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New patio at Michael's Bistro adds a nice touch

by Rodney HardwoodStaff Writer
| September 7, 2016 1:45 PM

MOSES LAKE — Deck hounds have a new place to hang, enjoy good food and drink, maybe even a little music with the expansion of Michael’s Bistro patio.

The 2,200-square foot patio with 50 seats has been a popular addition to one of Moses Lake’s hot spots.

“It’s really taken off,” managing partner Michael Stevens said. “We’re doing full service out on the patio and still doing the quick counter service inside. (Out on the patio) we have a fireplace table that seats 12, which will be ready next week.”

Michael’s Bistro has always had a musical element, but with the patio they intend to offer an expanded lineup.

“We do a lot of local musicians, so it really does fit,” Stevens said. “The atmosphere we have created is phenomenal. I think Moses Lake is a tourist environment and this is adding another element to get people engaged in the community. We’re trying to do a little more sophisticated setting in an adult atmosphere. That’s kind of the crowd we’re going for. It’s been well received.”

The summer scene wasn’t just about local musicians, Shane Tutmarc and Tanya Montana Coe from Nashville needed a place to serve it up live and work things out for a date in Seattle. They played the patio at Michael’s Bistro.

“They were in town visiting family and wanted a place to play, so it worked out,” Stevens said. “But we’re trying to keep it as homegrown local as possible, trios or duets, no big band stuff. We’re trying to keep it fresh, trying to do our own thing. For the rest of the patio season, it will be every weekend.”

Michael’s Bistro also supporting local breweries and wineries. They will be featuring the newest brewery in town, Ten Pin Brewery, on the patio for the rest of the season. They also serve a variety of local beers and wines.

“Washington in general is taking California by storm. We’re the No. 2 wine producing state, so we’re supporting our local wineries,” Stevens said. “The bar inside is all new. It’s been good so far.”

The food menu is ever changing to provide a fresh perspective. They just did a new menu revamp. It includes an extensive salad list with all fresh and greens. The Philly beef steak is still a favorite.

“When we built the place, we took about seven different concepts. There’s the deli with the fresh meats and cheeses, a little restaurant, the kitchen store. We tried to get a whole bunch of things under one roof,” Stevens said. “We try to do as much organic as we can. We get stuff from our local farms, like our basils. We go to Farmer’s Market every Saturday and see what’s coming in. That’s where we get a lot of our fresh fruit.”

The newest addition to Michael’s Bistro isn’t under the roof at all, it’s out on the patio and it’s rapidly becoming the gathering place for good food and drink in a place where the sun shines 300 days a year.

For more information on the musical lineup, go to https://www.facebook.com/michaelsmnb.