The dishes were very meticulously prepared and tasty, as noted by many other reviewers. I was just as impressed by professionalism of the staff, from maître d' to server to people who take away your plates. They were all attentive, professionally friendly, extremely knowledgeable about the ingredients and dishes. They all live up to the excellent dishes and the chic urban interior decor, contributing to the great dining experience. We had an a la carte dinner this time (in what they call "a la carte lounge" area), but the tasting menu is served in a different area with plenty of banquette seating. Will definitely try that next time!

I couldn't catch a late flight home last Friday, and had time to kill in Palo Alto. I decided to treat myself and book a seat at the bar. It was a lovely experience. Excellent food, great cocktails, and super warm and chill vibes. I'll definitely go back next time I'm in town!

Service and Ambience were excellent. Winter menu was a bit disappointing. Lack of creativity I feel in the vegetable game. Desserts were one-dimensional. Althought the chicken was perfectly cooked, I find it hard to believe this is Michelin star level. Summer menu is outstanding however. I also found it strange they charged a fee on my credit card for booking the table which they refunded upon arrival. However, the exhange made it so it cost me extra..

Amazing experience and the food was exceptional. From the first glass of champagne to dessert you get the feeling that the staff here want to deliver exceptional service. Had the pleasure of meeting the owners and GM, but our server made it extra special knowing it was our 15th wedding anniversary. My recommendation for anyone coming to the Bay Area on work or pleasure. Enjoy the pics!

Took my kids for dinner for my birthday. Love the appetizers and the wagyu steak but the pistachio layered cake is the highlight of my meal! Always a great place to have a fancy night out and celebrate something at protege.

Leah

This review is based on a dining experience from about a year ago, but it has stayed with me ever since. My boyfriend and I celebrated an early Valentine’s Day at Protégé, and it was a truly wonderful experience. One thing to note is that they have a very strict seating policy—even if you arrive early, you’ll only be seated at your exact reservation time. We ordered à la carte and everything was outstanding. The milk bread, oysters, crab & caviar, and Brussels sprouts salad were beautifully executed. For mains, we had the duck leg and A5 wagyu, and both the flavors and presentation were exceptional. The ingredients were top-tier, and every dish felt thoughtful and refined. We were taking our time and enjoying the meal, though during the appetizer course, a male server tried a few times to clear a plate that I hadn’t quite finished yet. That moment felt slightly rushed, but I understood the restaurant was busy that evening. I absolutely loved my first cocktail—the Pomelo Daisy Flower. A female staff member (possibly a manager, though I unfortunately forgot her name) recommended a second cocktail for me. It wasn’t quite to my personal taste, but I still finished it. When she later checked in and asked how it was, I honestly mentioned that I wasn’t crazy about it—purely a personal preference, not a flaw in the drink itself. To my surprise, when the bill arrived, she had removed that cocktail entirely and told me not to feel any pressure—she simply wanted us to have a happy, enjoyable night. That small, thoughtful gesture truly touched me and left a lasting impression. Even nearly a year later, I still remember that evening as close to perfect—both the food and the service. If you’re looking for a Michelin-starred restaurant that delivers on every level, whether for a special occasion or a date night, and you’d rather not go into the city, Protégé (1 Michelin star) is absolutely worth a visit. Highly recommended.

+2

Carol Liu

First time eating at Protégé’s bar~ really great experience. Bar tender is very nice and tentative. Drinks are delicious and food are pieces of art that makes my mouth and stomach happy!

