Palate Food+Wine

Getting excited about our November 3rd visit to Glendale's Palate Food+Wine - they have a Cirque du Fromage we will be participating in! That's a CIRCUS OF CHEESE. That phrase couldn't make me any more happier.



From their website:
palate is wine-centric, passionate, and down-to-earth. palate is a restaurant, a wine merchant, a cheese cellar, a tasting bar and lounge, and an eno-gastronomic library occupying the ground floor of a seven-story Bekins moving depot (circa 1928) turned wine-storage vault. palate is a vibrant gathering place in an inspiring setting designed to nurture a sense of community among lovers of delicious food and great wine and the farmers and wine producers so instrumental to the art of eating—and drinking. Created by chef + principal Octavio Becerra, chef Gary Menes, wine director Steve Goldun, and general manager Francois Renaud, palate is where food, wine and people meet.

Graceful Evening at Grace

In this much overdue post, a summary of our lovely evening at Grace Restaurant on Beverly Boulevard.

Amanda, Erin, Christine, Diamond, Jennifer and Amy gathered for a lovely dinner of meat! Well, everyone with the exception of Christine (our Vegetarian representative) had meat. On second thought, this restaurant didn't seem entirely veg-friendly...Christine had one entree choice of grilled tofu! There were some appetizers and such...but you don't want to order an appetizer for your dinner, especially when you go out for...dinner. This isn't a late-night-I've-had-too-much-to-drink-and-need-food-to-sop-it-all-up kind of place.

From Grace

Erin & Christine

Anyway, I ramble. On the food!

From Grace

Jen tries to decide what she wants.

After admiring the lovely butter dishes:

From Grace

And taking silly "art" photos of the water jug, candle holder, and glass of beer (that's Diamond peeking up above):

From Grace

...we got down to business. Diamond, Erin and Jen each had the Wild Boar.

From Grace

Erin with Wild Boar and Christine with Tofu

I have to admit, I was kind of jealous of the Wild Boar. It was so tasty and it sat atop a little bed of roasted Brussels sprouts, herbed Yukon gold potato spaetzle and violet mustard sauce. That spaetzle was DELICIOUS! Everyone approved of the boar. If I go again, I will have to have it.

Amy ordered the Pork (this was the dish I was oscillating between...and didn't end up getting....and I have to say that my mouth watered every time I looked at it! She loved that it was a good fatty pork cut, and the chorizo home fries were spectacular.

From Grace

Finally, I got the antelope. Despite loving the boar and spaetzle, and being envious of the pork and home fries, this was very very good indeed. Some thought it was a bit gamey, but I liked it, and ate it medium rare with a heavy glass of zinfandel to accompany it. YUM!

From Grace

Me and the antelope.

A good time was had by all...and we're looking forward to our next Teadebris!

From Grace

L-R: Diamond, Christine, Amanda, Amy, Jen, Erin

Grace: Second Teadebris Dinner

Our second restaurant to visit will be Grace, a snazzy place located on Beverly Boulevard in Mid-City. Yelp seems to have some rather nice reviews up, but per fledgling tradition, one reviewer on Zagat says:

"A great neighborhood destination. As you arrive, the stylish decor will set the tone for your evening making you feel like one of the beautiful people you are dining amongst. Chef Fraser will delight you with his talents. Leaving you wanting to return for more visits with his ability to offer such fantastic seasonal fare. Knowledgeable staff helps making food and wine decisions easy. All in all if Grace is not on your short list it's your loss"

Grace

Tuesday, November 18, 7:00 pm

Table for Six

Pizzeria Mozza

Our first table for six is reserved!

Zagat:
The "hottest ticket in town", this "instant classic" in Hollywood from "rock-star chefs" Mario Batali and Nancy Silverstone might just "change you worldview about pizza" with "ethereal" pies sporting perfectly "charred" crusts and "esoteric toppings" like squash blossoms and burrata; given the frequently "packed house", servers are "overwhelmed" and the noise level "much too loud", yet acolytes insist they "could eat hear every night" if only they could "get in" (psst - "reserve well ahead" or "try the bar" for impromptu dining).