On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Categories: Latin American, Caribbean [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Park Slope, GowanusSample two dozen sustainably produced wines from around the world while enjoying tapas and passed hors d'oeuvres. 5pm - 10pm $45 per person
Announced 4 days agoUnion St (M, R)
Mon-Fri. 6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Loading...
The cutest little brunch place. Discovered it once walking down Union. This place could be hard to spot, it's nestled in between two brownstones on a residential block. They serve reasonably priced fresh food and the service is really great.
The first time we had brunch there my boyfriend ordered orange juice which he then proceeded to knock over and spill all over the table. The waitress rushed over, cleaned everything up, said an encouraging remark and brought another OJ on the house. So so sweet.
Apparently Palo Santo is THE brunch spot... but we went for dinner instead. Overall, the ambiance was terrific, the food was alright, and the service was infuriatingly slow.
We went on a Friday night without reservations. There were not many people inside when we got there (at around 7), but the only place they could seat us was the communal table. This ended up not being a problem.
Since we were really interested in the pear and blue cheese salad, we decided not to order off the prix fix menu. We ordered the pear and blue cheese salad as a starter, I ordered the pan roasted blue fish with platano, hot slaw, and salsa verde, my friend ordered the hen with mole sauce, and we ordered the coffee creme brulee for dessert.
The pear and blue cheese salad was pretty good, though the dressing was a little salty. This is a bold statement coming from me, since I am the type to put extra salt on my food.
My bluefish was ok. Not wonderful, but not bad. The hot slaw (whatever that is) was delicious! Usually, I love plantains, but I wasn't really feeling the one that accompanied this meal. I gave it to my friend who was a big fan, so that worked out.
She also felt lukewarm about her hen in mole, though it was served with a delicious pastry topped with spicy black beans and vegetables. That was definitely the best and tastiest item in either of our meals!
It was a little annoying because the dessert menu did not include anything with chocolate and we were really in the mood. The coffee creme brulee was decent, but nothing I'll be craving in the near future.
Finally, the service was kind of terrible. I understand that they were super busy, but it took forever for us to order, have our plates cleared, and to finally order dessert. We had to sit there and stare at the waiters and waitresses hoping that someone would come to our table. They were all very nice, but incredibly inattentive.
It was good. It was relatively inexpensive. She was happy. I was happy. And I really don't have anything but good things to say about the food. We did the $25 dollar tasting menu and split the 30+ wine tasting.
We started with the apple and blue cheese salad, which was simple, dressed in a light lemon vinaigrette, and certainly a wise choice, and the anticuchos, which had a good flavor, but with a consistency similar to liver....I was a bit turned off.
For the main course, we ordered chicken with mole sauce, which was really good, and came with a cornmeal pancake that had an exceptional salsa type topping. The head-on-shrimp soup-like dish was good, but the shrimp were a little mushy, and it could have been a little better, but overall it was still a strong flavorful dish.
Dessert included a pear tart with vanilla ice cream, coffee creme brulee, and a complimentary raspberry ice cream courtesy of our waitress, who was lovely the entire time. Pear tart was good, creme brulee was a little softer than expected, and the raspberry ice cream was great.
We also did the wine tasting, which had some great options, a white we loved, and two fantastic Chilean reds. But I am not sure I would do it again, as it included champagne, and dessert wine, neither of which is a personal favorite of mine. I think next time I would just stick with a bottle.
The design is warm and comforting, and the table out back is definitely a call ahead for reservations situation.
What I ordered was a little hit or miss for my personal taste, but it was all of great quality, and for a $25 tasting menu on a Saturday night, I am sure this place will stay packed for a long time to come.
So I assume you realize how false your account of the whole situation is, lets review the facts:
1) No one was verbally abusive except for you, coming out to the table to confront us was uncalled for.
2) Only after lengthy discussion did we send back our food as we know it can be awkward for everyone involved.
3) I ordered the same dish on my last visit and it was cooked perfectly
4) The waitress handled it all very politely and was only made to feel uncomfortable by your surprise visit to the table
5) We not only complimented and thanked her for her patience but left a healthy tip, knowing she was certainly not at fault.
You want to start throwing lies back and forth or do you want to have an adult conversation. Its your choice.
Chef Jaques hates his customers
Up until Saturday I would have given this place very high marks.…
Read more »
I miss Palo Santo.
