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Bear Springs Bistro Something magical is happening at Bear Springs Bistro: with an enchanting patio, curated wine dinners and live entertainment, the all-day dining spot tucked into the boutique hotel just three miles from the casino has become a destination in its own right. By Jessica Villano
FA N FAV O R I T E S There’s a lot to be tempted by, so we’ve narrowed it down to three of the most-ordered (and most-loved) dishes.
Bistro Burger Freshly ground burger served on a brioche bun, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, cheddar cheese, house-made pickles and 1000 Island dressing
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tarring locally sourced and seasonal dishes, Bear Spring Bistro’s Chef de Cuisine Kyle Corcoran takes the farm-to-table concept to heart, walking
Bear Springs General Manager Gerri Manzo encourages the bar team to let their imaginations run wild. The result is a cocktail program that embraces whimsy while staying true
the fields and talking to local growers in order to build menus from the ground up. “The fun part is going to these farms to see what they have,” Chef Kyle said. “You really never know what you’re going to find.” So far, his culinary quests have uncovered such gems as a
to the mission: complementing the dishes that come out of the kitchen. “I’m really big on exploration and allowing the team to find new ways to express themselves,” Gerri explained. “It’s all part of the atmosphere we’re creating here.” There are three distinct environments – indoor, the lounge
local, family-owned vineyard, which provided varietals for a wine dinner, and honey made by the family of one of the servers, which played a supporting role on a themed menu. While Chef Kyle has even designed menus around regions – recently exploring Redlands, CA and collecting local products for a wine dinner – the core menu also stays true to the scratchmade kitchen ideal. “We roll our pasta out by hand; the steaks we bring in are all prime and hand cut. We use the scraps to grind into our burgers, so they’re prime as well,” Chef Kyle explained. The American bistro has a California-cuisine feel with Italian roots, thanks to the influence of Chef Kyle’s Sicilian-born great-grandmother. But Chef says they’re always looking for inspiration. “We dive into culinary traditions we’re not familiar with because it’s important to learn and grow.” As any guest seeking an unforgettable dining experience
and the outdoor dining space – but currently the latter is the star. Enhanced with louvers, lighting, ceiling fans and heaters, the al fresco space is where you can catch live entertainment or a game. It’s also where wine dinners are held, which have become a favorite among the regulars, not only for the special menus with expertly paired wines, but for the ambiance too. “We’ve built a team that cares about the food and the experience. We want our guests to feel like family, we know their palates, we know what new dish or drink they’ll love,” Gerri explained. It’s this dedication to service paired with the always-something-new nature of the menus that makes this bistro a standout option. When asked what he wants guests to walk away with, Chef Kyle answered, “Memories of the best food, the best
knows, the food is just one element. The service, atmosphere, and bar program have to be on point too.
drinks, the best service. We want them looking forward to what they’ll try when they come back.”
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Pan Roasted Salmon Fresh salmon served with Himalayan rice, grilled broccolini, balsamic glazed baby carrots and a garlic cream sauce
Loaded Yucca Chips Fried yucca chips topped with house-made blue cheese, pickled shallots, crispy bacon, fresh cracked pepper and micro basil
Bear Springs Bistro is located inside Bear Springs Hotel at 27959 Highland Avenue, Highland, CA 92346
