Spencer's at The Palm Springs Tennis Club

This is one of those restaurants that has everything going for it. Settled
at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac off of the main strip is an unsuspecting
treasure. It's windowless facade with imposing black double doors eludes
to nothing, but what a place!

The hostess desk is the first to greet guest. Directly behind are various
sized candles snuggled into hilly mounds of sand set at the base of a
framed window sill where one can take a peak through the dancing flames
and put to thought where they might be seated. The dining room is small,
and besides the abundance of more candlelight, it's scarcely lit. In the
center is a grand piano, surrounded by a few scattered tables. Others are
pushed up to bench seats that line the walls. A bar situated close to the
entrance has one side open to an enchanting outdoor patio. This part of
the restaurant is just as much a marvel. Well established trees emerge
from the brick floor, while the wall built up around it defines the
perimeters, without restricting the wonders of a breeze. Deciding
whether to dine indoor or out is a struggle especially when the outdoor
fire pit is lit, and the grand piano is in play.

They shake up the most perfect Cosmopolitan and a Red Apple Martini
that tasted just picked. Menu items that we'd come back for have been
regrettably replaced with some new fascination. The Lobster Cocktail
with ample chunks of lobster served in a chilled martini glass with two
delicious sauce; Horseradish Cocktail and a Mustard Mayonnaise Sauce
wont be soon forgotten. Now we find pleasure in the Spencer's Cold
Appetizer Sampler ($25) with Smoked Salmon Carpaccio with creme
fraiche and capers, Ahi Tuna Tartare ($12.95) and Beef Carpaccio ($13)
offered on small plates. Fried Coconut Crusted Shrimp ($13.50) threaded
on the end of wooden skewers was served impressively impaled in a thick
slice of pineapple and served with a tangy glaze. On our first trip the Kung
Pao Calamari ($11) was our favorite, but was heavier with corn meal and
less spicy on the next.

The Wild Mushroom Fettuccine that we enjoyed on a previous trip had
morels, chanterelles and porcine mushrooms partaking in a cream sauce
has been replaced with a Wild Mushroom Ravioli ($14.95) in a Vodka
Tomato Cream Sauce with sauteed Portabellas. It's a travesty leaving
behind such temptations as the Pan Fried Chilean Sea Bass Filet ($35)
with braised fennel, baby artichokes, oven tomatoes, a light saffron sauce
and crispy leeks and Sauteed Breast of Chicken Paillards with Pecan Nuts
($19) with creamed spinach, whipped Yukon gold potatoes and lemon
caper butter sauce. The food is a dream right down to a wonderful piece
of Coconut Cream Pie set in a pool of fresh Raspberry Sauce.

The menu is quite large with everything from lamb, liver, steaks and
lobster at dinner, six different "Benedicts", waffles, frittata and corned
beef on Sundays as well as salads, pastas, sandwiches and more here and
there. I'm thoroughly impressed by this place. It's one of the most
romantic and delicious restaurants in Palm Springs.

Located at 701 W. Baristo Road in Palm Springs.

Telephone (760) 327-3446