We had multiple happy hour drinks and dishes. The well Organic Gin was delicious, the Bento box, and Angel hair pasta were amazing, but I've had better steamed mussels.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Justin “JDubb” Willhite
Cuistot is pretty good when it comes to food. That Classic Cassoulet Toulousain was everything I wanted – the meat was just how you’d hope, and the whole thing was spot on. And the bread they serve is fantastic. I recommend keeping some on hand if you ordered the Cassoulet as well!Had a Black Manhattan too, and let me tell you, it was strong in the best way. It’s nice to find a spot that doesn’t mess around, many I've had are so light on the alcohol it's almost a waste of time.But, fair warning, the service could use a speed boost. Waiting for our drinks felt like forever, and the food took its sweet time too. The good news is, it's all worth it once you get it.Plus, the place itself is gorgeous, especially if you catch that patio scene at sunset. And as a side note there is a sculpture garden with awesome water features next to the restaurant for an after dinner stroll.So, if you’re down to chill and not in any rush, Cuistot is where it’s at. Just sit back, enjoy the scene, and get ready for some top-notch eats and drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Lisa Rundle
Unfortunately I have to give this longtime restaurant 1 star. We have been coming here yearly for our anniversary dinner. However their prices have gotten to be outrageous. My husband ordered the ribeye and unfortunately we did not ask the price. It was not on the regular menu and we should have asked the price. It was $89. A 6oz glass of Merlot was $25. This place is for the rich and not even affordable for the average person. Buyer beware!Service is excellent but prices not so much.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Kevin Capozzi
just like other reviewers have said the food is a full of lemon juice. most amazingly when I discussed my displeasure with both the mushroom soup and the pastas which were highly acidic the chef hit me and told me I didn't know anything. I've opened an assault and battery case with the Riverside Sheriff's department. the chef never apologized nor did he take the mushroom soup off the bill, just the two uneaten pastas.AVOID AVOID AVOID!!!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
AndrewL
Cuistot is one of favourite restaurants when we visit Palm Desert in March each year. The kitchen seemed busier and a bit slower than usual with the tennis tournament on, but the quality remained excellent and our main server, Dan, was very attentive. We both had lovely salads, my partner had salmon for the main and I had the excellent rack of lamb - I could eat it nightly. We enjoyed the lemon tart for desert, also a favourite.
LovesFood
Our food was superb. We had the quenelles, bouillabaisse (a special), farfalle pasta and cassoulet....all excellent. Service was also very good. Our birthday girl was 97 and received a complimentary fruit and cheese dessert....how kind. Thank you. The table next to us was loud and crude. They put a damper on an otherwise pleasant evening.
Last night was our first time at Cuistot. We couldn't have been happier with it. Starting with the exterior decor to the beautiful interior ambience, our whole experience was wonderful. We arrived a bit earlier, so had a happy hour drink in the bar. Our waiter was eager to help and recommend drinks. When we were seated, we had knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient server, Adriana. Then came the food! From the mushroom soup to our incredible entrées, to the exciting desserts we were impressed with each course. We are still talking about the floating island dessert today! Unique and delicious! We were with another couple and the restaurant was very quiet inside, so we could all hear each other talk. We would look forward to returning!
SFOSteve
For the reputation and prices I was expecting far more all around. Crispy chicken wasn't that crispy but certainly ordinary. Veal scallopini overcooked and chewy with a sauce that may have come from a can. Pappardelle was mushy and overcooked and basically a waste of decent truffles. Quail stuffed with sweetbreads was a pity. The quail was killed twice- once before they were cooked and again as they were cooked. The three tiny pieces of sweetbreads inside the quail also a waste of what is normally an extravagant ingredient. The overly salted black rice was no consolation. The tart tarin had promise but the apples were more like applesauce. The potential for this place perhaps exceeds the talent in the kitchen.
