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Palatte - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
606 N 4th AvePhoenix, AZ 85003
(602) 462-9400
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
70 reviews for Palatte
Review Highlights
"I had the Sweet Potato pancakes."
(in 11 reviews)
"We shared the pancakes and rum banana french toast."
(in 17 reviews)
"...grub here is the scrambled egg mish mash with beef sausage."
(in 10 reviews)
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70 reviews in English
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Review from Dugaldo E.
Phoenix, AZ
3/4/2009
Ok so I love me some Palatte. I love the decor, I love the location and I love the food. And I strive not to over use the word love but this place just does it for me. I remember going into it for the first time after some friends raved about it, ordering at the counter and seating myself. That was only about a year ago.
This place has grown so much since then and I'm happy to be a regular customer.
I've only had the breakfast but hope to someday have dinner. Either way I don't know that they'd offer those delicious muffins of the day I always get, to start my dinner. The coffee is good and I think by now I've ordered The Dolores at least the last three or four times I've been there. But The Rustic is great too.
The service, which is something I'm a stickler for is the only thing thats going to keep 'em from getting five stars. Don't get me wrong, there are a few shinning stars, one of them being the adorable hostess who's been making me smile since her days at Copper Star. Promote that girl already Palatte! As for the pretty girl that's served me at least three times and never acknowledged it, I prefer my brunch without a side of ennui.
But if I can only enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hands of aloof hipster girls, I'll take it. -
Review from Gabi M.
9/9/2008
Nothing like waking up at 5:30 am the day after an OYE... (not fun, and boy was I exhausted!)
The good thing about taking Colleen C to the airport bright and early this morning was that I planned ahead and scheduled a breakfast meeting at Palatte. And now, after a couple of cups of coffee and an incredible breakfast, I feel like a new person.
I definitely recommend Palatte on a weekday morning - no wait, fast, attentive service, and yummy food! I'm actually still hanging out here working as the atmosphere is perfect for just that - hanging out!
I had a chance to chat with Ed and Christine, the owners, and fell in love with Palatte even more this visit than last time. I think they are still ironing out the kinks as it's only been 3 weeks since their transition to full table service, but they are kicking ass so far. I can tell they get plenty of regulars, and I would be one also if I lived in the hood. The house they are located in is fabulous - comfortable, welcoming, and homey - tons of character which is sometimes hard to find in this city.
The Bev (sauteed spinach, tomato slices, and avocado) is what I ordered - and I love that they do it with egg whites for only $1 extra. I chose whole wheat toast and fruit and it was exactly what the doctor ordered this morning!
I can't wait to come back for lunch sometime soon, as their sandwiches, salads and tartes sound awesome from their menu descriptions, but it will be hard to tear myself away from the many breakfast items that are oh so amazing. I guess I'll just have to come back again and again to make my way through the variety of selections.
A few more tidbits I noticed while hanging at Palatte today:
**the bathroom is CLEAN! So much so that I noticed...
**with the check, you are given Bazooka bubble gum - who doesn't love Bazooka?!
**they are planning some cool wine / cheese / live music events for upcoming first and third Fridays.
****Note to self (and to all of you): Palatte is closed on Monday! (I guess Ed and Christine need a day off also). -
Review from stephy s.
San Francisco, CA
12/14/2007
Awwwhhh, I LOVE this place!
Part of what I love about Yelp and being a part of the Yelpyness is discovering little places off the beaten path. Sure, I will occasionally get my McDee's Sausage McMuffin on or even crack for the Endless Shrimp deal at Red Lobster, but what I love more than anything are the little mom and pop's, the hole in the walls and places like Palatte.
When we headed over here today, I honestly thought my friend got lost. Hey, it's her town and what do I know, I am just visiting, so you will hear no backseat driver antics out of me. Finally we pulled up to this little house in the middle of a residential area and voila...brunchtastic fun at its finest.
I don't even want to venture a guess at how crowded this place must get on the weekends judging by how busy it was at 11:30 on a Friday, but if you have the patience, definitely stop in here. The atmosphere is great, the people working here are super cool, the cooks have tats (yay!) and the food is awesome!
I ordered the Potato, which basically translates to eggs, bacon, caramelized onions, gouda cheese and fresh fruit and yummy lightly buttered sourdough toast. It was just like something you'd make at home...if you were a really good chef and awesome :) Tasty, filling, but didn't have me feeling that after breakfast lull like most brunch places can.
If I lived in Phoenix this would be a must stop and quite often. Definitely check this out! You will love it!! -
Review from Sarah G.
4/4/2008 4 photos
After reading a few reviews, I'm beginning to wonder if I even dined in the same place as some of you?
Upon entering I got a strangely reminiscent feeling that I'd been here before........Aaahhh Yes I've got it .........Palatte is the reincarnation of the Hippie Commune called the "Brotherhood" that I was born in/at. Seriously! My Dad delivered me in a room full of Hippies.
I can't believe no one has mentioned this kind of correlation.