+6

Anthony Giang

What a time. We had booked a reservation for 7:45 on a calm Tuesday evening. After being greeted by the host we were walked over to our table for 2 in the lounge area for the a la carte menu. Immediately the attention to detail caught me as the host brought out water and poured some into our glasses. Afterwards, our server Annie greeted us and offered a very detailed description of each dish. She said that normally people order 1 item from each category on their menu: “snack”, “appetizer”, “entree”. I suppose, abnormally, my partner and I opted for 2 snacks, 2 appetizers, and 1 entree. The two snacks we chose were the Lobster Chips and the Crab and Caviar. Lobster Chips were subtle in flavor with really nice balance and texture. The Crab and Caviar, is super hyped up, and it was good, but I think the hype was too much. It was really delicious with really punchy flavors all balanced together nicely, but at the end of the day it is just egg, crab, and caviar for 35 dollars. For appetizers, we chose the Spanish Octopus and the special of the night, the Mochiko Fried Softshell Crab. The Spanish Octopus was by far the best bite we had that night. Incredibly tender, while crispy and charred, the octopus left me confused. I couldn’t understand how it was possible to have octopus be that texture. The Softshell Crab was indeed quite special as well. It had a ton of bright flavors from the subtle spice to the sweet and sour grape tomatoes. Everything in that dish was great, but when compared to the octopus, it simply couldn’t compete. Eventually, our Brick Chicken arrived. With perfectly crispy skin and juicy chicken, this was quite a delightful dish. It left me savoring every bite in awe of everything we had to eat thus far. After the savory items were completed, the server rolled over the dessert display to explain each option. We opted for the Layered Pistachio Cake as it seemed the most complex, and it definitely did not disappoint. The flavors were subtle, but they included wafers to create contrasting textures. The ice cream on top was also perfection. We also received a complimentary Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream which had really nice strong coffee flavor, however the texture was rather ice-y. Beyond the food, the thing that makes this restaurant really special are the people and the service they offer. Whether it is noticing the small details like topping up your water or just crumbing between the dishes, they maintain a very clean aesthetic. The attitude of everyone working there also adds a lot to the experience. During this meal, I actually made plans to ask my partner to be my girlfriend. All I had done was make a short note on the reservation, but they took it and ran. They wrote a little note, and gave us a free dessert. Shortly after, I saw some of the chefs peaking over at our table with a thumbs up. Essentially inquiring whether my question was successful or not. After replying with my own thumbs up, I saw them pumping their fists and cheering for me. The whole experience at Protégé was perfect! Update: After my first meal at Protégé it quickly became one of my favorite Michelin star restaurants in the bay. After a second visit, it struck again with how great everything is. This time, my partner and I tried out the 7 course tasting menu which comes with a complimentary foie gras starter from the kitchen followed by each of the predetermined courses on their menu. Each dish excelled in flavor and nuance. The knowledge of the servers is also unparalleled. Another really fun aspect is that since the team is so small, almost every member of their team plays a role in dropping off food for you. For instance, we even had the bartender come over and drop off one of our courses. Our server Andy was also a definite highlight of the experience. His sense of humor paired with his knowledge and stories for the dishes made this meal much more memorable. Though I would definitely come back for the a la carte menu rather than the tasting menu(much more worth it), I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

+37

Lo

I chose Protégé for our anniversary dinner on a Tuesday evening, booking the last available time slot. When we arrived at 6:30 pm, the restaurant was already lively with patrons, yet street parking was plentiful. We were warmly greeted by the host and seated in the main dining room near the bar. The atmosphere struck a balance between intimate and vibrant—cozy lighting, a view of the open kitchen, a large glass wall looking outside, and a playlist mixing old classics with current pop hits created a welcoming ambiance. Our server, Patrick, was attentive and took time to explain the menu and share thoughtful recommendations. We began with oysters, milk bread with butter, and the crab & caviar. Each starter was brought out promptly and plated beautifully. The oysters were incredibly fresh, and the milk bread—soft, warm, and paired with rich butter—was an instant favorite. The stone fruit salad and the octopus were highlights of the night, both recommended by Patrick. The salad was a surprisingly delight, perfectly balancing sweet and savory with a deep, cured flavor I wouldn’t have thought to order myself. The octopus was tender and artfully presented with olive oil foam and a bright, flavorful sauce. For mains, we shared the brick chicken and halibut. The chicken was juicy with crispy skin, served over a well-seasoned fideuà that paired beautifully without overpowering the dish. The halibut was equally impressive, accented by crunchy toppings that added texture and flavor. Dessert was both playful and refined, the 18-layer Dubai chocolate cake and the mushroom cap cookie. The cake was stunning, with layers of nutty pistachio and just enough bitterness from dark chocolate to balance the sweetness. The mushroom cookie, subtly fragrant with maple and served alongside ice cream, was whimsical and memorable. We also sampled three cocktails, all well-crafted. The Match Made in Honey was a highlight, while the Old Fashioned was perfectly balanced. Overall, the dinner and service were excellent. The only touch I felt was missing—given it was a special occasion—was a small gesture such as a card, something I enjoy collecting from restaurants each year. That said, Protégé may not be that kind of establishment, and the experience itself was more than enough to make the evening special. I’d happily return to explore more of their seasonal offerings.

+5

Damian McGee

I have no complaints. Visited Palo Alto for work and decided to give Protege a try and they did not disappoint. The food was really good and the service was GREAT!! Very friendly server and the Sommelier was top notch!! Enjoyed the conversation and exploration into the wine list! Definitely worth the money and I look forward to visiting again.

+1