Fodor's Expert Review Palace Cafe

A little more than a decade ago, chef-owner James Shrader (a graduate of Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park) scooped up an abandoned antiques store at the corner of East 15th and South Peoria and, with the help of family and friends, turned it into one of Tulsa's swankiest restaurants with a commitment to fresh ingredients, local suppliers, and culinary excellence. Menu descriptions are littered with words like gastrique, ragout, and compôte, and might include such dishes as roasted salmon with a shaved Brussels sprout salad and tomato confit splashed with a drizzle of orange balsamic. Vegetarians may request a special menu, which might contain, for example, mushroom ravioli, wood-grilled vegetables, or mushroom linguine; other dietary preferences can also be accommodated.