Italian fare is the deal
Some of the food served at IL Patio
The high ceilings and wonderfully done interior decoration add a veritable Romanesque look to the place that tells one that this is a serious dining establishment. The chairs are obviously imported and curved managing to give one utmost comfort. The waiters decked out in long aprons, bow ties go about their job with calm efficiency and look every bit the part of a waiter.
The space between the tables is just right affording one maximum privacy and as for the courtyard, purely idyllic and ideal for the romantic. What a superb concession to al fresco dining and this is where we chose to dine.
First to come was the bread basket that was rather generously endowed with several types of different of bread, seemingly a throw back from times of yesteryear when we were less concerned with dietary matters pertaining to our health. Not so in these days when carb is regarded more like a four letter expletive than food that is beneficial to one’s health and being. After that we chose to have an Italian version of the traditional samosa made with the most exquisite phyllo pastry and filled with mozzarella cheese and dots of tomatoes.
Admittedly, these samosas were new to me and while taste by any account differs from the regular meat and veggie type, they are novel to say the least though I doubt if they will ever be a best seller.
Experience
I chose the pork chops with apple sauce served with mashed potatoes while my friend had the pepper steak with a dainty salad. I was very happy with my choice and the pepper steak was done medium just as she had ordered and the taste was superb. For dessert, I decided to check out their apple pie served with cream and could not have made a better choice in one word; it was exceptional.
IL Patio is by far one of Kampala’s best restaurants and the standards are consistently meritorious and as for the service, exactly what one would expect of a five star establishment.
The deal
Place: IL Patio
Rating: Not to be missed
Location: Kisozi Close (off Nakasero Lane) Kampala
Fare: Italian
Recommended dishes: The seafood salad
Service: Professional and polished
Ambience: Old style with high ceilings and plush
Prices: Appetisers, Shs9,000 to Shs19,000; entrees, Shs20,000 and up; desserts from, Shs12,000
The bill: Lunch for two including a glass of house wine, sparkling water, a shared starter, main course and a dessert was Shs 200,000
Sound level: Perfect
Smoke-Free zone: Proscribed indoors but allowed on the patio
Wine list: Apart from the South African house wine, the rest are Italian
Reservations: Recommended on weekends for groups
Open: Lunch and supper every day
Wheelchair Access: Inaccessible
Parking: Abundant and secure