First, great dinners. I remember when it first opened and the chef/owner served up AMAZING chef's menu dinners. Everything was always perfect. Meats were cooked perfectly, savory, and never over-seasoned. Get the chicken offal grilled on skewers. Perfect latin street food!
But the BRUNCH is TO DIE FOR. Every time I went, I always left stuffed. I loved the various fish (soft shell crab, even!) on grits, and the oh-so-delicious hash. The potato hash is also amazing, as is the whole baked plantain, served with sour cream topped with brown sugar. Mmmm!!!
The decor is a little funny, with the knick knacks in the tables. They look too shiny when compared with the rustic decor.
Palo Santo is a neighborhood restaurant with nice atmosphere, attentive service and good food. The server was totally helpful with explanations and recommendations. There is a nice selection of wine and beer to go with your meal.
We started by having tortillas and avocado which was a great starter. The tortillas were really small, but perfect for putting one or two pieces of sliced and well-seasoned avocado and raw onion on top. The next phase involved the anticuchos, which were just ok. The meat was tender and seasoned, but together with the sauce just was not that great.
On next to the fish tacos, which come three to a plate. I thought these were excellent. They come on a skewer to keep them together and they are just the right size. The taste was great and the soft shell was really nice. Continuing to aid the beer, next up was a spicy yellowtail ceviche which was not for me. The yellowtail ceviche was done well, but I really did not like the sauce, too spicy. To top it all off, the steak with chimichurri sauce was very good.
Overall, a good experience. The restaurant has seating in the front and the back. Before 630 is no problem, but by 730 the place was pretty crowded.
Okay food, really bad experience. I went for dinner with a friend who highly recommended the cobia, which he'd had many times before and really enjoyed. But when we received our dishes the fish was as tough as a pork chop. I very, very rarely send plates back but this was the dish we came for and there was no way it had been cooked medium rare, as we'd ordered. At this point the chef came out and angrily told us, "Hey, you're the guys who sent the fish back? Well why don't you order something else because I thought those were two beautiful pieces of fish and I'm not going to be able to cook it the way you like." That was embarrassing, and I spent the rest of the meal convincing my friend not to go and stab the chef. We should have left but I was really hungry by then. The menu was limited for me since I don't eat meat; the only other thing I could have was the arroz con queso. I'm not sure if chefs know this, but vegetarians really resent mushroom risotto. I can't count how many iterations of this boring dish I've had over the years. Is it really that hard to think up a main without meat? Because I do it every day. Anyway, it was serviceable. My lime pie tasted nothing like lime, only cream, and I found it revolting. My friend did like his pumpkin pecan pie, though. They may be capable of serving good food, but I absolutely will not return to this restaurant.
Nestled in brownstone on park slope block between 2 residential building this semi secret restaurant boasts a wonderful $25 prix fixe menu.
Palo Santo is a cool a restaurant, from a stylistic steel cut sign above the front door to the exposed kitchen as you step in to the renovated brownstone. In the back you will find a south American tropical experience.
The food is always amazing, especially if you are a meat eater. I love the chicken liver app and steak for dinner! There chimichurri is excellent as well. This is a great restaurant for date or friends, especially friends from out of town!
I am sure the popularity of this place is truly based on great food, good atmosphere, and a unpretentious environment! Plus being sort of off the usual park slope beaten path helps.
This is our favorite spot in Park Slope. A real neighborhood gem with a constantly changing menu that's always interesting.
The service is great. Very warm and professional. And they clearly put a ton of thought and time into the decor. It's funky and interesting, without being distracting.
Sit in the back room if there's space, and if they have the coffee creme brulee, definitely get it.
Palo Santo is tucked in Park Slope, secluded underneath and betwixt that which is Park Slope - brownstones. Once you enter this place you feel like you've entered a small house and not a restaurant. While the menu is on the smaller side, with a small drink list as well, it is in the end forgivable. See I figured out what Chef Gautier is trying to do. He presents seasonal dishes with exactness and detail.
The $25 prix fix option makes this place somewhat affordable, relative to other choices around Park Slope. Amongst my party we had a collection of rabbit liver, kidney and heart. The offal was accompanied by a spicy cream based sauce which complimented the innards perfectly.
