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Aug.24,2009
933 South Brand Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91204
Hiding smack in the middle of car dealerships and lamp stores in downtown Glendale is a wine bar worthy of repeat visits. For once.
Let’s get to the point. Smooth cool, steel pub chairs and long silver tables overflow in every room. A modern concrete bar with a European handwritten blackboard takes center stage. It feels like part cheese and wine making factory, part Soho loft, part old castle. Maybe it’s just me but somehow, it works. This French heavy eatery/lounge is in fact:
Part wine store/part book store/part tasting bar/part cheese retail and viewing room/part restaurant.
With all of these fantastic parts combined, Palate is basically The Six Million Dollar Man of wine bars. They can make it better than it was before. Better, stronger, faster.
Some highlights:
-As part of my red flight, the 2007 Copain “Tous Ensemble” Pinot Noir, which I have talked about before, was the major standout for me. Their wine selection is copious to say the least and their glass offerings are decent.
-A brilliant skirt steak that literally melted in your mouth. Single dish Sundays is something most people may not be used to, so if you want a lot of choices, do not go on Sundays. But if your up for BTG*or a flight, pork and a cheese platter then don’t miss this valley gem.
-Speaking of cheese, my platter was, of course, a little too small for my taste. But cheese platters are pretty small and expensive anywhere I go and I know it. They definitely have nice ones though. Some stand outs were the Roncal and the Comte, served with paper thin crostini slabs.
Even though it’s hip for the valley, Palate doesn’t seem to exclude like some Hollywood joints may make you feel. So don’t be afraid of the cool. Order what you want, ask questions and wear some comfy weekend wear. Yes, even a Lee Majors 70’s tracksuit would suffice.
*by the glass.
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