Educated Palate

Qu’ils sont mignons ces étudiants ! Pour la petite histoire, the educated palate est le restaurant de City College qui propose un programme original pour les étudiants en hôtellerie. Ceux-​ci n’ont rien à payer, en échange de quoi une partie de leur travail est vendue dans ce restaurant, les premières années étant eux-​même serveurs. Ainsi, votre addition paie directement leurs études.
Les prix sont très abordables pour le type de nourriture offert. En particulier les desserts de grande qualité. L’assiette de mignardises a plusieurs trésors entre autres. Je garde quelques réserves sur les plats principaux. Le sandwich au saumon s’avéra excellent tandis que ma viande de poulet manquait de saveur. À noter: les frites étaient excellentes.
Les horaires sont très particulières et le créneau d’ouverture très étroit. À mon sens, cela est un point positif puisque les serveurs né sont pas épuisés. À l’inverse, ils semblent tous s’appliquer et faire de leur mieux pour vous offrir la meilleur expérience. Il y eut certaines incompréhension pour notre prise de commande, mais c’était une erreur plus de l’ordre de l’adorable qu’une faute importante.
Le lieu vaut le coup d’oeil si vous êtes de passage. L’expérience est très plaisante.

Great little secret in SF. Just know that this is a place for students to learn though, and accept the fact that things will most likely not be 100% on target for a white-​tablecloth dining experience, since they’re busy learning how to execute like that. But in exchange you can feel warm and fuzzy for supporting the students, and get a great deal for lunch if it’s all executed well, and the manager is on top of things if you ever have a complaint.
I finally got to try this place with some teammates for lunch this past week. Reservations technically required, but we were able to phone ahead before noon and tell them we were coming over in 5 minutes with no problem, and were the first group to be seated. Things got busier as the lunch hour went on. Maybe it’s still early in the semester, but you could tell that some of the staff are still working on their words and the timing of when to say what, it’s cool. I ordered the salmon salad, which was well plated (and so were my teammates’ dishes). The little biscuit could’ve been moister/​used more butter, but most importantly the salmon was overcooked. I guess the chef must be learning, too; the outside was a beautiful golden color, but the insides were unfortunately cooked well done, when the waitress originally informed me that it was prepared medium rare at the time of my ordering. When I mentioned this to our waitress, they handled it very well; kudos! The manager is very friendly and polite btw, and was clearly proud of the head pastry chef they have on staff. Indeed, they have a number of delicious-​looking desserts, which they’ll cart over to your table to tempt your eyes. The mignardises platter has 10 diverse little bites and is fun, and the mousse cake was also pretty and tasty.
Wonder if the students get better as the school year goes on, or if they are constantly rotating in new students? Would be happy to come back again regardless!

The space is good sized with high ceilings. The décor is a bit stark, but pleasant enough with floor to ceiling windows and light maple wood for the large trim at the lights and walls and whatnot. The «bar» is made for coffee and has a wonderful green stone top, almost like jade. I don’t knock the starkness. You are, after all, in a lab/​classroom of sorts, but with much better lighting.
The staff was extremely pleasant and professional. Doing well is more than a tip for them, it’s a grade. The bread guy was trying very hard, but was simply too nervous about screwing up. You did great bread guy! Relax! Bread was french baguette, house baked & awesome. A small irritation I have with many restaurants is unsalted butter for the bread. In my opinion (probably in the small minority of foodies, I know) bread is not the proper use for unsalted butter, it’s for cooking only. Not knocking this, just I wish I didn’t have to salt the butter at 80% of the places I go to.
The food was excellent and presentation was equally as good. Peach salad with what I think was pork belly cubes In vingarette. The pork might have been added in substitution of (my omitted) bleu cheese as I don’t remember it on the menu. The peaches were grilled but served cold, same as the pork belly. My feeling is they would be better served warm if they are going to be grilled. Heirloom tomato salad was excellent with an abundance of thin feta slices. The tri tip over mashed and salmon over spinach & couscous (?) Both were on par with the better restos I’ve been to. Portions were not skimpy, a full meal here.
The desserts were well-​presented & beautiful, but we were simply too full to partake.
Overall I was very pleased with our meals and at the great prices, I will certainly return and intend to go to one of their weekly special dinner events and try that out
Update 9÷23÷15 ***
I have had a few more meals here and it’s always been good and pleasant. I had to send a salmon dish back, but I think I may have not read the description correctly. This (Fall ’15) semester has a dish of «Seared Salmon,» leading me to believe it’s rare/​raw on the inside. That might have been what I had last semester and sent back. Sorry!
This last time I had the tri tip, potato and cauliflower mash and sauteed corn & tomatoes. The mash was just ok (would probably recommend they skip the cauliflower and just concentrate on really good mashed potatoes, a perfect recipe is to die for) corn and tomatoes was good, tri tip was great! Skipped appetizers and went for the white cake with raspberry compote-​filled chocolate ganache on top for dessert. Fabulous! Also had and orange-​lemon-​lime-​aid, fresh squeezed. A little overly tart, but refreshing and different. Service was great, waiter was really making an effort, but they are mostly very green as I doubt many of them have waitstaff experience. This is without a doubt the best deal in the entire city for what you get hands down as the other reviews have said many times.

