05/09/08

home away from home

by francis2008

I'm a regular here and I can't think of another place I've ever felt more welcome or more at home. No matter whats on the seasonally menu (which makes it all the easier to go back again and again) I'm never dissapointed and I'm always excited to see what I might find when I sit down. Best bar in the city, best most consistantly good food in the city and by far the friendliest (but not in over zealous) staff I have ever met. Please try it but don't take my seat at the bar.

11/26/07

HMMM why the hype!!!! What am i missing

by maddhatter66

I have gone to this place a few times looking for that one meal that tells me that this is truely the place that food dreams are made of, I must say that the food is just good in a mediocer way, there was nothing that stood out to be wonderfull, delightfull, or could even use the verbage to melt in your mouth, I had a very strange kalamata olive app that to me and forgive me as i am no chef, but it was a strange mixture of cornmeal and deep fried then served plainly on a plate, this was 8 dollars, I decided to try the lavender and goat cheese fondue, again what am I missing, the ambiance reminds me of being in a pub, the food maybe a bit better then pub food, but really there is so many better experiences to be had in food in Seattle, I will go to the other places in the future as i had given a few chances to have my taste buds jump with delight, but to no avail! I am sorry Douglas but i really did try, Iam sorry to say i find much over hype and not much taste or quality!

09/27/07

Celeb chef Tom Douglas' upscale saloon is a reliable and relaxing Seattle institution.

by Contributor

The Scene
A U-shaped bar dominates the restaurant, with good reason: This is where the action takes place. A din emanates from the bar to plain wood booths along one wall and equally stark tables in the L-shaped front room. Large windows permit the invasion of ghostly, street-lit shadows, though evening glow in the summer months fends off the noir ambience until later.

The Food
Unlike Douglas' intimate, stylish, white-linen Dahlia Lounge and its more nuanced fare, food here tends to be robust with big, straightforward flavors. Appetizers that are meant for sharing: heavenly goat cheese fondue infused with lavender and tender little pork raviolis called "plins." Items grilled over the Palace's signature apple-wood grill are uniformly successful, particularly the perfectly crisp organic chicken and rib-eye steak, served with seasonally appropriate sides. Finish with an elegant, hand-selected cheese course or a slice of Douglas' legendary coconut-cream pie.

09/08/07

Favorite Restaurant in Seattle!

by jclauson

Love, love, love this place! Great ambience, service and food (try the small plates). We've been there numerous times and have never been disappointed. Waits can be a little long, grab a seat at the bar if you can and enjoy the night.

• Pros: ambiance, food, service
• Cons: none

06/06/07

Excellent food and service--a real winner.

by alicianoele

After having sub-par experiences at both Etta's and Lola this year, I had pretty much become disenchanted with Seattle chef-god Tom Douglas. My opinion changed tonight, however, after a fantastic dinner at Palace Kitchen. Tom, you are redeemed. First things first, I have to commend the absolutely stellar service we received all evening long at Palace. When we arrived, the hostess advised us there was a 45-minute wait but recommended we pass the time at the nearby Brasserie Margaux bar, and she would call us when a table was ready. After only 20 minutes, she rang, and although we weren't able to take the immediately-available table, upon returning to Palace Kitchen we were seated within about 10 minutes. Our server for the evening was one of the most prompt, most attentive waiters I have of late, all the while managing not to be smarmy or over-the-top. My dining partner and I agreed to start of our meal with the lovely lavender goat cheese fondue paired with grilled chunks of bread and perfectly sweet-tart apple slices. Moving out of the appetizer phase, my friend tucked into the phenomenal Washington chicken, perfectly flavored via a roasting in the applewood grill. Fancied up with tangy rhubarb bits and elegant Marcona almonds, the chicken was tender and beyond delicious. My dinner of choice was a fantastic sauteed hailbut atop greens dressed in a savory vinaigreete. The flavoring of the fish and accompaniments was divine, and the goat cheese gnocchi superb. My only real--albeit slight--criticism of Palace Kitchen is that Dahlia's coconut pie that apparently guest stars at all Tom Douglas joints. I don't get what the hype is about. For one thing, the dessert is garnished in curls of white chocolate, which is not one of my favorite sweets, but aside from that I think the pie is just entirely nondescript. One should not judge a restaurant experience by its dessert, however, and the other aspects of Palace Kitchen experience earn it my rave review.

