Best Bagels

WINNER: BENNY'S BAGELS COFFEEHOUSE

Two locations valleywide: 72-785 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 568-4990; 50-620 Eisenhower Drive, Suite 105, La Quinta, 777-9102

Imaginative, always fresh bagels have made Benny's a valley favorite for years.

Finalists

Cosi, 46-660 Washington St., La Quinta, 771-5747

New York Bagel & Deli, 73-845 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 340-9930

Best Bakery

WINNER: ASPEN MILLS BREAD CO.

555 S. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, 323-3123

A wide range of breads, from sweet to spicy, are baked every day at Aspen Mills, as well as scones and muffins. The sandwiches please the lunch crowd.

Finalists

Jensen's Finest Foods, five locations valleywide

Cosi, 46-660 Washington St., La Quinta, 771-5747

Best Barbeque Place

WINNER: BABE'S BAR B QUE GRILL & BREWHOUSE

71-800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 346-8738

The combination of funny, deliberately kitschy décor, micro-brewed ales, take-no-prisoners cocktails, hickory smoked meats and chicken, and delicious sweet potato fries makes this the barbecue place guys can take their dates or just go stag.

Finalists

Tootie's Texas Barbeque, 68-703 Perez Rd., Suite A1, Cathedral City, 202-6963

Tony Roma's Famous For Ribs, 73-155 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 568-9911

Best Brunch

WINNER: LAS CASUELAS NUEVAS

70-050 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 328-8844

The Mexican standards are reliable, the prices are affordable and the atmosphere is relaxed, which add up to three good reasons why Las Casuelas Nuevas is such a bustling place and why there seems to be a party going on in every corner.

Finalists

Lakeview at Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort and Spa, 74-855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, 341-2211

Potrero Canyon Buffet at Morongo Casino, 49-500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, 800-252-4499

Best Burger

WINNER: TYLER'S BURGERS

149 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 325-2990

Great fries and consistently tasty burgers have made this landmark cafe a destination for both locals and tourists.

Finalists

In-N-Out Burger, two locations valleywide

Grill-A-Burger, two locations valleywide

Best Chinese Restaurant

WINNER: PF CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO

71-800 HIghway 111, Rancho Mirage, 776-4912

This highly successful national chain has designed a menu that pleases; its Americanized Chinese dishes provide something for everyone and the friendly service adds to the party atmosphere.

Finalists

Wang's in the Desert, 424 S. Indian Canyon Way, Palm Springs, 325-9264

Canton Bistro, 79-405 Highway 111, La Quinta, 771-9129

Best Coffee

WINNER: STARBUCKS

23 locations valleywide

Maybe the recent nationwide emergency training of Starbucks staff did the trick, or maybe desert residents didn't believe the chain had lost its touch. One thing is certain: Starbucks remains the rendezvous of choice across the valley.

Finalists

Koffi, 515 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 416-2244

Old Town Coffee Company, 78-100 Main St., La Quinta, 564-5233

Best Continental Restaurant

WINNER: KAISER GRILLE

205 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 323-1003

Kaiser Morcus and his son Lee have built a desert empire of accessible eating places. The Kaiser Grille offers pizzas, good burgers and steaks, great salads, and some more eclectic and adventurous dishes. The patio of the Palm Springs restaurant, in the heart of downtown, is a great place to people watch.

Finalists

Cork Tree Restaurant, 74-950 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, 779-0123

Bing Crosby's 71-743-A Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 674-5764

Best Dinner Deal

WINNER: HOG'S BREATH INN

78-065 Main St., Suite 200, La Quinta, 564-5556

This La Quinta inn has an irresistible variety of margaritas, a piano bar, a fireplace, a balcony view of Old Town and many of reminders of its connection to Clint Eastwood, the former owner of the Carmel original. There's also the Dirty Harry Dinner: chopped steak with wild mushroom-Dijon mustard sauce.

Finalists

Sullivan's Steak House, 73-505 El Paseo, Palm Desert, 341-3560

Elephant Bar & Grill, 73-833 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 340-0456

Best Fast Food

WINNER: IN-N-OUT BURGER

Two locations valleywide: 72265 Varner Road, Thousand Palms; 82-043 Highway 111, Indio

Family owned for more nearly 60 years, this successful chain has had the reputation of being the best in the business, much praised for the freshness of its ingredients and preparation. A majority of desert dwellers agree with that assessment.

Finalists

Del Taco, multiple locations valleywide

Port of Subs, three locations valleywide

Subway, multiple locations valleywide

Best Fish Taco

WINNER: FISHERMAN'S MARKET & GRILL

Four locations valleywide: 325 S. Indian Canyon, Palm Springs, 327-1766; 44-250 Towne Center Way, Palm Desert, 776-6533; 78-575 Highway 111, La Quinta, 777-1601; 233 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 327-1766

The fish taco at Fisherman's Market satisfies a multitude of cravings: it's fresh, it's easy to eat, it's well priced and it's tasty. Fish you can eat with your fingers - can it get any better?

Finalists

Rubio's, two valleywide: La Quinta and Palm Desert

Shanghai Reds, 235 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 322-9293

Best French Restaurant

WINNER: LE VALLAURIS

385 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, 325-5059

This may be the prettiest of all the desert's restaurants, lovely both at lunchtime and at night. Set in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, it has aged gracefully by preparing impeccable French fare subtly modified to give its classics a contemporary flavor.

Finalists

Cuistot Restaurant, 72-595 El Paseo, Palm Desert, 340-1000

Chez Pierre, 44-250 Town Center Way, Palm Desert, 346-1818

Best Frozen Yogurt

WINNER: GOLDEN SPOON

Two locations valleywide: 78-742 Highway 111, La Quinta, 564-7549; 40-101 Monterey Ave., Rancho Mirage, 340-0402

The Golden Spoon practically created soft serve back in 1982. Since then, it has sprouted more than 85 franchises.

