Zin American Bistro gets more seats

Palm Springs — People-watching at the corner of Arenas Road and Palm Canyon Drive just got a little more comfortable and easier. Zin American Bistro recently expanded its outdoor patio seating, spilling onto the sidewalk and completely refurbished its interior.

The vibe

Closed briefly for remodeling late last year, owner Mindy Reed said her dad, David Reed, a retired carpenter and contractor, flew in from Michigan to build the new bar fashioned out of wine crates under a glass top. A basket-weave wainscoting is cleverly made of wine barrel sheaves.

Her dad also added brick work to a dividing wall, columns around the room, and created a lowered ceiling with special lighting over the bar. The room has been repainted a soft cream yellow and lit by steel light fixtures shaped like wine bottles with the word “Zin” cut out.

The expanded patio, filled with white linen-draped tables and dark cafe chairs, is separated from pedestrians by wrought-iron railing; you can see some of the stars bearing famous names imbedded in the sidewalk- turned-patio.

Above the bar are all the Wine Spectator awards starting from 2006 that Reed, an accomplished wine connoisseur, has achieved in developing her extensive wine list. Now, she adds a full liquor license to the restaurant.

The cuisine

With the name American Bistro, Zin's menu is an eclectic spectrum of meats, seafood and classics with a Euro-California accent. Executive Chef Manuel Gonzales trained under the late Chef Nicolas Klontz, who co-founded the restaurant with Reed. Gonzales has added some of his own touches during the years.

The buttermilk-fried chicken is a well-loved dish served with creamed spinach, Yukon gold mashed potatoes and country gravy — sort of comfort food gone gourmet. The Belgian beef stew with carrots, onions, and haricot verts braised in a raspberry Belgian beer is served with pomme frites on the side.

Niman Ranch pork chops, roasted venison rack and prime beef short ribs are all natural, hormone-free meats, according to Reed. The organic salmon, Prince Edward Island mussels and seared ahi tuna are fresh, sustainable seafood.

The Bison burger offers a leaner, lighter mouthful, she said. Add the truffle frites — fries with white truffle oil and Grana Padano — for a surprising twist.

A three-course prix fixe menu at $29 per person is served from 4 to 6 p.m. daily.