My first experience coincided with what I assume is the beginning of a new class, but I was impressed by the attention to detail and presentation.
The floor to ceiling windows gave a fresh and light atmosphere that was repeated in the menu and the meal. The service while «green» was genuine and eager to improve.
Everything tasted fresh and I appreciated being able to provide feedback via a short survey at the end of the meal. I look forward to coming back, especially as the semester progresses! (I wish they served dinner!)

I honestly had a bad experience here but I can still give this place three stars because I understand where these students are coming from and I’m not too picky.
It seemed like everything that could go wrong did. It was nice when we first came in and the hostess told us the deal about this place and how everyone is a learning student. It was fine by me. I’m not sure what system they had though.
We had our water poured and some bread. After that we were waiting for the food and realized that we forgot to order our appetizer. We looked over the menu again and figured we didn’t need appetizer. In the midst of this conversation and looking over the menu, we realized that we didn’t even order yet! We still had our menus. The server must have forgotten our table because she came to take our order but didn’t do the introduction that she had with the near-​by tables.
While we were waiting for food, we were told something went wrong in the kitchen and so we had to wait even longer for the food. Unfortunately, everything took a very long time and it was difficult to get the attention of the servers.
The food that we had was alright. The chicken tender appetizer was fairly good. It was crunchy and moist. The miso dressing that came with for dipping wasn’t something I liked, just my taste buds. The beef was cooked to be slightly rare when I asked for medium rare but I don’t mind. The cream cauliflower was extremely mushy but had good flavor. And the tomatoes were forgettable.
The pasta with salmon had an excess amount of cream. Other than that, it was good.
Unfortunately the service was so slow that I didn’t get dessert. There is no menu and the server has to roll the dessert cart over to explain what they have that day. We decided to opt out since time was running out.
Also, a complaint I have is that I would have liked my water refilled. I didn’t get one refill at all…
It’s not my first option for a meal but it wasn’t bad and food is fairly priced to compensate. So even though I had a «not-​so-​great» experience, I’ll give them my three stars and take two for the time and water.

The Educated Palate
PEOPLE YOU GOT TO GET HERE, greatest deal for food and ambiance (come on where else in the downtown can you get fine linen, great food for under $ 20). I’ve eaten here quite a bit and have always enjoyed the food but today’s Fall buffet was over the top. It was an abundance of food and well worth the price. I took my girlfriend here today and she went crazy with all the foods and desserts, she loved the salmon and (let it be known, don’t get in the way of your girlfriend when she wants desserts, I’ll heal) me I went straight for the turkey, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes and anything that wasn’t nailed down. The servers knew what they were doing making sure that coffee/​tea was filled and your drinks refreshed at every step of the way. All questions were answered with regards to any dish served. I can only say that I will go back again soon.

My first time today, for lunch. Was lured in by the cheerful students outside, and a view of the elegant dining room. Great menu, for two picky (dietary issues) women. Excellent service & nice ambiance. And the food was perfect. I will definitely be back.

Go… just go to the Educated Palate. You will not be disappointed. The Spring Buffet was my first encounter with this restaurant but it will certainly not be my last. I went with my sister and parents last week. We couldn’t stop eating!
I was impressed with the quality of the ingredients. The students and chef perfectly executed the food. The presentation was clean. The appetizers, entrees, sides were well laid out. Being that it was a buffet, fresh amounts of food kept getting replenished.
Green is my favorite color so I loved the table design and the color scheme. And I absolutely adored the dessert table set-​up.
The students did a great job! I am happy that I was able to enjoy a very pleasant meal and at the same time show my support for the culinary program. Try it!

