Protégé in Palo Alto blends Michelin-level polish with Silicon Valley ease, offering an experience that’s equal parts refined and relaxed. Led by chef Anthony Secviar and master sommelier Dennis Kelly—both alumni of The French Laundry—the restaurant presents two complementary formats: a serene dining room with a seven-course tasting menu and a casual lounge anchored by a 10-seat bar for à la carte dining and cocktails. This duality allows for either a full-immersion gastronomic evening or a flexible, drinks-forward visit, all within a space that feels modern, cozy, and quietly upscale.
Atmosphere & Setting
The dining room is composed and intimate, with tufted banquettes, curved leather chairs, and a low-lit palette that encourages conversation and focus. It’s the setting for the seven-course tasting menu, where pacing, service, and sequencing are carefully choreographed without feeling stiff. The adjacent lounge shifts the tone to a more relaxed rhythm, offering an à la carte menu ideal for snacks, shared plates, and cocktails at the bar. Outdoor seating is limited but available, giving a seasonal option for mild evenings. Across both rooms, the vibe stays consistent: contemporary and romantic with a touch of trend-forward design, yet grounded in comfort and approachability.
Menu Highlights
In the dining room, the tasting menu showcases Secviar’s technical pedigree with compositions that balance finesse and generosity. Dishes often include Pacific sablefish glossed with sweet onion dashi, a nine-layer morel mushroom lasagna layered with Madeira for an ultra-savory, silken bite, and Flannery Beef paired with green garlic gnocchi for a rich but measured crescendo. The lounge’s à la carte lineup leans into stylish comfort: brick chicken brightened with piperade, capers, and chorizo; Samish pearl oysters; Ora King salmon “fish and chips”; cauliflower beignets crowned with trout roe; Dungeness crab with caviar; and pillowy ricotta dumplings. A dessert trolley brings the meal to a festive close with rotating tarts and cookies, while the pastry team designs options that accommodate vegetarian, pescatarian, and even vegan preferences with intention rather than compromise.
The Team & Experience
Chef Secviar’s background includes time in multiple three-star kitchens—Akelare, elBulli, and The French Laundry—reflected in the menu’s ingenuity, precision, and restraint. Dennis Kelly, a master sommelier, curates a beverage program that’s both deep and discerning, spanning benchmark regions alongside less-traveled producers, with pairings engineered to complement the kitchen’s clarity. Service is attentive and personable, knowledgeable without pretense, and tuned to the room: more ceremonious in the tasting setting, more conversational in the lounge. The result is a hospitality profile that delivers excellence while keeping the experience relaxed, an ideal match for Palo Alto’s discerning but time-conscious audience.
Wine & beverage program
The cellar emphasizes breadth and balance—classic Old World appellations, artisanal New World selections, and a cocktail program that mirrors the kitchen’s clean lines and layered flavors. In the dining room, pairings are calibrated for lift and texture—bright whites for seafood elegance, supple reds for richer courses—while the lounge affords by-the-glass flexibility for casual flights or a single standout pour. Low-ABV and spirit-forward cocktails alike are crafted with the same precision, giving equal footing to guests who prefer a bar-led evening.
Accolades & Recognition
Protégé has held one Michelin star since 2018, recognized for high-quality cooking, polished service, and its rare combination of tasting-menu rigor and à la carte accessibility. Critics and diners consistently praise the restaurant’s consistent execution, thoughtful pacing, and warmly professional staff. Recent guest feedback and awards reflect a loyal following, especially among those who value an experience that can scale from celebratory to spontaneous without losing detail.
Practical Information
- Location: 250 California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306
- Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 5–9:30 pm; closed Sunday/Monday
- Reservations: Required; released 30 days in advance via Tock; maximum party size of 4
- Format: Dining Room tasting menu (seven courses); Lounge à la carte with 10-seat bar
- Pricing: Tasting menu approximately $225–$250 per person; à la carte averages about $90–$100 per person depending on choices
- Dietary accommodations: Vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, and allergies supported when noted at booking
- Dress code: Smart casual—upscale yet relaxed
- Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible entry, seating, restrooms, and parking access
- Parking: Free street and garage parking nearby
- Payment: Credit/debit cards and contactless/NFC accepted
Who will love Protégé
- Special-occasion diners who want a serene, meticulously paced tasting menu without the formality of old-guard fine dining
- Friends and solo guests seeking top-tier à la carte cooking, exceptional wines, and inventive cocktails in a chic, comfortable lounge
- Wine enthusiasts who appreciate master sommelier–level guidance and pairings that enhance, rather than overshadow, the kitchen’s refined flavors
Bottom line
Protégé distills world-class training into a welcoming, modern format, offering Silicon Valley a rare dual experience: a polished, narrative tasting menu and a relaxed, bar-centric à la carte option under one roof. With exacting technique, a best-in-class beverage program, and service that marries warmth to precision, it’s a destination that rewards both the celebratory reservation and the spontaneous weeknight craving—proof that Michelin dining can be intimate, flexible, and genuinely fun.
For more information, please visit Protege