The Scene
The dining room is one large area, light and airy, decorated in colors of the American Southwest. Service is friendly and efficient at lunch and dinner, but the food should not be confused with Mexican.
The Food
The menu offers duck, chicken, catfish, and more. In fact, one of the best dishes in the house is the braised lamb with black bean sauce. The unusual smoked duck is succulent and enjoyable. The meats, game, and seafood are high quality, and portions are reasonable. What makes Southwest Bistro special is the spicing and sauces. All sorts of chiles are used, but diners are not hit over the head with heat. Instead, the chiles provide a smooth, rich base on which other spices can show themselves off.