While Vacationing in Palm Springs or even if you are living there one restaurant stands out above the rest, Zin American Bistro. The warm inviting atmosphere and friendly staff are just like family and the food is both a delight to the eye as well as to the taste. Chef Nicolas Klontz took some time to grant us an interview to share with us what gives Zin it's personality and flair.

 

What made you decide to be a chef?
My mother was a chef and I was practically born in a restaurant. The kitchen used to be my playground...Except for a brief stint in Art School which I abandoned as soon as I realized that I could not be the next Van Gogh, I spent all my early years in a professional kitchen.

What chefs inspire you?
I started apprenticing under my mother and went to culinary school in Brussels, Belgium. I graduated with a Master's degree in culinary arts in 1973. I spent the next four years studying under Master Chefs: Alain Chapel, Roger Verger in France, as well as several chefs in Belgium.

While I lived in Europe, my Chef-Idol was Alain Chapel and Fredy Girardet who were the creative force behind the Nouvelle Cuisine movement.
Now, living in the US, I admire Michel Richard (Citronelle, DC) and Jean-Georges Vongerichten (JoJo, NY).

What nationality of cooking is your favorite and why?
I enjoy cooking New American Food, with Latin and Asian influences. I also love Mediterranean Food as well as authentic Latin American Cuisine.

When you cook for yourself and friends, do you cook extravagant?
I rarely cook at home for Family and friends, but when I do; I prefer comfort food like ribs, meatloaf or a good steak on the BBQ.

Tell us about the origin of Zin?
When we opened ZIN American Bistro, we wanted an intriguing name that would express our love for American Cuisine and American wines.
Zinfandel is the true original American grape, and Zinfandel aficionados refer to it as Zin.

What cuisine would you like to introduce your customers to?
I love the food we cook at ZIN, if we opened another restaurant, we would offer authentic Mediterranean Cuisine; with influences from Sicily, Spain and North Africa.