I'm really surprised that everyone wasn't barefoot. The staff scuttled around like drones, I saw flowers, feathers and grizzly beards. This is definitely not what I expected.
You order at the counter, take a number, sit on chairs that might fall apart, at tables older than your great grandma. Food is dropped off, that's it. There is no "SERVICE" here. You get?
If your into the whole hippie dippie, artsy fartsy, grandmas yard sale garden type of feel then you will most likely enjoy it here, not to say that I didn't enjoy it , I was just picturing something completely different and felt mildly out of place, so there for I was disappointed in that aspect.
The Food, it was good not spectacular, no oooing and aaaahing over every bite.
I got the Potato Mish Mash (scrambled eggs with potato, bacon,spinach,caramelized sweet onion, Gouda and Monterrey Jack) with the raisin,cranberry walnut toast and fresh fruit. (see pics)
The eggs were a little wet, but over all had a good flavor, toast was good, fruit was soggy browned apple slices, not so good!
My Ice tea was cinnamon apple flavor?..........I wish I would have known........not very good for ice tea.
My husband got The Dolores(with no salsa) two fried eggs, corn tortillas,black beans, queso fresco and avocado.
It was also just OK,
The eggs were cooked over hard , the beans were dry and the cheese was in unmelted chunks.
His OJ was fresh squeezed and sweet that was nice, too bad it was served in a very small child's glass.
OK food, needs to work on a better system, should have waiter service, if you eat outside most tables are coffee table height so you will be hunching over, other than that I guess it's all about the Charm.
Peace and Love! -
Review from Dave B.
This place needs a sixth star.
The most romantic place for breakfast in all of Phoenix ... outdoor and indoor dining ... it's self seating ... but before you select your table you place your order on the supplied clipboards ... you then you turn them in and pay and they give you a number to place on your table. A waitress supplies water and your drinks ... but you serve yourself coffee (all of which works out PERFECTLY).
Bar none this the (new) best breakfast place in town ...
I had the pancakes which were out of this world.
We sat outside with a picturesque view of downtown all while a guitar player played ... just AMAZING ...
Yet again another incredible independent business playing a huge roll in the amazing resurrection of Downtown Phoenix.
Go here ... seriously ... you WILL thank me (no need, really)!Listed in: My Neighborhood, Top Restaurants
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Review from Mr K.
10/14/2007
Palatte is amazing. That said, it perhaps is too amazing for its own good.
There is way too much chaos happening on a weekend morning (inside, anyway - unless you're lucky enough to snag a tranquil table outdoors while some dude strums along to Gnarls Barkley on his acoustic guitar). The kitchen doesn't have great cooking capacity, so even if you do find a table, you'll find yourself waiting for your food for at least 45 minutes. So bring some dining companions, a book, or the Sunday Times. You'll need to occupy yourself.
Of course, bloody marys can help while away the minutes. So have one. Or have several. They're excellent. Made with fresh tomato puree instead of bottled tomato juice. My friends, Phoenix natives who've eaten every which way around this town since they were zygotes, vouch they're the best Bloody Marys in the Valley.
As for the food, I've been eating healthy all week and decided that today I was going to really enjoy my breakfast - which meant sweet potato pancakes with mascarpone cheese, honeyed walnuts, and maple syrup, with chicken apple sausage on the side.
Verdict? Awesome. I never thought something like sweet potato pancakes even existed. But they do exist. And they exist in a very kickass kind of way, I might add. Enough so that you must eat some. Like now. (if they're open)
My friends also got the sweet potato pancakes and the Bev, which was some sort of egg white scramble with a heaping serving of avocado and an even greater serving of "Wow, this tastes even better than the last time."
As for the seating, with the weather outside now at bearable levels, those patio garden tables are going to be hard sought after, so either get there early or get there late. Anytime between 9:30 and noon and you're probably out of luck, because people stay here a while. But it was great eating indoors - I didn't mind at all because I really dig all these downtown establishments in old, converted houses. Gives them a lot more character than being stuck in a stripmall somewhere.
So in the end, I'm pretty glad that I finally got to try this place out. My friends and I followed it by taking a long, slow walk all over downtown, which was cool. Just what a lazy Sunday called for.
4.49 stars (maybe 5 stars when I finally do snag an outside table with the Sunday paper). -
Review from Jacqui J.
Phoenix, AZ
1/26/2008
Whenever I'm at any of our locally owned places like FEZ, Switch, Cibo, Lost Leaf, etc, I feel so proud of what is happening here, and so excited to be here as it's beginning. Palatte really embodies all of this. It's wonderful to see places like this (and the others I mentioned) that are so obviously and truly labors of love, where you just can't miss the thought and dedication that go into them.
Anyway, taking my nose out of downtown Phoenix restaurateurs' bums and on to the actual review:
YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! I am a pancakes and bacon girl, and oh my, did Palatte deliver! Delicious pancakes (and in a reasonable portion, not some absurd stack of pancakes that weighs more than me), and the bacon was perfect too. A help-yourself coffee bar is a great idea, and it's good coffee, too. Dave also got something called a "marshmellow muffin"... I have no idea what that means, but it was sticky and gooey and good.
