The Divine Dish

Dinner at Cuistot restaurant, Palm Springs

Posted on Feb 03, 2010 under Archives | No Comment

A few weeks ago my friend Paul and I dined at Cuistot in Palm Springs to do research on a new iphone app I am working on.  The restaurant has a beautiful rustic French farmhouse theme that runs through each of the dining areas and the bar.  There is a large dining room (photo above), a dining room that overlooks the open kitchen (cool if you want to watch the cooking action) and a romantic outside terrace.

We liked this little romantic booth.

The waiter brought us a nice salmon amuse.

Chef Bernard started us off with a lovely wild mushroom soup with chives.  We both loved this soup, especially the presentation.

The waiters brought out a cute copper pot and then poured out the soup.

We also had a yummy goat cheese and avocado salad.

Paul ordered the grilled filet of beef with aged red wine vinegar sauce and veggies, I had the seabass over bamboo rice  and Chinese lettuce salad.  Both were very good.

We were getting full and everything so far was delicious.

Next came a huge dessert, a big floating island with merangue, roasted almonds and vanilla creme anglaise.  Yum.

Cuistot is probably the most romantic place to dine in the desert.   The food is also superb, so if you want to impress a date or you are celebrating a special occasion, or just want some of that yummy mushroom soup, head to Cuistot at 79-599 El Paseo  in Palm Desert, 760/340-1000 for reservations.

Interview with Chef Bernard Derviex, Cuistot restaurant Palm Springs

Posted on Feb 03, 2010 under Uncategorized | No Comment

My friend Paul and I were fortunate to have the chance to eat at one of the best restaurants in the Palm Springs area, Cuistot.  We had a fantastic meal and got to sit down with Chef Bernard Derviex for a quick chat, our conversation is below.

Chef Bernard

Bernard was born in Condrieu, France in 1953. His family operated a farm and this is where he gained his appreciation for fresh, tasteful food. His father wanted him to pick up a trade, so at age 13, he became an apprentice charcutier and worked in Vienne until 1972. He worked under the direction of Chef Paul Bocuse in Lyon, France from 1972 to 1974 as a cuisinier and with Roger Verge in Le Moulin de Mougin. Bernard was sent by Paul Bocuse to the United States in 1974 to work at Le Francais in Wheeling, Illinois as a saucier/sous chef under the supervision of Jean Bachet. He then worked at the Pump Room in Chicago, Illinois from 1978 until 1980 as Executive Chef.

Bernard was hired in 1980 at the Beverly Hills Hotel at the recommendation of Wolfgang Puck. He was Executive Chef at the hotel until 1986. After leaving the Beverly Hills Hotel, Bernard went to the Grand Champions Resort in Indians Wells and also to Aspen, Colorado serving as Executive Chef until opening Cuistot in 1987.

In 2003 Bernard and his wife Susan broke ground on their new location. The building incorporates a rustic French farmhouse theme conceived by the Dervieuxs and executed by Design Development in Agoura Hills, CA.

 

Dinner at The Falls Prime Steakhouse

Posted on Jan 30, 2010 under Archives, Palm Springs | No Comment

A few weeks ago my friend Paul and I took my friend (and Paul’s boyfriend) Chris to The Falls Prime Steakhouse for a birthday dinner.

We started with a few of their signature flavored martinis chilled with cubes of dry ice, sending a smoky plume out of each of our glasses.

We ordered starters of bacon wrapped California mission figs stuffed with manchego cheese and chorizo, one of the faves of the evening.  We also got a Caesar salad for three prepared tableside.

The menu features a long list of steaks, chops, fish and delicious sides to choose from.  I got a ribeye steak, cooked perfectly and huge, and Paul and Chris ordered halibut and lamb, all were tasty.

We also ordered some sides including grilled vegetables, organic cremini mushrooms and bermuda onions, and mashed potatoes.

We ended the evening with an order of flaming bananas foster.

If you get a craving for a smokin’ cocktail or a good steak the next time you are in the desert, head to The Falls, 155 South Palm Canyon Drive, reservations at 760/416-8664.

Dinner at Burger Bar Las Vegas

Posted on Jan 27, 2010 under Archives, Las Vegas | No Comment

My friend Sheila and I visited Hubert Keller’s Burger Bar when we recently stayed at Mandalay Bay.  The 140 seat restaurant offers guests the ability to make their own burger with dozens of choices of toppings, cheeses and different types of protein.  Diners can choose from Kobe beef, Colorado lamb, turkey, Black Angus beef and vegetarian among other choices.    Toppings can include bacon, fried egg, prosciutto, ham, foie gras, grilled lobster and other offerings.

We started by splitting this yummy espresso shake.  Yum.

I ordered the Kobe burger with onions, avocado and bacon and Sheila got the American Classic with the basics.  Here are our burgers.

We also got buttermilk onion rings and fries.  Both were really crispy and good.

Here we are in our booth:

Any burger lover will enjoy a stop at Keller’s Burgar Bar, which also has locations in San Francisco and St. Louis.  If you are in Vegas, head to Mandalay Bay.