foodies and Wine Lovers Enjoy Palate

Inside an old Bekins storage building and among auto dealerships is Octavio Becerra's newest dining creation, PALATE. We were seated in the ultra-hip wine bar and served homemade bread with fresh butter decorated with herbs.

Our French waiter helped us order an excellent meal. He recommended a Pot of Tuna (like a tuna pate) served with crunchy bread and two 2.5 oz glasses of French White wine. Next, a large bowl with celery root, ham, pears and yogurt appeared. At first I thought the portion was extremely small, however the server had a glass milk bottle filled with hot celery root soup, herbs, cream, a touch of butter, salt and pepper. He slowly poured the warm milky contents into the bowl. It was creamy and satisfying. The fresh Halibut in a delicious ginger-carrot butter sauce was satisfying. Save room for dessert or a cheese plate featuring cow, goat, sheep and bleu & blue. Palate Food + Wine -933 South Brand Blvd.Glendale, CA 91204 (818) 662-9463

The Good Earth isn't good, it's Great.

UCLA Bruins may remember two Good Earth restaurants in Westwood Village in the 80s. Santa Barbara had one, so did Calabasas and Glendale at one time.

Now there are only two remaining in California. One in Studio City (Jay Leno orders lunch from here all the time) and Westwood.

I lunch at the Studio City location often, because I am addicted to the Cashew Chicken Salad (see picture) with Tahini Poppy Seed dressing, a ten-grain roll with apple butter, and a glass of their cinnamon and spice flavored ice tea.

The Planet Burger is one of the best in Southern California. It's a vegetarian burger with fresh vegetables, sesame and sunflower seeds, cashews, soy nuts, pinto and Azuki beans, and exotic spices.

Others come for the 12-summer vegetable soup, creative sandwiches, pasta dishes or wok creations. Save room for their blueberry oatmeal cookies. They are giant! Good Earth is located at 12345 Ventura Blvd. Studio City, CA 91604

Pacifica in Palm Desert

The patio facing El Paseo has three unique Cabana tables that seat up to six people. In high season these are reserved up to 6 weeks in advance.
Locals enjoy the two-course Sunset Dinners from 3 - 5:45 pm served nightly for $19.75. First course is a choice of Clam Chowder or Mulligatawny (Madras curry, chicken, wild rice and parsley) soup or a choice of three salads: Mixed greens, Endive, or Butter leaf.

Second course is a choice of 8 entrees including their Signature Dish - Barbecued Sugar Spiced Salmon with grilled Chinese beans, garlic mashed potatoes and a sweet mustard sauce. Delicious!

Save room for the Samples of Pacifica desserts - a mini creme brulee, mini chocolate cake w/vanilla bean ice-cream and hot fudge profiteroles.

Pacifica Restaurant is upstairs in the El Paseo Shopping Center-73505 El Paseo, Palm Desert - (760) 674-8666

P6 is a 10!

P6 is an American fusion hot spot in Westlake Village. The atmosphere is very hip and fun.

Upon ordering we received a bread basket filled with three types of bread and butter. The pretzel bread was our favorite.

P6 offers a great Express Lunch for $15. You choose 2 courses and a soft drink or ice tea. In my party we ordered the bbq chicken pizza, Cobb salad, and crab panini. I loved the panini with chunks of fresh crab, avocado, cilantro and Swiss cheese. The pizza (see photo) was delicious. For dessert, the apple tart, caramelized banana brule, and ice cream duo were a perfect ending to a delectable meal.

P6 - 2809 Agoura Road, Westlake Village, CA 91361 - (805) 778-0123.