Another go-to place for island food

Cha Bistro Saipan opened just last April and is a welcome addition to the island’s very short list of restaurants serving genuine local cuisine. (Contributed Photos)

Cha Bistro Saipan opened last April and is a welcome addition to the very short list of dining establishments serving genuine local cuisine on island.

Executive chef Joseph Deleon Guerrero opened the bistro—or small restaurant—a month after returning to Saipan from New York where he studied at the Culinary Institute of America.

Deleon Guerrero, who used to work at Hyatt Regency Saipan, said Cha Bistro is eager to provide a different dining option for Saipan palates pining for new food experiences.

“We want to introduce some food that we don’t usually get to try on island. We serve contemporary island cuisine. Cha Bistro is different from other restaurants because we tie local flavors and produce into all of our dishes,” said Deleon Guerrero.

At Cha Bistro, Deleon Guerrero and his staff prepare and cook everything from scratch.

“We are also a 100% scratch kitchen. Meaning we make everything in-house. From marinades to dressing to breads,” he said.

So far, Cha Bistro has gotten a good reception from locals and tourists alike in its short five months of operation.

“Our customers have been very supportive of us and we’re very encouraged by it since, of course, our customers are the most important part of the restaurant business,” said Deleon Guerrero.

Bestsellers at one of the newest restaurants on Saipan are Cha Bistro’s garlic butter shrimp for its red rice plates and the bacon, avocado, and pear panini on taro bread.

While there are currently no promotions ongoing, Deleon Guerrero said Cha Bistro currently offers a 20% local discount with a valid local ID.

Aside from the usual growing pains of birthing a new restaurant on Saipan, the executive chef said one of their biggest challenge is staffing.

The biggest fulfillment of running a restaurant, meanwhile, comes “every day when we are able to provide good food to our guests and they can enjoy it. There is no other feeling when someone enjoys the food that you make,” said Deleon Guerrero.

Cha Bistro comfortably sits 60 and is located on the second floor of Cha Café along Beach Road in Garapan. It is open Monday to Friday from 11:30am to 2pm. Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm with ala carte brunch service.

For more information and for reservations, call 233-2421 or reach them on Facebook (Cha Bistro Saipan) or Instagram (@chabistrosaipan).