Cuistot

Palm Desert Wedding Location
72595 El Paseo
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Palm Springs and Desert Area
View MapTell a Friend
Contact: Catering
Phone: 760/340-1000
www.cuistotrestaurant.com
Request a proposal for your event from Cuistot

We'd love it

if you would mention that you found Cuistot on the Here Comes The Guide website.

Click thumbnails to enlarge image





Cuistot

Description

Between the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains and bustling Palm Canyon Drive lies one of California’s most prestigious and visually appealing shopping/gallery districts, El Paseo. And like a miniature fairytale castle, Cuistot restaurant reigns over the entrance to this chic neighborhood, an eminently suitable concierge to a world of art, style, and in this case, haute cuisine.

Cuistot shares its grounds with a desert garden that flourishes along the street side of the restaurant. Visitors take a contemplative walk through a rocky arroyo alive with succulents, king palms and native wildflowers; a running stream dances with the reflection of brilliant desert hues—silvery plumes of fountain grassmasses of golden-barreled cactusred-tipped yucca—before erupting into a spectacular waterfall that cascades down three tiers of vertically stacked boulders. Behind the garden Cuistot’s Terrace curves out over the arroyo, bringing guests face to face with this refreshing oasis. Weddings take full advantage of this divine setting, and couples say their vows in front of a grand double-sided hearth, with the rushing water before them and a rugged mountainscape in the distance. During the social hour guests can leisurely explore the garden promenade or relax on the Terrace and enjoy the view.

The view is equally captivating inside. Cuistot was actually designed and decorated by the multitalented owner/chef, Bernard Dervieux, who credits the farmhouses in his native Lyon, France as his inspiration. Though the cut-stone walls and vaulted, timbered ceilings are indeed "country French," Cuistot more closely resembles the residence of someone to the manor born! Rich woods, brightly hued fabrics and fanciful appointments embody an eclectic blend of influences: the color scheme recalls European heraldry, post-impressionistic artwork graces the walls, and there’s a touch of Italian Modern in the light fixtures. The result? Stunning banquet spaces that feel both hospitable and truly original.

The Terrace’s French doors open to the central dining space, called Bernard’s Room. Here the décor is at its most subdued, though a gilded coved ceiling keeps things interesting. Most entertaining for diners, however, is a glass wall to the exhibition kitchen that offers a lively look at the culinary pre-show. A whimsically sophisticated motif is evident in both the Wine Room, an intimate private dining space, and Cuistot’s lavishly furnished Lounge, a cozy area with a long wooden bar, booths and vibrant-colored chairs. The bar adjoins the Fireplace Room, where designer Dervieux is at his most fantastic. Cut-stone walls and lofty open-beam ceilings are usually rustic, but decorative flights of fancy take the room to another level entirely. A flagstone hearth topped by an enormous gilt mirror is accented with faux-finished walls and stenciled ivy, while "Deco-Meets-Medieval" chandeliers lend receptions a burnished glow.

A one-of-a-kind setting deserves one-of-a-kind cuisine, and Dervieux’s award-winning California French menu consistently "wows" food critics. He still has a hand in the actual food prep, demonstrating a high level of pride and attention to detail also shared by the dedicated event staff. Cuistot is one of only 6 restaurants in the U.S. to earn a perfect score for food from Conde Nast Traveler. In addition, they were one of only about 600 restaurants in the entire world to receive the 2005 Wine Spectator "Best of the Award of Excellence" for their wine list.

Clearly, Cuistot has all the right ingredients for an outstanding venue. As one reviewer summed it up, "Diners are immersed in a perfection of ambiance, service and food." We couldn’t agree more.

Capacity

Ceremony

Reception/Special Events

Meetings

Max. Seated Indoors: 200
Max. Seated Outdoors: 100
Max. Seated Indoors: 160
Max. Seated Outdoors: 100
Max. Standing Indoors: 260
Max. Standing Outdoors: 150
Max. Seated: 100

CEREMONY CAPACITY: Cuistot holds up to 200 seated guests indoors or 100 outdoors.

EVENT/RECEPTION & MEETING CAPACITY: Indoors, Bernard’s Room and the Fireplace Room accommodate up to 160 seated or 260 standing guests; the Terrace holds up to 100 seated or 150 standing. The Wine Room holds up to 48 seated or 60 standing guests.

Fees & Deposits

A $5,000 deposit is required to reserve your date. The balance is due at the end of the event. There are no rental fees. Meals start at $30/person. Tax, alcohol, and a 20% service charge are additional.

Availability

Tuesday–Saturday 11am–midnight and Sunday 4 pm–midnight.

Catering

Provided

Alcohol

BYO w/ Corkage Fee

Sites Uses

Ceremonies
Wedding Receptions
Special Events, Parties
Business Functions/Meetings
Rehearsal Dinners

Services/Amenities

Catering: provided, no BYO
Kitchen Facilities: n/a
Tables & Chairs: provided
Linens, Silver, etc.: provided
Restrooms: wheelchair accessible
Dance Floor: provided
Bride's Dressing Area: yes
Meeting Equipment: some provided, more CBA
Parking: large lot, valet required
Accommodations: no guestrooms
Telephone: house phone
Outdoor Night Lighting: yes
Outdoor Cooking Facilities: BBQ CBA
Cleanup: provided
View: waterfall, hills, mountains, park, grounds
Other: event coordination, wedding cakes

Music

Indoors
Outdoors

Wheelchair Access

Wheelchair Accessible

Site Views

Hills
Landscaped Grounds
Mountains
Park
Waterfall

Restrictions

Alcohol: BYO with corkage fee, licensed server
Smoking: outdoors only
Music: amplified OK
Wheelchair Access: yes
Insurance: not required

Wondering what CBA or BYO means?

Why can't I search by price?

View Map
Tell a Friend

Want to search again?

Waterlily Pond, photo by Peter Diggs Photography

Don’t take chances on your wedding!

Certified By The Guide Northern and Southern California wedding vendors have all been highly recommended by tons of brides and fellow wedding professionals. If we don’t consistently hear raves, we don’t put them on our website.
tout_alt

Rehearsal Dinner?

Here Comes The Guide is a great tool to use to find your rehearsal dinner location! And, Read more about how to personalize your rehearsal dinner.

Wedding Dresses

We’ve selected the best California bridal salons to help you find your wedding dress. And, get great deals on your wedding dress and see entire wedding dress designer collections at California Trunk Shows.

Central Coast Weddings

We have just opened up a whole new section for Central Coast wedding locations and Central Valley ceremony sites. We think this gorgeous region, full of beach wedding locations and winery reception venues is the “next big thing” in destination weddings.

Santa Barbara Weddings

tout_alt Santa Barbara is a stunning region for destination weddings. Its sublime weather is perfect for garden or beach wedding ceremonies, and its chic hotels and restaurants will rock your wedding reception. Most of our beautiful Santa Barbara wedding locations have Virtual Tours, so take a sneak peek right now!

Palm Springs weddings

tout_alt Click here to get insider info on having a wedding in Palm Springs.