Comments on: Extravagance at Patina http://la.foodblogging.com/2005/06/12/extravagance-at-patina/ foodblogging los angeles Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:13:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Pauline http://la.foodblogging.com/2005/06/12/extravagance-at-patina/#comment-6056 Pauline Sun, 05 Feb 2006 14:49:37 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2005/06/12/extravagance-at-patina/#comment-6056 I agree, that the price is too high... sometimes it's worth it, sometimes it's not. For example, the best risotto I've ever had was at Patina: freshly shaved truffles (done at your table) on top of plain risotto as an appetizer. The truffles obviously is what made the dish so delicious (though I have to admit the texture of the risotto was excellent, too). When the bill came, my appetizer was $30! I almost fell out of my chair in shock. $85 per person for the 5-course dinner I wrote about above, however, seems less outrageous. The cost also includes the great service. My first time at Patina was to treat a friend to a birthday dinner. Without even asking them to do anything, Patina decorated my friend's tiramisu plate for the occasion. She was so impressed she took a photo of it with her phone to remember it by. I definitely would not enjoy Patina as daily (or even monthly) visit, but I do enjoy going there with friends who don't typically indulge in fine dining or having a special occasion dinner there. Not to sound too much like a Mastercard commercial, but... some experiences are priceless. I agree, that the price is too high… sometimes it’s worth it, sometimes it’s not. For example, the best risotto I’ve ever had was at Patina: freshly shaved truffles (done at your table) on top of plain risotto as an appetizer. The truffles obviously is what made the dish so delicious (though I have to admit the texture of the risotto was excellent, too). When the bill came, my appetizer was $30! I almost fell out of my chair in shock.

$85 per person for the 5-course dinner I wrote about above, however, seems less outrageous. The cost also includes the great service. My first time at Patina was to treat a friend to a birthday dinner. Without even asking them to do anything, Patina decorated my friend’s tiramisu plate for the occasion. She was so impressed she took a photo of it with her phone to remember it by. I definitely would not enjoy Patina as daily (or even monthly) visit, but I do enjoy going there with friends who don’t typically indulge in fine dining or having a special occasion dinner there. Not to sound too much like a Mastercard commercial, but… some experiences are priceless.

]]> By: AdamZ http://la.foodblogging.com/2005/06/12/extravagance-at-patina/#comment-6048 AdamZ Sun, 05 Feb 2006 12:13:26 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2005/06/12/extravagance-at-patina/#comment-6048 I've eaten at Patina 6 times at both old and new locations. I just don't understand what all the commotion is about. The food seems priced twice as high as the quality warrants. I have to admit I absolutely love their cheese selections, but as for the rest of the food - I just don't get it. I’ve eaten at Patina 6 times at both old and new locations. I just don’t understand what all the commotion is about. The food seems priced twice as high as the quality warrants. I have to admit I absolutely love their cheese selections, but as for the rest of the food - I just don’t get it.

]]> By: Pauline http://la.foodblogging.com/2005/06/12/extravagance-at-patina/#comment-422 Pauline Sat, 18 Jun 2005 23:58:26 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2005/06/12/extravagance-at-patina/#comment-422 Could this be the first sibling bickering on foodblooging.com? At least she left a very helpful tip on discreet restaurant photography. Could this be the first sibling bickering on foodblooging.com? At least she left a very helpful tip on discreet restaurant photography.

]]> By: Rebecca http://la.foodblogging.com/2005/06/12/extravagance-at-patina/#comment-407 Rebecca Fri, 17 Jun 2005 22:27:24 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2005/06/12/extravagance-at-patina/#comment-407 Um, someone did ask her to stop -- members of her own dinner party, but she just ignored us as always. Oh well, at least it's for a good cause. Incidentally, to all you fine food bloggers who are interested in taking discrete photos and notes might consider getting a Clie (Sony's Palm compatible PDA). It's small, attractive, takes pictures, records voices, and has a built-in wireless network support so that you can compose and post your reviews all while sitting at the restaurant (assuming the network is available). Um, someone did ask her to stop — members of her own dinner party, but she just ignored us as always. Oh well, at least it’s for a good cause.

Incidentally, to all you fine food bloggers who are interested in taking discrete photos and notes might consider getting a Clie (Sony’s Palm compatible PDA). It’s small, attractive, takes pictures, records voices, and has a built-in wireless network support so that you can compose and post your reviews all while sitting at the restaurant (assuming the network is available).

]]> By: Pauline http://la.foodblogging.com/2005/06/12/extravagance-at-patina/#comment-370 Pauline Wed, 15 Jun 2005 04:01:34 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2005/06/12/extravagance-at-patina/#comment-370 New dinner menu at Patina already! I just got something in the mail about a special one-week set menu June 21st. Maybe that's a good week to give Patina a try? Downside: Costs $150 for that particular menu, but I'm sure it'll be well worth it. My photo taking really depends on just one thing: Did I remember to bring my camera? I figure if the restaurant does not want me to take photos, someone will ask me to stop. So far no one has. The Patina staff noticed I was taking photos, but I think they just figured it was a family dinner thing so they didn't object. I tend to use a flash, but when there are too many people around me, I take the pictures without the flash and just fix it on Photoshop. New dinner menu at Patina already! I just got something in the mail about a special one-week set menu June 21st. Maybe that’s a good week to give Patina a try? Downside: Costs $150 for that particular menu, but I’m sure it’ll be well worth it.

My photo taking really depends on just one thing: Did I remember to bring my camera? I figure if the restaurant does not want me to take photos, someone will ask me to stop. So far no one has.

The Patina staff noticed I was taking photos, but I think they just figured it was a family dinner thing so they didn’t object. I tend to use a flash, but when there are too many people around me, I take the pictures without the flash and just fix it on Photoshop.

]]> By: sarah http://la.foodblogging.com/2005/06/12/extravagance-at-patina/#comment-353 sarah Mon, 13 Jun 2005 18:05:02 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2005/06/12/extravagance-at-patina/#comment-353 excellent! just out of curiosity - how do you get away with taking pictures? i take tons...but sometimes in "nicer" restaurants i am a little reluctant. do you use a flash? doyou do it all stealthy? do they say anything to you? excellent!

just out of curiosity - how do you get away with taking pictures? i take tons…but sometimes in “nicer” restaurants i am a little reluctant. do you use a flash? doyou do it all stealthy? do they say anything to you?

]]> By: SoCalorie http://la.foodblogging.com/2005/06/12/extravagance-at-patina/#comment-351 SoCalorie Mon, 13 Jun 2005 05:59:44 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2005/06/12/extravagance-at-patina/#comment-351 Pauline - Great report, I can't wait to go there. Almond-fennel brittle sounds sooo good. And I've always wanted to toss my cowardice to the wind and eat an expertly prepared (or just very fresh) sardine. Pauline - Great report, I can’t wait to go there. Almond-fennel brittle sounds sooo good. And I’ve always wanted to toss my cowardice to the wind and eat an expertly prepared (or just very fresh) sardine.

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