Throw in the sweet and cozy inside that oozes warmth and the beautiful patio, and I'm hooked. Can't wait to try some of the sandwiches and other breakfast items (although I bet every time I go, I'll cave and get the pancakes again). -
Review from Claudia M.
Phoenix, AZ
12/6/2008
Ok. So this was my second trip there. The first time was early on a Tuesday about a year ago, and I remember it being somewhat enjoyable. This time was about 2pm on a Sunday.
We wait about 5 mins for a table even though there seems to be plenty of seating.
First of all, our waitress must have been stoned. For her sake I hope she was not naturally that slow. We had plenty of time to look over our menus since there seemed to be only 2 people working. After telling her my order, included what I wanted as side, she informs me I have a choice of side and tells me my options. "Like I said, I'll have the bacon."
No water offered to start off with, had to request some water. No refills offered for our tea. WTF? Who sees a visibly empty glass on a table and does not offer a refill. The drink glass was tiny too. Like juice-cup style.
The bacon sucked so bad. Hard, thin, no flavor (maybe I'm spoiled from Matt's)
The portions were small. The waitress look flustered and although she was cute and trendy looking, I don't go out to eat for trend watching.
I had the Sweet Potato pancakes. She forgot the maple syrup. Had to wait like 10 mins for her to come around so I could flag her down to bring some.
The "toast" was cold hard bread. The crust was so hard it hurt my mouth.
The people around us seemed to be having a nice time. Meanwhile I'm sitting there kinda disgusted actually with how everything is going down. Maybe we were being discriminated against because we didnt get all spiffied up to go to brunch? I had time to speculate...
The only positive thing I can say was that it was a beautiful day outside and they had an impressive tea selection.
I got the impression this place put more emphasis on looking "cool and hip" on paper than good service and execution.
If you want to have long conversations, browse periodicals, being outside on a nice day, and be seen this might be the place for you.
If you want prompt service, generous yummy portions, keen waitstaff that recognize you exist and the money you are about to drop there goes towards their paycheck, not the best choice. -
Review from Samantha D.
Washington, DC
7/6/2008
Palatte makes me dislike Phoenix a little bit less each time I go. I've been here probably 6 or 7 times in my year here in Phoenix.
I've sampled their quasi-omelette dishes, the oatmeal, the yogurt, the scones, and always their coffee. I'm continually impressed by the level of food they provide at Palatte. Based on the exquisite patio and renovated historic home, I'd expect a much pricier menu...but am always glad to find fairly reasonably priced food and drink...and incredibly freshness and taste.
My favorite here is the steel cut oatmeal with caramelized bananas in it. Absolutely fabulous. The coffee is really good as well.
I've eaten both in and outdoors and had really relaxed and comfortable experiences doing both. The servers were always very attentive with bringing more water, clearing plates, etc...no matter where I was sitting.
I don't know that it's a downside...I kind of like it for being what it is...but this is a breakfast and lunch place only. They are open Tues - Sun 7am - 3pm. So get there early! And if you need a bite to eat for dinner I'd recommend popping over to Cibo which is right behind them!Listed in: Mopey Monday.
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Review from Emily J.
Austin, TX
10/28/2008
There is honestly not a single, solitary thing I can think of that I dislike about Palatte so Instead I will list what I adore:
I love the story of the building and the Cavness House itself.
I love the passion & vision of the owners.
I love that it can let you feel carefree and a little self-indulgent for a couple hours.
I love the outdoor seating and the billowy curtains.
I really love the bathrooms--a lot.
I love that they have switched to waiter service.
I love the big picnic table for groups or stragglers.
I crave the sweet potato pancakes & I would bathe in the banana porridge.
I have pretty much had it all.. and like I said... wonderful, delicious & blissful every bite.Listed in: What's the story, morning…
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Review from John K.
Phoenix, AZ
12/26/2008
I have to give a little back story about what brought us to this fantastic Phoenix eatery. A group of friends and I formed a group called he Sunday Brunch Society, SBS for short, with the sole purpose to "strengthen our friendship through regularly scheduled meetings." We diligently drafted bylaws and have been successful in our first two meetings. This was to be our third and it was my turn to choose the location. I had heard about this restaurant having excellent brunch on several different occasions, so I decided to give it a try. We were thrilled with the place and plan to come back soon.
There was a little wait for a table inside, but there were benches to use and we sat in an alcove of the outdoor courtyard. Despite the chill in the air, we had a pleasant chat while listening to the live music being played by a Bohemian looking gentlemen on a guitar. I would definitely recommend eating outside; just bring several layers of clothes if it is cold. You can sit at tables scattered along the side and front lawns or on the porch, each with its own perspective of the old house the restaurant inhabits.