To follow up most of us ordered the pork chop with chimichuri sauce. By far one of the best chimichuri sauces I have ever had. I am afraid to admit it but I picked up the bone and was literally chewing on it at the end of dinner. I even saw out of the corner of my eye diners at the adjacent table starring at me. I did not care. And the pork fat that hung from the end of the bone, with its burnt crispiness, makes the elevated cholesterol worth every point.
Was pleasantly surprised. Nice atmosphere, good service and food.
The menu here is changed almost daily, depending on what is freshly available. If you like fish - it's a must, mine was fantastic.
Will definitely come back!
What serendpity! I stumbled upon Palo Santo when the restaurant where I was initially planning to brunch wasn't open yet. Tucked into a Union Street brownstone, Palo Santo was an unassuming neighborhood gem. We were dazzled by the earthy decor, warmed by the flavorful food, and charmed by the gracious hospitality. The complimentary blueberry cornbread was awesome too. Their menu apparently changes nightly, but I'd like to come back for dinner sometime (huh, they have pork belly and braised rabbit on their Latin-inspired menu?). Palo Santo also has a great elevated nook that's perfect for groups in the back section. Seems like it'd be a wonderful spot for an intimate dinner date too.
Went back for their Sunday brunch and the service, food, ambiance, everything was spot on. They have done a great job at focusing on the dining experience and I will definitely be recommending them to friends.
I am really bummed to be giving only a mediocre review because I really wanted to be impressed, but… Read more »
This is a hidden gem in Park Slope and is becoming one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants. It's the ground floor of a brown stone and has a really cozy, warm atmosphere.
The first time we went there was for brunch and my husband and I thought it was one of the best brunches we had in a while. We both ordered the Huevos Banados which is a unique dish of poached eggs served on grilled bread with a spicy hollandaise sauce, tasty black beans, and sliced avocados. It was delicious! We also ordered a side of the Baked Platano Maduro which is a sweet plantain roasted in its skin and served with a creamy, slightly sweet sour cream. The sweetness of the plantain went well with savory egg dish.
The second time we went here was for a dinner on a Thursday night, when my parents-in-law were visiting from out of town. The dinner menu changes daily based on seasonal ingredients. I had a ramp soup with beans, chorizo and bacon. It had a great flavor but had almost too much bacon, even for a pork lover like myself. I left a bunch of bacon strips at the bottom of the bowl. For my entree, I had a sauteed escolar which is a meaty white fish. It was served with a red cabbage slaw which was crunchy, acidic and bright.
My husband had a seared duck breast which was served rare and came with a side of yuca. He enjoyed it, though I found the duck to be a bit fatty. For dessert, we had a creamy avocado creme brulee. The top was caramelized well and the avocado added an certain richness to the dessert. Overall, it was an excellent meal!
Finally ate at this hidden Park Slope spot on my recent trip to NYC. I'd always pass the restaurant walking to friend's apartment from the Union St. subway station. Palo Santo has a prix fixe dinner special for $25 (UPDATED 5/6). An app, entree and dessert. Not bad -- great deal! We ordered a la carte though. We both got the chayote, grapefruit salad. It was refreshing, but I thought it had a very over-powering floral taste to it. But it was dressed lightly -- and I finished it.
Our entrees, I ordered the grass-fed ribeye (medium) with a chimichurri and lightly-fried yucca. I LOVED the yucca. It was sooooo good. The ribeye was nice too. My date ordered a scallop stew with rice and ramps. his dish had some Asian flavors to it. Overall, food was good and service was attentive. We ordered some sangria, which was just okay. The restaurant did give us free dessert -- homemade mango ice cream. That was delicious.
I went there for dinner last night with 4 other people. We all decided that food and service were great.
Palo is adorable, housed in the bottom part of a brown stone. Really homey and welcoming as far as decor.
Apparently the menu changes weekly, which I'm not sure I like or not. Part of me feels that practice makes perfect, but the other part of me likes the idea of pushing the food envelope and make food fun, tasty and interesting.
Four of us choose the prix fixe menu which consists of an app, a main course and dessert. I got the Chayote Salad with blood oranges (super fresh and seasoned just right) , followed by pan seared king fish served with a "hot slaw" (peppery/spicy slaw made with purple cabbage and purple onion) and a grilled sweet plantain. Really, really good. (I don't care of sweet plantains so I gave mine away to a co-diner who proceed to relish in it) Desert was a Mayard lemon tart. The lemon tart had just the right amount of sweetness and tartness.
