An Elegant Old Favorite
At the end of April, Michael and I enjoyed a lovely dinner at Cuistot in Palm Desert. It was a welcome treat—excellent service, delicious food, great drinks, and a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Cuistot features a rustic French farmhouse theme, a vision brought to life by Chef Bernard Dervieux. The spacious restaurant is divided into four main dining areas, accommodating up to 290 guests, including seating for 80 on the heated outdoor terrace. For private events, there’s a cozy Wine Room that seats up to 40. The largest dining room boasts a grand fireplace reminiscent of the one in Chef Dervieux’s childhood home near Lyon, France. Meanwhile, Bernard’s Room offers views of the gleaming exposition kitchen, perfect for guests who enjoy watching the culinary magic unfold.
We began with cocktails and shared the Fresh Beet and Cream Cheese Napoleon, served with smoked salmon and a horseradish herb vinaigrette—pure perfection.
For the main course, I had the Grilled Seasonal Seabass over basmati rice with ginger, fresh herbs, vinaigrette, daikon sprouts, and a Chinese lettuce salad. Michael opted for the Crispy Free-Range Chicken served over aromatic, seasonal vegetables and finished with reduced natural juices.
Everything was divine and beautifully complemented by a bottle of wine from Cuistot’s Wine Spectator-awarded cellar.
CUISTOT RESTAURANT
72-595 El Paseo
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760.340.1000
Business Hours
Happy Hour Bar Menu:
Monday – Saturday, 4 pm – Close
Dinner:
Monday – Saturday from 5 pm
Closed on Sundays