We were seated near the front door, but the rush of people coming in and out from the small kitchen and coffee bar made me feel like we had come to the place where everyone wanted to be. Both Shaina and I had a mocha latte that was delicious and super frothy. The menu is limited, but we all had no problem in deciding that we were each going to try the sweet potato pancakes. Great choice! They were out quickly and steaming hot. The price was reasonable, but not cheap.
If you have the "urge," walk back to the bathrooms and check out the artistic renditions on the walls and ceilings along with the rumpled metal stalls. They are a real work of art. -
Review from Nadia C.
Updated - 9/28/2008
I understand Palette went to table service and I was happy to hear that until I had table service. I think I like the other way better. It seems quicker and easier. Our table service was awkward and slow. They may need more practice-- that may be the case. 5 meals were ordered and 2 of them were wrong. Not a good impression. The worst may have been my pregnant friends breakfast who asked for her eggs to be cooked to thru and both times they brought them, they were not.
We went early and that was good because it got really busy around 11am. We wanted to leave but it was taking a long time to get our check and our table wasn't cleared until we were getting up to leave. That is kinda annoying, I notice this at some other valley restaurants-- they don't clear the table until you leave. I would think it would make for better and quicker turnaround to clear as soon as people are done eating. The table just gets cluttered and messy looking.
I will go back to Palette and try it out again and see if the table service improves and if not, then I guess I'll need to find a different breakfast joint.
I believe the owner did come around to tell us about First Fridays and he was very nice and friendly. All the staff was friendly, I like that about Palette.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/3/2007
I'm digging this place.
The outdoor space is beautiful. I had The Bev-- eggs with tomatoes, spinach… Read more »
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Review from kate c.
Phoenix, AZ
11/20/2008
Ok, so I WAS going to give this place 4 stars, maybe even 5, but after having a great b-fast there last week I thought I would take all of my family who is in town this week, to b-fast there this Sunday. When I called to make reservations for 8 people, I was told they don't take reservations on the weekends, As if, you would need them any other time. So I kindly told the guy on the phone, well- you're loosing my business. He, of course, had no reponse. He is the same guy who wonders why at 30 hes working at a restaurant.
and i seriously don't want to hear THIS local business WHINE about the bad economy making them close. I will tell them to SHUT UP b/c they just turned down 8 people who drink a ton of alcohol and give good tips.
I can guarantee they'll whine anyway, and then close, and then wonder what happened. Everyone will be shocked but me. It might not be this year, but trust me with that kind of customer service--people will go elsewhere.Listed in: Good Food, Not so Good Service
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Review from Bobby Q.
Phoenix, AZ
6/26/2008
seth, ted & graham (and all others w/less than 4 stars) must've gone to Bizarro Palatte. I've got nothing but rave reviews for this place.
After moving in to downtown, I've been exploring different restaurants every chance I get, and Palatte is one of the best I've been to. I went during the week with my family and everyone walked away full and pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food, and the fact that the owner made time to talk to us. I can see where some might get upset at not being waited on hand and foot, but lower overhead is the reason the owner's are able to bring such high quality foods to us for such a great price (Econ 101). Sure, you could go to Matt's and wait in line for an hour, just to get bad service and greasy foods, but I'll stick with quality.
I'll be there again this weekend to sample some of what my Mom had (The Bev) along with a side of the Steel Cut Porridge that my sister wouldn't share with me.
Great job Ed & Christine! -
Review from Sean H.
Phoenix, AZ
9/13/2008
Attention everyone considering Palatte for Brunch....
Don't listen to these haters. Palatte has great food and excellent atmosphere. It can be congested on weekends, but if you're prepared to take it easy, Palatte is a great option for brunch.
This being said, Here's the reason it's not a 5 in my book:
Pigeons (yes, pigeons.) Unfortunately the pigeons found palatte in a previous life when they were slow to bus tables and are as hooked on the deliciousness as we are. Short of creating a new mascot (dead pigeon) and hanging it above the entry way, there really is no way to completely eradicate the pigeons, but they do a great job of pre-busing tables so there are far less pigeons than before. I had the Bev and French Toast this morning and only saw 2 pigeons.. Way to Go Palatte!Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Jennifer W.
Buffalo, NY
Updated - 10/12/2008
I finally talked my husband, the picky eater, into going to Palatte for breakfast.
I was pleased to discover that they now have a wait staff to come to your table and take your order. Well, I was pleased until I got my food. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't anywhere near as good as I remembered from my first visit. My husband's scrambled eggs were slimy and my potato mish mash had a puddle of uncooked egg slime underneath. The side of potatoes was barely browned, if at all, and my bread seemed a bit dried out and not toasted.
I'm wondering if the owner's had to forego quality in the kitchen to appease the whiners who didn't want to stand in line. If so, I say get rid of the waiters, I'd gladly stand in line for better quality food.
At least the prices are still decent.Listed in: My Neighborhood
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/4/2008
Thanks to all of the other Yelpers I was aware of the long line and busy-ness of Sunday brunch at… Read more »
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Review from Aileen B.
