Patrono

[Thomas Vu]

I ordered the pasta special, which was fettuccine with sliced spicy sausage and vegetables. It was very well prepared and presented but not much flavor to any part of the dish. Pretty bland all the way around.

Any relation to Stella's? Sounds vaguely familiar to a dish I had there. I ended up picking a 20 pc up on my way home.

[ljbab728]

I wish we had more options near the Civic Center. I would really like being able to park near the Civic Center and have options for places to eat before attending performances there without having to park twice. The streetcar may help with that eventually if more dining choices don't open.

[Pete]

^

There will be at least one restaurant in the Main Street Arcade and 21c, Jones Assembly and the restaurants at the Residences at 21c should all provide options although none as close a Patrono.

[Urbanized]

The more that side of downtown builds momentum, the more of a bummer it is that Trattoria il Centro couldn't survive Project 180.

[Pete]

^

True, but Patrono is a great replacement.

[Urbanized]

A great food replacement probably yes, but Trattoria's location/space was special and now forever lost as restaurant space.

[BBatesokc]

Here's my mini review. We had a table of 8 last Friday night and had a pretty bad experience - which seems to be completely in contrast to what others have had. So - I'm gonna have to try this place again before I make up my mind about it.

We went after an art show at the IAO around 8:30pm. Downtown was really busy and we couldn't get in anywhere else in less than an hour (if at all). Called Patrono and were told they had plenty of room. Sure enough, the place was empty except for maybe a couple of 2 tops along the edge.

Our server was really bad. Some younger guy from NY. He didn't know how to do bottle service and he refused to take our cocktail orders until he had completed the wine service. We said only three would be drinking wine, but he insisted on bringing us 6 glasses that just took up space. After taking the cocktail orders (just straight pour on the rocks drinks - JWB) we had to inquire if our drinks were actually turned in because the bartender was just rubbing glassware. Then, when our drinks were done, we had to tell the sever to please go get them as they'd been sitting on the bar for a couple of minutes (melting). The only other people in the restaurant (for the most part) was an additional group of about 6 that we knew from the art show.

Four of us had the same entree (at the servers recommendation) - Bucatini Amatriciana. Literally three of us took 1-3 bites and were done. The noodles were not cooked well, all but one dish had almost no sauce and the meat was almost non-existent and overdone.

I ended up eating off my wife's plate - Orecchiette Calabrese. Her's wasn't great, but it was worth eating and was a much larger portion than the other entree.

The bread service was untoasted bread cut into squares and piled into a ramekin and served with balsamic and oil. I much prefer traditional toasted loaves of bread served with roasted garlic in a plate with balsamic and olive oil.

We ordered cannoli's and almond cake for dessert. I've had cannoli's many times while in NY and these were the smaller variety and the filling was a bit lacking in flavor. The almond cake was fine.

Our group was having such a good time conversing with each other that we simply laughed the experience off - but all agreed it was "fair" to "unacceptable."

That said, I will probably go again if others want to try it.

[sooner88]

Here's my mini review. We had a table of 8 last Friday night and had a pretty bad experience - which seems to be completely in contrast to what others have had. So - I'm gonna have to try this place again before I make up my mind about it.

We went after an art show at the IAO around 8:30pm. Downtown was really busy and we couldn't get in anywhere else in less than an hour (if at all). Called Patrono and were told they had plenty of room. Sure enough, the place was empty except for maybe a couple of 2 tops along the edge.

Our server was really bad. Some younger guy from NY. He didn't know how to do bottle service and he refused to take our cocktail orders until he had completed the wine service. We said only three would be drinking wine, but he insisted on bringing us 6 glasses that just took up space. After taking the cocktail orders (just straight pour on the rocks drinks - JWB) we had to inquire if our drinks were actually turned in because the bartender was just rubbing glassware. Then, when our drinks were done, we had to tell the sever to please go get them as they'd been sitting on the bar for a couple of minutes (melting). The only other people in the restaurant (for the most part) was an additional group of about 6 that we knew from the art show.

Four of us had the same entree (at the servers recommendation) - Bucatini Amatriciana. Literally three of us took 1-3 bites and were done. The noodles were not cooked well, all but one dish had almost no sauce and the meat was almost non-existent and overdone.

