Best of Coachella Valley 2015-2016: Readers’ Picks

On the surface, this “Best Of” package may seem pretty simple: It’s a list of winners and finalists in more than 115 categories, as voted on by Coachella Valley Independent readers, along with a handful of staff picks and photos—with a feature on the Best Local Band thrown in for good measure.

But if you look a little deeper, you’ll see these results paint a fairly interesting picture of the Coachella Valley as it stands today. For example: The fact that such varied and diverse local bands, musicians and DJs were chosen by our readers as winners and finalists points to an increasingly varied and diverse local music scene. If you peruse the places selected as winners and finalists in the various food and restaurant categories, you’ll discover the vast majority of them are locally owned places—pointing to an increasingly good local food scene.

On the flip side, you can find hints of deficiencies in the valley as well. For example: Because there are only three finalists in the Best Indian food category, one can guess there aren’t all that many Indian-food joints in the Coachella Valley. (In fact, you can guess there are probably three, give or take.) And a chain won in the Best Chinese category. ’Nuff said.

I could go on and on, but I won’t; I’ll simply leave you to the results instead.

Oh, one more thing (maybe two): Thank you to all of the many, many readers who voted—and congratulations to all of the winners and finalists. And mark your calendars: The Best of Coachella Valley 2015-2016 Awards Party will be on Tuesday, Dec. 15. Details coming soon.

Welcome to the Best of Coachella Valley 2015-2016!

—Jimmy Boegle, jboegle@cvindependent.com

---

Arts

Best Art Gallery

Coachella Valley Art Scene

Runners up:

2. Heather James Gallery

3. CODA Gallery

4. Archangel Gallery

5. Hohmann Fine Art

Best Indoor Venue

McCallum Theatre

Runners up:

2. Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace

3. The Hood Bar and Pizza

4. The Show at Agua Caliente

5. Fantasy Springs Special Event Center

Best Local Arts Group/Organization

Coachella Valley Art Scene

Runners up:

2. McCallum Theatre

3. Palm Springs Art Museum

4. La Quinta Arts Foundation

5. Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre

Best Local Band

The Flusters

Runners up:

2. IIIZ (formerly The Yip Yops)

3. War Drum

4. Thr3 Strykes

5. R. Buckle Road

Best Local DJ

Alf Alpha

Runners up:

2. DJ Day

3. Alex Harrington

4. House Whores

5. One4All/Tommy Locust

Best Local Musician (Individual)

Jesika Von Rabbit

Runners up:

2. EeVaan Tre

3. John Robbins

4. Steve Madaio

5. Kal David

Best Local Visual Artist

Sofia Enriquez

Runners up:

2. Michael Murphy

3. Elena Bulatova

4. Ryan “Motel” Campbell

5. Michael Weems

Best Movie Theater

Century Theatres at The River

Runners up:

2. Cinemas Palme d’Or

3. UltraStar Mary Pickford Stadium 14

4. Camelot Theatres

5. Regal Rancho Mirage Stadium 16

Best Museum

Palm Springs Art Museum

Runners up:

2. Children’s Discovery Museum

3. La Quinta Museum

4. Coachella Valley History Museum

5. Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

Best Outdoor Venue

The Living Desert

Runners up:

2. Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace

3. Empire Polo Club

4. Fantasy Springs Rock Yard

5. La Quinta Civic Center

Best Theater Company

McCallum Theatre

Runners up:

2. Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre

3. Desert Rose Playhouse

4. Coyote Stageworks

5. Dezart Performs

---

Life in the Valley

Best Alternative Health Center

Palm Springs Healing Center

Runners up:

2. Desert Hot Springs Health and Wellness Center

3. Neuro Vitality Center (formerly the Stroke Recovery Center)

Best Farmers’ Market

Old Town La Quinta Certified Farmers’ Market

Runners up:

2. College of the Desert Street Fair

3. Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market (Saturday)

