8 Crawford Place
London W1H 5NE
Tel: 020 7262 4015
Date of Last Visit: Sunday, April 17
The Victims: Karen, Alex
The Damage: 15 GBP each
Alex used to live around Edgeware Road, and made it his own personal mission to try each and every restaurant in the hood. Patogh emerged as one of his favorites (if not his absolute favorite). Knowing Alex, and now having eaten there myself, I can see why.
Patogh is SMALL. The tables downstairs can maybe fit 12 – 15 comfortably. I did not see upstairs, but Alex says there are maybe three tables. The main server takes peoples names on a piece of paper, but there’s nowhere to wait, so no guarantees if you miss your name!
The crowd is very interesting. When we first arrived, it was two large families (separate). One with three small children. They were perhaps Iranian, but I have no idea. Once they all cleared out, we found ourselves sitting next to some Americans and some Japanese, and across from people of middle eastern descent. How everyone found out about Patogh, I do not know.
We started with some cheese (feta-ish), some mixed greens (including mint leaves), some hummous, and a huge piece of special Iranian bread. I asked Alex why the menu said that you can’t take the bread as take-away, and he explained that I’d understand why when I saw the bread. It was VERY large. That being said, I do not think that size makes it unsellable! And I’m sure many people would want it.
We also got some tea, which was quite nice because I am getting a sore throat–which is quite bad. And then Alex ordered us all the minced lamb, which was absolutely delicious. Personally, I don’t believe in everyone ordering the same thing at a restaurant because then you don’t get to experience the restaurant’s true strengths and weaknesses, but I let that one slide this time. The lamb came with a side of rice, which I could have lived without given the copious amounts of bread available. But well, you live, you learn.
The Verdict: I love the food at Patogh. And the atmosphere is very congenial and cozy. I felt a bit rushed to finish because people kept coming in looking for tables. But I also felt like I was in on some special secret because of the size of the place and the quality and quantity and price of the food. We ate like kings! For 15 GBP each. I wouldn’t go here with a lot of people. Just one or two.
