Palette Bistro
321 Bay St, Petoskey, MI, 49770
Palette Bistro Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Petoskey for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Petoskey for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Petoskey for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
321 Bay St
Petoskey, MI, 49770 - Phone (231) 348-3321
- Website https://www.palettebistropetoskey.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Upscale
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Zach S.
First off we went around 6 on a Monday. We sat down near the window with a great view of the water. Two glasses of wine, a small plate of hummoli and two entrees the garlic chicken and premovera. The service was great the good was amazing and the view breath taking! A must stop for a romantic dinner for two in Petosky!
(5)Hanif B.
This is a Greek restaurant. Make you sure you sit on the second floor to get the amazing view. The bread was delicious and you get unlimited. The pizza was great, thin crust and flavourful. Definitely try the pizza. Cheesecake is also bomb
(4)Richie C.
Amazing service. Even better food. Great view on the 2nd floor. We didn't go to a better restaurant during our stay. You're not going to get better new American cuisine around here. We will be back again!
(5)Brandi P.
Had lunch on the patio out front. It took much longer to get our food though than one would think, but luckily the waitress was nice and kept checking on us. The food, once we got it, was good and the pasta salad was my favorite part.
(3)Ben O.
Only 4 of 9 in our group liked their entree. One returned his surf and turf, my paella was no good. None of us are coming back.
(2)Joe B.
I love the concept and the ambiance here but the execution was a little lacking. I'll start by saying that the upstairs patio is a great place to dine-in. Depending on when you arrive though the menu may be highly limited. We opted to cocktail until the regular menu was offered again starting at 4 pm. The service was OK enough but our waiter was a little stoic and stodgy but he got the job done starting us off with some AMAZING local bread and a few plates of olive oil and reduced balsamic for dipping. We ordered several small plates from the Margherita pizza, to the Halloumi and then the Mediterranean Pulled Pork which was my choice and lastly the warm Pita plate. The food was OK but I didn't fall in love with it. The pizza was good and the Pita plate had a magical almost tzatziki sauce served with pita points. The Halloumi was a pretty solid dish too but visually a little unappealing. The Med Pulled Pork missed the mark entirely. Far too much cumin which overpowered the more subtle flavor of the pork BUT I did like the Bleu Cheese Polenta that was served alongside it. There were a few other menu choices that looked enticing like the paella and the scallops so perhaps when we're back I'll look into those. For now though I'm curious what else is around Petoskey that stands out brighter.
(3)Jessica G.
After Twisted Olive lost our reservation and the owners daughter/hostess put a big damper on our evening (complete lack of customer service/communication skills) we ended up here. Hannah was delightful, our food was AMAZING and I had a wonderful birthday dinner. Beautiful view from second floor, can't say enough. Delicious, wonderful staff!
(5)John C.
Good Food, served by an attentive wait staff, in a beautiful setting. Soups, Salads, Small Plates, Large Plates were very good, but Two of our meat dishes were overlooked.
(4)Yuka W.
Great dinner with gorgeous sunset! The receptionist was really friendly and attentive. The combination of olive oil and balsamic vinegar was perfect! They showed me the labels, so I took a picture. They are from Flustini, next door store. Of course I bought them^^ I ordered salmon and it was so yummy! While its outside was crispy, the meat was so moistened and juicy. I wish they open a new restaurant in my area.
(5)Rick B.
Great small plates, the best Caesar salad plus a great choice of wines on the porch last night. Service was fantastic. Just a great spot to enjoy a beautiful late summer evening!
(4)Thomas H.
Had lunch recently. Quiche and salad was very good. Service was excellent, attentive but not intrusive. Good wine list.
(4)Andy A.
What a wonderful surprise. The sun was just setting after a big storm blew through. Excellent, excellent food and service, topped off by a fabulous view. Oh and the service was perfectly handled as we had some special food requirements. But the Margarita madness was out of this world. Now don't tell anyone so it gets too crowded.
(5)Tom W.
Ordered the salmon and roast chicken, both excellent. Great service and wonderful view.
(5)Valerie C.
Full disclosure: small plates are my favorite way to dine. I wish every restaurant was a "small plates" joint, so this place had me at hello. We sat in the bar and had a great time ordering almost every dish on the small plates menu, we had several people waiting on us and they were all so nice and friendly and knowledgeable about the food. We got there before 6:30p so all smalls were 40% off, wow!! Portions are enormous. The liver and onions "small" plate was entree size and cost $5 or 6. I don't think you can eat at McDees for $6 anymore. Nice people, fun food, more than reasonable prices and a great view. Thanks, Palette! We are locals and we will be back!
(5)Jason S.
This place was decent. The view however is phenomenal. I had the special, which was prime rib. It was really pretty good. The rest of the menu seemed to have a semi-eclectic menu. My wife had the gnocchi and she enjoyed it. All in all the food was very good... I just don't have a burning desire to return, hence the 4 stars. It's not bad in any sense of the word... It's just not super memorable.
(4)Bob B.
