Cioppino in the Park!

On October 22nd twenty people gathered around a steaming pot of rich and hearty tomato broth in Joshua Tree National Park. From a cooler full of crab, prawns, mussels, clams and cod we kept throwing more and more seafood into the pot. This was served with bread from Teacakes Bakery in Joshua Tree. Donation was $20 per person. When I'm back on my feet we'll do another one in the spring.

Japanese Dinner September 26th, 2009

Oooh...This is the one I have been waiting to do! Since I just returned from Japan it's time to do a Japanese dinner using all the special ingredients I brought back with me. Reservations are required.

Here is the menu:

Cocktail Hour 6:30 pm:
Ume-Shu (Plum Saké) Spritzers garnished with plum salt and candied cherry blossoms.
served with crunchy rice and nori crackers.
(Iced green tea for non-alcoholic choice)

First course:
Lightly Seared Albacore tuna with sesame black pepper crust served on a salad of organic greens,
shiso leaf and shredded daikon radish with a ginger citrus dressing.

Second Course:
Tenzaru Soba.
Chilled buckwheat noodles with prawn and vegetable Tempura and dipping sauce.

Hijiki Seaweed salad, Omelet topped with Unagi (grilled freshwater eel) and Tsukemono (Pickles).

Miso Soup and Brown Rice.

Dessert:
Matcha (Green Tea) Ice Cream.

Japanese Beer and Saké will be available for purchase too.

Time: 6:30 pm
Location: The Starlite in Joshua Tree
Cost: $35 per person

Menu subject to change according to availability and creative whims.

Email chandoyle@mac.com to make reservations.

Spanish Gypsy Tapas January 21st

Here is the complete menu for Dinner on January 21st at Water Canyon in Yucca Valley. No reservations are necessary. Dinner is served a la carte or as a prix fixe tasting menu which includes one selection from each category PLUS a dish of mixed olives and Spanish Tortilla, all for $36. I hope you can come, these might turn into a semi-regular thing if this goes well! Click here for a link to more information.

Salads:
Butter lettuce salad $5
Roasted fennel and beet salad $5
Asparagus salad $5
Marinated artichoke hearts $5

Tapas:
Spanish style tortilla with spinach and sage $4.00
Cheese plate $6 (add salami for $2)
Mixed olives $3.50
Roasted Garlic $3.50
Roasted Vegetable Ravioli with Black Truffle $5
Garlic Mushrooms $5

Crostini (toasted baguette with topping, served 4 to a plate):
Wild Mushroom and leek crostini $5
Tomato and artichoke crostini $5
Anchovy crostini $5
Tuna and olive crostini $5
Goat Cheese and caramelized onion crostini $5

Meats:
Grilled andouille sausage on a bed of roasted fennel $5
Serrano Ham served with hot mustard $5
Grilled Chicken brochettes with spicy aioli $5

Fish:
House smoked salmon served with caper berries and lemon aioli $6
Pickled shrimp with fennel and red onion $6
Ahi Tuna ceviche with orange and celery $6

Dessert:
Olive oil cake with Fig and Meyer lemon compote $5
Flourless chocolate cake $5
Salted caramel Flan $5

VICTORY DINNER!

Our Bistro Escondido post-election all American victory dinner chez Bobby Furst was a fun and fabulous time! Click here to see a pic of the deep fried mac'n'cheese balls and some happy voters. Sorry I always get too busy to take pics. Any volunteers for next dinner?

All American Dinner November 5th

On Wednesday, November 5th Bistro Escondido and artist Bobby Furst will host an All American Dinner at Bobby's studio in Joshua Tree. We would like this to remain accessible to as many people as possible so a la carte burgers, drinks and dessert will be available. Tickets for the full dinner, which includes a cocktail, appetizers, dinner, dessert and a glass of bubbly are $30. Please purchase advance tickets at http://bistroescondido511.eventbrite.com

If you just want to come for drinks or a burger please choose the "pay at the door option" and then just let us know what you plan to order. If you are just coming for a drink please come between 8 and 10 pm. Yes, we are hoping that this is going to become an Obama victory party. 

Here is the full menu:

Cocktail Hour 6-7 pm

Shot of Bulleit Boubon and a bottle of beer

or

Whiskey Sour

Deviled eggs with Saffron Aioli

Mac & Cheese croquettes

Dinner:

Choice of Hamburger made with All Natural Beef

or

House made wild mushroom Veggie Burger

choice of toppings include:

American Cheddar

Gorgonzola Cheese

Pickled Dill Tomatoes

Caramelized Onions

Bacon

Organic Greens

served with Freedom Fries and Salad

Dessert:

Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream

All this plus a glass of bubbly for only $30! It's a tiny salve in tough economic times.

Please come so we can all be together to celebrate Hope and Change.

Brunch!

Eric and Liz have been hosting regular brunches at Le Haut Desert Aerie in Pioneertown and the locals are starting to catch on. Here's the menu from our last brunch:

Quiche with Leeks and Comté cheese $5

Banana Walnut Pancakes with Organic Maple Syrup $6

Side Salad of Organic Greens $3

Side of Roasted Rosemary Potatoes $2

Lemon Currant Scone with Butter and Jam $3

Chipotle Bloody Mary $5

Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Mimosa $5

Ginger Hibiscus Sparkling Iced Tea $1

Bottomless Cup of Coffee $2.50

Tandoori in the Desert

Our Indian dinner was a huge success and with food and fun in excess. I hear there were a few post-dinner food comas, as evidenced by the fact that everyone except for a few hearty locals were headed home by 11 pm.

The no. 209 Gin and Junipero Gin from the Anchor Steam Brewery were immensely popular, as were the pakoras and chutney. I learned a very important lesson in the kitchen which is that you cannot deep-fy on an electric stove. Thanks to Kris for bringing her deep fryer. After some difficulty in that department dinner was served to much enthusiasm. I hear the coconut ice cream was very popular. Thanks everyone for coming and hope to see you next time!