Mountain Home Bistro

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, IDAHO – Pellegrino Caruso, Mountain Home AFB Fitness Center Bistro manager, and Krystal Torrez, Bistro barista, take the order for a low-calorie salad from one of their first customers March 29. The bistro provides Gunfighters healthier eating options through these low calorie salads. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Neil Samson)

Mountain Home Bistro

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, IDAHO – Krystal Torrez, Bistro barista, carefully cleans the cover of one of the smoothie blenders after preparing a smoothie for a customer. The bistro serves smoothies, wraps, parfaits, granola and salads as part of their menu items. The bistro provides Gunfighters healthier eating options through their low calorie salads. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Neil Samson)

New fitness center bistro opens

Published April 1, 2010
By 1st Lt. Neil Samson
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Smoothies, omelet bagels, parfaits, salads and even triple chocolate brownies are some of the menu items at the new fitness center bistro which opened April 29.

The bistro provides another avenue from which Gunfighters can find healthy choices at a convenient location. Gunfighters should know that not all menu items are low calorie.

"The only low calorie items the bistro serves are its salads," said Pellegrino Caruso, bistro manager. "There are six different types of homemade salad dressings you cannot find anywhere in Mountain Home and are created from scratch."

The salads are the best choice for those looking for the nutrient-dense, low calorie items.

"We are trying to provide our Airmen a healthier option," said Mr. David Hymer, 366th Force Support Squadron community services chief.

The planning process for this new eatery started in January.

"Arranging the food and supplies have been done for the past couple of months," said Mr. Caruso. "The planning process involved creating menu items, to include a selection of low-calorie salads, and find the proper prices and a single vendor to purchase from in Idaho."

After the planning process, "civil engineering was instrumental in providing the core material," said Mr. Hymer, "The 366th Force Support Squadron and the base self-help store and coordination of Mr. Caruso were vital in the design and construction of the bistro."

According to Mr. Hymer, the layout of the bistro includes indoor and outdoor seating and there is a plan to incorporate wireless internet access around the bistro.

"We had a soft opening on March 25 and the response from invited customers was positive," said Mr. Caruso.

The salads are the primary menu item getting positive feedback.

"I had the fire inspired salad," said Airman 1st Class Abie Coote, 390th Aircraft Maintenance Unit technical order distribution. "The blue pepper ranch was the best thing about the salad and the vegetables were fresh."

The bistro looks for their customer base to grow in the coming months.

For now, the bistro is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and the staff may adjust their hours as demand requires.