I have a quandry on how to review Palette Bistro. I am in Petoskey for a work assignment and went for a solo dinner on a Friday, sat at the bar to have quicker service and to not take a table from any couples or groups. The young male bartender was very attentive, friendly, quick, and personable. I ordered the beet carpaccio & pan-fried gnocchi small plates as well as a glass of organic Bordeaux. All three hit the mark fabulously - the presentation was excellent, the flavors were wonderful, and the service was genuine. Even the chunk of baguette with the oil & balsamic were a cut above. I left with a grin and thought that the overall price of ~$30 was on par for the taste, service, and overall experience. I returned last night (Wednesday) and my experience was quite different. The hostess seemed confused about my wishing to sit at the bar to order food. The bartender (this time a woman) was inattentive and seemed annoyed that I was cheerful (I was excited to have another wonderful just-right meal!). She tried to correct me when I ordered the beet carpaccio (she thought it was beef, which I understand would be a common error), and when I also ordered the pommes frites she corrected me by calling them "fries". Sure, they're french fries, but the menu calls them pommes frites so that's how I ordered them. I decided to pass on wine this time in order to also have the gnocchi again. The food did indeed arrive very quickly but the presentation was not near how it had been a few nights before, the portions were smaller, the gnocchi was way over-pan-fried, no bread/oil/balsamic was brought this time, and worst of all there was no drink service. I had to flag down a different bartender in order to get a glass of water to accompany my meal. The worst part: also at the bar were some, what I gather, off-duty employees either from this place or from a sister-restaurant up the road (City Park Grille). They were openly commiserating with the bartenders and other waitstaff about their gripes with management, about regular customers, were laughing about taking painkillers while drinking, and seemed either oblivious or uncaring that customers (not just me - others, too) were within immediate earshot. It wasn't just the off-the-clock folks but the on-duty staff were being unguarded in their conversation too. I know full well what goes on behind the scenes in restaurants. For the sake of the businesses involved, though, it really needs to stay there. So the food has a good chance of being delicious, the service seems to have a 50/50 chance of being acceptable, the price (to me) seemed about right for the overall experience. I can't fully recommend it but won't tell you to stay away either. They really need to work on their consistency and they REALLY need to keep the employees in line with their open-air conversations.
(3)Pat B.
The restaurant has a wonderful setting and excellent service. The food was very good. I ordered the paella that was a little overpowered by the chorizo sausage. My husband had the pork dish and gave that five stars. On the dessert menu is a very tasty milkshake flavored with several liquors. It was delicious.
(4)Daniel H.
The food was good. Portion sizes decent but a bit over priced. The view makes up for it. We asked for more bread and the server merely placed the bread basket with one piece left back in front of our friend and patron. Rude especially for some cheap bread. The waitress was not pleasant and screwed up the check. All of this while the owner Mr. Keedy and General Manager dined at the table beside us. I found it strange she would act inappropriately while the two top dogs sat in plain view. Will only go back if someone invite us. Will not recommend to friends and family.
(2)Denise E.
This is our "go to" place when we want to get out. It's consistently good, with great food and excellent service. We even ask for Sean, as he is the best server in Petoskey. They make a perfect martini, great pizza, and we always enjoy the bread with Fustini's oil and balsamic vinegar. Entrees are generous and fresh and the view is quite nice. Especially like the mussels. We appreciate the "points" we accumulate through their frequent diner program too!
(5)EB N.
Beautiful View! Food not so much. Had a bowl, of soup, was good, not great. Would have only had 1/2 a sandwich, if the description had been correct. Waitress said was small so ordered a whole, only needed 1/2. And taste wasnt there, ask for more sauce didnt help. Not sure I would go back
(3)Matinga R.
The chocolate pudding was awesome, fantastic view and service. I also had the mussels, veggie au gratin. Loved the veggies but thought the mussels were super scrawny. They were served in a great chorizo sauce but if u love mussels I'd opt for something else.
(4)randy c.
Sat at the bar and considered having appetizers and drinks...maybe dinner. It ended about halfway through the first drink. If you're gonna have an open kitchen you have to be aware of image and actions. Within minutes I saw the cooks strike three times. 1. pizza guy removed his cap and scratched his head, not just a little itch, but full-on-multiple-deep-digs....right in front of us. Unbelievable. 2. moments later the other guy on the line is biting his nails....really. 3. a little later the pizza guy is wiping his hands between ingredients (while making a pizza) on his dirty pants. No apron? Check please. Never again.
(1)Nick G.
Simple decor. Elegant. Great bay views. Some tables more intimate than others. Amazing flavors from appetizers to entrees. Service was outstanding. Wait staff knew their wine list as well as their menu. Flawless.
(5)Allie M.
Palette Bistro is one of the best deals in town. The food is excellent. I had the scallops. They melted in my mouth The filet was flavorful and tender. It is nearly as good as Chandler's at half the price. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Rebeka M.
The service was excellent. The food could have been better. I ordered the pan seared lake trout with vegetable hash. The trout was very very pink in the middle and the portions were super tiny for the price. The vegetable hash was delicious. They had a good selection of craft brews. My phone coverage was spotty so I couldn't use my Yelp app. If I did have it I would have gone to Twisted Olive (the place next to this).
(2)Mike H.
What a disaster!!! Stopped in for lunch. The service was slow, so the manager took our order. Big mistake. 40 plus minutes (after we inquired) later the manager came to the table and explained that our order had been lost and was in the process of being prepared and asked us to please accept lunch on him. A nice gesture, but too little, too late. Others came in later, were served and had left the restaurant. Give this place a pass.
(1)Jonny Bobby G.
In town for a wedding and staying just a few short steps away at the Perry Hotel, my family and I popped into Palette for a nice dinner and a much needed glass of wine. The restaurant has a small town charm about it; an entry that's flanked by a little eating patio and windows framing the wine bar. It's like walking up to someone's cottage and to be honest, I wasn't expecting as upscale of a restaurant. Once inside, we were seated in the main dining room overlooking the Bay. With a Fall sun setting and glasses of wine all around, this was quite a spot to relax in. While the menu seemed a bit limited and offered typical fancied-up American fair, I thought every dish was pretty good. Service seemed a little all over the place but in the end, I was happy with the experience since a.) this was Petosky, MI and b.) it wasn't a Big Boy. Ironically, I checked out the Big Boy the following day. Who say's foodies can't enjoy all facets of the culinary world?
(4)Angela R.
