Dishes as ‘works of art’

PALETTES RES TAURANT IN HO TEL DON FERNANDO

PALETTES RESTAURANT IS A CASUAL HOTEL RESTAURANT WITH A NORTHERN NEW MEXICAN FL AIR. THE 92- SEAT RESTAURANT IS LOCATED IN THE NEWLY RENOVATED AND REOPENED HOTEL DON FERNANDO.

Thetaosnews recently reported that the hotel received its Hilton credentials and will operate as one of the chain’s 11 Tapestry Collection hotels worldwide.

Palettes is open for breakfast with an array of egg plates ranging from the classic Benedict to the regional huevos rancheros. Meat lovers will find big breakfast options, such as country fried steak and pork chops.

THE CHEF IS CHAN KAYUM QUINTANILL A , KNOWN TO EVERYONE BY THE NICKNAME KY.

Quintanilla was born in Palenque, Chapias, Mexico. At age 2, he moved to San Antonio, Texas and then to Taos, New Mexico when he was a teenager.

He began his culinary career as a teen busboy at the Taos Inn. He has many credentials to his name and most notably, Quintanilla was the executive chef at Lambert’s and owner/chef at Kyote Club.

Quintanilla left Taos for a short period to study at the Culinary Institute of America in New York and do an internship at Wolfgang Puck’s famed Spago restaurant in Beverly Hills.

“THE PALETTES MENU IS AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY CUISINE, SO WE HAVE A VARIET Y OF OPTIONS.

All of our meats are domestic,”

Quintanilla said, while serving a crisp beet salad and a sumptuous plate of Colorado lamb chops with a red wine demi glace. Palettes restaurant offers its dining guests with seasonal menus.

The fall/winter dinner menu includes entrées, such as bacon-wrapped filet mignon, an apricot-glazed duck breast, and veal osso buco, among many other hearty dishes.

Joshua Herrera, director of sales at the Hotel Don Fernando, said his favorite dish is the ribeye steak because “it’s cooked perfectly” and served with Chimayó red chile butter, chicharron baked beans, and sautéed calabacitas. He compares the calabacitas to his grandmother’s.

Palettes has a warm and welcoming feel. Copper cups and bowls provide a traditional Northern New Mexican touch. The works of local artists, such as paintings, weavings, and photography, adorn the walls. Soft lighting adds a touch of elegance.

PALETTES RESTAURANT 1005 Paseo del Pueblo Sur • Breakfast: 6 to 10 a. m. / Dinner: 5 to 10 p. m. • ( 575) 751- 4444 • donfernandodetaos. com