4. Palm Desert Certified Farmers’ Market (Wednesday)

5. Palm Springs VillageFest

Best Local Activist/Advocacy Group/Charity

Palm Springs Animal Shelter

Runners up:

2. Desert AIDS Project

3. Coachella Valley Rescue Mission

4. LGBT Community Center of the Desert

5. Mizell Senior Center

Best Gym

World Gym Palm Desert

Runners up:

2. In-Shape Cathedral City

3. EOS Fitness Palm Springs

4. Palm Springs Fitness

5. World Gym Palm Springs

Best Public Servant

Congressman Raul Ruiz

Runners up:

2. La Quinta Mayor Linda Evans

3. Palm Springs City Council Member Ginny Foat

4. Palm Springs City Council Member Paul Lewin

5. La Quinta City Council Member Robert Radi

Best Yoga Studio

Bikram Yoga University Village

Runners up:

2. Coachella Valley Art Scene

3. Urban Yoga

Best Bowling Alley

Fantasy Springs Bowling Center

Runners up:

2. Palm Springs Lanes

3. Canyon Lanes Bowling at Morongo

Best Auto Repair

Desert Classic Cars

Runners up:

2. TIE

Andy’s Auto Repair

Palms to Pines Automotive

4. European Auto Service

5. OMAG Automotive Machine

Best Car Wash

Elephant Car Wash/Rancho Super Car Wash

Runners up:

2. La Quinta Car Wash

3. TIE

Airport Car Wash

Desert 100% Hand Car Wash

5. Red Carpet Car Wash

Best Plant Nursery

The Living Desert’s Palo Verde Garden Center

Runners up:

2. Moller’s Garden Center

3. Moorten Botanical Garden

4. Bob Williams Nursery

Best Pet Supplies

PetSmart

Runners up:

2. Cold Nose Warm Heart

3. Petco

4. Bones ‘n’ Scones

5. Pet Oasis

Best Annual Charity Event

La Quinta Arts Festival

Runners up:

2. Paint El Paso Pink (Desert Cancer Foundation)

3. Evening Under the Stars (AIDS Assistance Program)

4. Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards Gala (Desert AIDS Project)

5. McCallum Theatre Annual Gala

Best Place to Gamble

Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa

Runners up:

2. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

3. Morongo Casino Resort Spa

4. Spa Resort Casino

5. Spotlight 29

Best Local TV News

KESQ News Channel 3

Runners up:

2. KMIR Channel 6

3. CBS Local 2

Best Local TV News Personality

Bianca Rae, KESQ News Channel 3

Runners up:

2. Ginger Jeffries, KMIR Channel 6

3. Patrick Evans, CBS Local 2

4. Jenifer Daniels, CBS Local 2

5. Gino LaMont, KMIR Channel 6

Best Radio Station

KCRW 89.3 FM

Runners up:

2. Q102.3 Classic Rock

3. Mix 100.5

4. The Bull 98.5

5. K-News 94.3

Best Local Radio Personality

Jim “Fitz” Fitzgerald, 103.9 FM The Breeze

Runners up:

2. Jeff Michaels, Big 106 (KPLM)

3. Bill Feingold, K-News 94.3

4. Dan McGrath, 103.1 Sunny FM

5. Joey English, K-News 94.3

Best Bookstore

Barnes and Noble

Runners up:

2. Crystal Fantasy

3. The Book Rack

4. Just Fabulous

5. Revivals

Best Retail Music/Video Store

Record Alley

Runners up:

2. Best Buy

3. Barnes and Noble

Best Comics/Games Shop

Desert Oasis Comics

Runners up:

2. Barnes and Noble

3. JB Sports and Varsity Jackets

Best Hotel Pool

Ace Hotel and Swim Club

Runners up:

2. Riviera Palm Springs

3. Renaissance Indian Wells Resort and Spa

4. La Quinta Resort

5. The Saguaro

Best Sex Toy Shop

Skitzo Kitty

Runners up:

2. Not So Innocent

3. Red Panties Boutique

---

Fashion and Style

Best Clothing Store (Locally Owned)

Bobby G’s

Runners up:

2. Grayse El Paseo

3. Wil Stiles

4. R&R Men’s Wear

5. Glossy

Best Resale/Vintage Clothing

TIE

Angel View

Revivals

Runners up:

3. Gypsyland

4. Resale Therapy

5. The Fine Art of Design

Best Furniture Store

Mathis Brothers

Runners up:

2. Revivals

3. Misty’s Consignments

4. Mor Furniture for Less

5. Scandinavian Designs (formerly Plummers)

Best Antiques/Collectibles Store

The Estate Sale Co.

Runners up:

2. Misty’s Consignments

3. Antique Galleries of Palm Springs

4. Victoria’s Attic Antiques

5. The POP Shop

Best Jeweler/Jewelry Store

Leeds and Son

Runners up:

2. El Paseo Jewelers

3. The Jewelry Bar

4. Hephaestus

5. B. Alsohns Jewelers

Best Hair Salon

J. Russell! The Salon

Runners up:

2. Dishwater Blonde

3. Brien O’Brien Salon

4. Razors

5. Revive Salon Spa

Best Spa

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa

Runners up:

2. La Quinta Resort

3. Two Bunch Palms Resort and Spa

4. Studio M

5. Miracle Springs

Best Florist

My Little Flower Shop

Runners up:

2. Rancho Mirage Florist

3. Palm Springs Florist

4. The Flower Company

5. Vaso Bello Celebrations

Best Tattoo Parlor

The Tattoo Gallery

Runners up:

2. TIE

Adornment Piercing and Private Tattoo

Strata Tattoo Lab

4. Art and Ink Tattoo Studio and Design

5. Contrast Tattoo Studios

Best Eyeglass/Optical Retailer

Costco

Runners up:

2. Desert Vision Optometry

3. Ooh La-La de Paris

4. Desert Eyecare Center

5. Old Town Optometry

---

Outside!

Best Urban Landscaping

Sunnylands

Runners up:

2. El Paseo

3. Palm Springs (downtown)

4. Rancho Mirage (general)

5. Palm Springs International Airport

Best Public Garden

The Living Desert

Runners up:

2. Sunnylands

3. El Paseo

4. Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden at the PS Art Museum Palm Desert

5. Palm Desert Community Gardens

Best Place for Bicycling

Palm Springs (general)

Runners up:

2. La Quinta (general)

3. Frank Sinatra Drive

Best Recreation Area

Joshua Tree

Runners up:

2. Idyllwild

3. Indian Canyons

4. Whitewater Preserve

5. Tahquitz Canyon

Best Hike

Indian Canyons

Runners up:

2. Bump and Grind Trail

3. Painted Canyon

4. Palm Springs Art Museum Trail

5. South Lykken Trail

Best Park

Palm Desert Civic Center Park

Runners up:

2. La Quinta Civic Center Park

3. Ruth Hardy Park

4. Demuth Park

5. Francis Stevens Park

Best Outdoor/Camping Gear Store

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Runners up:

2. Big 5

3. Yellow Mart

Best Bike Shop

Palm Springs Cyclery

Runners up:

2. Palm Desert Cyclery

3. Tri.A.Bike

4. Mike’s Bike Truck

Best Sporting Goods

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Runners up:

2. Big 5

3. The Sports Authority

Best Public Golf Course

Indian Wells Golf Resort

Runners up:

2. Desert Willow Golf Resort

3. Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort

4. SilverRock Resort

5. The Lights at Indio GC

---

For the Kids

Best Playground

Palm Desert Civic Center Park

Runners up:

2. La Quinta Civic Center Park

3. Ruth Hardy Park

4. Demuth Park

5. Cathedral City Town Square

Best Place to Buy Toys

Toys “R” Us

Runners up:

2. Target

3. Mr G’s For Kids

4. Big Lots

Best Kids’ Clothing Store

Old Navy

Runners up:

2. Revivals

3. Crazy 8

Best Restaurant for Kids

Chuck E. Cheese’s

Runners up:

2. Red Robin

3. Islands

4. Ruby’s

5. Burgers and Beer

Best Place for Family Fun

The Living Desert

Runners up:

2. Wet ’n’ Wild

3. Children’s Discovery Museum

4. Boomers

5. Chuck E. Cheese’s

Best Place for a Birthday Party

The Living Desert

Runners up:

2. Children’s Discovery Museum

3. TIE

Boomers

Chuck E. Cheese’s

5. Peaks Restaurant (Top of the Tram)

---

Food and Restaurants

Best Casual Eats

Eureka!

Runners up:

2. Lulu California Bistro

3. Stuft Pizza

4. Bill’s Pizza

5. Pho 533

Best Caterer

Lulu California Bistro

Runners up:

2. Lavender Bistro

3. Dash and a Handful

4. Desert Cities Catering

5. Lynn Hammond

Best Diner

Keedy’s Fountain Grill

Runners up:

2. Elmer’s

3. King’s Highway at the Ace

4. John’s

5. Bit of Country

Best Organic Food Store

Whole Foods

Runners up:

2. Sprouts Farmers Market

3. Clark’s Nutrition and Natural Foods

4. Nature’s Health Food and Café

5. Harvest Health Foods

Best Delicatessen

Sherman’s

Runners up:

2. Manhattan in the Desert

3. Clementine Gourmet Marketplace and Cafe

4. Real Italian Deli

5. It’s a Deli

Best Custom Cakes

Over the Rainbow

Runners up:

2. Sherman’s

3. Manhattan in the Desert

4. Pastry Swan Bakery

5. Exquisite Desserts

Best Desserts

Manhattan in the Desert

Runners up:

2. Sherman’s

3. French Corner Cafe and Bakery

4. Over the Rainbow

5. Pastry Swan Bakery/Fix a Dessert House

Best Ice Cream/Shakes

Great Shakes

Runners up:

2. Cold Stone Creamery

3. Ben and Jerry’s

4. Keedy’s Fountain Grill

5. Lappert’s Ice Cream

Best Date Shake

Shields Date Garden

Runners up:

2. Great Shakes

3. Palm Greens Cafe

Best Frozen Yogurt

Beach House

Runners up:

2. Tutti Frutti

3. Yogurt Island

4. Jus Chillin

5. Eddie’s Frozen Yogurt

Best Bakery

Aspen Mills

Runners up:

2. Nothing Bundt Cakes

3. French Corner Cafe and Bakery

4. Over the Rainbow

5. Frankie’s Old World Italian Bakery

Best Barbecue

Babe’s Bar-B-Que and Brewhouse

Runners up:

2. Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace

3. Jackalope Ranch

4. Smoke Tree BBQ Bar and Grill

5. CV BBQ

Best Burger

Eureka!

Runners up:

2. Grill-A-Burger

3. Woody’s Burgers

4. Burgers and Beer

5. Smokin’ Burgers

Best Veggie Burger

Native Foods Café

Runners up:

2. Eureka!

3. Grill-A-Burger

4. Lulu California Bistro

5. Woody’s Burgers

Best Sandwich

Sherman’s

Runners up:

2. The Sandwich Spot

3. TKB Bakery and Deli

4. Manhattan in the Desert

5. Aspen Mills

Best Pizza

Stuft Pizza

Runners up:

2. Bill’s Pizza

3. Piero’s PizzaVino

4. Matchbox

5. Giuseppe’s

Best Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings

Runners up:

2. Upper Crust Pizza

3. TIE

Bar

The Village Pub

5. Lulu California Bistro

Best Bagels

Einstein Bros. Bagels

Runners up:

2. New York Bagel and Deli

3. Townie Bagels Bakery Cafe

4. Manhattan in the Desert

5. Sherman’s

Best Smoothies

Fresh Juice Bar

Runners up:

2. Jamba Juice

3. Juice It Up!

4. Koffi

5. Nature’s Health Food and Café

Best Buffet

Grand Palms Buffet at Agua Caliente

Runners up:

2. Emperor Buffet

3. Fresh Grill Buffet at Fantasy Springs

4. Oasis Buffet at Spa Resort Casino

5. Potrero Canyon Buffet at Morongo

Best Coffee Shop for Coffee

Koffi

Runners up:

2. Starbucks

3. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

4. Ernest Coffee

5. Ristretto

Best Coffee Shop for Hanging Out

Koffi

Runners up:

2. Old Town Coffee Company

3. Starbucks

4. Ernest Coffee

5. Ristretto

Best Tea

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

Runners up:

2. Teavana

3. Koffi

4. Starbucks

5. Ristretto

Best Breakfast

Wilma and Frieda’s Cafe

Runners up:

2. Elmer’s

3. John’s

4. TIE

Lulu California Bistro

Spencer’s Restaurant

Best California Cuisine

Lulu California Bistro

Runners up:

2. TIE

Trio

Zin American Bistro

4. Tropicale

5. Copley’s on Palm Canyon

Best Brunch

Spencer’s Restaurant

Runners up:

2. Lulu California Bistro

3. Escena Lounge and Grill

4. Vue Grille and Bar

5. Tropicale

Best Chinese

P.F. Chang’s

Runners up:

2. City Wok

3. Wang’s in the Desert

4. China 8

5. New Fortune

Best Greek

Greek Islands Restaurant

Runners up:

2. Koutouki Greek Estiatorio

3. TIE

Miro’s Restaurant

Nina’s Greek Cuisine

5. Santorini Gyro Hamburger/Greek Food and Grill

Best French

Le Vallauris

Runners up:

2. La Brasserie

3. Pomme Frite

4. Cuistot

5. Chez Pierre

Best Indian

India Oven

Runners up:

2. Monsoon Indian Cuisine

3. Naan House

Best Japanese

Kobe Japanese Steakhouse

Runners up:

2. Gyoro Gyoro Izakaya Japonaise

3. Okura Robata Grill and Sushi Bar

4. Shabu Shabu Zen

5. Sushi Domo

Best Italian

Ristorante Mamma Gina

Runners up:

2. La Bella Cucina

3. Mario’s Italian Cafe

4. Giuseppe’s Pizza and Pasta

5. Trilussa

Best Sushi

Okura Robata Grill and Sushi Bar

Runners up:

2. Gyoro Gyoro Izakaya Japonaise

3. The Venue

4. No Da Te

5. Sushi Domo

Best Seafood

Fisherman’s Market and Grill

Runners up:

2. Pacifica Seafood Restaurant

3. Ruben and Ozzy’s

4. Mitch’s on El Paseo

5.Oceans Seafood Restaurant

Best Steaks/Steakhouse

LG’s Prime Steakhouse

Runners up:

2. Sullivan’s Steakhouse

3. The Steakhouse at Spa Resort Casino

4. Outback Steakhouse

5. Chop House

Best Thai

Thai Smile Palm Springs

Runners up:

2. Thai Smile of Rancho Mirage (now in Palm Desert)

3. Blue Orchid

4. Pepper’s Thai Cuisine

5. Le Basil

Best Vietnamese

Pho Vu

Runners up:

2. Rooster and the Pig

3. Pho 533

4. Pho of the Desert

5. Le Basil

Best Vegetarian/Vegan

Native Foods Café

Runners up:

2. Palm Greens Café

3. Nature’s Health Food and Café

Best Upscale Restaurant

Spencer’s Restaurant

Runners up:

2. Wally’s Desert Turtle

3. Lavender Bistro

4. Jillian’s

5. Tropicale

Best Outdoor Seating

Jackalope Ranch

Runners up:

2. Lavender Bistro

3. Spencer’s Restaurant

4. Le Vallauris

5. Tropicale

Best Late-Night Restaurant

Lulu California Bistro

Runners up:

2. King’s Highway at the Ace

3. Smokin’ Burgers

4. Alicante

5. Gyoro Gyoro Izakaya Japonaise

Best Mexican

Las Casuelas Terraza

Runners up:

2. El Mirasol

3. Rio Azul Mexican Bar and Grill

4. Pueblo Viejo Grill

5. La Tablita

Best Salsa

Las Casuelas Terraza

Runners up:

2. Pueblo Viejo Grill

3. Rio Azul Mexican Bar and Grill

4. Loco Charlie’s Mexican Grill

5. Los Pepes Mexican Grill and Bar

Best Burrito

Chipotle

Runners up:

2. El Ranchito Taco Shop

3. El Gallito

4. Rio Azul Mexican Bar and Grill

5. La Tablita

---

Spirits and Nightlife

Best Beer Selection

Yard House

Runners up:

2. Eureka!

3. Bart Lounge

4. Babe’s Bar-B-Que and Brewhouse

5. Gyoro Gyoro Izakaya Japonaise

Best Local Brewery

Coachella Valley Brewing Co.

Runners up:

2. La Quinta Brewing Co.

3. Babe’s Bar-B-Que and Brewhouse

Best Place to Play Pool/Billiards

The Beer Hunter

Runners up:

2. Bart Lounge

3. Hunters

4. Neil’s Lounge

5. Palm Springs Lanes

Best Cocktail Menu

Lulu California Bistro

Runners up:

2. Eureka!

3. Bar

4. Zin American Bistro

5. Tropicale

Best Gay/Lesbian Bar/Club

Toucan’s

Runners up:

2. Hunters

3. Chill

4. Tool Shed

5. Streetbar

Best Happy Hour

La Quinta Cliffhouse Grill and Bar

Runners up:

2. Lulu California Bistro

3. Wang’s in the Desert

4. Hunters

5. Tropicale

Best Dive Bar

The Hood Bar and Pizza

Runners up:

2. Red Barn

3. Neil’s Lounge

4. Score

5. Toucan’s

Best Margarita

Las Casuelas Terraza

Runners up:

2. Armando’s Dakota Bar and Grill

3. El Mirasol

4. TIE

Los Pepes Mexican Bar and Grill

Rio Azul Mexican Bar and Grill

Best Martini

Mastro’s Steakhouse

Runners up:

2. Melvyn’s

3. The Falls (no longer in business)

4. Zin American Bistro

5. Tropicale

Best Nightclub

Bart Lounge

Runners up:

2. Copa

3. Chill

4. Hunters

5. Bardot Nightclub

Best Sports Bar

Yard House

Runners up:

2. The Beer Hunter

3. Burgers and Beer

4. Playoffs Sports Bar and Lounge

5. Score

Best Wine Bar

Zin American Bistro

Runners up:

2. La Rue Wine Bar

3. Sullivan’s Steak House

4. La Brasserie

5. 12th Floor Cocktail Lounge and Wine Bar at Fantasy Springs

Best Wine/Liquor Store

Total Wine and More

Runners up:

2. BevMo!

3. LQ Wine

4. Desert Wines and Spirits in the Go Deli Market

5. Fame Lounge

Best Bar Ambiance

Bart Lounge

Runners up:

2. Bar

3. Melvyn’s

4. Tropicale

5. Chill

---

Best of Coachella Valley 2015-2016: Staff Picks

Best of Coachella Valley 2015-2016: Best Local Band: The Flusters

Best of Coachella Valley 2014-2015