Last Thursday was my third visit to the Educated Palate. I’ve been there once for their pre-​fixe dinner and twice for their seasonal lunch buffets. I have been more pleased and impressed with each subsequent visit.
This review is about the spring buffet. From start to finish, the service, professionalism, and food were impeccable. The students really do try hard to provide a wonderful dining experience and they succeeded in enormous ways.
We were greeted graciously at the hostess check-​in. Ms B. made us feel very welcomed. Immediately entering the beautifully decorated dining area, we felt like we had entered a spring garden of sort. The floral arrangement and the table napkins popped with a vibrant and sweet melon green.
Onto the delicious food (thank you chefs!) :
Starters:
Snap pea salad
Roasted asparagus
Smoked seafood platter that included sturgeon, trout, bay and diver scallops, mussels, oysters
Trio of cold soups: honeydew melon, strawberry tarragon, blueberry yogurt
Endive «boats» with diced mangoes and shrimp
Strawberry and spinach salad with feta
Mains:
Roasted leg of lamb with mint and honey
Chicken Marsala
Roasted salmon with orange glaze
Sides:
Artichokes and shallots
Pea risotto
Roasted baby carrots
Roasted potatoes
Desserts:
A sweet tooth’s dream!
Assortment of cakes, puddings, cream puffs, cake pops, truffles, chocolate dipped strawberries, coffee crème brûlée, etc.
Our servers were attentive and friendly. They made sure that we were enjoying ourselves.
Even though it was busy the room felt very comfortable.
We were so full after our meal and left extremely satisfied. We will be back to support the students, the culinary program, and nourish and indulge our taste buds!

We just happened to walk by this window at 4^th & Mission and I see all these people with this huge amount of fresh food! Damn, let me go and find out what is going on!
Had to make a reservation for the Spring Bouquet Buffet (that’s what I’m calling it!) for the next day because they were too full up! Ok… see ya tomorrow.
SHIT! This place is AWESOME! We had to be rolled out on a hand truck because we couldn’t stop eating! This place is for 1^st grade foodies (or just fatties like me!)
First table: Cold food, salads, fish, mussels. Next table: Hot food… lamb, salmon, chicken, risotto…
Last table: Dessert.
When you go there, just think of the song «Food, Glorious Food!»
Note: One of the «soups» we had was Honeydew. WTF? It was so well done… that is the jist of this place. Very well done food.
Go there now! Eat. Don’t tell anyone… that it’s AWESOME!

Today was my sorority’s third visit. We all like the quiet atmosphere, friendly servers
And of course the food, well presented and delicious. We come from Marin, San Jose, and Palo Alto every month for a get together and all enjoy coming here because we are able to talk and are never rushed. We look forward to the Buffet
in APRIL. A nice walk from Ferry building and train station.
You will be surprised how professional these students are and how yummy the food is… try the desserts!

The food is awesome and very accesible price.
I love the catfish! And the chocolate mousse

I ate here today with some friends while we were here in San Francisco on business. We were pleased to see some open tables as we walked by.
The menu was interesting and fresh, with lots of nice options. I had a lovely snapper dish with lentils. The food was great and very reasonable for what I got. I love the student concept and that everyone is learning. It was really a great experience and I would recommend it to anyone in the area looking for a nice quiet lunch spot.

Passing grade.
Unlike any other restaurant downtown. Here you get food. You also get a staff of culinary school students.
Talent is required to figure out mahi mahi and fruit chutney would go excellent together in a house potato roll. Fortunately one of the students did.
Comes with a small side salad. Here was the only hiccup. Asked for dressing on the side. Got it. But also on the salad. Minor inconvenience.
It’s hard not to root for people trying so hard. Feel free to stop by and add to their dream. You’ll be satisfied and nourished in more ways than one.

Not many people know this about me. About 10 years ago I took some time off from life, took out some college loans, and went back to college. I ate better for that year and a half than ever, and that’s because of the City College hospitality program. At lunch I would go to the secret dining hall on campus that most of the students didn’t know about, and spent my college loans on seared tuna, tri tip sandwiches, and broccoli rabe. The Educated Palate is the where the City College Culinary students get to hone their cooking skills now, and I think it’s a great idea! Go there and support them — it’s not a five star dining experience, but it’s genuinely good quality food, and the students really do try hard.

hum… not that good, not that bad…
nice place with good concept,
when I got tri-​tip, I was excited because it looked great.
my tri tip was cold…
tasted ok.
Had them brought it to me just a bit quicker, it would have been good…
Run by students, and it tasted like so, but the price not so student friendly.

