Palette: The Art of Food

JANNA

4.0

This is literally a hole in the wall restaurant where we wouldn't really notice was a restaurant. But it was really good! This is a good find!It's almost two weeks since we ate here for a website meet up (my first!) but I could still remember the food that was served (and outstanding food would usually mark a memory with me).We tried the cane juice, which I found a bit too sweet... Though it is natural with no added sugar. We just added water to compensate for the sweetness (great, as the drink will be enough for two!)For appetizers, we had the adobo pate with crostini which my boyfriend like though he wasn't a big fan of pate in general. I am not a big fan of adobo actually but I like it because it's something new.We also had the nachos, which we enjoyed as the chips were thin and crispy (so delicious that it can be eaten alone). It was like fried wonton. Very yummy with lots of toppings!I liked the tinapa lumpia best of all the appetizers because aside from something new for me, I liked that it wasn't too oily, nor too salty, and I like it dipped with the sweet vinegar. (writing about it makes my mouth water right now)The fish tacos were also good. It didn't taste "malansa" at all, and it has these japanese mayo taste... The sweet taste to contrast the saltedness of the fish. Actually it doesn't taste like fish, and I am guessing it can be served to people who don't eat fish heheBut our crowd favorite was the vermicelli salad! I just love it! The noodles were thin and light and crispy. The sauce was delicious. Even the noodles alone with the sauce is already something I can enjoy!We also had some pasta, the carbonara and the gambas chorizo pasta. The carbonara was good, it was creamy. But the better option for me would be the gambas chorizo, as it is a good combination with the marinara sauce (and the gambas is really good).For the entrees, my favorite was the lamb stew with mint rice. Ansarap!!! Lamb doesn't feel too "malansa" (some may not even recognize it was lamb) but it was just sooooo good with the mint rice. It was soft and easy to chew. I will definitely order this again (when I have money haha but it's definitely worth it!)We also liked the lengua, which was soft. The sauce was just right, creamy and not too salty. It was also served with thin breadlike-sticks; something a bit crunchy to contrast the softness of the meat.I am also not a big fan of callos because sometimes the tomato sauce can be too sour but theirs was just right. It has lots of tripe... so good for me hahaAs I said previously, I am not a big fan of adobo, but their concept was beautifully conceptionalized with one cooked in gata while the other was cooked in binagoongan. It was also good. A new concept.For dessert, my personal favorite was the tiramisu. I am not a fan of tiramisu in general but I liked theirs. Maybe because we can control the coffee amount (and control the bitterness), or it was just very creamy, and it has this crumbs at the bottom. I love it... For a tiramisu heheI am a big fan of cheesecake, and theirs did not disappoint. I usually like mine with full cheesecake not much gelatin but theirs had like half-cheesecake, half-gelatin. So it was still filling, but not so much like most full-cheesecakes.My boyfriends' favorite was the chocolate lava which has warm chocolate goo from the inside and cool on the outside. It has this hint of a raspberry sauce, but I don't quite remember it (my boyfriend does, however)The leche flan was also okay... Though it wasn't extraordinary compared to their other desserts.To sunmarize, my favorite appetizer was the vermicelli salad, followed by the tinapa lumpia and the nachos. My favorite entree was the lamb. But if I don't have enough money, I would get the lengua haha for dessert, I guess my boyfriend and I will have to argue over the tiramisu and the chocolate lava haha though we did say we want to try the PB & J wings next time we visit...Update:We went back for the PB & J wings and the vermicelli salad. The vermicelli seemed to be saucier this time, and it was still as crunchy as I remembered.The PB & J wings somehow reminded us of Kare-Kare wings, but this is sweeter. Though I find the skin a bit too thick with breading, so it kind of feels oily.We also ordered the creamy fish which was on a separate menu. It's very delicious! They didn't skimp on the creamy sauce at all. Actually, the cream was thick enough with the consistency and taste of mashed potato! Yummy!