A Monday evening in September is not a hopping day in Petoskey. All the vacationers have gone home for the season, some of the homes were already boarded up we noticed as we drove down the Tunnel of Trees. It actually was a very relaxing time and was thankful that my cousin planned their wedding so late in the season. So we found the charming Bistro among many places that are closed on Mondays! With much glee we also discovered that happy hour not only offered some great drink specials but also all small plates were 40% off! So here is the run down of what the 2 of us shared: BUTTERNUT SQUASH BISQUE - fantastic, we had another version of this later in our rip and this one by far was better. It was the perfect combination of sweet and sour. This didn't surprise me that the bisque was so good, earlier in the week we went to Raost and Toast (owned by the same people, is what we were told) and the soup there was to die for. CAPRESE SALAD the most flavorful michigan tomatoes, fresh mozzarella basil vinaigrette and balsamic reduction. Perfection! OVEN ROASTED BLEU CHEESE POLENTA - Out of everything that we tried this was the least favorite, don't get me wrong it was still good, I like more of a creamy polenta and this dish offered more of a polenta cake. We finished off with an irish coffee (made in a french press) and the CHOCOLATE FOUR. The bartender recommended this dessert and had informed us that it had just won an award. It was wonderfully presented as well as being very tasty. We sat at the bar and enjoyed chatting with the bartender and learning about the area. She made a nice mojito. The location in downtown Petosky is nice and the place is nicely decorated, it looked like you could dress up a little and enjoy a nice dinner in the dining room.
(4)John S.
We went there on a Friday evening, the noise of the happy hour drinkers was deafening. Got a little table for 2 ... everything was great initially then the place filled up. The tables are packed too tightly. The noise was awful, the old lady in the adjoining table had obnoxious perfume that ruined the taste of my food and the waiter's butt was in my face for half the time we were there. I'd take a bite of food, turn my head to the right, there it was, the waiter's butt. Wear earplugs, noseplugs, and blinders if you go.
(2)Bill S.
Saturday evening, greeted immediately while entering the restaurant 10 minutes earlier than our reservation. We had requested seating at the plentiful window tables when the reservation was called in and now we were told was not available... "We're really busy" with obvious attitude comes the reply from the now labeled - "grumpy" hostess. Getting past that, the wait staff took over after we were seated and that's where things greatly improved. I was seated that I could witness their attentiveness to details on every table. Our waitress was very helpful with the menu and offered suggestions that I should have taken. This cuisine is not my style so your opinion may vary. Little plates and big plates huh? Cost - A Michigan craft beer $5.00 and they stuck an orange slice in the bottles mouth... Because the labels orange doesn't mean add a slice, pewww! Meal cost similarly high, this isn't a meat and potatoes restaurant, if you're a carnivore go elsewhere. Back on track, if this is how and what you like to eat great, but here are my combined rating's.: Hostess - 1 star Wait staff - 5 stars Atmosphere - 5 stars Food preparation and presentation - 4 stars Expense - 1 My feeling satisfied and desire to return another time - 2 star
(3)John H.
Palette is my favorite restaurant in Petoskey - great setting, wine, food & staff. My father is a vegan and John, the chef, makes sure that there is always something on the menu for him. I prefer sitting at the bar or one of the tables in the bar and having a couple of glasses of wine, a small plate or two and one of the pizzas. The main dining rooms have great views of Little Traverse Bay and there will be patio dining during good weather. Eric, the bartender will take good care of you. Be sure to join their frequent diner club which also includes City Park Grill.
(5)Pete G.
We went for my wife's birthday, and from the very beginning our experience was pretty awful. We were seated over an hour after the time I had made a "reservation" for with absolutely no apology or explanation. Once seated, it was another good 15 minutes before our server stopped by for a drink order. Awesome! By the time we finally ordered dinner, I was so frustrated with the bad service I just ordered the Margherita pizza. I figured there was now way they could mess that up. I was wrong. The crust was paper white and had the consistency of cardboard. Another server finally noticed that we were being ignored and tried to make amends. Unfortunately it was too little too late. The manager also came over to apologize and give us a gift certificate, but I don't really feel like going back to redeem it and spend more money at this restaurant.
(1)Kit C.
I had been to Andante many times and loved it. Therefore I put off coming to Palette as some sort of stupid silent protest. That was wrong, because Palette has its own delights. Loosely focused on Mediterranean cooking, Palette's menu is exciting. Very different from the usual fancy up north food. For appetizers we had braised pork cheeks and a white fish spread. I frankly could have had an entire entree of the pork cheeks and died happy. As for entrees, among our table's orders were paella and beef tenderloin in a mustard sauce. Everyone loved their choices. My beef was tender and the mustard roasted potatoes were delicious as well. Further, just like the old Andante, the place has the killer views of the bay.
(4)Bentley W.
Enjoyed a fantastic dinner with my wife on a Friday night "date night". The place was packed but was operating well with no apparent issues taking care of a full house as the previous reviewer described. We really like the atmosphere, the wait staff was friendly and attentive, the wine and cocktails list long, and the food fantastic. I had the filet and my wife the Margarita pizza and both were excellent. We can't wait to come back in the summer for the views of the bay in the main dining room and the deck overlooking downtown on the other side. Petoskey is plagued by a number of low-quality budget and chain restaurants. I would classify the Palette Bistro at the upper end of median affordability which is what we look for on our occasional nights out. They should do well with this formula and we look forward to coming back again.
(4)Windy City E.
Happened to stumble upon Palette when heading to Twisted Olive. Their sandwich board with Happy Hour and 40% off small plates until 6:30 was too good to pass up on a hot July night! We sat at the bar and enjoyed Michigan craft beer and great small plates. The Spinach bacon salad was awesome as were the scallops and pizza. A good find in quaint downtown Petoskey.
