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| Good Food Guide 2006 |
 15 Greek Street, W1D 4DP | Tel: (020) 7437 1071
Cooking 3 | Thai | £37 - £60 There are branches of this Thai restaurant dotted all over the world, including Bangkok, Singapore, and a few addresses in London (see below). The Soho branch is a smart and striking venue, with good use of ambient lighting, including candles along the black wall, and Thai figurines inlaid with glass mosaic tiles. The whole effect is contemporary, not cliché. The kitchen displays a high level of ambition. Tom Yum goong is a fine version of this classic soup, with tender prawns and a 'delicious, spicy broth'. Angus breef - pink in the middle comes with a green curry sauce, and mango salad is topped with two deep-fried soft shell crabs. Pad Thai noodles are another hit, although desserts have impressed less. Service has been 'superb', and wine start at £13.50. There are other branches in South Kensington, Knightsbridge and Oxford Circus. Proprietor: S&P Restaurants Ltd | Open: Mon to Sat L 12.30 to 2.30 all week D 6.30 to 10.30 | Closed: 25 Dec | Meals: ale (main courses £13.95 to £19.95). Set £11.95 to £14.95 | Service: 12.5% Cards: Amex, Delta, Diners, Maesiro, MasterCard, Visa | Details: 110 seats, Private parties: 50 main room. Vegetarian meals. No smoking in dining room. Wheelchair access (also WC). Music Air-conditioned | Tube: Tottenham Court Road |
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| Zagat Survey 2006 |
 "Taste buds are continually tantalised" by the "innovative". "exotic" eats at these Southeast Asians where "each course is like eating the cover shot of Gourmet magazine"; the opening of the new Greek Street flagship has boosted the Decor score, and ratings have also risen for the "beautiful, accommodating staff"; the less-convinced crap there's "not much bang-for-the-kok" here, but to most this quarter is simply "Thai-rific." |
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| Harpers & Queen Restaurant Guide 2006 |
 PATARA NEW15 Greek Street, W1 (020 7437 1071) This elegant Thai restaurant is a welcome surprise amid the scruffiness of Soho, with tables of chic diners who would be more at home in Mayfair. The interior is truly beautiful; the door is flanked by huge pots of orchids and you step into a jewel box of a room with carved palm wood pillars, soft lighting, ethnic carvings and banquettes covered in red-sink. The focal point of the room is an ornate miniature teak palace with lacquer and gold leaf but, despite the visual appeal, the food is what makes Patara a destination restaurant; fragrant, skilful, delicious cooking, which demonstrates that Thai food is one of the world's great cuisines. |
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| Harden's London Restaurant Guide 2006 |
 Patara, London was voted by Harden's London Restaurant Guide 2006 as the best Thai Restaurant."The most delicious Thai food - Perfumed to perfection- underpins the light popularity of this small group; its 'serene' charms are perhaps best appreciated at the spacious new Soho branch." Survey Best by Cuisine
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| TimeOut London Eating & Drinking 2006 |
 2005 BEST RUNNER-UP BEST DESIGN15 Greek Street, W1D 4DP (7437 1071). Leicester Square or Tottenham Court Road tube. Lunch served noon-2.30pm Mon-Sat. Dinner served 6.30-10.30pm daily. Main courses £12.95-£15.50. Set launch £11.95 2 courses, £14.95 3 courses. Set dinner (6.30-7.30pm) £13.95 2 courses. Service 12.5%. Credit AmEx, DC, JCB, MC, V. This is the fourth London branch of upmarket Patara, a Thai-based international chain. This Soho flagship takes its design from traditional Thai royal pavilions, with elaborately carved palmwood columns, chiselled sandstone linning the walls, sumptuous red seating, and spotlights on white linen; it looks stunning. The centerpiece is the huge model of teak palace, finished with gold leaf and lit from above. The menu is refreshingly like "real" Thai food, but with plenty of innovation, such black cod with yellow bean sauce; crab meat and grilled aubergine salad; or curried seabass grilled in coconut leaves. Flavours are strong but well balanced, just as they should be. The chili-heat of a salad of shredded chicken and julienned mango was an assault on the palate, but sour lime juice, salty fish sauce and notes of sweet and bitter also vied of attention. Fresh mint and fried garlic added to the taste explosion. Even basic such as fish cakes and rice were perfectly rendered, and a vividly orange curry of duck with diced pineapple wasn't as sickly sweet as it might sound. The set menus are particularly good value, considering the quality of cooking. Booking advisable. No-smoking tables. Vegetarian menu. |
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| Zagat Survey 2005 |
 Patara is enlisted as the Top Thai Restaurants in London "Small, but perfectly formed portions" of "exquisite Thai cuisine" that "always delights" are the main attraction at this "contemporary" looking "jewel" of a trio with discreet, efficient service" and "well-situated" branches around Mayfair and South Ken; the "fresh and fragrant" dishes are "interesting" and "gentle on the taste buds", plus there's also an excellent set lunch menu". The 2005 Zagat ratings by cuisine are; |
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| Harden's London Restaurant Guide 2005 |
| London Highest Ratings These are the restaurants which received the best average food ratings. Where the most common types of cuisines are concerned. We present the results in two price-brackets. For less common cuisines, we list the top three, regardless of price. The rankings presented below are calculated purely on the basis of average marks for food quality awarded in the survey. No adjustment is made for price (in contrast to the calculation of food rating which do take price into account). Consequently, a higher position in the ranking below will not invariably be reflected by a higher food grade. THAI |
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| TimeOut London Eating & Drinking 2005 |
 Dozing style and sophistication by the ice-bucket-load, Patara doesn't have to try too hard by garnishing its dishes with mountains of orchids curly parsley and elaborately carved fruit and veg.The self-assured cooking speaks for itself. A tangy salad of green mango featured crisp, juicy shreds of fruit enlivened with chilli and lime. Steamed dumplings in assorted colours, from lilac to pale golden were stuffed with prawn, chicken and pork with some filling working better than others. Grilled black cod with ginger and pickled yellow bean sauce was a scrumptious version of an old classic. Pineapple and tofu red curry had an intriguing mix of hot, sour, spicy and fruity flavours. More tofu featured in a delightfully piquant stir-fry with green beans, chillies and lime leaves. Puddings, such as banana tar and coconut custard pancakes, are rich and generously portioned. Overall we found the cooking a touch too sweet, but soothing, earthy-hued interior smiling staff and a buzzy crowd contributes to a highly enjoyable dining experience. |
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