TC Emre Güney

4.0

Excellent customer service and the food was really good. Our favorite was tinapang lumpia dipped in vinegar. We also tried their Vermicelli salad which comes with extra sauce but I personally don't think you need some more since the salad is already tasty. The nanay's adobo duo was definitely a new twist to the taditional one which was also very filling. Thank you for the 100-peso discount from website! The resto also offers a 10%cashback promo. We'll definitely come back! ^_^

Verdaatilla

3.0

I tend to take a little time to review website-hosted restaurant visits, sometimes to visit again on my own before reviewing. Unfortunately, this has not happened, and some time has passed. This definitely counts as a late post.Palette is a passion project amongst friends, who pooled resources and recipes together into this small neighborhood restaurant. It is a brief walk from the corner of a busy main avenue - E. Rodriguez - so the door is locked, and I had to be let in. In fact, the suggestion here is to make sure a door bell is visible, with a sign, for visiting diners. The menu has a number of interesting items, and since I was with reviewer friends who have discussed many of these items extensively, I'll highlight what I personally thought were their best dishes. Their starters are very decent - whether it's the spinach soup or tomato soup, you will like the flavor and consistency. Their vermicelli salad, which has deep fried vermicelli bits, shrimp, and an Asian-style dressing, is nicely portioned to share.Some have commented that their pasta dishes lacked seasoning; that is easily addressed, they didn't taste bad. I have never been a fan of oil based pasta in my life, and have been quietly polite about that since the beginning of, basically, time - but I liked the mushroom combo in their lightly garlicky mushroom olio pasta. There was oyster mushroom, maybe some shiitake, and definitely some shimeji in there. Nice.There are definitely two items on their menu that for me stand out, and they must make the effort to supply them constantly. First is their Adobo Duo, or adobo cooked two styles. The first style was Bicol-style, stewed till tender, and bathed in a savory coconut sauce. Exceptional. The other approximated Pork Binagoongan, cooked sort of crispy, garnished with shredded mango, sliced kamias (wow!) and topped with garlic. This dish is restaurant quality in any town...the cook in me feels compelled to tell them to keep this dish's recipe components close to their chest.The other dish is their lamb stew, which they execute with a modest lamb neck cut, which is sort of bony but very tasty. The Pinoy palate doesn't always appreciate the quiet, subtle flavors that go into a European-style dish like this, which attenuates the rich flavor of lamb with the sweetness of prunes. Have this dish with bread or eat it with lots of rice, because it's worth it. Desserts are fine too, particularly their lava cake and their cheesecake. A final note on the service, and the music that is often played when the management isn't on the premises. I'm referring to the staff's coy attempt to play music meant for them, and playing it loudly, instead of what's meant for the restaurant's clientele, consistent with the restaurant's image. Not only do I find this disrespectful to the owners; this is a surefire way of losing customers permanently. Diners will almost always forgive slightly less than stellar food, but they will not forget it if the staff are careless with them or the place they work for...As a neighborhood restaurant with homestyle cooking, Palette has a few tricks in its pocket. I've definitely still got that Adobo Duo on my mind.Many thanks to Palette and to website for hosting us on a wonderful afternoon.

Lohit Shetty

4.0

The food is good and it's cheap as well. We ordered the wagyu steak chicken teriyaki and the gambas pasta thingy. The chicken wasn't that good but the pasta and steak were delicious.

Nadia Mira

4.0

Palette: The Art of Food is located at a small street near E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City. The slightly hidden location adds to the allure of this hole-in-the-wall neighborhood restaurant. Despite the lack of visibility and foot traffic, Palette’s good food, quality and consistency keep customers coming (whether they are repeat customers or referrals).