Had a very nice lunch here today. Great spot for lunch! We started with a Mediterranean Plate appetizer which was delightful shared between the 3 of us. Our entrees were the catfish with sweet potatoes and greens, the Ahi Tuna sandwich with a marinated artichoke salad and the grilled tuna over orzo with sweet potato shoestrings and broccolini. We enjoyed everything very much and feel the students did a fantastic job! The prices are very good also! I would definitely go back!
(this was supposed to be posted when I wrote it in March)

You know that restaurant on your college campus that served faculty and the handful of students who knew it existed? It had kind of awkward service, but the cheap prices and semi-​nice setting (when compared with the food court alternative) kept you coming back? That’s kind of what Educated Palate recalled for me.
Servers were all friendly and a bit over-​eager, but since the place is a training facility, that’s to be expected. The menu is small but the meatball sandwich with provolone that I tried on my visit hit the spot.
I do wish that the staff would be a little more mindful of seating arrangements. When Aimee K and I arrived, there were only a couple other tables that were occupied. So when a somewhat creepy dude was seated right next to us, we gave each other the «WHY?» look. Also, the bathroom could use a good scrub and probably a bit of a makeover, considering most of the people who are going in to this place have a lot of other, nicer alternatives at their disposal.
All in all, like Jelena Z, I feel that I did my part by being a guinea pig for a meal.

I was strolling down the street in San Fran with Unilocal Philly and we were desperate for a good lunch. There was someone from Educated Palate standing on the sidewalk handing out menus and we thought, why not? I always think it’s interesting to see how student run restaurants work, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised before by the culinary creations that come out of the kitchens.
The entrance experience at this place is very strange — tons of staff, so students, were standing inside the door and just kind of stared at us as we walked in, and it was pretty awkward as we made our way to the table. There were 3 – 4 tables filled so luckily there was a little bit of talking going on, because it was dead silent inside… we both agreed that if they had light music playing or SOMETHING creating a little bit of noise, the atmosphere would have seemed ten times more engaging. But, alas, we sat in silence…
Our server was great and we always had a full water in front of us, and they served house-​made bread right away. When it came time to order, I had my eye on one thing: the Mediterranean plate… hummus, baba ghanoush, marinated cucumbers, feta, etc. I ordered it with no doubts because those are my absolute favorite things to eat. The plate did not disappoint! Everything was spiced perfectly and it was all so fresh, situated on top of a fresh bed of lettuce. I was definitely impressed and I’m going to try to recreate the entire thing at home! Unilocal Philly’s meatball sandwich was A-​OK, and a few minutes later we paid the bill and were on our way. Stop in if you’re looking for a quick and fresh lunch in the area, but be prepared for a less than great environment.

On our way to lunch this afternoon, we passed by a young man encouraging random pedestrians to check out this restaurant. The waitstaff and chefs are all students at the culinary school nearby, so we figured we’d stop in and give it a try.
First off, don’t let the décor fool you. It looks like an upscale, fancy restaurant, and just by glancing at it, I’d skip it for a work lunch since it looks like it’d be a bit more pricy than I’d plan for a daily lunch. But since it’s a student-​run business, the prices are actually extremely reasonable. Starters and salads range from $ 5 to $ 8, with entrees going from $ 8 to $ 13 (the higher end plate was a steak of some sort).
Second, as the restaurant is attempting to emulate a fancy high-​end establishment, the menu is very limited: 3 appetizers, 5 salads, 5 sandwiches, 5 or 6 entrees. Apparently they don’t change it up very often either (the waiter that served us said it’d been the same for over a month).
Third, it really is students waiting on you. As such, the service wasn’t amazing or as high-​end as you’d expect, but overall it wasn’t terrible. Occasionally they seemed unsure about what the food options were (there were two soups available and the waitress seemed unsure about what they were; another waiter couldn’t recall what the cake flavour was on the dessert cart).
The food itself wasn’t phenomenal but it also wasn’t terrible. There were some interesting options available but from what we had, nothing really jumped out as amazing. I had the tofu sandwich with fries, my one friend tried the Mexican soup and tuna sandwich, while our other companion gave the chicken salad sandwich a try. We all said it was good, decent food, but nothing that really blew our socks off.
If you want to help support the local students and give them some experience, plus try some decent food for a decent price, and you find yourself in the Mission and Fourth Street area, I’d suggest giving the Educated Palate a try. I wasn’t disappointed with it.

I’ve now come here twice for lunch, and have left mostly happy. Granted these are students, both times service was relatively slow, and sporadic. All the staff were really friendly, it just seemed like their was a lack of overall leadership. For example, yesterday my colleague and I wanted to try dessert and were told about a crème brûlée, which sounded perfect. For some reason, we ended up with flan, which to our knowledge wasn’t even a dessert selection. Ah well.
The food, on the other hand, is worth returning for. I’ve tried the lamb wrap and the Reuben, and both were terrific and a great deal at under $ 10. All their breads are baked on premise. And even that flan was pretty good, now that I think about it. I’d say that if you’re not in a rush, you can enjoy yourself, but expect lunch to be at least 45 minutes to an hour and change.