Palate in Glendale closes, permanently

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Last week, Palate Food + Wine in Glendale posted a sign on its door that it would be ‘temporarily closed for reorganization’ (a photo of the sign was published on Eater LA). But on Monday came news from chef-owner Octavio Becerra that Palate, a well-received restaurant on a stretch of Glendale’s Brand Boulevard otherwise populated by car dealers, would close for good.

‘It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I announce the closure of Palate Food + Wine,’ Becerra wrote in an email. ‘The spirit and essence of the dream that was Palate was no longer sustainable. Our sudden realization of this ... [has] left some feeling -- well, like us, shocked. Our goal now is to exit thoughtfully, carefully and graciously.’

Becerra, who had climbed the kitchen ranks at Patina Restaurant Group, opened Palate in 2008. Times restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila gave the restaurant three stars. ‘At this casual California-Mediterranean bistro and wine bar, it’s fresh and direct, polished but not showy.... This newcomer entered the restaurant scene poised and firing on all cylinders,’ she wrote in her review.

‘I am super happy to have shared so many stellar times with all that experienced Palate,’ Becerra said in his email. ‘We give thanks to everyone who contributed to the life of Palate Food + Wine and look forward to the future.’ He could not be reached for further comment.

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