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A Star is Born!

Nestled away in the gorgeous La Quinta Resort and Spa, Morgan's in the Desert is the Coachella Valley's newest gourmet "piece de resistance" headed by uber-chef Jimmy Schmidt, of the former Rattlesnake at the Classic.

  The all a la carte menu is one of ever-changing, succulent roast meat and seafood fare. We tasted many delights, from appetizers like Pacific Oysters on the Half Shell with Apple Cider Mignonette Granita to Purple Haze Goat Cheese with Grilled Wild Mushroom Crostini. Entrees included tastes from Pan-Roasted Breast of Duck and Foie Gras Caramelized Two Apple Salad and Slow Braised Angus Short Rib with Parmesan-Roasted Cauliflower. Our favorite was the Ahi Tuna Tartar with Tangerines, Maui Onions, Picholine Olives and Endive Salad. For dessert, the Twisted S'Mores made with Marshmallow Ice Cream is a true delight, and the Two Apple Bourbon Crisp with Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream kicks everything else "apple" to the curb.

  Softly lit, with seamlessly blended indoor and outdoor dining areas, Morgan's is more than a restaurant -- it's a destination. You go for the entire experience. The rustic, softly lit mission-style 1930s architecture relaxes guests with beamed ceilings, soft furniture, and walls adorned with tapestries and mosaics, as the big tiled fireplace crackles with friendly flames. As live music wafts over from the bar and its choice of handcrafted cocktails using the ultimate in fresh ingredients, you realize you're in the midst of a stylish and luxurious nightime oasis!

  So after dinner, sidle up to the bar for a nightcap and some live piano music, or snuggle up on the patio in front of the firepits. Morgan's in the Desert takes full advantage of its classic, desert surroundings to create a stylish, top quality escape from the bustle of the everyday world -- destined to become one of the best restaurants in the Coachella Valley.

A Little History...The La Quinta Resort & Spa is owned by a Morgan Stanley real estate investment fund ("Morgan Stanley Real Estate Funds V"), along with the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa in Maui, PGA West, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, and Berkeley California's historic Claremont Hotel.

Built in 1926, La Quinta Resort is one of America's oldest and most legendary resorts -- providing its discerning clientele an opportunity to enjoy everything the Coachella Valley has to offer, including world-class golf, tennis, and during the Winter season, the HITS Thermal Desert Circuit, one of the world's largest USEF "AA"-rated horse shows, along with championship polo at the El Dorado and Empire Polo Clubs, the Western home of Polo in the United States.

A member of Hilton Hotels' exclusive Waldorf-Astoria Collection, which includes the Waldorf-Astoria hotel itself in New York, the historic Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, Florida, the famous Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the soon to be reopened Waldorf Astoria-Beverly Hills, formerly Merv Griffin's Beverly Hilton, long-time home to the globally televised television Emmy and Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Golden Globe Awards. Featuring a classic desert landscape, endless swimming pools, great cuisine, legendary desert hospitality, and access to some of the best golf and tennis in the Nation, the La Quinta Resort & Club is a long time favorite of the Hollywood elite, top international athletes, and conferencing business executives from around the world.

A great venue, and a tough audience, but we're confident Jimmy Schmidt's new flagship restaurant at the La Quinta Resort will be up to the task. Enjoy!

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Eclectic elegance in Palm Springs··· The Riviera Resort and Spa embraces its star studded history, harkening back to the days of the Rat Pack but exuding a sharp, modern fashion sense that envelops the first time visitor. The textures and design materials used in the hotel's total makeover are rich and tactile. Vinyls, velvets, leathers, fluorescents, shag, tiny mirrors beaming sequins of light, amid bold primary colors, black crystal chandeliers, and lipstick red wallpaper. This is the epitome of post- modern eclecticism. Daring to say the least, and it works. Big time.

 Circa 59 is the hotel's signature restaurant, and its young new Executive Chef, Bradley Manchester, seems to approach his work with a sense of enthusiasm and humor that can't help but ensure that even the most discriminating Riviera Resort visitor will enjoy a great meal and a fun night out in spectacular surroundings. Flanking either side of the hotel's gigantic entrance hallway, and anchored by Sidebar, the hotel's intimate bar, Circa 59's clam-shell style banquettes and table area all offer front-and-center views of the Riviera resort's landmark pool.

  And what a pool! With a shape somewhere between a modern flower or a "Splat!" symbol, and surrounded by fire pits and luxurious chaise lounges, this dramatic poolside landscape used to be the aftershow hangout for the big names at the Chi Chi Club, everyone from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, to Bing Crosby, Marilyn Monroe, and Milton Berle. Back in the day, the Hollywood "in crowd" came here to relax, party, and mingle among the beautiful people in equally magnificent surroundings.

  And the fun doesn't end with great food and drink at Circa 59. The Riviera has fabulous poolside rooms and a spa to enjoy. Definitely a memorable experience, the next time you're in the Desert, whether it's on a weekend visit from LA, Orange County or San Diego, or a big time golf junket from the MidWest or East Coast!

Riviera Facts...The Riviera Resort & Spa is owned and operated by Noble House Hotels & Resorts, www.noblehousehotels.com a Seattle-based, family-run collection of distinctive luxury hotels and resorts located in Florida, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, Southern California and Newport R.I.