10/18/09

My wedding reception at Palo Santo

by Berenice

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! Everyone of my family and friends could not STOP commenting of how delicious the food was, and 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...

• Pros: Food, Ambiance Drinks and Music
• Cons: becoming an addict to Jaques food

02/23/09

NOT KID FRIENDLY! horrible service, foul ceviche. smashingly bad

by zaire

wow, ive never been asked not to bring my 8 yr old to a local restaurant. especially in park slope. my husband and i, upon entering, where told my the cook behind the counter that he didnt cater to families, but he would make an exception. i should have left then..

the interior is a little on the "look ma, i made it all by my self" side. not that i dont like a down home feel, this was more shoddy than chic.

we started with ceviche. wow. it was still frozen in the middle. kinda defeats the purpose.

at that point, i lost my appetite but my husband and son plotted on. their brave. they split a short rib dish and a pork chop covered in a 'mole' sauce. the mole had the consistence of elmers glue and the taste of nestle quick. go figure. the short rib was dry and flavorless.

after not eating any of the entrees, the waiter was genuinely concerned. i pointed out the frozen ceviche and the gelatinous mole. he nodded in agreement. he confided in us that there are good days and there are bad days there. wow.

do not waist your time. there are to many other, truly delightful dining options in the neighborhood.

• Pros: server was nice
• Cons: bad food, shoddy atmesphere, not family friendly

02/22/09

Best Food in Park Slope

by Draggonspoon

The food at Palo Santo is excellent - there is no other description that is sufficient. I love it and go as much as possible. The chef is competent and creative. The service if just fine - I've never had a bad experience over the past several years. The prix fixe menu is well-priced and I always come away satisfied and looking forward to my next meal there. The brunch menu is also great- particularly when there is some sort of pork sandwich available.

• Pros: Great menu

02/02/09

good food, and service depending on who the waiter is

by bgourley

having eaten here at least 15 times the past year I am well acquainted with the menu.

The service is great if you have one of the waitresses serving you, and mediocre if you have the other one. One of the waitresses works her tail off (had a neckbrace when we were there) and the other one is a bit snobby and indifferent of whether or not you enjoy your meal.

The food is very good , but the wait for your food can be cumbersome and if you have the snooty waitress forget getting your check or food on time.

• Pros: great food
• Cons: 50% service, can be slow kitchen

12/14/08

Great Choice in Park Slope

by MHalberstam

I eat at this restaurant on a regular basis. The food is always fresh and prepared well. The menu is creative and bold, and the food always lives up to the promise of its vision. While the menu changes on a daily or near daily basis, it usually features at least one fish and one pork dish, and platanos usually accompany something. I have eaten at most places in Park Slope and Cobble Hill, and Palo Santo is one to which I consistently return because I know it will not let me down. Additionally, for the level of food, the price is quite reasonable. Thus, Palo Santo combines a dynamic menu with excellent food quality and prices to make a great dining experience.

Also, the wine list never disappoints. And, the service is excellent.

Only caveat - chicken usually served on bone, but not necessarily a drawback if you're into it.

• Pros: menu changes frequently

09/23/08

go for the garden.

by kvvj80c

i was given a gift certificate, and so glad for it. inspired, seasonal, simple yet creative menu. awesome wine list. the service was spectacular. get there early, and if you're on a date, go for the back garden as there's only room for two.

• Pros: back garden, wine list, service

06/07/08

Cuisine de marche sud americaine de fusion inventive et gouteuse.

by Olwan

A Palo Santo. le chef propose une carte qui se renouvelle assez souvent meme s'il s'inspire et reinvente la cuisine sud americaine.

Palo Santo se distingue par la qualite de ses produits. On y mange, selon la saison, de la poule avec ses oeufs, du foie gras frais, du lapin, du canard, du gibier... Ce qui est rare aux US.

Il faut absolument gouter les tortillas de mais. Si vous prenez des tacos, bien evidemment, ce n'est pas la peine.

En entree, tout est bon mais certains plats proposes se repose entierement sur la qualite des produits utilises, ce qui en soit est une prouesse mais peut decevoir si vous voulez quelque chose d'elaborer. Evitez ainsi les cailles grillees ou l'avocat. Si vous aimez le poisson cru, il y a souvent du ceviche, sorte de marinade pimentee de poisson. C'est excellent mais ca vous met le feu aux papilles. Il y a en general des tacos, valeur sure qui seduira et, plus rarement, une entree qui reste a la carte une voire deux semaines.

Pour les plats, il y a en general un vegetarien, deux poissons, deux viandes. Les viandes sont gouteuses et cuites avec precision. Quand il y en a, la souris d'agneau est fondante a souhait et est servie avec une sauce assez classique mais delicieuse. Le flanchet est accompagne d'une sauce latino americaine qui n'en tue pas le gout. L'asopado de mariscos ou le mole, tous les deux delicieux ne s'adressent qu'a des palais non pas avertis mais aguerris parce que lorsque le plat est signale comme epice, il l'est vraiment. Certains poissons sont servis avec de la banane plantain cuite longuement au four. Un delice!

Cote dessert, il faut l'avouer, ca ne se renouvelle pas autant mais tous sont bons. Si vous ne savez pas ce qu'est un granite, evitez de le prendre en pensant avoir un sorbet.

Pour ce qui est des vins, les rouges sont charpentes et plutot forts. Pour qui n'est pas amateur de ces vins la, il n'y a que deux roses. Les americains sont amateurs de blanc d'ou une carte que je n'ai pas goutee.

• Pros: cuisine, qualite des produits, variete
• Cons: roses quasi absents de la carte

06/03/08

Fresh Food in a Great Atmosphere!!

by lathaheyman

Love this place! I come here often. I recommend sitting at the "bar" and having the tasting menu and the wine pairing...such a good deal.

• Pros: All
• Cons: None

02/24/08

Poor service, and the food was surprisingly disappointing.

by mdallasm

My girlfriend and I have eaten at Palo Santo for brunch several times, and the food was enjoyable and the service was above average. But when we ate there for dinner recently, it was like we were at an entirely different restaurant. Our waiter ignored us in favor of another table for much of the evening. Our order was taken about 30 minutes after we had been seated. When our food arrived - now about an hour after our seating - it was terrible. I ordered the chicken mole, and I managed to scrape about four full bites of chicken off of a mass of bones and bone chips. While the food quality was redeemd somewhat by the dessert, the overall experience was so unpleasant that we won't be giving Palo Santo another chance for dinner ever again. We might try another brunch in a few months, but only after the bad taste of this experience has faded.

• Pros: Good brunch, pleasant (if cramped) ambience
• Cons: Breathtakingly slow service and, quite simply, bad food

12/11/07

Shockingly BAD! Major Dissapointment! Rude!

by jackslopster72

After hearing this place get rave reviews, I decided to check it out. Is this the same place? The place is small and cramped, I felt like i was sitting with the two guys at the table next to me. The service was spotty at best. You would think water was gold...it's impossible to get a glass of it in this place!! The waiter was sort of rude and I felt like he was flirting with my date, which made us both uncomfortable. The food was presented nicley but didn't taste good. The wine list is strange and too expensive for south american wines. I don't know who would acually give this place a good rating. And if youwant to fell like a jerk...just ask the manager a question and he'll help you out with that

• Pros: it's close to my apartment
• Cons: poor service, bad food, poor wine choices, cramped