• Pros: Terrific entrees, exemplary service, great goat cheese fondue
• Cons: Coconut pie is over-hyped!

04/09/07

Not so good!

by msmae

The Trio desert I had at the restaurant over the weekend was one of the worst desserts I've had. One was a chocolate bar, which was horrible chocolate with a butter-finger like crust on the top. The idea was good the result was not. There was also a slushy like drink that tasted like ice and flavored sugar, a 7/11 slurpee would have been better. Last on the plate was an eclar with a maple glaze on top, would have been good If it didn't taste like it had been out all day. The service was good, and so were the pistachios. So if you want a cocktail and nuts Highly recommend it.

• Pros: open late
• Cons: food has gone down hill.

02/11/07

One of the best

by jc425

I love this place. It's the first restaurant I take anyone to when they visit from out of town. Best ambience of any restuarant in Seattle. The olive poppers are not to be missed, while the cheese plates always have some tasty surprises. I usually have whichever fish is on the menu, and they have all been excellent--although a companion once disliked the whole trout.

• Pros: Ambience, people-watching, food
• Cons: Just wish they had a few more entrees for those who don't eat red meat

01/15/07

Great group atmosphere, wine list, and service.

by noahc

It's been a while, so I while don't recall what I ordered I know that I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner. On the other hand, my girlfriend's dish (linguine with mussels) was salty. Salty? Too much? Not enough? Well... At first she didn't mind, but by the end of the dinner, maybe because it was the bottom of the dish it was so salty that she couldn't finish it and we almost sent it back. In retrospect we should have. I'm a fan of Tom Douglas and I know this restaurant can do better. The service was fun and professional and the atmosphere is good for dining couples, though I'd say it's even better for a group outing. Overall I had a slightly negative experience due to the food, but I'm guessing that was just a fluke and I will definitely be back in the future. Etta's, Tom's fish house in Pike Place, is so wonderful that I can't help but give the Palace the benefit of the doubt :)

12/13/06

good, but I've had better

by smilsow

I received a gift certificate to any Tom Douglas restaurant so my boyfriend and I decided to try this place. There was a wait when we got there, which we expected. We walked around town for a little then decided to go back and wait in the bar since it was cold. Bartender was busy, but eventually served us. We were then seated our blonde waitress was extremely nice and helped with recommendations. We had the lavender & goat cheese fondue for an appetizer. I would definitely recommend this to everyone. It had a hint of lavender, but not so much that it was overpowering. I also had the perfect pear cocktail which really did taste similar to a pear. Our food and wine were brought out to us shortly after we finished the appetizer. My boyfriend had the yellowtail, which was very good. I had the celery root ravioli which was also good. The main dishes didn't really impress us though. The menu had interesting combinations and I'm glad we tried them, but it wasn't anything amazing. The by-the-glass wine menu is also not very impressive. However, I would definitely recommend going here just to try the food and enjoy the wonderful service. Or better yet, come for just appetizers and a drink or just dessert. The different cheeses and the desserts are all fabulous. We had one of the cheese this time, but will definitely be back to try one the many delicious looking desserts.

• Pros: fabulous service and great cheeses/desserts
• Cons: expect to wait a little while

11/21/06

I'm lovin' it!

by jen82

Best burger in town, yes it is $12 but it's not like we haven't paid that much bizillions of times at RR. The menu is tiny but so well put together. My favourites: the whole trout (fresh and delicious everytime even at midnight!), cheese burger (with bacon, of course) and their creme caramel which keeps gettin better and better.

ps. if you are a margarita on the rocks lover.. this is the palace for you!

• Pros: Not good for kids and late night dining
• Cons: Tom's BBQ sauce and parking