I wanted to try Palate ever since it opened. As a self-proclaimed Foodie, I love to try new places in the city. When an occasion arose for a holiday dinner with a friend, Palate was my first choice. Maybe my expectations were too high because of the hype. I like to study the website, menus, reviews, etc. before I go. This place seemed to have all the goods. I sat with my girlfriend near the kitchen. The appetizers were just okay - the cheese and meats weren't anything special, nor was the dry cold bread. The ""cucumber salad"" was about 7 fancy pickles. The squash soup lacked flavor and the raw pumpkin seeds were just annoying. My girlfriend had a hair in her salad, but the best part was when the sous chef came out into the dining room and started to shuck oysters on a banquette about 6 inches from my head with a sharp knife. Not sure if that was intentional or the kitchen was crowded? We complained and the sous chef returned to the kitchen. Kind of smelly and strange? The short ribs were good, but fairly basic. Service was lacking considering the price. Wine list wasn't exciting either. Overall, a disappointment.
Pros: Ambiance, off the beaten path makes it accessible
Cons: Service, food, price
more