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| - Another "mixed emotions"... If you guide yourself for the crowd, Patria, seems to be 'the place' in Toronto. Don't get fooled my friends, it is not. For a guy who lived in Spain for 2 years, I can tell, this place has all the ingredients to be the best tapas place in Toronto, and probably in Canada, but it fails on the execution. Just to start with, the place is hidden. When I mean hidden, I mean: "you better know where it is or you miss it". When you find it, you transpose the door and you will see one of the best restaurants set up's in the city. I cannot say the same thing about the personnel though, but as I always say, I will pretend is their "first day on the job and they are trying to learn". I had a little bit of a wait till I could seat at the bar. I checked the drinks menu. Overpriced does not make any justice... it is WAY overpriced, compared to similar places in the area. They serve 3 and 5 oz glasses and the are priced as 6 and 9 oz respectively. Anyway, I took some 'decent' white wine and after that, some Tio Pepe Jerez which was very dry (the way I like it). I decided to go for tapas. Gambas al Ajillo and lamb meatballs to start with. As the name says it, Gambas al Ajillo (which means, garlic shrimp), has to be 'garlicky'. Well, not really. Just 3 pieces of shrimp sautéed in olive oil, two slices of garlic and a lot of parsley. Forgettable at the minimum. About the meatballs the only thing I have to say is, guys, the tomato sauce was fantastic. Tasted perfectly with that country style bread. Well, if the only good thing about the meatballs is the sauce, that tells you something. I later got the Ham Croquettes. Literally the best of the 3 tapas I got, but 3 small cylindrical pieces of 1 inch each at 10 bucks, is kind of "aggressive". Bottom line, great place for a nice date or a small night out with friends. But, tell me.. with Jacobs just round the corner, where you will spend almost the same but you will be eating the best steak in town, will you give this place a try? mmmmm......
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