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Morongo Casino and Resort celebrates its variety of dining options with Morongo restaurant week running Monday, April 22 through Sunday, April 28.

Four of the resort's top eateries will be offering special entrees and menus priced at $20.13.

Cielo will give guests a choice between four entrees: chicken tikka, 7 oz. flat iron steak, spiced beef tenderloin tips and pan seared duck breast.

Café Serrano has a three course meal that begins with a choice of garden salad or soup du jour, followed by entrée choice of beef stroganoff or roasted pork loin and chocolate bomb dessert.

Natural 9 Noodle Company has three courses that begins with an appetizer choice of pork and vegetable egg rolls or pork buns, followed by entrée choice of shrimp wonton soup, spicy chicken tom kah soup or yakisoba noodles and finshed with sesame balls or Asian ice cream trio for dessert.

Tacos & Tequilas offers a three course combo dinner that includes appetizer choice of beef flautas or chicken tostada, an entrée choice between enchiladas, soft tacos or pork carnitas with chicken tamale and cheese enchilada. Meal is finished with dessert choice of tres leches cake or morenita chocolate brownie.

For more information on full menus and reservations go to www.morongocasinoresort.com.

The journey begins with a trip up 27 floors in an elevator. Once you step out of the elevator, it really does feel as if you are in the sky, just as Cielo translated into English suggests. The walk down a window-lined hallway to the host stand gives you a view of the desert that cannot be beat.

Plush booths line the edges of the dining room with tables in the middle. If the 27th floor is not high enough for you, there is an upstairs to the restaurant. Windows line Cielo to showcase the view. Hanging from the ceiling are several large chandeliers that slowly change colors to mimic the sunset.

Even more impressive than the view is the menu at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa's restaurant. The steak and seafood selections are inspired by fresh California flavors and produce.

We started out with the panko-crusted artichoke. It was presented on top of a spinach and marinara sauce and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

If seafood is more your style, then try the specialty appetizer: Cielo Assorted Seafood Tower for two (above).

Jumbo shrimp, lobster tail, crab legs and seared scallops are served on a two-tiered platter and finished with cocktail sauce and red wine mignonette.

The entrees are divided up into two sections: seafood and items from the grill. The Crispy Skin Atlantic Salmon was a generous portion of salmon on top a bed of mashed potatoes and spinach and topped with saffron butter sauce.

The Pepper Crusted Ahi Tuna is served with ginger risotto and a smoked tomato beurre blanc sauce.

A good choice from the grill is the moist oven-roasted chicken accompanied by fingerling potatoes, cippolini onions, oven-dried tomatoes and natural juices from the chicken. If you are looking for steak, the thick 18-ounce rib-eye with the bone in and distinctive marbling to create great flavor is the option for you. All the steaks are grilled at 1,200 degrees to create a crust while preserving the juicy center.

There is also an extensive side-dish menu that offers everything from vegetables to macaroni and cheese. The lobster macaroni and cheese is a creamy cheese sauce mixed with penne pasta and lobster and topped with panko to create a crispy crust. The grilled asparagus is topped with olive oil, shallots and porcini béarnaise sauce.

The wine options from the Pacific Coast of Australia, South America, and North America are emphasized.

If a climb up a couple of steps of a ladder is about as much height as you can stand, Cielo is probably not the best choice.

But for those that crave a sky-high feast from an eclectic menu, give Cielo a ride -- all the way up to the 27th floor.

Cielo

Where: Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon

Hours: 5-10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; 5:30-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Entrees: $22-$48

Beverages: Full bar

Reservations: Accepted

Information: 800-252-4499, www.morongocasinoresort.com

Morongo Casino Resort & Spa

What: Potrero Canyon Buffet

Where: 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon

The spread: Long, serpentine serving area and dining tables near the action.

Potrero Canyon Buffet at the Morongo Casino is expansive.

The buffet keeps the party going weekdays with Mariachi Mondays and Italian Thursdays.

Breakfast: Not offered

strong>Lunch: Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. -4:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. -3:30 p.m. $10.95

Dinner: Monday - Thursday, 4:30-9 p.m. $14.95

Other specialty meals: Seafood dinner, 4:30-11 p.m. Friday, $19.95; prime rib dinner, 4:30-11 p.m. Saturday and 4:30-10 p.m. Sunday, $18.95, Champagne brunch is served 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, $19.95.

Membership perks: Winners Club members can get comps good at food outlets.

Beverages: Full bar table service; alcoholic drinks cost extra.

Information: 800-252-4499, www.morongocasinoresort.com

Any time of day or night, Serrano is open to serve diners practically any food they can imagine. Contemporary American cuisine is served in a casual atmosphere with friendly service.

Right off the casino floor and not far from all the clamor lies the packed restaurant that is designed to provide for a little break from the slot machines. Although there was a wait to get a table, the hostess provided diners a buzzer that works throughout the facility; this eliminates the boring waits - and, yes, allows diners to spend as much time in the casino as possible.

At first the menu seems a little overwhelming because of all the choices, but all the options allow anyone to order what they are craving. You can get anything from a small appetizer or salad to 22 ounces of prime rib.

Any choice from the appetizer menu, called "Great Beginnings", is a great way to start off your meal. We started ours with Wings of Fire. Their name is appropriate; make sure your drink glass is full before you take your first bite. The wings are basted in Morongo's special hot sauce and are served with blue cheese and celery sticks. If your palate tends toward the mild side, try the Bucket of Onion Rings. The rings are beer-battered and served with California ranch sauce for dipping.

For the entrée, Serrano offers a variety of sensational sandwiches. The Signature Serrano Chicken Sandwich is a grilled chipotle chicken breast with roasted bell pepper and ranchero sauce on a ciabatta roll. Or try the Really Cheesy Burger topped with cheddar, jack and Swiss cheese.

Looking for international fare? Italian classics such as Chicken Alfredo, Three Cheese Pizza and a Turkey Pannini are offered. In need of a little comfort food before your next lucky streak? Serrano serves up Mama's Magnificent Meatloaf and Chicken Fried Steak that may make you feel comforted.

If those options are not enough, choose from a selection of great steaks and seafood. Serrano's Signature Dish is the prime rib. It is slow-cooked to ensure great flavor and tenderness.

Just out front of the restaurant is a coffee and dessert bar. Specialty coffee drinks and smoothies are served along with a large selection of mouth-watering desserts. Fresh baked goodies such as slices of cheesecake or chocolate croissants can be packaged for the road.

So, if you're looking for a hot time or just a little comfort, Serrano may have the experience you're looking for.

Morongo Casino

What: Serrano

Where: 49500 Seminole Dr. Cabazon

Type of food: Contemporary American.

Hours: 24 hours daily.

Price: $3.95-$14.95.

Cuisine: Features sandwiches, burgers and salads.

Beverages: Wine, speciality drinks, coffee and tea.

Information: 800-252-4499, http://www.morongocasinoresort.com/d_ser.cfm