Nicely Named: The Educated Palate

City College of San Francisco's culinary and service skills training program operates a public restaurant where students can show off what they've learned. Its name:

Not only does the name suggest "school" and "food," it's also has an appropriate independent meaning: "a sophisticated sense of taste." As a restaurant name, it bucks the fad for cryptic, ultra-brief appellations—names like MUA, A16, Two, and Fly. (Yes, Fly. "Waiter, there's soup in my Fly!")

Sometimes words of three letters and one syllable tell the story. And sometimes six syllables and a clever concept are what's required to get your message across.

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How's the food? Sorry, I can't say. I always seem to be walking by in the morning, when the restaurant is closed. Yelp's reviewers give 3.5 stars.

Comments

[Duchesse]

Doesn't attract me. Sounds cold, and vaguely condescending (my palate IS educated,thank you.) Does not evoke a sensual, comforting, transforming hospitality: it is about the staff, not the diner.

Danny Meyer got it right: you put your arms around a customer with every detail. "Gramercy Tavern" suggests bonhomie, the Educated Palate suggests lectures.

A local restaurant began as fine dining, under the chef's name (Thuet) and recently downscaled the menu and changed the name to Bite Me. Bad choice again.

[Marla A.]

I agree; the name doesn't sound warm and inviting-it sounds snooty and uptite-it may or may not be, but just on the name alone, it would not be a first choice--sorry!