CLOSED: Vegan Palate

We returned a couple of times, with each meal being less tasty. I don't know if it's a different chef or something else, but we don't go anymore.

****************

My friend and I had dinner at Vegan Palate for our first time tonight. We ordered all appetizers: spinach shumai, crispy tofu rolls, scallion pancake w/fresh mango sauce (really a salsa), soft summer roll, crispy soy protein, and bbq spare "ribs." I had chocolate and vanilla soy ice cream for dessert.

All the dishes were full of flavor, and very individuated. There were different sauces served with each. I found the shumai to be a little too soft, though my friend loved them that way. None of the fried food was greasy or soggy. (Perhaps take-out isn't the best way to experience those menu choices. I don't know.)

Our servers were friendly and knowledgeable; the food was prepared and served quickly; and we weren't rushed, even though we arrived during the last hour of business.

I agree that there should be better signage out front to guide diners to the back entrance. We almost missed it. And the decor is a little too dark and formal for me. But these are minor aspects. I'm sure everything will mellow over time.

Updated from previous review on 2015-11-07

The food quality was average, but ok. The service was robotic and I was never asked how anything was. I ordered a Virgin Mohito, the Seitan skewers, orange Seitan and chocolate cake to go. The mohito was too tart, the appetizer and meal were average. The cake was moist and dense and slightly above average. The price was moderate. The website stated that the kitchen is dedicated vegan despite being run by the same people who run the Asian non vegan buffet which is part of the same building. The menu had no dairy drinks listed but I suspect they can provide them from the non vegan buffet. The lighting was adequate though I was there during the day. The decor was nice for a small place.

Northampton has needed a bona fide vegan restaurant and Vegan Palate fits the bill. I ate in for the first time today and had the hot and sour soup and Malaysian Curry Stew. Everything was prepared perfectly with wonderful vibrant flavors, perfect textures, good portions - neither too small or large. I had the genmai cha - a roasted brown rice green tea, which was wonderful, and served in a little japanese tea pot. The price was very moderate.

Unfortunately, the location is such that there's no foot traffic, and as others have mentioned, it's around the back with a non-descript entrance. I don't personally like the dimmed lighting too much, but I could easily read the menu and others like it, so it's just a matter of personal taste. Disappointingly, both this time and the time before when I came for take-out, there was only one or two other individuals there. Would it help if the waitress - not unfriendly but perhaps overly shy - would say a simple hello? or "how is [was] everything" at some point? Or ask if I'd like dessert before just plopping the bill on the table? (I would have!). I don't know. I would love to see this place make it, and the food is good enough, and the menu interesting enough, that it absolutely should!

I got a carryout order tonight and was very disappointed. Aside from the food being extremely greasy it was not as advertised. The tempura starter was soggy. The Pan fried dumplings were tiny and unappetizing. The teriyaki tofu was definitely NOT teriyaki. All of the food was overpriced. While I didn't ask I suspect that the food is cooked in the same kitchen that the food from the Chinese Buffet on the other side is. If you are a purist I would ask. This is not a place I will be going back to.

Please see my Yelp review for a lengthy description of a recent dinner I had. Suffice to say that this will likely be my 'go to' restaurant whenever I visit Northampton. Attitude-free, friendly, efficient service with an atypical 'Chinese food' menu, served in an intimate atmosphere. Two potential drawbacks: the building is very nondescript, and the entrance to their restaurant is around back. Second, the desserts are way too sweet. I would suggest avoiding them, but that leaves a lot of food left to enjoy!