193340 Mon Jan 14 10:44:55 -0800 2002 9 18 Manhattan 0 1031841 i wanted to say thank you to some close friends of mine this weekend by treating them to dinner somewhere special. i've never been to patria & i'm wondering what people think of it. no mentioon of it that i could find in the chowhound datadase. does anyone have any personal insight they can share? thanks in advance. Mon Jan 14 10:44:55 -0800 2002 0 doug 1 1031842 on my last two visits, I found Patria becoming increasingly tired and shopworn. The service had slipped and the food while still perfectly OK was far from excellent. The room remains noisy and unwelcoming. I am sure in NY you would have a hundred better choices. S Mon Jan 14 10:50:55 -0800 2002 1031841 0 Simon Majumdar 2 1031860 i went to patria back in the fall and really enjoyed it, though for the price i paid, i wish i had loved it the staff was very attentive, and though the food was great it wasnt fabulous and it was very expensive, the best part was the dessert, some kind of cheese dumpling in rose petal sauce, also, the bread they serve there with dinner is out of this world,its in teh shape of a bun, but its cheese flavored,and very dense anyone know what kind of bread this is? Mon Jan 14 14:41:19 -0800 2002 1031842 0 lauren 3 1032516 Columbian cheese bread is what you are talking about, and has some yucca flour and maybe corn meal, and it is my favorite bread of all time, although all of their breads are good. We ate there 3 times in November/Decmber 2001, and mostly if you stay with the fish dishes (except for a seared tuna main dish)you will be happy. The duck breast main dish is excellent as well. The appetizer of the coconut curry cerviche as well as the cheese and black squid empanadas are excellent. The desserts are wonderful in presentation, especially the cuban cigar, but the flavors could be more interesting. Our favorite choice for eating in the chelsea area when going to the Joyce theater. Service has always been excellent and fast, but unrushed. Fri Jan 25 14:06:26 -0800 2002 1031860 0 Claire Li 1 1031843 Very nice choice. Cool decor, but not ridiculously cool; interesting Asian/Latin fusion fare that is very, very well-done, and something that I always like--expensive enough to impress if that what's you need to do--but reasonable enough to not leave you worrying about which bill not to pay next month. Have fun! Seth Mon Jan 14 11:11:48 -0800 2002 1031841 0 Seth Ruffer 1 1031848 William Grimes gave Patria a rave review (3 stars) last month in the NY Times. You may want to look for this on the web. I believe that the quality of the food has improved greatly since I was last there becvause of a change in the kitchen contrary to the below post. Mon Jan 14 11:36:12 -0800 2002 1031841 0 Eddie 1 1031853 I used to like Patria a lot. Unlike one of the previous comments, I've always thought the room was great. I'd say "lively", not "noisy". I stopped going there a couple of years ago when they jacked up prices and went to a prix fixe. Now they've rejiggered the menu and cut prices, I'm trying it tomorrow night. I'll report back, if anyone cares. Mon Jan 14 13:32:05 -0800 2002 1031841 0 ron 1 1031894 Just go & you'll love the place. I went there in Dec with a party of 10 & we had a blast. The food was great; the wine service & wine list was outstanding and the deserts were good too! Throw in a festive atmosphere & what more could you ask for. Tue Jan 15 07:52:12 -0800 2002 1031841 0 zeman 1 1031934 Tried Patria in September. I was trying to impress out of towners, too, but they werent impressed. Too much going on on the plate. More like confusion cuisine than fusion. The bread WAS good though... Tue Jan 15 19:20:19 -0800 2002 1031841 0 GT 2 1031943 I had the exact same reaction. My last meal at Patria definitely peaked with the bread. Wed Jan 16 03:52:27 -0800 2002 1031934 0 Dave Feldman