It's been over a year since Palate, Food & Wine first opened its doors in Glendale on 16 May 2008, and I'm finally writing a post about it on my foodblog. One would think that I'm keeping this place a secret. Mind you, I have been telling my friends about Palate, and that they need to come over to Glendale and try this restaurant. As LA Times food critic S. Irene Virbila wrote in her review of Palate, "Glendale has just become a destination."
Scenes of the restaurant and kitchen out front
Palate can be described as a restaurant with a wine merchant in the back. It can also be described as a wine merchant with a restaurant in the front. Octavio Becerra is the head chef/owner/principal of this establishment, located on the ground floor of the seven-story Bekins Depot building (circa 1928). The other floors are used as a wine-storage vault.
Scenes of the wine merchant (with wine bar) in the back
The menu is market-driven, whatever is fresh and seasonal at the farmer's market. The dishes constantly change, even though a few items are regularly on the menu.
bread with house-made butter, pickled vegetables, potted pork
squash blossoms, halibut, scallops
cheese plate, Valrhona chocolate pudding
What else can I tell you about Palate? They're now open on Sundays. I've already eaten there for their Thanksgiving dinner and their New Year's Eve dinner. And I can walk to and from the restaurant in about 15-20 minutes (you read correctly). Palate is my new favorite neighborhood restaurant, and as a result, Glendale has become a destination!
Palate, Food & Wine
933 South Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91204
(818) 662-9463
http://www.palatefoodwine.com/