9/14/2008
Each time I visit, I tell myself I'll come here more often, yet I've only been here three times since it's opened. First two times I had the sweet potato pancakes with mascarpone-brown sugar pecan topping. Mmm! . The pancakes were partially-cooked the first time, but were tasty enough for me to order a second time, and I'm glad I did, as they were perfectly-executed.
I took my Mom with me on my third visit- she had an omelette with potatoes, feta (or was it blue-cheese?), and black beans, and I had the berry whole-grain French toast with creme-anglaise. Oh. My. Goodness! As I think back as to what I was tasting and how I felt throughout that experience, I see bursts of color... just like fireworks! As you can tell by now, I have a sweet-tooth, but I also had a few bites of my Mom's omelette, and the savory flavors were just as appetizing as my sweet dish.
The owners have done away with the gift shop that was located in the middle of the restaurant, which is a shame as the food takes awhile to reach the table. However, it's just as pleasurable to take a few minutes to visit the quaint restrooms to freshen up and arrive back to the table with some designing ideas for the home.
I am definitely looking forward to my next trip to Palatte! -
Review from Sophie M.
Phoenix, AZ
2/1/2008
I give Palatte 3.5 stars.
First off, the atmosphere is lovely. The patio is beautiful and the servers are really friendly.
I've been here a couple of times on the weekend, and I must say, avoid it at all costs. It is so extremely over-crowded it kind of ruins the experience. And if you come on a weekend, bring some friends to help with the process. One of you stands in line and orders, and the others scout the place out for a table. Oh, and bring company that you will enjoy for a long period of time, because on a weekend your food will take upwards of 40 minutes to arrive. I came here for my birthday brunch last year with the boy, having no idea that the place would be so crowded (it was a Sunday). Being hungover and all, I found myself a little grumpy with all of the chaos. But what do you expect at a downtown joint on the weekend?
The food is great. It's a wee bit pricey so it's probably more of a splurge (at least for breakfast). I usually get The Potato - spinach, cheese, potatoes, bacon, and onion. Yum. I suggest getting the eggs well done because sometimes they can be a little runny. Eck. The boy consistently orders the french toast (they change it every few months) and it is fabulous. Super sweet though, so I would recommend it only if you've got a sweet tooth goin' on. The potatoes are pretty good, too. Sometimes though they aren't cooked completely, and I'm not too fond of the creme fraiche sauce on the side- too sour.
Anyway, if you've got a free weekday morning and some good friends to go, I highly recommend it. Sit outside on the patio and have mimosas...yum! -
Review from Jay S.
5/29/2008 3 photos
After suggestions from the ladies at Made, Bunky Boutique, and Sage, we had to check out Palatte. One word: WOW!!
It's an old house converted into a restaurant with a gorgeous, large outdoor eating area. The staff is friendly, courteous, and more than willing to offer up suggestions for and explanations of things on the menu.
You order at a little window into the kitchen inside the house, and they bring your food out to you. The food id good. Correction: The food is great. Correction of the correction: The food is really freakin' awesome.
We just wish we could have made it back here to try the lunch before we had to head back home.Listed in: Phoenix Rocks!
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Review from Stevey P.
Phoenix, AZ
7/19/2007
Palatte takes the best of its historic house digs (around the corner from Cibo) and its smart gourmet sensibilities and caters to the brunch-yearning crowd downtown with flying colors.
You'll find a creative menu with such things as griddle cakes, but my favorite grub here is the scrambled egg mish mash with beef sausage. It was melt in your mouth good, without all the artery clogging butter you'll find at Matt's down the street.
The counter-style service here was attentive and quick for a somewhat busy crowd. I was really impressed with Palatte - it's my new favorite breakfast place now -- up there with Farm at South Mountain. I'm eager to try it again to see if it warrants a fifth star.Listed in: Yummy Morning Grub
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Review from Todd G.
Phoenix, AZ
2/10/2009
I'm probably imagining half of the details in this review, and they're a pastiche of three or four visits to Palatte, but whatever--here goes.
I arrive at 11:30am sporting shades and a mild hangover. The wait is twenty minutes, so my friends and I shuffle across the cobblestone and pebbles, under archways of roses and jasmine, scavenging for temporary seating.
My friends score the antique bench and plastic deck chair, and I resort to a tiny seat inherited from the haunted nursery school in Silent Hill. I make a diorama of Luke Skywalker and some Fisher Price people visiting the toy farm I find under the table. My friends rate my artwork with crayons on coasters. I silently begrudge them their comfy seating--until they bring me a double greyhound.
Once seated, it's all uphill. I usually order one of the tarts (caramelized onion? triple mushroom?) and a fresh OJ, but I've tried people's french toast too and it's delicious. I don't think they make anything poorly here. And yeah--you're sitting under umbrellas in what looks like it was a plant nursery twenty years ago until they let it die and cut it back just enough to keep that secret garden feel. Neat place. -
Review from Helen Y.
Scottsdale, AZ
11/9/2007 2 photos
Perhaps it was because I had skipped breakfast or perhaps it was love at first sight, but food that would have normally tasted average to me, suddenly became delicious!
