Las Casuelas

Palm Springs, California, United States

We're odd. We like to travel to Palm Springs in July. That time of year, the average temperature is about 115. When it’s that hot, you don't even need a towel at the pool. When you get out, you're dry by the time both feet hit the concrete. I once had the binding of the book I was reading melt. We're obviously lizards or something.

Back in the day, my wife's former next-door neighbor was a restaurant critic for the paper in the O.C. His favorite restaurant was Las Casuelas (warning: Web site plays music), right smack in the middle of downtown Palm Springs. So, we always make it a point to go there for dinner. It's a family-run affair. The atmosphere is laid-back. Out on the patio, they have live music on the weekends, and even a little place to dance, though to me that seems like the quickest way to a heatstroke. Your best bet is to sit tight and stuff yourself with one of the combination platters. It's a lot of food. I usually get two chicken enchiladas. And of course, the margaritas are excellent.

It might help if I also provided the street address: 222 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262; Telephone: (760) 325-2794.