(5)Anne B.
This restaurant offers great views of the bay and great service. Kid friendly, too, with the best chocolate milk ever - chocolate syrup crisscrossed on the glass and a cherry make it a special treat for kids. We had lunch there and all the entrees were tasty. A great spot and also quiet - a rarity in many restaurants these days.
(4)Midge H.
meh. Has all the makings of a great place---wonderful location overlooking the Bay, cool interior, oodles of outdoor dining, big brick pizza ovens facing the bar....somehow it just misses the mark, though. Food good, if not especially inspired. Menu limited. Seems overpriced. Staff hit or miss. It's ok, best for happy hour specials.
(3)Kristen L.
The dinner menu was rather limited, the food was not all that impressive, and the cost was far more than it was worth. I got the polenta, and it was soggy. I didn't bother to order a drink, as the beer and wine was so ridiculously marked up. Our waitress was polite yet socially awkward, took forever to take our order, and seemed shocked when I asked for the check as she was clearing our plates. Came here once for lunch, and liked it. Definitely won't be back for dinner.
(2)Scott M.
Palette Bistro is the latest offering from the Wine Guys restaurant group, operators of Roast and Toast and City Park Grill. Features an inventive menu, well executed, in a tasteful contemporary setting. Placed was packed on a winter Saturday evening. Reservations led our party of six upstairs to the authentic barn table, which has been in the owner's family for decades. Quick look at the menu was exciting, with many appealing options, both on the small and large plate sections. Our wait person was enthusiastic about a few, and I decided to give his recommendations a try. Food -- two stars. I started with the recommended Warm Sour Dough Bread Salad. I was expecting a panzanella-like salad, and got a standard green salad with large boring cubes of un-toasted sourdough bread. BORING. Should have tried the Winter Caprese Salad. DW's Warm Polenta and Sausage Terrine was thankfully shared, and was great -- meaty mushrooms and grilled polenta matched to perfection. Mains -- I faced a hard choice between the Olive Oil Poached Tuna and the Seafood Paella. Went for the Paella, again on the server's sales job, and never regretted it. Absolutely packed with small mini-marshmallow sized scallops, tasty shrimp, and plenty of mussels, complemented by small cubes of Spanish sausage, all served in a miniature paella pan. The saffron rice was firm in the center, and flavorful. Tried the Tuna that another in the party chose -- and that was perfection as well. Tuna was good, and possibly the goat cheese risotto it laid on was even better. Setting -- one star. As said earlier, tastefully understated. Art by local artists graces the walls, all for sale, without looking like it was thrown in there. Bars on both levels is a real plus, and am looking forward to a return in the summer to enjoy the second floor deck. Service -- no stars. The nadir of an otherwise excellent evening. Started when the wait person took five orders at the table, and disappeared before taking mine. WTF? Comes back some time later with an ordered glass of wine for one of our party, and after being questioned, takes my order. Okaaay... Next faux pas comes when the appetizers are being taken up. Wait person asks if I want another beer (n.b. -- one of the best beer line ups I have seen in some time -- any where). I say no, but bring me a glass of white bordeaux when you bring the entree. Entree arrives -- no wine, no server to be found. After half of the main is consumed (and the server not seen), another member of the staff arrives with an open bottle of the white and asks if I want any wine? Okaaaay.... Now, we order dessert -- only one taker, but three fancy coffees, a port, and my order of a cup of filter decaf. Dessert arrives, as does the port. No coffees of any type, but a different runner walks by three times with the coffee setups (all less the coffee, in the mugs). Dessert is pretty well consumed with the server never seen. Finally, he arrives with the mugs, and two large French press pots. Gives a lame excuse about French press taking time, not like taking it out of a pot (BS -- how long does it take to boil water and pour it in the pot? Another four minutes to steep? He was gone at least fifteen minutes). Where's my decaf? Walks off pissed, and comes back with a small French press pot. OK, but I need some sweetener. More huffing, and comes back. Sorry -- three strikes and you are out. in his defense, as we left it appeared he was given tables on both floors. Not really fair to him, or to us. Still put a damper on an otherwise excellent evening. Will I go back? Yep -- time tends to heal service problems, and everything else was SO right. We will see next summer.
(3)Emma F.
I have never had a bad experience and that is why my boyfriend and I keep coming back. The food here is definitely worth the price, and compared to where I work, the prices are reasonable. You get what you pay for. Quality and presentation are some of the best I've ever eaten and seen. The portions are perfect. I almost always have a starter, an entree, and dessert and am just perfectly content when I leave. They also have some of the best coffee around and the hand squeezed lemonade is awesome. Oh, and I can't forget the bread! The first thing you get when you sit down is a bread basket with olive oil and vinaigrette...the best around. Not many places do this and it's my favorite part of the meal. The atmosphere is relaxing and the view on the lake side is gorgeous - we always ask for a table with a view when we make reservations. I have never had bad service and the servers are very good at what they do. They check in just enough to make sure you're always happy but are never interrupting your meal. I tell everyone about the Palette...eat here, you'll be happy!
(5)Stephanie A.
My family and I were welcomed with open arms at Palette Bistro, after leaving another restaurant where we were treated badly (we were under dressed after a long day of sightseeing). The contemporary decor was very appealing, with absolutely beautiful, comfortable and unique chairs. The service was very attentive throughout the meal, although I did notice that our server also had at least one table on another floor. The cocktails and the wine list were excellent. We loved the bread, which is served with excellent olive oil and aged basalmic vinegar. The caesar salad was terrific. The main courses were somewhat disappointing. The sauce for the house made gnocchi was chunky and did not have enough tomatoes for my taste. The rice in the paella was chewy and the scallops were tiny, plentiful, and had no flavor. Still, the overall experience was very pleasant.
