Chef’s Palette – Upscale Food, Relaxed Atmosphere

Chef’s Palette in Apex is a great restaurant for a grown up night out. They focus on new American and Southern cuisine and I have to say they do it very well.

What should you order at Chef’s Palette? This is one of the few places around town where I know I will be happy ordering any of their seafood dishes. Not to say they are only a seafood restaurant, but my tastebuds have been pretty pleased with their scallops, fried oysters, seared ahi tuna, and even the shrimp po’ boy. That’s not to say I’ve only sampled their dishes with ocean flair. I’ve honestly yet to have anything I didn’t like here. The BBQ Pork nachos (bar menu) are wonderful and the honey on their fruit and cheese plate is honestly the best I have ever had. When trying to decide what to order, ask your server. They have always given me great advice. You can also plan ahead since the Chef’s Palette menu is available online.

Chef’s Palette is priced well for upscale food. Depending on what you order, you can eat for about $30 a plate. You can get out of there for less by ordering off the bar menu which is honestly what I usually do.

I really like the relaxed atmosphere of Chef’s Palette. While the food is upscale, the setting is casual. By no means is it rustic! It’s still very nice. It’s just not hoity-toity. They’ve decorated with artwork from local artists and carry the gallery theme throughout the dining room, bar, bathrooms, and right onto the menu. They have a great bar with high top tables and some comfy chair and couch seating. They also have a dining room with traditional tables. I have seen families with children before, but for me, this isn’t a place I would take kids under 3 or 4 (and that’s a stretch depending on your kid).

For me, Chef’s Palette couldn’t be in a more convenient location. At the corner of Ten-Ten and Kildaire Farm Rd., it’s perfect for people in Holly Springs, Apex, and Cary. They are in a little shopping center with a Harris Teeter and a few other shops. (Where is Chef’s Palette?)

Be sure to check their website for events. This can be a very quiet and relaxing place or can be a little more loud and happenin’. (Yes I realize I just described a place as “happenin” and no I don’t think I’m that old!) They have bands in the bar sometimes and on Wednesdays they do trivia. Chef’s Palette also has nightly drink specials like $5 martinis on Thursdays.