Don B.
Yelp
I stopped by Patrono's, a refined Italian restaurant, for lunch today at around 11:40 a.m. and it was a delightful experience despite the place being surprisingly quiet when I arrived. This upscale spot, located in the heart of Oklahoma City, exudes elegance with its clean, sophisticated decor (polished wood accents and soft lighting, with stylish interior).
Lunch hours:
Tue - Friday 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Dinner Hours:
Tue - Thur 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.,
Fri 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sat 5:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m.
Sun 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Perfect timing for my visit! My meal kicked off with the Grilled Octopus appetizer, served with cannellini beans, arugula, pickled onion, and calabrese aioli. The octopus was incredibly tender, melting in my mouth, though the flavors felt mild and somewhat muted, still a solid starter that set a nice tone.
Next, I enjoyed the Patrono Salad, which was bursting with flavor thanks to the peppery arugula and a standout pistachio vinaigrette. Beets are my favorite root vegetable, so I was excited for them, but they seemed pre-packaged rather than freshly roasted, which would've made them even better; still, the salad was delicious and vibrant.
For my main, I went with the Mezze a la Vodka, adding their in-house made spicy sausage, which brought a fantastic kick to the creamy pasta. The sausage's heat paired beautifully with the rich sauce, though the pasta itself isn't made in-house but is thoughtfully sourced locally, which I appreciate.
I opted for a Diet Coke (they serve canned beverages here, which they kindly kept topping off. A thoughtful touch). As soon as my drink arrived, my waiter Cydney who greeted me warmly at the door and let me choose my seat (I picked the bar) then brought out some incredible sourdough bread with balsamic butter and housemade chimichurri. The chimichurri was fresh and zesty, stealing the show with its vibrant herb flavors. Cydney's service was impeccable, and the clean, upscale ambiance made this a memorable lunch. While the octopus could use a flavor boost, the overall quality and attention to detail here are top-notch. I'll definitely return, perhaps for dinner, to explore more of this refined menu!