Marianne Philippart
Horrendous food, certainly not authentic French, don't be fooled by the French name, there's no French cuistot there. Beef carpaccio was the only dish fresh and well prepared. The short ribs ravioli was mediocre at best, supposed to come with cremini, chanterelle mushrooms and truffle essence. There were a couple of paper thin slices of regular mushrooms, no chanterelles and not even a drop of chemicals based truffle oil, the sauce that came with it was watery and over salty, not close to a Cabernet 'reduction'. The toulousain cassoulet is to avoid at all cost!!! Tasteless white beans in watery bland sweet tomato sauce and dried out meat, some of it even tasted off like beyond safely edible. Cassoulet is supposed to be slowly cooked for hours, which makes the sauce so tasty and the meat flavorful and tender. None of this here, we saw the plastic pouches of beans being emptied into a copper saucepan and the pre-cooked meat added to the pot. We sat at a table next to the open kitchen and watched every single dish being re-heated, nothing is cooked fresh or from scratch here. The wine was good, too bad it was wasted with sub par food. Our waitress was excellent, she offered to bring other entrées but we didn't accept her offer, we ordered a cheese plate for dessert that was complimentary. Save your money and dine somewhere else, the food is mediocre and awfully expensive for such a low quality
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
Megan Walderman
Very mediocre restaurant especially for the price. Service was very slow. Food was nothing special. The decor and ambiance is dated and tired.The worst part of our meal unfortunately was with a Bloody Mary: one of us ordered a Bloody Mary with olives and one had a pit in it and a tooth was chipped.I would not come back here and head to one of the other wonderful restaurants in the area.
Very mediocre restaurant especially for the price. Service was very slow. Food was nothing special. The decor and ambiance is dated and tired. The worst part of our meal unfortunately was with a Bloody Mary: one of us ordered a Bloody Mary with olives and one had a pit in it and a tooth was chipped. I would not come back here and head to one of the other wonderful restaurants in the area.
Tdrex
Chef Bernard, as always, prepared a delicious set of dishes one more appetizing than the others and all perfect. Service was impeccable and very personal, always friendly. Signature mushroom soup fenomenal. Our guests from Nashville were impressed and thankful for a wonderful experience.
MarkG
Charming old world casual elegance seldom found these days. Everything was superbly prepared - entire staff was attentive but never intrusive. Has instantly become a family favorite.
JanetR
We always go to Cuistot in the desert to celebrate special occasions and we usually stay with our much-enjoyed menu favorites over the years. Last night we branched-out and tried the beet, cream cheese and salmon appetizer, and it now is a new favorite. The entire meal was delicious and we were very well attended by Konstantin T and his service partners in the Fireplace room. Cuistot delivered on a delicious special birthday dinner, and dining experience.
Karrie
Beautiful venue, great reception and welcome to our very lovely table. We enjoyed yummy cocktails and delicious food. The table bread and butter were great too. And they gave each of us our own tab, which was appreciated. Flat iron steak was mentioned as a top pick! Enjoy!
We had multiple happy hour drinks and dishes. The well Organic Gin was delicious, the Bento box, and Angel hair pasta were amazing, but I've had better steamed mussels.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Cuistot is pretty good when it comes to food. That Classic Cassoulet Toulousain was everything I wanted – the meat was just how you’d hope, and the whole thing was spot on. And the bread they serve is fantastic. I recommend keeping some on hand if you ordered the Cassoulet as well!Had a Black Manhattan too, and let me tell you, it was strong in the best way. It’s nice to find a spot that doesn’t mess around, many I've had are so light on the alcohol it's almost a waste of time.But, fair warning, the service could use a speed boost. Waiting for our drinks felt like forever, and the food took its sweet time too. The good news is, it's all worth it once you get it.Plus, the place itself is gorgeous, especially if you catch that patio scene at sunset. And as a side note there is a sculpture garden with awesome water features next to the restaurant for an after dinner stroll.So, if you’re down to chill and not in any rush, Cuistot is where it’s at. Just sit back, enjoy the scene, and get ready for some top-notch eats and drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Unfortunately I have to give this longtime restaurant 1 star. We have been coming here yearly for our anniversary dinner. However their prices have gotten to be outrageous. My husband ordered the ribeye and unfortunately we did not ask the price. It was not on the regular menu and we should have asked the price. It was $89. A 6oz glass of Merlot was $25. This place is for the rich and not even affordable for the average person. Buyer beware!Service is excellent but prices not so much.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
just like other reviewers have said the food is a full of lemon juice. most amazingly when I discussed my displeasure with both the mushroom soup and the pastas which were highly acidic the chef hit me and told me I didn't know anything. I've opened an assault and battery case with the Riverside Sheriff's department. the chef never apologized nor did he take the mushroom soup off the bill, just the two uneaten pastas.AVOID AVOID AVOID!!!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Cuistot is one of favourite restaurants when we visit Palm Desert in March each year. The kitchen seemed busier and a bit slower than usual with the tennis tournament on, but the quality remained excellent and our main server, Dan, was very attentive. We both had lovely salads, my partner had salmon for the main and I had the excellent rack of lamb - I could eat it nightly. We enjoyed the lemon tart for desert, also a favourite.