(4)Jessica G.
After Twisted Olive lost our reservation and the owners daughter/hostess put a big damper on our evening (complete lack of customer service/communication skills) we ended up here. Hannah was delightful, our food was AMAZING and I had a wonderful birthday dinner. Beautiful view from second floor, can't say enough. Delicious, wonderful staff!
(5)John C.
Good Food, served by an attentive wait staff, in a beautiful setting. Soups, Salads, Small Plates, Large Plates were very good, but Two of our meat dishes were overlooked.
(4)Yuka W.
Great dinner with gorgeous sunset! The receptionist was really friendly and attentive. The combination of olive oil and balsamic vinegar was perfect! They showed me the labels, so I took a picture. They are from Flustini, next door store. Of course I bought them^^ I ordered salmon and it was so yummy! While its outside was crispy, the meat was so moistened and juicy. I wish they open a new restaurant in my area.
(5)Rick B.
Great small plates, the best Caesar salad plus a great choice of wines on the porch last night. Service was fantastic. Just a great spot to enjoy a beautiful late summer evening!
(4)Thomas H.
Had lunch recently. Quiche and salad was very good. Service was excellent, attentive but not intrusive. Good wine list.
(4)Andy A.
What a wonderful surprise. The sun was just setting after a big storm blew through. Excellent, excellent food and service, topped off by a fabulous view. Oh and the service was perfectly handled as we had some special food requirements. But the Margarita madness was out of this world. Now don't tell anyone so it gets too crowded.
(5)Zach S.
First off we went around 6 on a Monday. We sat down near the window with a great view of the water. Two glasses of wine, a small plate of hummoli and two entrees the garlic chicken and premovera. The service was great the good was amazing and the view breath taking! A must stop for a romantic dinner for two in Petosky!
(5)Hanif B.
This is a Greek restaurant. Make you sure you sit on the second floor to get the amazing view. The bread was delicious and you get unlimited. The pizza was great, thin crust and flavourful. Definitely try the pizza. Cheesecake is also bomb
(4)Richie C.
Amazing service. Even better food. Great view on the 2nd floor. We didn't go to a better restaurant during our stay. You're not going to get better new American cuisine around here. We will be back again!
(5)Tom W.
Ordered the salmon and roast chicken, both excellent. Great service and wonderful view.
(5)Valerie C.
Full disclosure: small plates are my favorite way to dine. I wish every restaurant was a "small plates" joint, so this place had me at hello. We sat in the bar and had a great time ordering almost every dish on the small plates menu, we had several people waiting on us and they were all so nice and friendly and knowledgeable about the food. We got there before 6:30p so all smalls were 40% off, wow!! Portions are enormous. The liver and onions "small" plate was entree size and cost $5 or 6. I don't think you can eat at McDees for $6 anymore. Nice people, fun food, more than reasonable prices and a great view. Thanks, Palette! We are locals and we will be back!
(5)Jason S.
This place was decent. The view however is phenomenal. I had the special, which was prime rib. It was really pretty good. The rest of the menu seemed to have a semi-eclectic menu. My wife had the gnocchi and she enjoyed it. All in all the food was very good... I just don't have a burning desire to return, hence the 4 stars. It's not bad in any sense of the word... It's just not super memorable.
(4)Brandi P.
Had lunch on the patio out front. It took much longer to get our food though than one would think, but luckily the waitress was nice and kept checking on us. The food, once we got it, was good and the pasta salad was my favorite part.
(3)Ben O.
Only 4 of 9 in our group liked their entree. One returned his surf and turf, my paella was no good. None of us are coming back.
(2)randy c.
Sat at the bar and considered having appetizers and drinks...maybe dinner. It ended about halfway through the first drink. If you're gonna have an open kitchen you have to be aware of image and actions. Within minutes I saw the cooks strike three times. 1. pizza guy removed his cap and scratched his head, not just a little itch, but full-on-multiple-deep-digs....right in front of us. Unbelievable. 2. moments later the other guy on the line is biting his nails....really. 3. a little later the pizza guy is wiping his hands between ingredients (while making a pizza) on his dirty pants. No apron? Check please. Never again.
(1)Nick G.
Simple decor. Elegant. Great bay views. Some tables more intimate than others. Amazing flavors from appetizers to entrees. Service was outstanding. Wait staff knew their wine list as well as their menu. Flawless.
(5)Joe B.
I love the concept and the ambiance here but the execution was a little lacking. I'll start by saying that the upstairs patio is a great place to dine-in. Depending on when you arrive though the menu may be highly limited. We opted to cocktail until the regular menu was offered again starting at 4 pm. The service was OK enough but our waiter was a little stoic and stodgy but he got the job done starting us off with some AMAZING local bread and a few plates of olive oil and reduced balsamic for dipping. We ordered several small plates from the Margherita pizza, to the Halloumi and then the Mediterranean Pulled Pork which was my choice and lastly the warm Pita plate. The food was OK but I didn't fall in love with it. The pizza was good and the Pita plate had a magical almost tzatziki sauce served with pita points. The Halloumi was a pretty solid dish too but visually a little unappealing. The Med Pulled Pork missed the mark entirely. Far too much cumin which overpowered the more subtle flavor of the pork BUT I did like the Bleu Cheese Polenta that was served alongside it. There were a few other menu choices that looked enticing like the paella and the scallops so perhaps when we're back I'll look into those. For now though I'm curious what else is around Petoskey that stands out brighter.
(3)Daniel H.
