Patterson's

May 2011
We went to Patterson's on a whim for a anniversary treat, and almost a year we're still talking about it…

The staff were charming and equally lovely to everyone. The variety of the choices on the menu were great and took a serious amount of consideration to work out what to go with.
Both our starters and mains were an excellent collaboration of texture and flavour, not over the top whacky combinations but interesting and different enough for us to coo over our plates until they were clean – and the portions were perfect.
The amuse bouche we were given both at the beginning and the end of the meal were just stunning – a pea broth with a tiny onion ring balanced on top is still clear in my mind all these months later.
The coffee came at the perfect time, the restaurant had a comfortable amount of other diners to give a lovely atmosphere without being really in your face.

God, I'd go back every week if I could.

I keep coming back to Patterson's for its understated elegance, the friendly and efficient service, the fabulous competence of the cooking and the great wine list. It's December 2011, and I was tempted by the pork belly, which was golden, crisp and crackly on the top, succulent underneath, all the fat having melted away in the slow roasting process. So perfect, I nearly shed a tear of appreciation. The pork was served with black pudding and seared scallops, apple mashed potato, with a spiced carrot sauce. As a starter, I had followed Mrs P's recommendation and had the smoked haddock soufflé, which was served with a tiny jug of hot creamy chive wine sauce sauce and a cod brandade served as a little fritter, with a fried quail egg on the top, nice and runny in the middle. The presentation is beautiful and the flavour combinations heavenly. The Marlborough Pinot Noir, also recommended by Mrs P, was a light enough accompaniment not to dominate. My Scandinavian dining companion had the crab and scallop lasagne and nearly had to be restrained from licking the plate.

Whether you're heading for a business lunch or dinner in the West End, or trying to impress the prospective parents-in-law, Patterson's is a sure bet.

My wife and I booked a table for two for a Saturday night at 9pm. We reserved the table only a couple of hours prior to this and the lady who took my call (one of the owners) was very helpful. We took the 50% off a la carte option.

When we arrived, the restaurant was very busy. It took about 15 mins after we were seated, to be asked what we wanted to order. Starters arrived approx 50 mins after we were seated (and we were not offered bread until then). Both my wife's dish and mine were almost outstanding – very, very, very good. The somelier helped my wife choose between two options we were thinking of and he suggested the lower priced bottle – and it was a great choice. It's always good to know that they are not out to sting you for cash.

Main course again arrived after another long gap but was as good as the starter if not better. We were in two minds about choosing desert as we needed to get back to our baby sitter by midnight but when we asked if the dish could be brought more quickly, it arrived quickly. Guess what – it was delicious.

Staff were very friendly, service was very slow (and possible not attentive enough). The bill for two with a bottle of wine, two G&Ts and a beer was approx £140. Would I go again at that price -you bet, would I recommend it – most certainly.

If we hadn't had the discount, the meal would have been in excess of £190. I think I would still go (and still recommend it) but would have possibly hoped for better service.

I wish the owners of this restaurant much success!

We found this restaurant from a search on squaremeal, it is real little gem, we will definitely be back. Delicious menu with a range of choices, the chicken risotto as starter was a taste sensation. The atmosphere was buzzy with all the tables engaged in animated conversation, service was efficient, profession and unobtrusive. Observations were that some diners were regulars which is always a positive sign. We were there as a couple, I would go back as a couple equally with family or friends, we will have this on our recommendation when people ask for a new gem.

I cant believe Pattersons hasnt been raved much about earlier – food was excellent, stunningly presented and the 50% off a la carte is an offer too good to refuse. When we dined at 6pm, it was empty but the maitre d assured me they were fully booked for the rest of the night, even putting in extra tables downstairs to cope with the numbers.

My partner started with scallops which were beautifully presented in their little shell. I convinced him to avoid the lobstar tart as the live ones were sitting in the tank next to us, just looking at us. I decided on a cous cous and goats cheese starter which was such a lovely combination of flavours! I could have had a lot more. My main was roast chicken with veggies and mash, but a much more posh version. My partner had roast pork but with all different cuts on the plate. Pudding for him was a raspberry lasagne (different layers of raspberry and cream complete with mini donuts). Mine was pineapple and a lovely sable. All i can say was these were like masterpieces! We left the meal nicely full unlike Theo Randall, which is also fantastic, but where we rolled out of.

Service was great and the atmosphere is that of fine dining – seemingly wealthy sorts around. Shame that it wasnt full earlier on. Final bill came to £66 for two people having three courses each plus non alc drinks! Bargain given the 50% deal, cant imagine paying the full price as its beyond our means but definitely a beautiful meal to be had – whether with the partner or family or just friends for a quiet natter.

I cannot find one way to fault the meal we had at Patterson's last weekend. The service was attentive but not intrusive and thought the phone call from the Maitre'd to confirm our booking was a charming touch.

Just looking at the menu is enough to make your mouth water. Each dish was beautifully cooked and artfully presented and just the right size to leave you sated but not stuffed. I had the salmon and trout starter, followed by the lamb main and the chocolate and salted caramel tart for dessert… delicious!

I would not hesitate to return here, in fact I've promised to take my parents for their anniversary!

Pattersons is the type of restaurant you feel you can drop into anytime with anyone, lunch or dinner, with friends or the other half. On the occasion I visited last night, it was dinner with my fiance and what a great dining experience it was. Service is friendly and helpful and for a restaurant I was led to believe a little unheard of, it was certainly full to the brim by the time we left.

Food is balanced, packed with flavour and well presented and the type of food you'd want to come back to taste over and over. The starter of hot and cold salmon risotto was substantial yet well portioned with good quality salmon that was happily complimented by spring flavours. The main of seabass was a pleasure for the eyes and stomach with beautifully cooked asparagus, braised baby gem lettuce and jersey potatoes. Vegetarian offerings also meet the same standards and are clearly regarded with the same respect as the rest of the dishes on the menu. Wtih all of this plus a tasty little mushroom cappuchino amuse bouche, there was little room for dessert. But pushed by the 50% off a la carte offer we went in with (cracking deal and the only ‘catch’ is you need to order 3 courses – which when your scouring the menu is less of a catch and more of a bonus!) I ordered the lemon tart with lime sorbet, which finished the meal and the night brilliantly.

A nice gem of a restaurant with an attentive front of house team and judging by my empty plate, a fantastic kitchen team too. Attention to the surroundings are contemporary and kept to a minimum with fishtanks and candlelight but when the food is such a star in a place like this who care's about the wallpaper. Definitely a must.

This is such a great place, still surprised why it hasn't picked up more recognition. The food is superb, beautifully presented, excellent waiting staff. Shame there wasn't more people in there.