This year Patio celebrated its 30th birthday and – judging by a packed Friday night – there’s no sign the appetite is waning for its budget-priced Polish cooking. The appeal lies in the convivial
atmosphere and chirpy owners, and while the food might be rather stodgy, £16.50 buys you three generous courses and a shot of vodka. Cherry-picking the lighter dishes from the starters is
wise: perhaps pickled herrings with apple salad, or fish soup. It’s nigh-on impossible to avoid heavy sauces during the main course, whether it’s veal in a wild-mushroom sauce or cod in dill sauce.
If you make it to dessert, expect cakes and Polish puddings, best accompanied by yet more vodka.