We gobbled up the overcooked brussel sprouts with bland slivers of bacon and inhaled the roasted sweet potato pancakes ($8 including choice of bacon or sausage) which were the furthest thing from fluffly. But it didn't matter because love is blind or, in this case, taste-blind. We fell in love with the cuteness of this place as soon as we walked in.
We went for lunch on a Friday at peak hour and had to wait in line for almost 15min to place our order. That was quickly forgotten when we managed to snag some comfy couches outside under the shade of a giant sun umbrella.
Our food was brought to us quicker than our wait in line. (FYI, you're given a number on a stand which you put on your table. This is brilliant because it allows you to sit anywhere you want after you place your order.)
Even more brilliant is the way they put together the tarts. Instead of baking them ahead of time, they only bake the crust ahead and cook the fillings to order - this cuts down on wastage at the end of the day and speeds up cooking time. Our mushroom tart was creamy and decadent ($9.50 includes choice of pear salad or brussel sprouts - salad was much better).
The cafe au lait ($2) was unfortunately on the watery side but the slim mint tea ($2.50) which comes in a large pot was delicious.
They're open 7am-3pm everyday except Monday and have recently stayed open into the evening for First Fridays. -
Review from Corianne S.
Phoenix, AZ
10/13/2007
I love going out for breakfast on the weekends, but finding great places in the downtown area can be a challenge. Or, it used to be, until Palatte came along. Now, I think i'm in love.
The food is amazing. Everything on our table was delicious, and I wouldn't change a thing about any of it. I had the incredible Potato mish mash, and my dining companion loved the griddle cakes and a side of chicken sausage. The breakfast potatoes are tasty and cooked to perfection. The toast was great- not your typical sandwich bread slices.
One thing that really endears me to this place is the fact that they do not serve tap water. It is a small thing, yes, but living in a city with horrid water makes me appreciate restaurants that take the extra care to serve their guests something that they themselves would drink.
I cannot say enough good things about this place. The atmosphere is great, even when the place is packed, decorated with French country flair and pieces that would make my living room swoon. The outdoor seating area is equally adorable, and huge. The majority of the items they have in and around the restaurant are for sale, and there is a small gift shop in the rear of the restaurant for other quirky items.
One last thing- if you go, and you should, do not leave Palatte without checking out the bathrooms. (both of them) You've never seen anything like it, promise.Listed in: Sunday Morning breakfast spots
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Review from J M.
Phoenix, AZ
10/8/2007
Hmm, had a not so good experience.
Probably not going back.
Well, I guess even the coolest places have to have growing pains.
Oh, and the music sucks now. The now have two boys that sound exactly alike.
Even more offensive, one of the guitarists was smoking near my table as he was "setting up". -
Review from Deb L.
8/23/2008
I won't bore you with an overall review, everyone has already given you the lowdown...but just FYI we had a waitress today .. so it seems the old system of ordering at a window is gone. And there wasn't any wait on a Saturday morning.
We had wonderful food by the way..all the friends I brought can't wait to come back again. Yummy. -
Review from Tyler H.
Phoenix, AZ
11/9/2008
This is my official breakfast after a REALLY good date place. It's fancy, it's not filling and it's right down the street from my house. Rumor has it they are opening for dinner soon.
Highlights
-I'm loving the live music on most weekend mornings. Now that the weather is cool, it's totally worth the time sit and sip while hanging out with friends.
-The food seems fairly healthy. Not overly greasy.
-I feel hip going there.
Lowlights
-The menu is pretty weird. Sometimes you just want greasy hashbrowns and some eggs, but hey, there's always IHOP for that.
-I can't get over the feeling that the staff has some elitist hipster granola vibe (think early 90s grunge with a little 80s yuppy mixed in) going on, which I didn't even think was possible. Stop judging me!
-The chairs aren't comfy.
Great place to take a date that you'd like to impress. -
Review from Jerome W.
Maricopa, AZ
9/26/2008
Okay here's the low down about Palate. From my personal experience, I thought it was a great place to have breakfast. If you want to get away from the mainstreams such as Denny's or the whole IHOP thing, this place is great. Can't say much for the live music thing...the player sucked, but I guess it adds to the atmosphere.
Okay the Food...
I ordered the Rustic dish, and too my satisfaction it was great. The only thing I'd complain about is the long wait for food and the dishes wasn't piping hot when it reached the table.
The server can be a little oblivious to your needs, but it's understandable since how packed it is on a Saturday morning. So if you're not in a rush and want to hang out with great company for a while, this isn't an issue. -
Review from Erika L.
New York, NY
11/22/2008
Deeelicious!!! Food is a bit pricey but considering there are not many options like Palatte around downtown, I look forward to going there as many Sunday's as possible!
The sweet toast is absolutely fantastic! I've heard their Bloody's Mary's are awesome on the weekends.
Dinner is AWESOME. Try the Floating Islands dessert. Fluffy sugar meringues floating in a sea of lemon lavender cream! YUUUMMMMM! Everything on the menu is superb! -
Review from Aaron W.
