The Café des Beaux-Arts Bloch family — Christy, Roman, Didier, and Julien — at the newly-built patio fountain.

One of the desert’s most frequented restaurants since opening in 1993, Cafe des Beaux-Arts offers the amiable fare and relaxed ambiance of an authentic French sidewalk café to El Paseo. From its vantage point across from The Gardens on El Paseo, the signature green-awning-covered patio wraps around the corner of Larkspur Lane where diners observe all the excitement that this sophisticated street has to offer.

As the name means “Café of Fine Art,” changing exhibits of exceptional artwork from local artists grace its walls. Scenes from French and Mediterranean countrysides to splashes of tropical color reflect owner Didier Bloch’s own culinary experiences in France, Switzerland, Canada, and Tahiti. White wrought-iron, green-and-peach napery add festivity to the patio, which can be glass-enclosed for inclement weather.

For lunch, find delectable salads, sandwiches with a Mediterranean French touch, and classic specialties such as Quiche Lorraine, Coq Au Vin, pastas, and crêpes. Dinner expands with even more appetizers, salads, pastas, and vegetarian dishes, as well as Café des Beaux-Arts signature dishes: Bouillabaisse, Seafood Couscous, Seafood Feuillete, and Chicken Breast with Portobello Mushroom and Sherry Sauce. The children’s menu introduces some gourmet French ideas — such as ham and cheese crêpes.

Another popular French tradition proudly maintained at Café des Beaux-Arts is the Prix-Fixe dinner from $36.95 to $43.95. Select your own three-course meal with an appetizer, entrée and delightful dessert.

Enjoy un petit dejeuner Friday through Monday mornings from 8 a.m. Choices such as scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, filled crêpes, and Mediterranean-style frittatas are served with lightly toasted French baguette.

Open for breakfast during the weekends, and for lunch and dinner daily, Café des Beaux-Arts also accommodates private parties. Ample parking is located directly behind the restaurant.

SHOWN ABOVE: A selection from the creative menu, clockwise from the bottom left — Salade Niçoise, Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, green beans, potatoes, celery, hard boiled eggs, tuna, olives, anchovies, and onions; Coupe Fresh Berries, raspberry sorbet with fresh blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, whipped cream, and Chambord; Chicken Breast Stuffed with Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Goat Cheese; and Gratin de Coquille St. Jacques (scallops). The suggested wine is Saint-Esprit AOC, France, Rosé de Provence, 2006. Photographed before a detail of St. Quentin Pond by French artist Jean-Jacques Montegnies, now living in Palm Desert. One of many fine paintings displayed at Café des Beaux-Arts.

“Charming patio, great food, and French music: Are you at a bistro on Les Champs-Elysées? No … you are at Café des Beaux-Arts on El Paseo!”

MENU HIGHLIGHTS

APPETIZERS
Brie En Croûte served with Mixed Baby Greens
Escargots Bourguignonne
Steamed Mussels and Baby Clams Marinière

ENTRÉES
Bouillabaisse
Seafood Couscous
Roasted Rack of Lamb Provençale
Duckling à l’Orange

DESSERTS
Chocolate Profiterolles
Tarte Tatin
Crêpe Suzette

BEST OF THE CELLAR

RED WINES
Chimney Rock, Cabernet Sauvignon
Vosne Romanée, Louis Jadot
Château Lynch Bages, Grand Cru Classé

WHITE WINES
Ferrari-Carano, Chardonnay
Sancerre “Chavignol”
Louis Jadot, Puligny Montrachet

HOUSE WINE
Red: Ravenswood, “Vintner’s Blend” Merlot
White: La Crema, Chardonnay

CAFÉ DES BEAUX-ARTS
73-640 EL PASEO (AT LARKSPUR LANE)
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260
(760) 346-0669

More Information - Websites, Maps and Directions

BY PAMELA BIERI
PHOTOGRAPHY: ARTHUR COLEMAN/ASSISTANT: TIM CARTER
FOOD STYLIST: ROLAND BIERI