When on a night out, whether it is with family, friends or that special someone, you usually do three things: shop, have fun, and eat out. With many restaurants to choose from in the downtown area, it may be difficult to select one.
Narrowing it down from “14 West,” “Harry & Izzy’s,” and “The Hard Rock Café,” let’s talk about the divine exquisiteness of Palomino Restaurant and Bar.
In the heart of downtown, fitting snugly on the corner of West Maryland and South Illinois streets, is the welcoming restaurant. With many locations to choose from: Seattle, San Francisco and Minneapolis, just to name a few, Palomino has been placed all around the country. Being from Indianapolis, I decided to make my way into a booth at the Palomino here.
With the business world always changing, the restaurant’s business hours are well arranged to help you grab that bite to eat. Hours are Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for lunch and dinner; Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight; and Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m.
In some restaurants, things may seem hectic. Waiters dropping things, cooks burning things, and all around craziness of the other customers. At Palomino, you can be sitting in a booth next to young children there for a birthday party, yet still be relaxed and enjoying your time. With televisions placed conveniently in the bar section, artwork over the dining area, and calm, relaxing jazz music surrounding you. You can’t help but love the environment.
Waiters, waitresses, cooks, bartenders, managers – there are so many people there at your service when needed. You walk in and are greeted by a receptionist. Someone who will seat you, and call your server. Then, you are welcomed by the server, with a simple smile and kind words. He or she may ask if you are ready or if you would just like drinks. They then allow you to glance over and decide what you want from the lengthy menu. They take your order and once again, assure you the best.
While you are talking over your water, soda, or perhaps wine, you are able to take in the atmosphere around you. You see other people talking, laughing, waiters working and it seems, one word: comfortable.
You see your waiter with a tray; your food? And it is! The smell is absolutely mouth-watering. And the taste? Even more delectable. Let’s talk about your food; you ordered bruschetta. Cooked over an open brick oven, including tomato-basil, eggplant caponata, roasted pepper-capopcollo, mushroom-artichoke, and the ever so delicious shrimp-avocado aioli. It must be the sound of music to your taste buds!
Previously mentioned is one entrée from the dinner menu. There are many dishes of different varieties, from this out of six menus. Yes, there are six menus! All to accommodate your timely reservation. Lunch, lunch features, dinner, dinner features, Thanksgiving (it was open from noon ‘til 7 p.m.) and happy hour. All reasonably priced for under $30 and with an open kitchen, you can see food as it is being prepared. So, all you need for that special occasion is: Friends, fun, and food? Check.
The first Palomino Restaurant was established in 1989, in Seattle. It then spread to 14 other cities across the country. Some people may wonder, “Why is it called Palomino?” Story has it, that it is named after Palomino Horse Breeding & Co. Hence the horse displayed on business cards, to-go boxes, the banners outside, etc.
Many reviews have been created about restaurants. But, once you have read these reviews, will you go and try the dining experience? Take my word for it, the juice is worth the squeeze at Palomino Restaurant and Bar.
For more menu information, check out the restaurant’s website at www.palomino.com or call (317) 974-0400 for reservations.
