The Place and Vibe
There are evenings when you need a break from the kids and crave a more sophisticated environment. Nestled in a converted stately concession-era villa is El Patio, a great option for that romantic night out with just the two of you.
El Patio has been around for four years, so head chef Pol Garcia decided to revamp the menu and venue last year. With two separate concepts in the same villa, the ground floor houses El Patio, a romantic dining experience with a comfy outdoor space, while upstairs is home to El Piso, a more colorful and traditional Spanish dining option.
The Food
Garcia has used his Spanish roots to create a fine dining Mediterranean tapas experience. Both restaurants have their own menu, expressing different ways of cooking and presenting tapas dishes.
With a substantial wine list available, we suggest sharing a bottle between the two of you. Glasses of wine range from RMB68-88, while bottles are anywhere from RMB338-1,388.
The gazpacho (RMB98) was a refreshing dish to start with. Unlike others, this version did not have an overwhelming watermelon zest, but instead was heavier on tomato.
For something subtle, try the gambas al ajillo (RMB158), small toasted bread topped with prawns in garlic and brandy sauce and dried chili. While we were expecting a spicy kick, the savory flavors of the garlic and butter were actually more prominent..
The pimientos rellenos (RMB128), on the other hand, was a unique dish full of flavor and unexpected texture, featuring roasted red peppers stuffed with codfish atop a roasted pepper cream and olive oil.
We sampled a few dishes from El Piso just to make sure it was up to par with its more mature sister restaurant downstairs, and we weren’t disappointed. The croquetas de bacalao (RMB48) were delightful with a creamy codfish center and lightly breaded shell. We knew the arroz cremoso con berenjena ahumada y queso de cabra (RMB88) was going to be good just from the delicious smell alone. This risotto with smoked aubergine and goat cheese was our favorite dish of the evening.
For dessert we’d recommend the chocolate flowerpot (RMB)—a chocolate dessert which mimics the look of dirt fallen out of a flowerpot. With four kinds of chocolate, in different forms and textures, this dessert will not disappoint. Often desserts can be opted out of, but trust us, you’ll want to leave room for this one.
Date Night Approved?
If this restaurant isn’t date night approved, then we don’t know what is. The romantic ambiance is made up of soft Spanish music, dimmed lighting, a fireplace, and complete with white linen tablecloths and rose petals sprinkled on top. Unlike some restaurants where tables are all crammed together, El Patio offers ample space between them, which gives you and your partner some privacy for conversation. The outdoor patio couches are perfect for a pre- or post-dinner cocktail on a nice summer evening.
Price: RMB400 per person
Who’s Going: Couples and business professionals
Good for: Dinner or drinks
See a listing for El Patio.