I will so be back...
Where to begin...EVERYTHING was perfect, the food was delicious...the drinks (frizantes being my favorite) were superb, the cake was the talk of my wedding for weeks after...the music hit the SPOT! Jacques was attentive to detail with every aspect of this party...great communicator despite my momentary "bridezilla" moments! His staff was courteous. The restaurant itself became even more romantic after just adding about 120 small votive candles all over the place...no need for crazy wedding decorations! If not most, ALL of my family and friends could not STOP commenting of how delicious the food was, and some have made plans to return and continue to try different dishes! If you are looking to have a small wedding (about 50ppl or less) THIS IS THE RESTAURANT TO HOLD YOUR PARTY...
We've had brunch and dinner at Palo Santo a number a times now. Each time we leave there we leave with a smile on our faces. The first thing that attracted us to restaurant was the back room. It is cozy and comforting. Next comes the wine selection, which is varied and perfectly suited for the menu. Last, but certainly not least is the food. Jacques' food is just amazing. The menu changes daily and each time it is flavorful and pleasing and amazingly wonderful.
Also celebrated a birthday party there with approximately 18 people - there aren't enough positive adjectives to describe the good time had by all because of the staff, the food, and the overall atmosphere provided by Palo Santo. Highly recommended.
Until today I only attempted to eat at Palo Santo. Despite the sometimes VERY mixed reviews of this location I ordered right and had a fantastic brunch sandwich. The pulled pork sandwich was awesome.
While members of my party were a little disappointed with the lack of flavor with their "omelette of the day" (squash and squash blossoms with goat cheese) I was more than satiated with the portion and amount of flavor in my dish. And, yes, the ambiance is terrific and I would hope that dinner is even better here. It's rare that I'm singing the praises while others are feeling a little less enthused but I had nothing to complain about. Maybe that second mamosa should be free at $7 bucks a pop? Eh. Maybe I didn't need that second mamosa. I'm a fan and look forward to a dinner here. It sure is romantic.
Though I'm looking forward to our experience here, the wait was over 2 and half hours and we were… Read more »
One of the better upscale restaurants in Park Slope, I think. And really, the $25 prix fixe menu is pretty reasonable for fine dining. The menu is fun and really tasty; favorites have been the mole and the mushroom casserole dish. I would stay away from the shrimp however (made my fingers and beard smell like shrimp for a couple days) and the avocado gazpacho (got over it after the second spoonful). The ambience is great, service is friendly, and the patio in the back looks phenomenal when it opens up!
The first time I went to Palo Santo, my friend and I ordered the tasting menu.
Delicious.
Not only did everyone in the restaurant go out of their way to accomodate us, but the whole experience was so intimate -- I felt as though I was having dinner at a close friend's house. As my friend and I sat at the bar and watched the chef prepare our food, he described each dish and then slid it across the bar to us. Everything, from the scallop ceviche to the roasted duck, was fantastic.
The tasting menu is $45 ($75 with wine pairings), and we were fed until we thought we'd explode (it's so good, though, you won't want it to end).
I've been back to Palo Santo a few times, but the entrees I've ordered have never measured up to my first feast. Clearly, the tasting menu is the way to go. So go. Go, go, go.
I thought I was just meeting up with a couple of neighborhood friends one Thursday night, but one emailed us saying she'd made reservations. A quick Google search turned up an unlisted tasting menu for this restaurant and it was all over: what was supposed to be a casual post-holiday hanging-out turned into 3 hours, 11 courses, wine pairings, lots of laughs from our trio catching up, and running commentary from the chef and sommelier(?) throughout the night.
Some favorites: a deliciously, complex, rich conch chowder. The various cuts of perfectly cooked tropical fish. A perfectly spiced bowl of clam stew and jasmine rice. The pan-latin menu changes often, and the chef truly knows his stuff about where the ingredients come from.
The decor is sort of mythical-aquatic-lumberjack. There's always something shiny and beautiful to look at during your meal, and you can't touch it because it's encased into the table or bar under two inches of acrylic.
