Patio Restaurant

Last year Patio celebrated its 25th birthday & – judging by a packed Friday night – there’s no sign the appetite is waning for its budget-priced Polish cooking. The appeal lies in the convivial atmosphere & chirpy owners, & while the food might be rather stodgy, £16.50 buys you three generous courses & a shot of vodka. Cherry-picking the lighter dishes from the starters is wise: perhaps pickled herrings with apple salad, or fish soup. It’s nigh-on impossible to avoid heavy sauces during the main course, whether it’s veal in a wild-mushroom sauce or cod in dill sauce. If you make it to dessert, expect cakes & Polish puddings, best accompanied by yet more vodka.