The food was good. Portion sizes decent but a bit over priced. The view makes up for it. We asked for more bread and the server merely placed the bread basket with one piece left back in front of our friend and patron. Rude especially for some cheap bread. The waitress was not pleasant and screwed up the check. All of this while the owner Mr. Keedy and General Manager dined at the table beside us. I found it strange she would act inappropriately while the two top dogs sat in plain view. Will only go back if someone invite us. Will not recommend to friends and family.
(2)Denise E.
This is our "go to" place when we want to get out. It's consistently good, with great food and excellent service. We even ask for Sean, as he is the best server in Petoskey. They make a perfect martini, great pizza, and we always enjoy the bread with Fustini's oil and balsamic vinegar. Entrees are generous and fresh and the view is quite nice. Especially like the mussels. We appreciate the "points" we accumulate through their frequent diner program too!
(5)EB N.
Beautiful View! Food not so much. Had a bowl, of soup, was good, not great. Would have only had 1/2 a sandwich, if the description had been correct. Waitress said was small so ordered a whole, only needed 1/2. And taste wasnt there, ask for more sauce didnt help. Not sure I would go back
(3)Matinga R.
The chocolate pudding was awesome, fantastic view and service. I also had the mussels, veggie au gratin. Loved the veggies but thought the mussels were super scrawny. They were served in a great chorizo sauce but if u love mussels I'd opt for something else.
(4)Pete G.
We went for my wife's birthday, and from the very beginning our experience was pretty awful. We were seated over an hour after the time I had made a "reservation" for with absolutely no apology or explanation. Once seated, it was another good 15 minutes before our server stopped by for a drink order. Awesome! By the time we finally ordered dinner, I was so frustrated with the bad service I just ordered the Margherita pizza. I figured there was now way they could mess that up. I was wrong. The crust was paper white and had the consistency of cardboard. Another server finally noticed that we were being ignored and tried to make amends. Unfortunately it was too little too late. The manager also came over to apologize and give us a gift certificate, but I don't really feel like going back to redeem it and spend more money at this restaurant.
(1)Angela R.
A Monday evening in September is not a hopping day in Petoskey. All the vacationers have gone home for the season, some of the homes were already boarded up we noticed as we drove down the Tunnel of Trees. It actually was a very relaxing time and was thankful that my cousin planned their wedding so late in the season. So we found the charming Bistro among many places that are closed on Mondays! With much glee we also discovered that happy hour not only offered some great drink specials but also all small plates were 40% off! So here is the run down of what the 2 of us shared: BUTTERNUT SQUASH BISQUE - fantastic, we had another version of this later in our rip and this one by far was better. It was the perfect combination of sweet and sour. This didn't surprise me that the bisque was so good, earlier in the week we went to Raost and Toast (owned by the same people, is what we were told) and the soup there was to die for. CAPRESE SALAD the most flavorful michigan tomatoes, fresh mozzarella basil vinaigrette and balsamic reduction. Perfection! OVEN ROASTED BLEU CHEESE POLENTA - Out of everything that we tried this was the least favorite, don't get me wrong it was still good, I like more of a creamy polenta and this dish offered more of a polenta cake. We finished off with an irish coffee (made in a french press) and the CHOCOLATE FOUR. The bartender recommended this dessert and had informed us that it had just won an award. It was wonderfully presented as well as being very tasty. We sat at the bar and enjoyed chatting with the bartender and learning about the area. She made a nice mojito. The location in downtown Petosky is nice and the place is nicely decorated, it looked like you could dress up a little and enjoy a nice dinner in the dining room.
(4)John S.
We went there on a Friday evening, the noise of the happy hour drinkers was deafening. Got a little table for 2 ... everything was great initially then the place filled up. The tables are packed too tightly. The noise was awful, the old lady in the adjoining table had obnoxious perfume that ruined the taste of my food and the waiter's butt was in my face for half the time we were there. I'd take a bite of food, turn my head to the right, there it was, the waiter's butt. Wear earplugs, noseplugs, and blinders if you go.
(2)Bill S.
Saturday evening, greeted immediately while entering the restaurant 10 minutes earlier than our reservation. We had requested seating at the plentiful window tables when the reservation was called in and now we were told was not available... "We're really busy" with obvious attitude comes the reply from the now labeled - "grumpy" hostess. Getting past that, the wait staff took over after we were seated and that's where things greatly improved. I was seated that I could witness their attentiveness to details on every table. Our waitress was very helpful with the menu and offered suggestions that I should have taken. This cuisine is not my style so your opinion may vary. Little plates and big plates huh? Cost - A Michigan craft beer $5.00 and they stuck an orange slice in the bottles mouth... Because the labels orange doesn't mean add a slice, pewww! Meal cost similarly high, this isn't a meat and potatoes restaurant, if you're a carnivore go elsewhere. Back on track, if this is how and what you like to eat great, but here are my combined rating's.: Hostess - 1 star Wait staff - 5 stars Atmosphere - 5 stars Food preparation and presentation - 4 stars Expense - 1 My feeling satisfied and desire to return another time - 2 star
(3)Kit C.
I had been to Andante many times and loved it. Therefore I put off coming to Palette as some sort of stupid silent protest. That was wrong, because Palette has its own delights. Loosely focused on Mediterranean cooking, Palette's menu is exciting. Very different from the usual fancy up north food. For appetizers we had braised pork cheeks and a white fish spread. I frankly could have had an entire entree of the pork cheeks and died happy. As for entrees, among our table's orders were paella and beef tenderloin in a mustard sauce. Everyone loved their choices. My beef was tender and the mustard roasted potatoes were delicious as well. Further, just like the old Andante, the place has the killer views of the bay.
(4)Allie M.
Palette Bistro is one of the best deals in town. The food is excellent. I had the scallops. They melted in my mouth The filet was flavorful and tender. It is nearly as good as Chandler's at half the price. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Rebeka M.
