Restaurant Review: Chef's Palette in Cary, NC

 A little over two weeks ago I celebrated a birthday. I wanted to spend a simple evening with my two favorite guys - my husband and son. They offered to take me out to dinner. All I had to do was decide on the place.

For most people this would likely be a simple task. Perhaps they'd want to go to their favorite spot or a new restaurant they've been hearing about. Me? I put as much thought into it as most people do picking  the paint color for their living room walls. 

I love exploring new restaurants - personally and with my women's social/travel group. So going to a restaurant I'd been to before was out of the question. I wanted something new with the right ambience and where the boys could eat well but I - a vegetarian - wouldn't starve.

Fortunately a quick visit to OpenTable.com solved my problem. Chef's Palette Restaurant and Bar in Cary, NC is an unexpected neighborhood gem. The restaurant is beautifully designed. Art by local artists fills the walls and is for sale. The decor is gorgeous and conducive to a relaxing meal with friends and family. Our server, Jo, was phenomenal. She was proactive and attentive. She made excellent recommendations. 

This gorgeous little neighborhood restaurant offers an amazing menu. Here's a small sampling of what the menu (backlit to add to the charm and ambiance) had to offer: 

• “The Velvet Underground” Oven Roasted Vidalia Onion  - A sweet roasted Vidalia onion, stuffed with Montrachet goat cheese and served with crostinis. (Absolutely delicious!)   
• Renaissance Ribeye - 15 oz. ribeye marinated in garlic, rosemary, crushed black pepper, olive oil & port wine, finished with veal bordelaise and sherried baby button mushrooms severed with a double stuffed potato.   
• Mahogany Roasted Duckling - Half a slow roasted duckling ladled with a bing cherry and green pepper corn demi-glace, served over whole wild rice.
• Baked Eggplant Raku - Fresh eggplant layered over marinara, wilted fresh baby spinach, ripe tomatoes and baked with provolone cheese; served over spinach fettuccini pasta.
• Impressionistic Shrimp & Sausage - Shrimp, sweet Italian sausage and shitake mushrooms tossed in your choice of a spicy roasted garlic marinara or classic alfredo sauce, nestled over a bed of spinach and garlic fettuccini, finished with asiago and basil chiffonade.  

My son had the Impressionistic Shrimp & Sausage. The serving was huge and he said it was delicious. My husband had the Renaissance Ribeye which was also fantastic and a generous portion. The chef whipped up a vegan stuffed orange bellpepper filled with rice, veggies, and a delicious sauce. It was served with asparagas over their yummy Gouda Grits. This is the best meal I've had in Raleigh.

We attended on a Tuesday night but on the weekends they play live music and once a month there is a Sociable Art Class with artist Arianne Hemlien. Participants enjoy a painting class, food and wine for one ultra reasonable price. 

We enjoyed the experience so much we've already made plans to go back on a Friday to hear live music and to participate in the Sociable Art Class.