5/9/2008
The cutest outdoor spot, yummy delicious food... but wow hasn't it outgrown its space? Insane line, lost food, etc...
Other than that - you must experience this! Go early. -
Review from Christina R.
Seattle, WA
8/6/2008
Birthday Breakfast with my roommates. I had never been to Palatte, only heard of its greatness. I must say, it did not disappoint.
I'm usually not a big out-to-eat breakfast person. I don't like to eat heavily in the mornings and figure that any meal that I am dressed for that occurs at or after 10am falls into the category of lunch (which is probably why I got a sandwich--the skinny sandwich, delicious vegetarian sandwich with seemingly on-site made potato chips and fresh fruit).
At first, my roommates and I were confused as to how we were supposed to order, and worried that we weren't "cool" or "hip" enough that early in the morning (9am=early for a Sunday) to function at this hipster French cottage amongst the clearly hipster crowd complete with lone young guitarist in sunglasses singing a cover of "Viva La Vida" and Johnny Cash songs.
We later determined that it was because we looked to cool and hipster like (right) that no one directed us as to how to order...assuming we frequented this delightful spot located in an old house in downtown Phoenix. Just grab a menu (in metal folders at the door) and order at the counter. The cash register will compliment you, the staff was friendly and tentative to our tap water needs (usually not found in order-at-the counter places).
The setting was cozy (we sat inside at an oversized farm kitchen table), but when I went to find the bathroom, I discovered how expansive the property really is. There are at least three rooms inside in which to eat and the whole house is surrounded by patio and garden space for those who enjoy eating outside.
I recommend ordering just about anything on the menu. Everything I tasted (between my roommates and I and the sweet potato pancakes we got for the table) was immaculate.
The whole place was relaxed, not too crowded, and although there definitely was a hint of Phoenix 'Of course I know where all the cool spots in the valley are..don't you?' crowd there, it was without snobbery and there was definitely a variety of patrons (from young to old and style-wise).
My roommates appreciated the deliciousness. Jill, who once lived in France thought it was comparable to some of the country places she had breakfasted there (but of course in the middle of a major metropolitan area).
I can't wait to bring people here for a good brunch or lunch experience.Listed in: Bringin' the Bourg!
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Review from Jeane F.
Peoria, AZ
7/20/2008
Palatte is the cutest breakfast spot! I love the outdoor seating area, the mis-matched furniture, the menus are SO cute in their metal cases, and the bathrooms are worth a trip to see even if you don't need to use them.
So, why only three stars you ask? The food. The menu offers exciting choices but my strawberry rhubarb French toast was sadly just okay. It could be a combination of the ambiance and the foods presentation but I was expecting much more flavor from my meal. I would be interested to try something on the lunch menu as I really want to love Palatte. -
Review from Aowen B.
Phoenix, AZ
1/26/2008
The food is great, but it's a bit pricey...for my budget. The place has a quaint atmosphere and I HIGHLY recommend checking out both of the restrooms, b/c they are very differently decorated. A friend of mine did the tiling and design in the restrooms.
A few times it a while for the food to come out. The coffee never seems hot enough and the cream leaks into the ice bucket they have for it. Also, the tables don't seem always entirely set up for serving. Some of the staff seems shy.
It's a little difficult to cruz around outside on the gravel yard and makes for a noisy atmosphere.
I hear they will begin serving dinner on Phoenix's First Friday Art Walks.Listed in: Best for Dates
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Review from Hettie R.
Phoenix, AZ
8/26/2008
Who puts soggy poached eggs in a bowl? I ordered the rustic not realizing that it would end up being a soup! Bland and soggy is not what I consider good food. Even the super thin slices of bread were butter-less and nothing was offered to me to spread on them. My 2 year old used them to hammer the table which is all that they were good for. Husband ordered the strawberry rhubarb french toast not realizing that all of the strawberry and rhubarb would be in the bread, it was tasty even though it is a dissapointment after the description. The latte was good but the OJ was a a joke! A shot glass that was half spilled once it reached us.
I think this place is still in its infant-hood and hopefully will mature as it grows up but you will not see us spending $30 here again. -
Review from Maurice G.
Austin, TX
1/29/2008
Palette has the advantage of being mere steps from my place, so its the type of review that starts with 5-stars and works its way down. Coincidentally, it also happens to be a fantastic restaurant, so no need to demote any of those illustrious pentagrams.
First, the building is an absolute gem in DT PHX. Anytime I get to eat in a restored historic home, it just feels cool and legit ... especially given their classic French bistro/brunch fare. It just fits.
I've had their french toast which i really enjoyed, and I have to hand it to them, they make a MEAN, i say MEAN, Bloody Mary. Its probably the best one I've ever had at a restaurant or bar.
Yeah, i was surprised how quickly the tab could add up, but having been here several times in the morning for coffee before work, the quality of the food and friendliness of the staff makes it worth it. Oh, and their pastry are insanely delish too, but they tend to run out quickly.
