A Tree Hugger

The oldest tree on Union Street was planted in 1867 and is still standing—in fact, it even has a restaurant named after it. Palmetto, the new restaurant that replaced Home on Union, opened its doors a few weeks ago and probably hopes that some of the tree’s longevity will rub off. The Mediterranean menu is the work of executive chef Andy Kitko, who was most recently sous chef at Aqua and, before that, executive chef at Bar Tartine.

I met my foodie friend Sanchia there last Saturday night, and while we tried to keep dinner light with two small plates, two salads and one large plate, we ended up ordering dessert too. With Kitko’s connection to Aqua, it’s no surprise that the grilled scallops and Copper River King salmon were cooked perfectly. And the tomato jam that accompanied the scallops had a smoky, spicy kick that showcased the dish’s North African influence. My other fave was the roast beet salad—mainly because I like beets, but also for the pickled cherries and caramelized pecans.


Heirloom tomato salad with Burrata                      Roast beet salad


Grilled scallops with tomato jam                          Local King salmon with tabouleh

The space is bigger than you’d think, and the bar can attract quite a late-night crowd thanks in part to its locale and the pull of the bartenders who are Notte transplants.

This is just a quick snapshot. The restaurant is still really new, so stay tuned for more details in 7x7’s upcoming September issue.