Darnainafatsuit

4.0

Ah, Filipino food - It is quite hidden and sometimes overlooked. You know it's really true when they say 'don't judge a book by its cover' because while the outside is unassuming, the interior of Palette: The Art of Food or simply, Palette Manila is a cute mix of a cafeteria style setting with a homey vibe. This is a much older place and it was filled with vintage decor, trinkets, and paintings here and there; Truly unpretentious but fantastic nonetheless. In my opinion, nothing will ever beat homemade Filipino food, but, I have to say that I really enjoyed my meal here; it was one of the best Filipino meals I've had. To be honest, I'm always really picky when it comes to Filipino food because a lot of the time I find myself comparing it to my parents' cooking, and I'm especially picky with any kind of Adobo because it's hard to go out of your way for it when you can make it yourself at home.Palette Manila's Adobo Duo was spot on. The portions were generous, the meat was tender and the fat was meltingly soft, flavoured with soy sauce, vinegar, and coconut cream. Other notable dishes include the Lamb Stew with Prunes that comes with Mint Rice and their Vermicelli Salad. The presentation is really nice too and you can tell they take their time to prepare each dish.We've also tried several of their pasta dishes - The carbonara was a bit watered down and unappealing because it did not have a distinctive taste or flavour. It was bland. The Seafood Marinara had the potential to be great, but just like the Carbonara, it too, was bland. The Mushroom Olio was the stand out in my opinion. It looked really basic but it's packed full of flavour. Simple, delicious, and light. No theatrics needed.The desserts were amazing but my vote goes to their Leche Flan. Hand down! It's rich, smooth, creamy, with a perfectly scorched sugar topping. Yummy. Just yummy.All things considered, I'm glad this place is around. I'd love to see Palette Manila and other more creative Filipino restaurants like it push the envelope even further by offering food with greater regional diversity. I'm hoping with time, it inspires even more creative iterations of the cuisine I grew up with and love.Also, The food here might even be better for your waistline too, since it's less greasy than other Filipino restaurant food I've had in the area. Overall, very surprising (in a good way) food experience. It's hard to find nice, sit down Filipino restaurants, so Palette Manila is a place to always keep in mind. Many thanks to the owners and staff of Palette: The Art of Food for hosting my visit.***Food and drinks are complimentary.***This was a long overdue post.

Sutri Wijayanti Kusuma

4.0

Pass by this New York neighborhood bistro styled place often. Decided to venture in and liked the simple homey place with distinct touches like the pop of orange on the sofa! On to the menu. Simple and tight. My friend and I decided on the Lamb Stew with Mint Rice $ the chorizo & Gambas Pasta. The Lamb Stew was tender & flavorful. The prunes were an unexpected flavor contrast that was cut into the richness of the lamb. The rice was cooked in fresh mint. A cool, herby foil for the lamb.The Gambas Pasta was perfect! Spaghettini was al dents. The longganiza garlicky and the shrimp plump & juicy! Had no room for dessert but will definitely go back to try thr oft ordered leche flan

Yoanny Cameilya

4.0

Hidden in an alley near Balete dr. This boutique restaurant with a homey atmosphere will surely get your taste buds to do a sommersault.Palette's entrees are bursting with flavor and a picture perfect visual as they set the dishes in front of you.I enjoyed the Japanese flavor of their Chicken Teriyaki served with seasoned veggies and rice and fell in love with their Beef Stew with aroma that will make you crave for more.

Mici Buy

2.0

Tinapa Lumpia: okVermicelli salad: ok also, i understand why it got rave reviews but i wasn't blown away.Lamb stew: for 400, it was a let down. We got a lot of bones and tendons. I literally had just 1 spoonfull of legit meat. The flavor was amazing, they know how to make use of herbs and spices. But 400 for the quantity of meat, no thank you!Chorizo Gambas Pasta: i actually liked it because of its heat and it was, i believe, oil base. Again, a little expensive for the quality.Poached salmon: another huge let down. The salmon was overcooked, very overcooked. It was also thin and the lemon spaghettini lacked in seasoning.Strawberry Tiramisu: quite good, dad liked itLava cake: also quite good, served warm which i love!They definitely have quality food but i wish they would lower down the price or bring up the quantity or quality of their other dishes.Will comeback to try the adobo and nachos then will order the lava cake again!

Neerja

4.0

Nestled in some hidden parts of E. Rod is Palette. Palette is a small and cozy restaurant unknown to the common crowds. I missed it when I was looking for it but fortunately found it. The interior is a relatively cozy but not overly fancy set up that is simplistic and comfortable. It gets quite hot at the peak of noon if you’re sitting by the window. There is an attempt at letting natural light in but the front of the store, small as it already is, is quite blocked by things so the view is not really noteworthy and there is not much natural light that seeps through. Since it’s a small property, there is not much space to park.We ordered their carbonara and their Philly Cheesesteak, and we had tiramisu for desert. Both the pasta and the sandwich were really delicious to my surprise! Even the tiramisu was pretty good, not the classic tiramisu of course. It was also bigger than I expected since it was just P100. It was quite annoying since a lot of their dishes were unavailable, but the food was still delicious.Food: 4.5/5Service: 4/5Interior: 3.5/5Value for Money: 3.5/5