I noticed recently when i was passing by around 7pm on a Friday night that they were open ( and BUSY!), and was wondering if they have expanded their hours from just a breakfast/brunch place. Anyone?Listed in: Phoenix Dining
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Review from Justin L.
Phoenix, AZ
8/14/2007
Thank heavens or another top-tier breakfast spot downtown. Palatte is a gem unto itself. Though fast-casual in concept, the food definitely doesn't lack a thing in quality, variety or taste.
Housed in an adorable, well, house, that has since been renovated with noticeable care (not to mention an extremely large and attractive patio area), Palatte is good for families, discerning food folks and fussy eaters alike. Serves a large (but not overly ambitious) selection of breakfast and brunch items. Again, Palatte is a welcome addition to the area. -
Review from Scott S.
Chicago, IL
10/26/2007
Let me start by saying, the outdoor patio could not be more pleasant. The moment I sat down out there, I didn't want to leave. I litereally could have stayed there all day.
Although it's a cool place overall, I found the inside to be not nearly as comfortable as the outside.
I took a star away because it was pretty pricey (most things on the menu were $8 or more). The food was good, but not good enough to warrant the high prices.
To me Palatte isn't really appropriately named, as it's more about the atmosphere than the food. -
Review from Eric V.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 2/8/2009
Dinner. I finally made it there for dinner. Did not disappoint.
Now, my fiance and I have been going here for breakfast every Sunday morning for the past 6 months or so (we miss it a few Sundays, here and there). I kept wanting to try there for dinner but just never made it out. Well, last night that all changed.
I made reservations for 7:00pm and we ended up showing up at 6:40pm. The place was empty. Not slow... empty. We sat inside and there were the cooks, the servers, the owner but no other customers. My feelings were mixed between, "awesome!" and "why is it so empty /scared". Last night was extremely windy so they offered to shut the windows, then informed us that the heat was on but not working as well as they would like so they offered us both blankets. We declined, but really appreciated the offer.
My fiance got a glass of pinot grigio, roasted bell pepper soup, and butternut squash ravioli. I ordered a porter, roasted grape salad, and the local pork chop.
The food was a-m-a-z-i-n-g. I've had the salad before at lunch so I already knew how delicious that was. The pork chop though... oh man.... so tender and flavorful. It came with slow roasted apples (perfect for pairing with a bit of pork chop), roughly mashed yukon potatoes, sauteed fresh green beans. My fiance enjoyed her meal just as much.
The service last night was awesome as well (which you would assume since we were alone in there), but they still went above the bar. The server asked us how everything was, then the cook later on, and finally the owner came out to talk to us.
I 100% recommend this place to yelpers for dinner. We need to support businesses like this. The food is local, fresh, and delicious. If you go here for breakfast, then you owe it to yourself to go here for dinner. These are the type of businesses that I want to see succeed in Downtown so we can get more of them!
A+Listed in: Top Restaurants
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9/26/2008
This is where you will find my fiance and I every Sunday morning for breakfast unless I'm not in the… Read more »
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Review from Mikell B.
Phoenix, AZ
9/6/2008
We were hesitant to try out Palatte because the other reviews seemed to hit both ends of the spectrum, but we had a WONDERFUL experience. The patio was pleasant, breezy and misty, I almost couldn't believe that I was in Phoenix. Normally I'm not much for brunch music (it usually ends up being Jimmy Buffett covers or cheesy jazz that rubs my hangover the wrong way), but the guy playing rocked in a mellow way.
Our server was attentive and our food came out pretty quickly, even though we ordered just after a large party. I'm a vegetarian, and there were tons of options on the menu--it was hard to choose. My fiancee is a definite lover of the meat, and he was stoked with the selection, too. After much deliberation I settled on the Potato Mishmash with no bacon (potatoes, eggs, gouda, carmelized onions...), and he went with the Sausage Mishmash. The portions were just right, and the flavor pairings were perfect.
This was the best brunch experience I've ever had. And I don't give that compliment lightly. DE-LISH. -
Review from Jessica B.
Pittsburgh, PA
12/26/2008
Holy Mary Mother of God. Seriously. No, really. Brunch. Go.
The coffee sucks, but the banana rum cake french toast, though skimpy on both banana and pecans (as advertised in the menu) is overloaded with delicious delicious flavors. Even the suspicious sounding pomegranate creme anglais was heartrendingly yummy. And ample. I could eat it for every meal for my life. Or for a week, at least.
The Potato Mish Mash (sans bacon) was also stupidly good. The prices are reasonable, and the portions are good, though not terribly large. The fresh fruit side is the only thing I would stay away from; getting a side of sliced apples and green grapes with your meal is somehow sort of sad when everything else is so exciting. -
Review from Aamina g.
Brooklyn, NY
12/6/2008
+ rose lemonade
++ great coffee
+ really gorgeous and thoughtful decor-- the ambiance is unbeatable at Palette. Even the bathrooms are inspiring.
+ delicious options for brunch that don't leave you in a grease-induced food coma
- Never had the chance to try dinner...
