atomu

Rating:

Nov 12, 2006

"This intimate dining spot enfolds excellent service and fine food in a comfortable ambience. Kimberly Paley, a former dancer, manages the front of the house with Nureyev's grace, while in the kitchen, chef Vitaly Paley, a former concert pianist, hits all the right notes. No matter how simple the preparation, every ingredient is carefully chosen, and nothing leaves the kitchen that is not well-executed and handsomely presented. Vitaly has an intuitive understanding of how to combine seemingly incongruous ingredients, but without an ounce of pretense or strain---for example, the Kobe beef tartare is topped with a duck egg. The cooking is French with Northwest touches, with the menu changing daily. Paley's Place is housed in an old Victorian, with a porch overflowing with baskets of produce from the growers who supply the restaurant. The main room is homey, the adjacent bar cozy and chic. Drop by on a Wednesday night for an informal wine tasting, or stop by the bar any evening to partake of the full menu."