I did some research on Patria and tried to figure out if it was going to have the authentic Spanish tapas experience I was looking for. After doing some digging it seems the authentic part was going to be the ingredients. So I decided to prepare myself for disappointment on the experience side but still wanted to check out the food.
Finding Patria can be a little tricky. It's on King street but it's entrance is just down a laneway. The best way to find it is to locate the big yellow doors of Weslodge and go to the laneway just beside it on the West side. It took me a while to figure out where it was while it was still under construction and I didn't notice any improved signage when I went, although I wasn't looking for it anymore.
So last week on Tuesday, after having a frustrating day at work, knowing that Patria had been open for a week and a half and that I hadn't been anywhere near the place, I decided I had to go. I went for a stroll down to King West straight from work. When I arrived it seemed that I was the first patron. Everyone there appeared to be staff, including the people in the second level dining space that seemed engaged in a meeting.
The menu had a number of sharing plates listed so I decided to make a meal of them. I immediately let the waitress make some suggestions so I didn't spend too much time dwelling on the details of each dish. I was about to order three sharing plates when the waitress suggested that I order a starter so I wouldn't be sitting there waiting for the food to come out, so I took her advice.
I ordered the pan con jamon. There were two of them. The bread was toasted with a light layer of crushed tomatoes that was topped with Spanish prosciutto. It was good. Too bad the lighting at my table wasn't. I think I got the only table by the window that had an orange light shining in from the outside. Sorry. I wish I would have had my better camera with me rather than just the camera on my phone.
Just as I finished my starter one of my sharing plates came out; patatas bravas. This was potato that had been cubed and cooked and topped with some spicy tomato and a fried egg. My waitress suggested that I cut through the yolk and let the flavours blend. I really liked this and I have to admit that there were some flavour combinations happening in the dish that I had never had before.
As I ate my patatas bravas my second sharing plate came out; bacon wrapped dates. I don't recall what the menu said but the date seemed to be stuffed with both a piece of cheese and a special kind of pepper that was all wrapped with a piece of bacon. The first bite seemed like the date just melted in my mouth. The second bite started to bite back. The pepper had a bit of kick but not too much. I don't recall the last time I had a stuffed date and/or bacon wrapped date but this was definitely the best one I've ever had. (Again, sorry for the picture.)
Although my desire for the authentic Spanish tapas experience was dashed, the food more than made up for it. The service was much faster than the waitress suggested it would be too. I hope to go back soon. A couple other sharing plates had caught my attention so I must go back and try them. I'm going to keep looking for the authentic Spanish tapa/pintxo experience in Toronto though.
