If you love fresh food right off the farm, California’s newest restaurant, Chef’s American Bistro, is the spot for you.

“Southern Maryland has simply fabulous produce,” said Chef Ahmed Koroma, proprietor of the new restaurant, 22576 MacArthur Boulevard in the in the San Souci Plaza. Producers include the Amish farms and organic outlets like Even’ Star and Fairview farms. “Restaurants in big cities

Koroma

would die to have food like this, right outside their door,” Koroma said.

“I’m excited to open a restaurant that is not too expensive but offers fresh ingredients from local farms,” he added. Chef’s Bistro “is about expanding the palette in Southern Maryland, allowing customers to appreciate fresh, quality ingredients prepared classically.”

Koroma began his restaurant career in Bordeaux, France, where he workedpart-time in a classic French restaurant. From there it was off to Paris. In the States, Koroma has worked in Boulder, Colo., at Jean-Louis Paladin’s in Washington, D.C., Jeffrey Buben’s Vidalia, the Ritz Carleton in Tyson’s Corner, Sam’s on the Waterfront in Annapolis, The Village on the Green in Wildewood and the Tides in Lexington Park.

He has studied with mechillene chefs and has a degree from La Academie de Cuisine Culinary and Pastry Arts in Gettysburg. All in all, Koroma has more than 20 years experience cooking French and Italian cuisine. He also sculpts ice and has a penchant for brunch.

“If you can’t make Sunday, you have the rest of the week, said sous chef Chad Fowler, referring to brunch, a bistro specialty. That wonderful meld of breakfast and lunch will be available any day, any time.

Brunch prices range from $6.95 to $9.95. Selections include poached eggs, a salmon bagel, eggs Benedict, omelets, stuffed pasta, burritos, quesadilla and a savory bread pudding, Strata Chorizo, for $7.95

Dinner entrees range from $15 to $20. Chef Koroma’s signature dishes include New England salmon, veal Oscar, hanger steak with red wine sauce, medallions of beef with potato mousseline and an especially inviting Duck Three Ways — peppercorn roasted breast, confit of leg and smoked duck sausage, truffle fries, balsamic-glazed cabbage and cherry -orange gastrique for $19.95.

Restaurant hours include: Monday through Thursday, lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner 4:40 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner 4 to 9 p.m.

Reservations can be made by calling (301) 862-0380 or visiting http://chefsamericanbistro.com/ and http://www.opentable.com.