The Perfect Date Night: El Patio [理想约会餐厅：El Patio]

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 pieces of 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 mazeta (RMB78) — a chocolate dessert which mimics the look of dirt falling 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

110 Fenyang Lu, by Fuxing Zhong Lu

> For more restaurant reviews online, click 'read more' at the bottom.

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位置和环境

总有几个夜晚，想要离开家中的孩子们，给自己一个假期，让自己回到成年人的社交环境中。El Patio坐落于花园式的洋房，是二人世界浪漫夜晚的最佳选择之地。

El Patio已有四年的历史，总厨Pol Garcia去年更新了菜单。在同一个别墅中有两个独立的主题：El Patio位于一层，有着浪漫的晚餐氛围和舒适的户外空间；El Piso在楼上，提供更多样而传统的西班牙餐食。

菜品体验

从精美的餐前小食就可以窥见主厨Garcia的西班牙血统。但El Patio和El Piso两家餐厅从菜品烹饪到摆盘上还是有所差异。建议您二位分享一瓶红酒。一杯酒约在68元至88元，而一瓶酒需338元至1388元。

Gazpacho（98元/份）将是您的开胃小菜。与众不同的是，这里的Gazpacho不会有强烈的西瓜口味，但番茄味道将更加浓郁。gambas al ajillo（158元/份）口感会更为精致。大虾蘸着混合了蒜汁和白兰地的酱汁，与几个干辣椒一同置于小片的烤吐司上。如果您更为重口味，蒜汁和黄油的味道会更为突出。

而pimientos rellenos（128元/份）则出人意料。它独具一格，鳕鱼被放进烤过的红辣椒中，红辣椒上面还浇有辣酱和橄榄油。

列举El Piso的这几道菜，是为了说明El Piso与其姐妹餐厅El Patio 同样值得信赖。Croquetas de bacalao（48元/份）是裹有一层薄面包屑的奶油鳕鱼。Arroz cremoso con berenjena ahumada y queso de cabra（88元/份）是我们的最爱，它是配有烟熏茄子和山羊乳干酪的risotto（一种意大利调味饭）。

甜点里，我们推荐chocolate flowerpot——它是由四种外观不同、口味不同的巧克力装扮成散落在花瓶周围的泥土。它不会令您失望。

是否适合约会?

如果这家餐厅不是约会的最佳选择，我们不知道还有哪一家可以。轻柔的西班牙音乐、昏黄的灯光、洁白的亚麻桌布上散落几瓣玫瑰花瓣，浪漫感觉自此而生。桌子与桌子之间留有足够的空间，不会产生拥挤之感，不会打扰到您二位的谈话。另外，我们有户外的露台，在这个美妙的夏季夜晚来一杯餐前或餐后的鸡尾酒也是极好的。

 人均消费: 400元/位

 适宜人群: 情侣，商务人士

 推荐就餐: 晚餐，酒吧

// 汾阳路110号，近复兴中路

> 在线阅读更多餐厅推荐，请点击下方“阅读原文”

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