The service was excellent. The food could have been better. I ordered the pan seared lake trout with vegetable hash. The trout was very very pink in the middle and the portions were super tiny for the price. The vegetable hash was delicious. They had a good selection of craft brews. My phone coverage was spotty so I couldn't use my Yelp app. If I did have it I would have gone to Twisted Olive (the place next to this).
(2)Mike H.
What a disaster!!! Stopped in for lunch. The service was slow, so the manager took our order. Big mistake. 40 plus minutes (after we inquired) later the manager came to the table and explained that our order had been lost and was in the process of being prepared and asked us to please accept lunch on him. A nice gesture, but too little, too late. Others came in later, were served and had left the restaurant. Give this place a pass.
(1)Jonny Bobby G.
In town for a wedding and staying just a few short steps away at the Perry Hotel, my family and I popped into Palette for a nice dinner and a much needed glass of wine. The restaurant has a small town charm about it; an entry that's flanked by a little eating patio and windows framing the wine bar. It's like walking up to someone's cottage and to be honest, I wasn't expecting as upscale of a restaurant. Once inside, we were seated in the main dining room overlooking the Bay. With a Fall sun setting and glasses of wine all around, this was quite a spot to relax in. While the menu seemed a bit limited and offered typical fancied-up American fair, I thought every dish was pretty good. Service seemed a little all over the place but in the end, I was happy with the experience since a.) this was Petosky, MI and b.) it wasn't a Big Boy. Ironically, I checked out the Big Boy the following day. Who say's foodies can't enjoy all facets of the culinary world?
(4)John H.
Palette is my favorite restaurant in Petoskey - great setting, wine, food & staff. My father is a vegan and John, the chef, makes sure that there is always something on the menu for him. I prefer sitting at the bar or one of the tables in the bar and having a couple of glasses of wine, a small plate or two and one of the pizzas. The main dining rooms have great views of Little Traverse Bay and there will be patio dining during good weather. Eric, the bartender will take good care of you. Be sure to join their frequent diner club which also includes City Park Grill.
(5)Bentley W.
Enjoyed a fantastic dinner with my wife on a Friday night "date night". The place was packed but was operating well with no apparent issues taking care of a full house as the previous reviewer described. We really like the atmosphere, the wait staff was friendly and attentive, the wine and cocktails list long, and the food fantastic. I had the filet and my wife the Margarita pizza and both were excellent. We can't wait to come back in the summer for the views of the bay in the main dining room and the deck overlooking downtown on the other side. Petoskey is plagued by a number of low-quality budget and chain restaurants. I would classify the Palette Bistro at the upper end of median affordability which is what we look for on our occasional nights out. They should do well with this formula and we look forward to coming back again.
(4)Windy City E.
Happened to stumble upon Palette when heading to Twisted Olive. Their sandwich board with Happy Hour and 40% off small plates until 6:30 was too good to pass up on a hot July night! We sat at the bar and enjoyed Michigan craft beer and great small plates. The Spinach bacon salad was awesome as were the scallops and pizza. A good find in quaint downtown Petoskey.
(5)Anne B.
This restaurant offers great views of the bay and great service. Kid friendly, too, with the best chocolate milk ever - chocolate syrup crisscrossed on the glass and a cherry make it a special treat for kids. We had lunch there and all the entrees were tasty. A great spot and also quiet - a rarity in many restaurants these days.
(4)Midge H.
meh. Has all the makings of a great place---wonderful location overlooking the Bay, cool interior, oodles of outdoor dining, big brick pizza ovens facing the bar....somehow it just misses the mark, though. Food good, if not especially inspired. Menu limited. Seems overpriced. Staff hit or miss. It's ok, best for happy hour specials.
(3)Kristen L.
The dinner menu was rather limited, the food was not all that impressive, and the cost was far more than it was worth. I got the polenta, and it was soggy. I didn't bother to order a drink, as the beer and wine was so ridiculously marked up. Our waitress was polite yet socially awkward, took forever to take our order, and seemed shocked when I asked for the check as she was clearing our plates. Came here once for lunch, and liked it. Definitely won't be back for dinner.
(2)Emma F.
I have never had a bad experience and that is why my boyfriend and I keep coming back. The food here is definitely worth the price, and compared to where I work, the prices are reasonable. You get what you pay for. Quality and presentation are some of the best I've ever eaten and seen. The portions are perfect. I almost always have a starter, an entree, and dessert and am just perfectly content when I leave. They also have some of the best coffee around and the hand squeezed lemonade is awesome. Oh, and I can't forget the bread! The first thing you get when you sit down is a bread basket with olive oil and vinaigrette...the best around. Not many places do this and it's my favorite part of the meal. The atmosphere is relaxing and the view on the lake side is gorgeous - we always ask for a table with a view when we make reservations. I have never had bad service and the servers are very good at what they do. They check in just enough to make sure you're always happy but are never interrupting your meal. I tell everyone about the Palette...eat here, you'll be happy!
(5)Scott M.
