The Palace — Review by Eater
New York, United States — American Bar Food
Chris Ansel visits The Palace, his favorite bar in New York City, where Chef Wesley creates what he calls his favorite buffalo wings in the entire city. The wings are authentically Buffalo-style, crispy, and drenched in hot sauce and butter, while the burger features perfectly balanced toppings and an exceptional burger sauce that needs no condiments.
What was great: Buffalo wings are crispy, incredibly saucy, and maintain perfect crunch; classic burger with simple toppings and excellent burger sauce; frozen mugs of Budweiser; consistent, high-quality bar food
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
Chris ordered the classic Palace burger and their signature buffalo wings. The buffalo wings arrive incredibly saucy, crispy on the outside, and distinctly small like authentic Buffalo wings should be. They maintain their crunch despite being heavily sauced in the traditional hot sauce and butter style that defines Western New York wings. Chris emphasizes that these are his favorite buffalo wings in New York City and challenges anyone to find better.
The Palace burger is remarkably simple yet exceptional. It features lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, and Chef Wesley's house burger sauce. The patty is thin but not completely smashed like a trendy smash burger, falling somewhere between that and a traditional pub burger. This balance allows the burger to maintain good texture while remaining elegant in its simplicity. Chris notes that Wesley doesn't require any additional ketchup or mustard because the burger sauce alone is perfectly balanced.
The Experience
The Palace functions as Chris's personal refuge, particularly during stressful construction at his pizza shop nearby. The bartender Rita has been a supportive presence through Chris's entrepreneurial journey. Chef Wesley, who designed the menu, is available to discuss his creations. The atmosphere is that of a classic New York bar with the essential detail of a freezer full of mugs for serving ice-cold Budweiser, which Chris considers a crucial element of any proper bar.
Value & Pricing
While specific prices aren't mentioned, The Palace is positioned as quality bar food that represents excellent value for simple, well-executed dishes. The food quality far exceeds typical bar fare.
Notable Moments
These are my favorite buffalo wings in New York City. Come try them yourself and taste me and I'd love to challenge it.
I think that a buffalo wing should be enjoyed in its purest form cuz you want it for the buffalo sauce, right? So, why cloud it with blue cheese dressing?
I think that simpler foods are much harder to master than these over complicated dishes you see in certain restaurants.
The Verdict
The Palace represents everything a neighborhood bar should be: consistent, supportive, and serving exceptional food that respects tradition. Chef Wesley's mastery of simple bar food makes this essential for anyone seeking authentic buffalo wings and classic burgers in New York City. It's the kind of establishment that becomes meaningful through both the food and the community it provides.