Neighbourhood cave à manger Patron has already made a name for itself in its original London location of Kentish Town, but now the team behind it have decided to double their portfolio by coming to Highbury & Islington and opening a second site in the capital.
This Blackstock Road iteration of Patron occupies a cosy space which boasts Parisian-inspired decor – think warm lighting accompanied by booth-style seating for diners seeking some privacy and a marble-topped counter flanked with stools overlooking the open kitchen for those who want to be a little closer to the action.
Speaking of the kitchen, you can expect it to turn out a run of bistro-style plates at reasonable prices. Many of the ingredients have been flown in from France in partnership with small independent suppliers, while the rest are sourced locally and sustainably wherever possible.
During the week, Patron is open from 3pm, when it serves up late lunches and casual dinners. On your visit, you might come across the likes of classic French onion soup or duck confit, while you can round off your meal with charcuterie and cheese boards that arrive at the table alongside French baguette and handmade apricot chilli jam. If you’d rather visit earlier in the day, head here on the weekends to enjoy a Gallic brunch.
Naturally, Patron’s new outpost is also home to an impressive and wide-ranging selection of French wines, featuring natural, organic and biodynamic varieties. Should you not be in the mood for vino, there is also the option to order a cocktail from Patron’s list of hand-crafted sips.
The restaurant’s website states that its mission is ‘to bring a slice of Paris to our Highbury neighbourhood’. With an affordable menu of French comfort food and a healthy list of wines, it seems they have done just that.