I can't speak to how much damage removal might cause, but I find the piece quite unobtrusive. Good luck.

It does depend on how much contrast--not alot in the sample photo.

I would tile above it and not remove it. In your sample it would look less weird if the rest of the counter had the 4" granite going all around and tile over it. You can even tile the side of the panel up as far as the tile goes elsewhere, like the wall on the right in the photo.

It takes all kinds - I would do the opposite. I really don't like the look of tile above the short backsplash. I don't think most people would notice the random bit of backsplash, whereas I know the rest of the backsplash would drive me nuts. Bummer they did that! If you took the backsplash off the panel you could potentially tile over it?

In your example picture, the granite on the panel doesn't bother me. The tile extended on the opposite wall (adjacent to the TV) does bother me. I would try option #2. I typically don't like a 4" countertop splash combined with tile above..

Thanks all I took a photo so you can see ours which might help. the idea of putting tile where the granite is on the panel is an interesting one...

I'd probably leave it and put a ledge for bottles/jars or an actual spice rack ...maybe with under brackets that run right down to the granite top in question....I use enough salts/peppers/etc..a few other things that any heat from ovens wouldn't hurt..and it's out of sunlight there..perfect spot for the right little rack.....search around,maybe a decorative plate on a plate frame attached to the wood..add something and the granite issue disappears...I don't think I'd tile the wood...leave it, if you don't want to install something on the wood.

Thanks! to clarify if I considered tile on the panel it would be just where the granite was removed, like a low border along the bottom like what you might do on a wall adjacent to a backsplash.

I would go ahead and try to remove it. It might not damage the panel as much as you think. But another concern would be what the edge looks like underneath. It might not be cut to fit the cabinet well, leaving an ugly gap. I'd still go ahead and try, you can always put it back :)

I agree with herbflavor - leave it and put something on the counter on that side - a utensil canister or the like. You won't even notice it's there.