Protégé

$$$$ • New American, American, Cocktail Bar

Hours:
250 California Ave, Palo Alto
(650) 494-4181

About Protégé

Protégé offers a memorable tasting experience with attentive service, making it an excellent choice for special occasions. Known for the best lasagna and wagyu upgrade, the restaurant provides dishes that excel in flavor, nuance, and presentation. Guests can enjoy a 7-course tasting menu that features a complimentary foie gras starter, with each course showcasing great taste and creativity. The small team of staff, including servers and a bartender, actively participate in delivering the meals, adding a fun and personal touch to the service. The highlight dishes include the duck confit, praised for its tenderness and textures from the pomegranate and brussel sprouts, as well as octopus, which is tender and flavorful.

Guests have also enjoyed the fish and chips, milk bread, and ricotta dumplings, all well-received. The dessert cart features beautiful presentations, though some desserts may not fully meet high expectations, except for the sticky toffee pudding with brown butter ice cream, which remains a favorite. The presentation of dishes is outstanding, and the atmosphere is elegant but slightly snobbish, with top-notch service and parking available across the street. While the wine selection is limited and priced high, the house red offers decent value. Overall, the experience is very pleasant, with many diners returning for dishes like the duck confit and lasagna. The restaurant continues to impress, though some feel the pricing could be more accessible to match the quality and experience.

Customers' Favorites

Protégé Reviews

4.4
268 ratings
Restaurantji Rating
5
73%
4
12%
3
7%
2
4%
1
4%
Food
4.5
Atmosphere
4.5
Service
4.5

Share your opinion about Protégé

Restaurantji Rating

An exceptional culinary experience at Protégé in Palo Alto. Every dish showcased masterful technique and impeccable flavors. The A5 Japanese Wagyu Ribeye was perfectly marbled and melted effortlessly, while the Crab and Caviar delivered a luxurious balance of brine and sweetness. The lobster toast was crisp, buttery, and indulgent, and the Black Bass—flawless in execution—was the best I’ve encountered. The Ricotta Dumplings , delicate yet deeply flavorful, rounded out...read full review

Incredible. The Wagyu beef was a transformative experience. Every time going forward I’m in N California-this is an incredible restaurant

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Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 5 - 9:30PM
Wednesday 5 - 9:30PM
Thursday 5 - 9:30PM
Friday 5 - 9:30PM
Saturday 5 - 9:30PM
Sunday Closed
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