I've been back several times since (once for breakfast, once for a giant group dinner, once for a late-night bite); the tastes, service, and atmosphere are still spot on though the experience of a tasting menu is hard to replicate. If you have 3 hours, $45, and a lot of stomach room to spare, ask for the tasting menu at the bar. On other nights, a glass of wine and $8 bowl of fragrant white bean-and-bacon soup still leaves you pretty darn satisfied.
Their collection of South American wines is fantastic (ask for the Zolo Torrontes or the Melipal Malbec), and Palo Santo also works well as a weeknight cafe or wine bar -- open later than cafes, much more civilized than a bar. It's a possible de-throning of Applewood as my new favorite restaurant, folks! (A is just too grown-up in atmosphere sometimes.).
Yum! From the food to the waitress to the bevvy's -- this is a great find! We had brunch, and everything was cooked perfectly. The random people we were sitting with at the communal table gave us bites of their food. This is the kind of joy Palo Santo evokes.
I feel exactly how Jasmine M. does... hesitant to spread the word. However, when I saw the place mobbed a few nights ago, I knew the secret was out. Enjoy, world!
The ambiance is fantastic, especially in the back of the restaurant.
The food is mediocre at best. For brunch I had french toast, and my mom had the omelette of the day. French toast was uninspired...white bread with your basic egg batter and then some pinapple on top...the eggs were really bad - super greasy and fried tasting, like you would get at a really bad greasy spoon.
This gem on a side street in Park Slope has become one of my favorite restaurants in Brooklyn. With an interesting and affordable menu, you will truly feel like you are feeding your soul. Portions are generous and generally quite healthy - be sure to try the tacos (with fillings that change nightly) - a delectably sharable appetizer.
I am bitter I can't afford to eat here.
I am also fully in agreement with those reviewers who wanted to give a low review so the place won't get overcrowded - but I want them to succeed, so I will be honest.
Jacques is my hero. In fact, I want him to marry someone I know so I can eat his food for free.
The tasting menu is amazing - I have tricked my father into paying for it on several occasions - and the wine pairings are fairly interesting, although if I am honest I will admit I know less than nothing about wine. My father claims too, though, and he was impressed, especially by the chocolate-y dessert wine.
And now what you're really waiting for -- the food porn.
1) a scallop ceviche with loads of cilantro - served daintily on a scallop shell, if you care about that sort of thing.
2) a tiny sliver of trout, grilled to perfection, on top of a salad of pickled onions and purple potatoes.
3) foie gras on brioche toast, served with a sweet, tangy pineapple sauce.
4) lamb tongue tacos, with perfect guacamole and crisp, lemony radishes
lamb tacos.
5) a skewer of spicy lamb heart, liver, and kidneys served in a creamy white sauce.
6) more lamb: a lamb chop, rare but with perfectly crisp fat, served with a sort of mint pesto. buttery braised lamb that felt apart on my fork. greens with an olive-lemony dressing. root vegetable puree - rutabaga and pumpkin, I think he said?
7) a salad course: fennel and endives with blood oranges and tiny slivers of lemon
8-9) dessert: a lard (yes, lard) cookie with homemade vanilla ice cream for me, and a pumpkin pie with homemade pumpkin icecream and pumpkin-seed brittle for my father.
4 and a half stars, no doubt. I will make this brief, as Jasmine M (scroll below), did a great job of evoking the ambience and quality of food found in Palo Santo.
My great friend Alex and I indulged - there is no better word - in the tasting menu. The owner actually told us, after we placed our order, that they do not profit from the tasting menu; they offer it so people can interact with the chefs and try new, inventive cusine. This place respects eating as an art, but not in the pretentious sense. More in the sensual, " welcome to our home" way...
After the 9 perfectly portioned bites that ranged from cold soup (a marvelous roasted avocado) to samplings of fish and meat delicacies, I can ascertain that the restaurant likely does not profit from this offering. But your belly sure will. And undoubtedly, your newfound loyalty will sustain Palo Santo's continued success.
This is truly a neighborhood gem. I'd been meaning to try it for a long time, and finally got my chance. The staff are friendly and make you feel so comfortable and welcome. Great service and great food are my kinda thing!
