Plaza Robergé in Palm Desert California is home to a jewellery salon, an art gallery, a ladies boutique, and Augusta Restaurant, making a visit to the beautiful venue a feast for the body, eyes, and appetite. Those who appreciate sound design will revel in the beauty of the dining room, available in the garden patio and gently lit in the evening, offering a view of the soaring Santa Rosa Mountains during the day.

The lunch menu opens with appetizers of steamed artichoke with aioli butter sauce; a classic French onion soup, and a choice of eight salads that could include a Chinese chicken with crispy wonton; land crab, and chilled chicken curry with grapes. Sandwiches of Monte Cristo ham and turkey, and striped bass on a brioche bun and entrees of chicken quesadillas and penne pasta are perfect at lunchtime. The dinner menu takes in grilled shrimp, or escargots, butter and parsley sauce, and sake marinated Chilean sea bass or pepper crusted filet of beef tenderloin.

A well-chosen drinks list embraces some fine numbers.