Cuistot

Cuistot Restaurant Review:

French fare meets sun-kissed desert setting at this tres chic brasserie located along El Paseo in Palm Desert. Chef-owner is Bernard Dervieux, who has a few notches on his toque having worked at such renowned places as Le Moulin de Mougin in France and The Beverly Hills Hotel. The classics are well represented, as are some lighter, more contemporary dishes: cuisine modern légère. Crispy free-range chicken with aromatic seasonal vegetables and reduced natural juices is a standout, as is the lobster potpie. Roasted quail stuffed with sweetbreads is reminiscent of traditional French cuisine. The bar menu, offered only in the lounge from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., has a long list of shareable plates. Try the house-made pâté and the asparagus and lemon risotto with Gruyère. There are plenty of desserts, but it’s the fromage plate that makes the ideal ending to a meal at Cuistot; it’s composed of a quartet of imported artisanal cheeses flanked with quince paste, nuts and fresh berries along with wine pairing recommendations.