I started with a glass of malbec, and ordered the barracuda, which is a seasonal dish. It was pan-seared and served over yuca, corn and palm nuts (which is where palm oil comes from), in a ginger-flavored broth, which added a level of brighness to the dish. I'd never tried palm nuts before - they are firm, with a texture similar to chestnuts, but the taste was unique, not as sweet as chestnuts, with a little something else I can't describe. The whole dish really worked well.
I sat up at the counter, so I was able to watch the chefs at work. I can't wait to go back and try the other tasty dishes I saw coming out of the kitchen. And I will DEFINITELY be back!
best ribs in borough;
avocado créme brulée!
can't wait to go back.
Oh, how I love to find new places to eat. This little gem is packed away on a residential portion of Union hidden among the pretty brownstones. You do not expect to walk in and find a beautiful, sun-filled space with rich wooden furniture.
Menu is a la carte (at least for brunch) and cash only. Small-ish portions of things, but most were quite yummy. Service was kind of strange (5 waters for a table of 7), but everyone was very nice. I had brunch here the other day - I am looking forward to having a dinner here - supposed to have some very romantic atmosphere.
I have walked by this place a few times and been intrigued. i love the location, tucked under a brownstone in a residential block. (by the way, its between 4th and 5th ave on Union, not 3rd and 4th).
my omelet was great, and the papusas were very good. I was disappointed in my side of bacon, and I speak as a committed and knowledgeable baconista. the avocado soup tastes like well-spiced liquid guacamole, if you're into that.
nice atmosphere. I'd love to come back and try the tasting menu.
alone from the outside this place looks too charming to be ignored. set among private townhouses it invites you through the sheer intimacy and warmth it conveys. once you step inside you realize that it is a little fine gem. all the details - like various objects which look like they have been collected on various travels set underneath glass or the tiles in the bathroom - seem put together will a lot of love and thought. a restaurant which has been created to last.
the menu changes daily. we profited from the 3 course prix-fix offer for $25. we had the pumpkin bacon coconut milk soup which was very good and came in a abundant portion but which could have been more coconutty. we also chose the dumplings with absolutely heavenly mushrooms and the pork which was very tender and crispy at the same time. the presentation of the desserts was slightly loveless but the super fine texture of the flan was reason enough to forgive.
service was impeccable. the waitress was well informed, charming and non intrusive. all in all: definitely recommended!
I was really impressed with the decor, staff and (most of all) food at Palo Santo. Another reviewer called it a "gem" and that's really a great word for it - sort of hidden on a side street and in a brownstone, you almost wouldn't know it's there. But you won't forget your dining experience - intimate setting and the food is so flavorful and original! I will definitely be back...
I went to Palo Santo last night for the second time and it was definitely a wonderful experience. I went with some friends and we got the tasting menu, which is excellent. I had previously tried the tasting menu there and it was one of the better meals I'd had in awhile. I kept raving about the restaurant to my boyfriend, so he finally got a chance to try it last night. We started with a delightful oyster, well-seasoned. We enjoyed the grass fed rib eye and wild boar dishes, as well as some fantastic seafood choices. We also had organ meats on a skewer that almost everyone enjoyed, but my boyfriend found his to be very rare/raw and didn't finish. The rest of our food was perfectly cooked. This was my second time getting the tasting menu, and I think my first meal of the two is still my favorite. Overall, excellent restaurant that I've recommended to others. Good wine selection too. I'd love to go back soon and try the brunch or the prix fixe.
I normally hate to tell anyone about places like Palo Santo. I am afraid it will get too popular and ruin its calm, intimate, rustic, and warm appeal. Yet, I really want Palo Santo to succeed. It has delicious expertly cooked perfect inventive food. It was one of the most memorable dining experiences I have had in a while. My Brooklyn-phobic boyfriend even said that he would leave Manhattan again just to come to Palo Santo.
