Palacio

Palacio offers an upscale taste of Mexico that meets the highest standards of quality and freshness. Executive Chef Manuel Martinez draws inspiration from both contemporary and traditional styles of Latin American cooking to create unique, distinctive dishes that stand apart from typical Mexican fare.

Enjoy a cocktail at the full bar, featuring extensive tequila and specialty cocktail selections, or Sommelier Greg Bardakos will help you select the perfect wine pairing to complement your dining experience. Located in the historic Coggeshall Victorian Mansion in Downtown Los Gatos, Palacio truly is an unrivaled sensory experience

Manuel Martinez is the Executive Chef at Palacio Restaurant in Los Gatos. At Palacio, Chef Manuel’s menu focuses on classic Mexican and South American flavors with modern influences. He sources fresh local, seasonal, sustainable, and organic ingredients to create unique, innovative dishes.

Prior to Palacio, Chef Manuel was the Chef de Cuisine at Reposado in Palo Alto, managing the kitchen operations of an upscale Mexican restaurant. Previously, he was the Executive Chef for the Left Bank Brasserie in Menlo Park, responsible for all the culinary aspects of a French restaurant. He also became the Chef de Cuisine at Brigitte’s French Restaurant, a Santa Clara neighborhood bistro that featured French-Mediterranean cuisine.

Chef Manuel’s greatest culinary achievements have included praise from celebrity chefs such as Jacques Pepin at the Marin Agricultural Land Trust Fund Raising Dinner, Anthony Bourdain in ‘The Nasty Bites’, Marco Pierre White in ‘The Devil in the Kitchen’ and Rick Bayless in ‘Fiesta at Rick’s’.

When Chef Manuel is not cooking, he enjoys spending the time with his lovely children and inspiring wife. He also enjoys home improvement projects and gardening.