Close-up of a savory entrée plated with sautéed vegetables and tender potatoes, showcasing Chez Pierre Bistro’s French-inspired presentation.

The Story of Chez Pierre Bistro

A Labor of Love You Can Taste

When you step into Chez Pierre Bistro, tucked just one block from El Paseo, you’re stepping into a space shaped by passion, artistry, and a lifetime of culinary devotion. Award-winning Chef Pierre Pelech has spent more than two decades bringing authentic French cuisine to Palm Desert, infusing every dish with the warmth and joie de vivre that define his life’s work.


For Chef Pierre, cooking is not only a craft, it’s his greatest pleasure. His 14-hour days, boundless energy, and playful spirit infuse the restaurant with life. Guests often say they can taste the love behind the food, and it shows in the loyal following he has cultivated since the day he opened his doors.


A Journey Defined by Passion & Provenance

From the French Riviera to Palm Desert

A lifetime of mastery, shaped by tradition, passion, and heart.

Chef Pierre’s roots trace back to France, where he trained in some of the Riviera’s most storied establishments, including La Réserve, Le Métropole, and Eden Roc at Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc. These world-class kitchens shaped his technical expertise and deep respect for French tradition.


But Pierre’s journey spans far beyond France. From Nassau to Los Angeles, from the Caribbean to the desert, his culinary artistry has traveled the world, gathering inspiration, bold flavors, and a global perspective along the way.


His arrival in Palm Desert brought something rare and irresistible: classic French cuisine prepared with Riviera finesse and delivered with a sense of warmth that feels like home.

Warm, elegant dining room at Chez Pierre Bistro featuring white tablecloths, French bistro chairs, soft ambient lighting, and colorful modern art on the walls, capturing the intimate, classic French atmosphere of the restaurant.

"My hobby is cooking, and my greatest pleasure is life."

Walk into Chez Pierre and you instantly feel the intimacy, history, and charm woven into its walls. The decor evokes rural Provence, with warm golds and reds, lavender fields, and soft cotton table linens. A miniature Eiffel Tower centerpiece recalls Pierre’s roots and the romance of France.


But what guests feel most is the family.


Pierre believes that how he treats his staff is felt directly by the people they serve. Many employees have been with him for years, some since the very beginning. They celebrate holidays together, dress up for Halloween, and share staff meals as a family. This love and respect radiate through the service, the hospitality, and the unmistakable sense of welcome that defines Chez Pierre.


As Pierre’s Spanish Nana first introduced him to food preparation, he learned that great cuisine begins with love, a philosophy he still carries today.

Intimate bar area inside Chez Pierre Bistro featuring soft pendant lighting, elegant floral arrangements, French bistro chairs, and warm red and gold tones that create a cozy, sophisticated dining ambiance.

A Menu Born From Passion & Tradition

Classic French Dishes Crafted With Soul

Every plate at Chez Pierre is prepared with intention, rooted in the techniques Pierre learned along the French Riviera and perfected across a lifetime.


Classic specialties include:



  • Beef Bourguignon – slow-braised in Burgundy wine for deep, velvety richness
  • Duck à l’Orange – Maple Leaf duck with a bright, elegant orange glaze
  • Frog Legs Sauté Provençale – tender, garlicky, and quintessentially French
  • Filet Mignon & Pomme Frites – the timeless bistro pairing
  • Veal Kidney with Mustard Cognac Sauce – boldly traditional, refined with finesse
  • Braised Veal Sweetbreads – tender, luxurious, and crafted with true French mastery
  • Crème Brûlée – velvety custard beneath a caramelized sugar crown


Pierre’s talent transforms simple ingredients into unforgettable moments, offering dishes with depth, character, and the unmistakable signature of a true French craftsman.


His food honors the old-world traditions of France while embracing the bounty of the desert, a beautiful harmony of precision and passion.


"If I get my apron dirty every day, I want you to, too.”


This quote reflects Pierre’s unwavering commitment to excellence and pride in hard work. For him, hospitality goes far beyond service. It’s about creating an atmosphere where guests feel cherished, seen, and genuinely cared for.


Visitors often describe the experience as dining “at a home away from home.” As Pierre likes to say, you’ll leave with full hearts, full bellies, and, if you’re lucky, two kisses and a warm hug.

Celebrated for Warmth, Craftsmanship & Culinary Excellence

Chez Pierre Bistro’s reputation has been built on years of consistency, love, and unparalleled care for guests. The restaurant has received recognition from:



  • Desert Entertainer Magazine
  • Palm Springs Life Magazine
  • Zagat (27/30 — Extraordinary to Perfection)
  • Best Chefs America
  • OpenTable Diners’ Choice Awards
  • Locale Magazine
  • And many loyal guests whose praise has made Chez Pierre a Palm Desert treasure.


A Taste of France, Shared With Love

Experience the Love, Craft & Soul Behind Every Dish

A visit to Chez Pierre is more than dinner, it’s a memory, an embrace, a taste of the French Riviera right here in the desert.