Tucked away on the ground floor of a brownstone, Palo Santo is east to miss and has the feeling of just walking into a friend's home for dinner. The service was very friendly and the waitress was super-accomodating. Palo Santo does not publish or publicly offer its tasting menu available only at the bar. Hush. Hush. I told you, but don't go and tell everyone you know. However, the waitress offered to let us do the tasting menu at a table as long as didn't tell anyone. After being quizzed on our own particular taste and allergies, the waitress scurried away to tell the chef. Everyone should do the tasting menu. It is only 45 dollars!!! 45 dollars for expert talented creative cooking. And definitely, do the 35 dollar wine pairing. I am so impressed with Palo Santo. I can barely sit on my seat. The wines were phenomenal and perfectly paired. I am huge Argentine wine fan, and often critique places based on their Malbec lists. Palo Santo passed my test with flying colors. They had some of my favorite rarer wines on the menu. Plus, the only rose I have ever liked in my life-Crios from Argentina. I am not a big fan of white wine, but I loved the wine I had at Palo Santo. They had intersting wines from atypical regions like Mexico as well. The wines completely complemented the food so well. The sommelier is very friendly and if you show interest, will go into an in-depth explaination of each wine, the notes, how it is grown, the history of the label, etc.
Ok, but back to the food. Jacques Gautier is a refreshing creative well-trained chef. He borrows from many Latin and Caribbean cuisines, but his cooking is simple and doesn;t overload the flavors. The menu is seasonal and the ingredients from local farmer's markets are incredibly fresh.The opening salad was light and refreshing. The trout a la plancha was delectable. Trout a la plancha is really hard to do well. It might have been the most perfect a la plancha I have ever had.
Then by miracle, a couple left the bar, and we were moved to sit at the bar so that the chef can explain and talk about each dish with us. It is also fun to watch the open kitchen, and watch the mastery before your eyes. Everyone in the kitchen works like a madman, yet it is all perfectly coordinated and timed without frenzy. The young kid working as a sous chef might be the hardest working person I have ever seen. Make sure you try to eat at the bar. It is artistry!
Arroz con queso. Luscious white arroz with Spanish Manchego cheese was so delectable. I would never have ordered it on my own, but now I will come back just for that dish. The rabbit and steak dishes were also very good. But, the desserts, oh the desserts were orgasmic. A warm rhubarb crumble could make you cry from delight. And a take on key lime pie was heaven sent.
The ingredients at Palo Santo are very high-end. I have no idea how the restaurant affords to do this tasting menu. I won't argue, however. After my meal, I had to track down the chef and the sommelier just to let them know how much I loved loved this meal.
Palo Santo should definitely be on a list for all to try.
BTW brunch here is kick-ass. I brought my family here for Father's Day, and we were all blown away. The fish and grits are bad ass (and my mom is from the South). And they actually will serve real yerba mate here-not in a nasty tea bag, but in the bombilla!!!!! This place is for real.
6 stars please.
Or 9 - one for each course in the tasting menu.
Heck, make it an even 10.
I have eaten here 3 times in the last month - only wish it could be 3 times a week. Still to do: try the brunch.
I feel the same reluctance as the other reviewers in wanting to keep this place a secret. The only problem with that is it's too amazing not to share and in my delirium after finishing the tasting menu (with the wine pairings, of course ;) I promised to write a lengthy review here. It is thanks to Yelp I found Palo Santo.
Meal #1 - The Tasting Menu (aka food porn)
The first time walking in to Palo Santo I was struck by how lovely it is inside. Beautiful wood, warm and cozy, mosaic tile, etc. My friends and I were greeted by the host/manager/sommelier, Christopher, and seated at the counter facing the kitchen. He asked if we had any food allergies or general dislikes that should be taken into account. Not 2 minutes later we had glasses of sparkling wine in front of us and Christopher described the philosophy behind the food, wine list, regional influences, all that good stuff that sets the scene. The point of recounting all of this is that the tasting menu is a 'dining experience', not simply a meal. Give yourselves at least 2 hours. I suggest going early on a week night when it's quieter.
The food and wine: Each course was fantastic and totally unique. We had to exercise serious restraint to keep from licking our plates, which became more difficult as the evening wore on, especially given the generous wine samplings. At the end of the evening when the chef (the beautiful and talented Jacques Gautier, our new hero) saw us counting on our fingers to see how many courses were left (2 to go) he handed us his scribbled list. Here's what we were treated to: Pumpkin Soup; Ceviche (red snapper); Bluefish tacos with fresh tortillas, daikon radish and guacamole; striped sea bass with grilled plantain; Asopado (clam and prawn and rice in an amazing broth - so good we were all sucking roe off the prawn shell); Conejo (rabbit in pumpkin seed sauce with a black bean and cornmeal tart); Duck breast and Fois Gras in pomegranate sauce (perfect. rare. rich. total food porn); Gravita (dragon fruit - kinda like sorbet); Pumpkin pie (with pine nuts and toasty cinnamon sticks). The wine pairings were well thought out and each course was described to us in detail as it was served. The service was impeccable.