Palette Bistro is the latest offering from the Wine Guys restaurant group, operators of Roast and Toast and City Park Grill. Features an inventive menu, well executed, in a tasteful contemporary setting. Placed was packed on a winter Saturday evening. Reservations led our party of six upstairs to the authentic barn table, which has been in the owner's family for decades. Quick look at the menu was exciting, with many appealing options, both on the small and large plate sections. Our wait person was enthusiastic about a few, and I decided to give his recommendations a try. Food -- two stars. I started with the recommended Warm Sour Dough Bread Salad. I was expecting a panzanella-like salad, and got a standard green salad with large boring cubes of un-toasted sourdough bread. BORING. Should have tried the Winter Caprese Salad. DW's Warm Polenta and Sausage Terrine was thankfully shared, and was great -- meaty mushrooms and grilled polenta matched to perfection. Mains -- I faced a hard choice between the Olive Oil Poached Tuna and the Seafood Paella. Went for the Paella, again on the server's sales job, and never regretted it. Absolutely packed with small mini-marshmallow sized scallops, tasty shrimp, and plenty of mussels, complemented by small cubes of Spanish sausage, all served in a miniature paella pan. The saffron rice was firm in the center, and flavorful. Tried the Tuna that another in the party chose -- and that was perfection as well. Tuna was good, and possibly the goat cheese risotto it laid on was even better. Setting -- one star. As said earlier, tastefully understated. Art by local artists graces the walls, all for sale, without looking like it was thrown in there. Bars on both levels is a real plus, and am looking forward to a return in the summer to enjoy the second floor deck. Service -- no stars. The nadir of an otherwise excellent evening. Started when the wait person took five orders at the table, and disappeared before taking mine. WTF? Comes back some time later with an ordered glass of wine for one of our party, and after being questioned, takes my order. Okaaay... Next faux pas comes when the appetizers are being taken up. Wait person asks if I want another beer (n.b. -- one of the best beer line ups I have seen in some time -- any where). I say no, but bring me a glass of white bordeaux when you bring the entree. Entree arrives -- no wine, no server to be found. After half of the main is consumed (and the server not seen), another member of the staff arrives with an open bottle of the white and asks if I want any wine? Okaaaay.... Now, we order dessert -- only one taker, but three fancy coffees, a port, and my order of a cup of filter decaf. Dessert arrives, as does the port. No coffees of any type, but a different runner walks by three times with the coffee setups (all less the coffee, in the mugs). Dessert is pretty well consumed with the server never seen. Finally, he arrives with the mugs, and two large French press pots. Gives a lame excuse about French press taking time, not like taking it out of a pot (BS -- how long does it take to boil water and pour it in the pot? Another four minutes to steep? He was gone at least fifteen minutes). Where's my decaf? Walks off pissed, and comes back with a small French press pot. OK, but I need some sweetener. More huffing, and comes back. Sorry -- three strikes and you are out. in his defense, as we left it appeared he was given tables on both floors. Not really fair to him, or to us. Still put a damper on an otherwise excellent evening. Will I go back? Yep -- time tends to heal service problems, and everything else was SO right. We will see next summer.
(3)Stephanie A.
My family and I were welcomed with open arms at Palette Bistro, after leaving another restaurant where we were treated badly (we were under dressed after a long day of sightseeing). The contemporary decor was very appealing, with absolutely beautiful, comfortable and unique chairs. The service was very attentive throughout the meal, although I did notice that our server also had at least one table on another floor. The cocktails and the wine list were excellent. We loved the bread, which is served with excellent olive oil and aged basalmic vinegar. The caesar salad was terrific. The main courses were somewhat disappointing. The sauce for the house made gnocchi was chunky and did not have enough tomatoes for my taste. The rice in the paella was chewy and the scallops were tiny, plentiful, and had no flavor. Still, the overall experience was very pleasant.
(4)Bob B.
I have a quandry on how to review Palette Bistro. I am in Petoskey for a work assignment and went for a solo dinner on a Friday, sat at the bar to have quicker service and to not take a table from any couples or groups. The young male bartender was very attentive, friendly, quick, and personable. I ordered the beet carpaccio & pan-fried gnocchi small plates as well as a glass of organic Bordeaux. All three hit the mark fabulously - the presentation was excellent, the flavors were wonderful, and the service was genuine. Even the chunk of baguette with the oil & balsamic were a cut above. I left with a grin and thought that the overall price of ~$30 was on par for the taste, service, and overall experience. I returned last night (Wednesday) and my experience was quite different. The hostess seemed confused about my wishing to sit at the bar to order food. The bartender (this time a woman) was inattentive and seemed annoyed that I was cheerful (I was excited to have another wonderful just-right meal!). She tried to correct me when I ordered the beet carpaccio (she thought it was beef, which I understand would be a common error), and when I also ordered the pommes frites she corrected me by calling them "fries". Sure, they're french fries, but the menu calls them pommes frites so that's how I ordered them. I decided to pass on wine this time in order to also have the gnocchi again. The food did indeed arrive very quickly but the presentation was not near how it had been a few nights before, the portions were smaller, the gnocchi was way over-pan-fried, no bread/oil/balsamic was brought this time, and worst of all there was no drink service. I had to flag down a different bartender in order to get a glass of water to accompany my meal. The worst part: also at the bar were some, what I gather, off-duty employees either from this place or from a sister-restaurant up the road (City Park Grille). They were openly commiserating with the bartenders and other waitstaff about their gripes with management, about regular customers, were laughing about taking painkillers while drinking, and seemed either oblivious or uncaring that customers (not just me - others, too) were within immediate earshot. It wasn't just the off-the-clock folks but the on-duty staff were being unguarded in their conversation too. I know full well what goes on behind the scenes in restaurants. For the sake of the businesses involved, though, it really needs to stay there. So the food has a good chance of being delicious, the service seems to have a 50/50 chance of being acceptable, the price (to me) seemed about right for the overall experience. I can't fully recommend it but won't tell you to stay away either. They really need to work on their consistency and they REALLY need to keep the employees in line with their open-air conversations.
(3)Pat B.
The restaurant has a wonderful setting and excellent service. The food was very good. I ordered the paella that was a little overpowered by the chorizo sausage. My husband had the pork dish and gave that five stars. On the dessert menu is a very tasty milkshake flavored with several liquors. It was delicious.
(4)