If
the definition of a bistro is a small,
unpretentious café, then Karl and Michelle
Kelley aptly chose the name of their new restaurant. The
Desert Bistro blends sensational food with a relaxed decor
and, most impressive for a restaurant of its caliber, a
personal, warm welcome. Karl, who is both chef and owner,
visits every table each night. The charm and elegance of
the simple decor perfectly accents the delightful ambiance
and extraordinary food to create a pleasurable evening for
any diner walking through the doors of the Desert Bistro.
After having been in the restaurant business for years,
most recently running the Alta Peruvian in Salt Lake City
for the last seven, the Kelleys had long imagined opening
their own business. Karl explains that after cooking for
other people for so long, he wanted to have the chance to
try original ideas without being limited by someone else.
Thanks to a love for the active outdoor lifestyle, they
chose to open their upscale restaurant specializing in food
with a flair of the Southwest here in Moab. Apparently,
they picked the right place as they feel like they fit right
in. Although the Desert Bistro mainly caters to Moabs
visitors, Karl says, The locals have been great. We
have quite a few regulars. The Kelleys also claim
that Moab allows them to keep their work and play in balance,
which is very important as they dont measure success
in financial terms.
The
cozy restaurant accommodates a maximum of forty people,
which is exactly what Karl had in mind when he decided to
open his own place. Karl explains, I dont care
how big we get; I just want to serve awesome food,
which he does. The menu features a plentiful selection of
mouthwatering dishes that range from the more eclectic game
meats to standard favorites like beef tenderloin and home-made
ravioli.
All the food is made from scratch in the Bistros kitchen,
including the pastas, and features Karls creative
and delicious culinary talents. This is not food that you
can easily make at home. Karl particularly specializes in
sauces, some of which take four days to make in order to
reduce the flavors to their most intense, aromatic essences.
Another remarkable feature of Karls cooking is his
mastery of preparing game meats, such as elk and caribou.
Another choice on the tempting menu is fresh fish, which
the Kelleys have flown overnight from Florida. Karl
prepares these dishes with a signature blend of the southwestern
gourmet which results in mouth-watering entrées such
as Grilled elk chop marinated in honey, chipotle and cinnamon
and Blue and yellow corn tortilla crusted chicken breast
with goat cheese. The menu descriptions speak of Karls
creativity and mastery in the kitchen.
The decor of the restaurant has obviously been designed
to showcase the dazzling cuisine Karl is anxious to share
with his customers. The unique, hand-crafted wood furniture
made by a local carpenter and the paintings by a Moab artist
create a comfortable, relaxed environment evoking the feel
of the Southwest. A small bouquet of dried lavender in a
hand-crafted metal vase decorates each table, which compliments
the delicately-flavored lavender in canola/pumpkin seed
oils with fresh bread that is served as the customers pore
over the tantalizing menu. The soft pink walls evoke the
warmth of the surrounding desert.
Perhaps what really singles out this bistro is the personality
of the owners. Customers expect spectacular food, elegant
decor and great service from such a restaurant. However,
visiting with the chef after ones meal is both a surprise
and a pleasure. Especially when Karl and Michelle are both
such affable, interesting people. Their first date, an extended
bike trip across Europe, exemplifies this couples
exuberance for life, the outdoors and good food. He is an
avid rock climber raised in New Hampshire. Michelle, originally
from Seattle, is equally athletic, having completed four
marathons, including taking first place in her age group
in her hometowns race. The après-meal conversations
with customers usually begin with a discussion of the food
and evening and have often diverted to sharing information
about climbing, biking and trail-running. One reason, perhaps,
is that after indulging in such amazing food, diners feel
a more pressing need to exercise the following morning.
The Desert Bistro is located
at 92 East Center Street and is open every night from 5:30
p.m.. Entrées range from $16-$24. For reservations,
call (435) 259-0756.
Recipe of the
Month
Sesame-Seared
Tuna
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