Our food was superb. We had the quenelles, bouillabaisse (a special), farfalle pasta and cassoulet....all excellent. Service was also very good. Our birthday girl was 97 and received a complimentary fruit and cheese dessert....how kind. Thank you. The table next to us was loud and crude. They put a damper on an otherwise pleasant evening.
Last night was our first time at Cuistot. We couldn't have been happier with it. Starting with the exterior decor to the beautiful interior ambience, our whole experience was wonderful. We arrived a bit earlier, so had a happy hour drink in the bar. Our waiter was eager to help and recommend drinks. When we were seated, we had knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient server, Adriana. Then came the food! From the mushroom soup to our incredible entrées, to the exciting desserts we were impressed with each course. We are still talking about the floating island dessert today! Unique and delicious! We were with another couple and the restaurant was very quiet inside, so we could all hear each other talk. We would look forward to returning!
For the reputation and prices I was expecting far more all around. Crispy chicken wasn't that crispy but certainly ordinary. Veal scallopini overcooked and chewy with a sauce that may have come from a can. Pappardelle was mushy and overcooked and basically a waste of decent truffles. Quail stuffed with sweetbreads was a pity. The quail was killed twice- once before they were cooked and again as they were cooked. The three tiny pieces of sweetbreads inside the quail also a waste of what is normally an extravagant ingredient. The overly salted black rice was no consolation. The tart tarin had promise but the apples were more like applesauce. The potential for this place perhaps exceeds the talent in the kitchen.
Horrendous food, certainly not authentic French, don't be fooled by the French name, there's no French cuistot there. Beef carpaccio was the only dish fresh and well prepared. The short ribs ravioli was mediocre at best, supposed to come with cremini, chanterelle mushrooms and truffle essence. There were a couple of paper thin slices of regular mushrooms, no chanterelles and not even a drop of chemicals based truffle oil, the sauce that came with it was watery and over salty, not close to a Cabernet 'reduction'. The toulousain cassoulet is to avoid at all cost!!! Tasteless white beans in watery bland sweet tomato sauce and dried out meat, some of it even tasted off like beyond safely edible. Cassoulet is supposed to be slowly cooked for hours, which makes the sauce so tasty and the meat flavorful and tender. None of this here, we saw the plastic pouches of beans being emptied into a copper saucepan and the pre-cooked meat added to the pot. We sat at a table next to the open kitchen and watched every single dish being re-heated, nothing is cooked fresh or from scratch here. The wine was good, too bad it was wasted with sub par food. Our waitress was excellent, she offered to bring other entrées but we didn't accept her offer, we ordered a cheese plate for dessert that was complimentary. Save your money and dine somewhere else, the food is mediocre and awfully expensive for such a low quality
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
Very mediocre restaurant especially for the price. Service was very slow. Food was nothing special. The decor and ambiance is dated and tired.The worst part of our meal unfortunately was with a Bloody Mary: one of us ordered a Bloody Mary with olives and one had a pit in it and a tooth was chipped.I would not come back here and head to one of the other wonderful restaurants in the area.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Very mediocre restaurant especially for the price. Service was very slow. Food was nothing special. The decor and ambiance is dated and tired. The worst part of our meal unfortunately was with a Bloody Mary: one of us ordered a Bloody Mary with olives and one had a pit in it and a tooth was chipped. I would not come back here and head to one of the other wonderful restaurants in the area.
Chef Bernard, as always, prepared a delicious set of dishes one more appetizing than the others and all perfect. Service was impeccable and very personal, always friendly. Signature mushroom soup fenomenal. Our guests from Nashville were impressed and thankful for a wonderful experience.
Charming old world casual elegance seldom found these days. Everything was superbly prepared - entire staff was attentive but never intrusive. Has instantly become a family favorite.
We always go to Cuistot in the desert to celebrate special occasions and we usually stay with our much-enjoyed menu favorites over the years. Last night we branched-out and tried the beet, cream cheese and salmon appetizer, and it now is a new favorite. The entire meal was delicious and we were very well attended by Konstantin T and his service partners in the Fireplace room. Cuistot delivered on a delicious special birthday dinner, and dining experience.
Beautiful venue, great reception and welcome to our very lovely table. We enjoyed yummy cocktails and delicious food. The table bread and butter were great too. And they gave each of us our own tab, which was appreciated. Flat iron steak was mentioned as a top pick! Enjoy!