Patara Soho

I had dinner in a restaurant this week. It included, as is becoming more common, a restaurant service charge of 12.5%. I asked the waitress how much of this she got. She said she got only 22 pounds per night plus service charge around 8 pounds in total 30 pounds per night. I think it is not minimum wage so that mean all of the service charge does not go to staff.

For me this is a disgrace. When I tip I want it to go to the waiting staff, not the restaurant.

Legally you can't be made to pay a service charge, so do what I did. Don't put it as part of the bill. Tip that same amount in cash to the waitress. This is a growing blight. And if it isn't bad enough, restaurants that include service often add a voluntary tip box on the receipt – to make us pay more.

I love coming here and was suprised to see a few bad reviews. We've always had nothing but great service, they always seat us at a table even if we haven't booked, and if we have to wait there's a candle lit area as you walk in where they sit you with a cocktail and some thai crackers until your table is free.

I think they have a varied selection of food, from stirfries, to currys, noodle dishes, salads, and a good range of vegetarian dishes.

My personal favourites are the dumplings to start, presented beautifully with a sweet sauce to dip. There's three different flavours, it doesn't say what flavours they are, but the purple one is the best! Very sweet, and almost nutty tones.

Then the wild boar in a red curry sauce, is always cooked so the meat is tender with a spicy/sweet flavour – delicious!

Usually we are too full for pudding, but once they bought some free sorbet and ice creams over for us to try which was a really nice suprise!

Overall great service, yummy cocktails, beautiful decor in a romantic candle-lit thai style setting. And a delicious varied menu. One of my favourites!

I was really looking forward to eating at Patara but I was really really disappointed. The staff are so unfriendly, they have such an attitude problem. Apparently this place is supposed to be know for its service, I would like to know who to originally stated this because it is a lie. I have never ever been to a central london restaurant with such bad service. The food is average not worth the money they charge. All in all, bad and slow service, unfriendly staff, bad attitudes go here at your own risk but bare in mind you will not have the most memorable or enjoyable evening.

Unfortunately one of our party (me!) chose the cod which turned out NOT to be cooked. Since then I have spent two days with violent sickness and diarrhoea. The cod was slimy and tasted HORRIBLE and was inedible.

Just a warning: do not order that dish.

Otherwise food ok and good place for groups although plates are served individually so no chance to share which I always thought was an essential part of Asian eating/group meals.

I went here with a group of 15 for a birthday celebration. The wanted our food orders a week in advance so we sent them in. We got there right on time 6pm and were seated. Starters didn't even begin to arrive until 7:30pm which was an issue as we had tickets for a jazz show afterward. They screwed up all the orders, didn't know who ordered what (despite giving us each nametags!), gave me the wrong starter which I said wasn't right, though they insisted it was! So I started eating it then they came out with my actual starter of dumplings but asked if I was ok with the other starter so I didn't bother switching. The lamb curry main (which I also didn't order but received) wasn't great either. They were SO disorganised and didn't seem to know who ordered what at all.

At the end of the night they didn't even acknowledge they made the mistake and charged me for the one I ate despite them admitting it was wrong to begin with. The main waiter actually argued with me. The customer service was horrendous, the food wasn't that great (or authentic for anyone who has actually been to Thailand) and i will NEVER go there again or recommend it! I refused to pay the service charge on my bill, but really I didn't feel like I should've paid for the horrible, rude service or the bland food.

we had the set menu which was excellent in terms of taste and quality although we struggled to get anywhere near finishing it.
i will definitely eat at patara again.

Celebrated our 10th Wedding anniversary at Pantara. Food excellent, good atmostphere. Bill for 2 with Wine was about £100 (expected). Only complaint is that the food was served too fast between starters and main course which I find most annoying. This aside good venue an recommend. Would return

went there on a romantic friday night on oct 31 for dinner with my husband. have read reviews regarding this restaurant in greek st. all reviews were really good and food descriptions were mouth watering!!! the starters we had were absolutely yummy, we finished them in no time. main came, it was very disappointing! i had the lamb shank and my husband black cod. really boring mains!!! will not go back for sure, with the money they charge, not value for money. i can't believe these people were full of praises for this establishment!!! i was embarrassed to have recommended it to my husband. we should have just stayed at the bar next door where staff were nice and accommodating and attentive. in all fairness, ambience was really romantic with dim lighting and over all look of the restaurant was sophisticated, shame about the food and the staff, esp the girl who served us. maybe the best chef was off that night…

A good choice for thai food lovers everywhere and of all levels. Food is deliciously spicy yet well balanced and brownie points for a seperate veggie menu that isn't just full of steamed vegetables. Service is impeccable and the atmosphere is enchanting. Definitely doesn't come across as a chain and a must if you are looking for a thai restaurant for business or pleasure.