Palm Desert's 10 Best Restaurants for an Unforgettable Dining Experience

If you're looking for steak, ambiance and entertainment all under one roof, head to Sullivan's in Palm Desert. This steakhouse delivers prime cuts, stiff drinks and an atmosphere that can't be beat. Upon entering Sullivan's in the El Paseo Gardens shopping center, you might expect to see Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack hanging out at the bar, enjoying fresh steaks and stiff cocktails. If you enjoy live music, sip on a hand-shaken martini and enjoy the live jazz and piano performances as you wait for your freshly cooked steak to arrive. Known locally for its lively bar and happy hour offerings, Sullivan's is a steakhouse with plenty of character.

While Palm Springs might be more than 100 miles away from the ocean, locals can still enjoy fresh seafood at Pacifica Seafood Restaurant in Palm Desert. This fine dining restaurant offers fresh catches daily, and popular Pacifica dishes include the Surf 'n' Turf, which includes steak and lobster, and the Seared Ahi Tuna. For a seafood splurge, try the Butter-Poached Australian Lobster Tail, which is just as decadent as it sounds. Not a seafood lover? Don't fret--Pacifica offers plenty of beef, chicken and vegetarian options, too. For before- or after-dinner drinks, pull up a stool at the Vodka Bar, which boasts more than 140 different types of vodka from around the world.

Renowned throughout the desert for its upscale California cuisine, Cork Tree Restaurant uses local products to bring Chef Herve's creations to life. Start with an organic rainbow beet salad with local dates, then try the demitasse soup tasting, which offers a sample of three soups of the day. For your main course, you can choose from offerings like duck breast and smoked mushroom risotto, Patagonian sautéed sea bass or hibiscus braised boneless short ribs. The superb food offerings are complemented by quality service, excellent presentation and an extensive wine list that features many California wines. The dining room is home to intimate booths for a romantic evening, as well as live entertainment in the evenings. Patio dining and private rooms are also available.

Nothing will ever compare to the dishes your grandmother used to make for you as a child, whether you were brought up on her top-secret meatloaf recipe or an oh-so-creamy mac and cheese. But you can come dangerously close at Wilma and Frieda's, a Palm Desert breakfast and lunch restaurant that deconstructs classic comfort food dinners to create dishes like griddled meatloaf and eggs and a five-cheese mac and cheese. Serving their own special roast from local java joint Koffi and an impressive presentation of pastries from the in-house pastry chef, Wilma and Frieda's is a must-try when in Palm Desert.

Since Mastro's opened its doors in the desert, Palm Springs has a new favorite steakhouse. The upscale steakhouse chain opened in Palm Desert's ritzy El Paseo district in late 2011, offering a dining experience with a glamorous, Old Hollywood atmosphere that fits the desert perfectly. Mastro's Steakhouse is well-known for its succulent, hand-cut steaks and fresh seafood dishes. From bone-in T-bones to lobster mashed potatoes, Mastro's is sure to please the pickiest of carnivores. The thick, USDA steaks are cooked to order, but be careful before digging in--steaks are served on 400-degree plates, and a fresh helping of mouthwatering sizzle. Enjoy your cut of choice with a glass of wine from the extensive list, featuring more than 500 varieties from around the world.

If you're planning on spending a day checking out the designer boutiques on El Paseo, be sure to stop in at Cafe des Beaux-Arts for a French-inspired lunch. The Parisian patio is one of the most popular in Palm Desert, and inside, you'll enjoy a quaint interior sprinkled with fine French art. This charming cafe serves casual French fare ready to be savored during a long lunch. Options include a brie burger, croque monsieur, linguini diabolo and cold poached salmon. If it seems like the servers know everyone's name, it's because they usually do. Most of the patrons are longtime regulars.

When it comes to farm-fresh cuisine, it doesn't get much fresher than ingredients handpicked from the restaurant's onsite garden. With that in mind, Chef Vince Cultaro at La Spiga Restorante serves one of the freshest menus in Palm Desert. He creates his menu from whatever is ready to be picked in his backyard garden, and with more than 5,000 feet of groves and vegetable gardens, there is a large variety of farm-to-table options at La Spiga. This Tuscan-inspired Italian restaurant serves dishes like veal with porcini mushrooms, burrata salad and authentic tiramisu. Aside from the onsite garden, La Spiga uses fresh produce and meats from local farms.

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. As one of the finest dining experiences in Palm Desert, Cuistot is known for its flawless food, service and ambiance. The eclectic cuisine has French and Californian influences, as seen in the lobster ravioli, roasted rack of lamb, and sweetbread-stuffed quail. Other possibilities include oven-roasted beef chop, rabbit, and veal. Match your meal with a selection from the award-winning wine list, and don't miss the homemade desserts. If you're headed to Cuistot for lunch, you can choose from the gourmet menu of salads, sandwiches, and hot entrees.