Finalists

The Yogurt Cafe, 72-795 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 674-0416

Cactusberry, 116 La Plaza St., Palm Springs, 325-3228

Best Hotdogs

WINNER: COSTCO

Two locations valleywide: 79-795 Highway 111, La Quinta, 775-0370; 72-800 Dinah Shore Drive, Palm Desert. 770-2819

This is where people go for bargains and where even chefs go to pick up emergency supplies. The hot dog stand next to the check-out lines is irresistible when you've finished a round of serious shopping.

Finalists

Deezer Dogs, 317 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 864-6486

Nathan's Hot Dogs at Morongo Casino, 49-500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, 800-252-4499

Best Ice Cream

WINNER: COLD STONE CREAMERY

Three locations valleywide: 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs 327-6892; 68-718 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 321-0158; 78-380 Highway 111, La Quinta, 771-8242

Founded in Tempe, Ariz., in 1988, this ice cream chain has built its reputation on its smoothies, cakes, shakes and the variety of ingredients it adds to its ice cream, made fresh daily.

Finalists

Baskin-Robbins, four locations valleywide

Lappert's Hawaiian Paradise, 130 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 778-3700

Best Italian Restaurant

WINNER: LE DONNE CUCINA ITALIANA

72-624 El Paseo, Palm Desert. 773-9441

Small, friendly, serving a fairly simple and lovingly prepared menu of Italian classics, Le Donne Cucina has been open for more than 10 years and has been popular for much of that time. Try their veal dishes or their risotto - particularly "ai carciofi" (with artichokes).

Finalists

Mario's Italian Restaurant, six locations valleywide

Castelli's, 73-098 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 773-3365

Best Japanese Restaurant

WINNER: KOBE JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE

69-838 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 324-1717

The emphasis here is on the beef, prepared with panache and with the sort of simplicity that makes customers feel confident of what they are getting. But don't neglect the sushi bar.

Finalists

Okura Robata Grill & Sushi Bar, two locations valleywide

Mikado Japanese Restaurant, Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort and Spa, 74855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, 341-2211

Best Late Night

WINNER: YARD HOUSE

71-800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 779-1415

Boisterous, noisy and very, very popular, this chain is best known for its wide range of beers and its juicy burgers. But there's a lot more to offer, including a decent selection of wines. Weekends are even busier.

Finalists

Azul, 369 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 325-5533

Chop House, 262 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 320-4500

Best Mexican Restaurant

WINNER: EL GALLITO

68-820 Grove, Cathedral City, 328-7794

A beloved local institution, El Gallito is an emotional landmark as much as a physical one. It keeps its staunch adherents loyal by serving up consistent Mexican home-style cooking.

Finalists

El Mirasol, 140 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 323-0721

Las Casuelas Terraza, 222 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 325-2794

Best Pizza

WINNER: MATCHBOX VINTAGE PIZZA BISTRO

155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 778-6000

The crisp, tasty and creative pizzas aren't the only story at this exuberant pizza bistro. Michael Estrada, executive chef of The Falls, also supervises here and he makes sure there are plenty of other choices.

Finalists

Papa Dan's Pizza, two locations valleywide

Haus of Pizza, 72-795 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 340-9040

Best Romantic Dinner

WINNER: JILLIAN'S

74-155 El Paseo, Palm Desert, 776-8242

Beautifully designed to take full advantage of its setting, this historic hacienda is upscale and relaxed at the same time, with an eclectic contemporary American menu and romantic dining either in secluded rooms or in the courtyard under the desert sky.

Finalists

Copley's, 621 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 327-9555

Chop House, 262 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 320-4500

Best Seafood Restaurant

WINNER: FISHERMAN'S MARKET & GRILL

Four locations valleywide: 325 S. Indian Canyon, Palm Springs 327-1766; 44-250 Towne Center Way, Palm Desert, 776-6533; 78-575 Highway 111, La Quinta, 777-1601; 233 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 327-1766

The fish is brought direct from the docks in San Pedro and prepared simply with just enough variations to give its loyal customers a sense of choice as well as the satisfaction of getting a bargain.

Finalists

Pacifica Seafood Restaurant, 73-505 El Paseo, Palm Desert, 674-8666

Seagrille, at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort, Palm Desert, 341-1765

Best Steak House

WINNER: RUTH'S CHRIS STEAKHOUSE

74-740 Highway 111, Palm Desert, 779-1998

This New-Orleans-originated chain keeps plenty of its Louisiana influences, including Ruth's family recipe for creamed spinach and the lush bread pudding. But it's the steaks that keep people coming back.

Finalists

Chop House, two locations valleywide

LG's Prime Steakhouse, three locations valleywide

Best Sushi

WINNER: OKURA ROBATA GRILL & SUSHI BAR

Two locations valleywide: Point Happy Plaza, 78-370 Highway 111, La Quinta, 564-5820; 105 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 327-1333

With some of the most elegant and creative sushi found in the desert, Okura has made a great success in La Quinta and Palm Springs.

Finalists

Hibachi Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar, 71680 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 674-0078

No Da Te at Azur, 49499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta, 564-7600

Best Thai Restaurant

WINNER: THAI SMILE

Three locations valleywide: 42-476 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, 341-6565; 651 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 320-5503; Highway 111, La Quinta, 777-9901

Family owned and operated, the Thai Smile chain is especially valued for its soups, vegetarian dishes and custom orders. The Tom yum gai is a particular crowd pleaser.

Finalists

Bangkok Five Thai Cuisine, 70-026 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 770-9508

Pepper's Thai Cuisine, 396 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 322-1259