I ended up eating off my wife's plate - Orecchiette Calabrese. Her's wasn't great, but it was worth eating and was a much larger portion than the other entree.

The bread service was untoasted bread cut into squares and piled into a ramekin and served with balsamic and oil. I much prefer traditional toasted loaves of bread served with roasted garlic in a plate with balsamic and olive oil.

We ordered cannoli's and almond cake for dessert. I've had cannoli's many times while in NY and these were the smaller variety and the filling was a bit lacking in flavor. The almond cake was fine.

Our group was having such a good time conversing with each other that we simply laughed the experience off - but all agreed it was "fair" to "unacceptable."

That said, I will probably go again if others want to try it.

I've been twice now and had two completely different experiences.

First time was on a Friday 2-3 months ago.. the place was absolutely packed, the food and service were great (had a gnocchi special). The only complaint was the ramekins they serve the olive oil and balsamic in were kind of awkward and resulted in some spilling.

We went again on Thursday at 7:45 and were the only table in there (aside from a loud, drunk couple at the bar). It sounded like we had the same server... he was awkward. I ordered a bottle of wine and he asked how many glasses we needed (for two of us)? Just weird overall. He recommended the bucatini, and while the noodles were cooked correctly, the portion was small and lacked a lot of flavor.

I will try it again on a weekend, but I was pretty disappointed, especially for how good it was the first time.

[AP]

I've been once and I must have had the same waiter. He was very bad. Other than that, I enjoyed everything else.

[Pete]

I had a great service experience sitting at the bar.

The bartender / server was excellent all the way around.

[Teo9969]

Enjoyed my one visit when we went in November. The quality of the food was very good,though the portions seemed a bit small compared to the prices (admittedly not terrible, and it's nice to be able to eat everything in one sitting). I do believe we went on a Friday or Saturday.

[sooner88]

Enjoyed my one visit when we went in November. The quality of the food was very good,though the portions seemed a bit small compared to the prices (admittedly not terrible, and it's nice to be able to eat everything in one sitting). I do believe we went on a Friday or Saturday.

I'm not expecting giant portions, this time was just a lot smaller than the last time we went. Regardless, I will be back as the first experience still has it high up on our Italian list for OKC.. hopefully it was just an off night.

[Pete]

When I went a couple of weeks ago, my pasta portion was plenty generous.

Didn't finish it all.

[Teo9969]

When I went a couple of weeks ago, my pasta portion was plenty generous.

Didn't finish it all.

They must like you more

Again, I'm not saying they were terribly small. But compared to the "average" restaurant, one would expect a larger portion for the price. Perhaps 15% more portion, or 10% less price, so not unreasonable.

[zookeeper]

I really like the Museum Cafe in that area. I think it's an odd name for such a classy, fine-dining restaurant.

[Thomas Vu]

That said, I will probably go again if others want to try it.

Keep me posted, if you were serious.

Also museum cafe. It's a cafe in a museum, I do agree that its under rated though.

[2Lanez]

Finally went earlier this week, and wow, we had a really great experience. The atmosphere is weird, in a good way - small, a bit loud, not upscale, but not dingy either. Feels like a place in a much bigger city, where a cool little restaurant has fit into a tiny little space obviously built for another purpose.

Food and wine were both phenomenal. Service was good, not great, but the waiter clearly had a passion for food and made some great recommendations.

One of the more impressive new restaurant experiences I've had in a long time. Will certainly be going back.

[no1cub17]

Any news on if Patrono will stay open? I hope it does. We love it!

[HangryHippo]

This question comes a day after 2lanez' review. Did you hear something?

[sooner88]

Last time we were in it was really good, but there were only two other tables seated for the 2 hours or so we were there. We need to make it back, hopefully it's still doing well.

[Pete]

They seem to do very well when there is an event at the Civic Center or a Thunder game, but the other nights seem pretty thin.

[2Lanez]

Went on a Thursday evening. There was something at the Civic Center, but we were there during the performance. Restaurant was maybe 2/3s full.

[Roger S]

Now open for lunch per their FB page.

[Pete]

Now open for lunch per their FB page.

That is really good news.

They really care about food and it shows.

[Roger S]

Great news since it gives me another great option within walking distance for lunch.