Palo Santo — Restaurant in New York

Sometimes when restaurants have so many glowing reviews you risk dissappointment because your expectations are so high. But sometimes, like in the case of Palo Santo, those expectations are more than met.

My friend and I had dinner here on Tuesday evening and everything about the experience was lovely. I made a reservation because I know it’s a smaller restaurant (especially when it’s too cold to make use of their outdoor seating) but I believe we wouldn’t have had a problem even if we just walked in, as there were tables available (but it was early on a Tuesday).

The restaurant is small and warm and inviting. The service was really good & the staff was also genuine and warm and kind. They have a great happy hour option of a free empanada (or taco) with purchase of an alcoholic drink. My friend ordered a sparkling wine & opted for the beef empanda. I don’t drink, however our server brought me their potato and cheese empanda anyway so we could try both. It was hot and crisp delicious. [Plus their happy hour runs from 6-10pm (M-Th) which is really generous]

I ordered a hearts of palm salad, with avocado pistachios cilantro & mango. It was light and tart and delicious. The portion was also huge. My friend and I shared it & still had enough leftover for both of us to take some home. For my entree I had the fish tacos which were simple and delicous as well. A touch on the saltier side, but nothing that turned me off them. My friend opted for the steak, which was another generous portion. They enjoyed it & I now wish I had tried a bite.

Everyone raves about two things at Palo Santo, the homemade tortillas and the homemade hot sauce. Both were stellar and definitely lived up to the hype. I’d be happy eating both any time.

I had a great evening (with great company which always helps too) and will...

My manager and I often dine after spending a day together, and he prefers to stay in a hotel in Park Slope due to ease of getting anywhere in NY and for the huge abundance of good places to dine. I chose this place because it seemed different from some of the other local places. I believe I picked a winner.

I arrived 1st, and there was no one in the restaurant at first. The chefs called someone, and the evening began with the hostess, waiter, and customer service person Katie, who was the tip of our great dining experience. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and perfect hostess. I felt her friendliness, and she took it to a higher level. I wanted to play a joke on my managers arrival, and she went along with it. He arrived, and we had a good laugh. After we sat down, I asked, and she gave me her suggestions on appetizers and main meals. I went with both and was not disappointed. I usually don't eat everything, but last night was different. I ate everything. I saw they had 4 choices of Uruguaian wine, amongst and nice selection of wines from different Spanish regions. She described the characteristics of each wine. We decided to go with the Tannat Akardia. We enjoyed the wine very much and even thought it matched with the pulpo (octopus) we had as an appetizer. We also ordered the shaved Brussels sprouts as an appetizer. We we very pleased at both. For dinner, we got the swordfish and the Pato (duck), both of which Katie recommended, and we enjoyed. Normally, we never have dessert, but with Katie's personality, we could not resist and had the bread pudding. We had a very nice dining experience here, and my manager even made a note on returning to dine again! The glue to pur experience was truly Katie for her professionalism and her wonderful...

​​I recently had the pleasure of hosting my sister's bridal shower at Palo Santo, and the experience was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we reached out via email to inquire about hosting the event, to the very end of the celebration, the restaurant's responsiveness, hospitality, and attentive service were truly commendable.

When we initially contacted Palo Santo to discuss hosting the bridal shower, Jacques, the event coordinator, was prompt and courteous in their email responses and it immediately set the tone for what was to come. They were incredibly accommodating, addressing all our questions, concerns, and special requests with genuine care and attention to detail.

On the day of the bridal shower, the moment we walked through the doors, we were warmly greeted by the restaurant staff. The attention they paid to each attendee, making sure everyone felt welcomed and comfortable, truly stood out. The waitstaff's attentiveness to details, such as refilling drinks, clearing plates, and offering menu suggestions, enhanced the overall experience and made us feel well-cared for.

I highly recommend Palo Santo for hosting special events like bridal showers. The staff's commitment to making our event memorable was evident in every interaction. If you're looking for a venue that not only provides delicious cuisine but also goes above and beyond to create a truly personalized experience, Palo Santo is the perfect choice. I can't thank them enough for making my sister's bridal shower a truly unforgettable...