Meal #2 - Cure for a crappy day
It was really late, cold and rainy, I wanted soup and a glass of wine to help erase a Worst Day Ever type of day. I walked in and the host remembered my name and that I had been there the week before for the tasting menu. These people are seriously good at their jobs. The soup was a big spicy yummy bowl of fish chowder. It made me happy. I also had a beet salad that was pretty dang perfect. Theeeen I was tempted by the dessert offerings and had what may be the best creme brulee yet. This was made in a shallow dish and infused with tamarind. OMG - food porn again. Bad day erased.
Meal #3 - they have a prix fixe??!!!
The prix fixe part is an aside but I was pleasantly surprised to find that Sun - Thurs you can choose 3 courses for only $25. This place keeps getting better! So this was my sister's last night in town and I had been dying to take her to my new/favorite place in the 'hood. We were seated in the back dining room, which is really cozy and beautiful. Fantastic service again and perfect food - love the wine list here too. Between the 3 of us we had: squid ceviche (impossibly delicate and spicy with corn on the cob and purple potatoes), conch chowder, seared ahi with daikon radish and pickles (house-cured. yum), pork chops with scalloped potatoes and greens, a risotto-like vegetarian dish with mushrooms and cheese that was better IMO than risotto, tamarind creme brulee and chocolate mousse.
I'll be back...
In a word, disapionted. The starter portions were so small, they would not qualify as a snack for my 1 1/2 year old. We ordered what was described on the menu as "tortillas". What arrived were 6 half dollar sized corn tortillas. They were tasty and warm. I slowly nibbled on one to make it last. The avacado, ceviche, and asparagus salad all suffered from the same size issue. I felt like I was being punked. Small plates are fine, but they need to have something special about them worth paying for. These were just small. My entre portion was fine. I got the grilled trout. It was tasty and fresh, but not memorable. The service was friendly.
Can I give it 3 1/2 stars? 4 for brunch and 3 for dinner. The brunch was great! A quiet, comfy spot in a brownstone, basically perfect for a lazy sunday brunch. The food was excellent as well, along with staff and presentation. I really loved it. While dinner had all of those same qualities, the food was just ok (maybe I ordered the wrong thing) and a bit more pricey. I will give it another try for dinner and I would definitely recommend Palo Santo for brunch.
OK. Maybe I am being too generous with 5 stars since I haven't actually eaten food here. BUT. I had like 5 great cups of hot chocolate that is the best I have ever had. The first time I had it, it threw me off due to the spice and the different flavor. It is not a traditional hot chocolate, it's so much more! I kept going back each morning of my stay in Park Slope. They brewed it right from scratch. I can't wait to go back I'll try the food then I promise!
Really one of the best meals I've had in the city. It's a local neighborhood spot for us, but tend to consider it a "treat" to go. The breakfast/brunch is great to tuck into especially during the weekdays if you have time. I love the eggs served with small fresh tortillas and homemade guacamole. The pork quesadillas were excellent to.
We finally made it and sat at the bar for the tasting menu and splurged that night and got the wine pairing too ($32, I believe but well worth it if you can drink a ton of wine, they'll keep pouring it). The chef and sommelier really pay attention to what they're serving and work together on "pairings" checking in on the next course's ingredients vs. the grape. Each dish was better than the next--the chef is careful to listen to your likes/dislikes. We told him to serve up anything. He started us out with delightful seafood dishes and graduated to heartier meats, etc. before finishing us off with a light salad and dessert. A couple sat down next to us mid way through our meal and he began serving them an entirely separate menu which shows he really takes pride in offering these "tastings".
Happy Hour 7 Days a week from…
Neighborhood: Boerum Hill
Soul Food Lunch Specials!
Neighborhood: Boerum Hill
Neighborhood: Park Slope
Category: Sandwiches
Neighborhood: Park Slope
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Park Slope
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Park Slope
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Park Slope
Category: Latin American
Fellas, take your ladies (or lads, if you swing…
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
I love Little Branch, Grounded, Mary's Fish Camp,…
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
