Epsom at play

Last Saturday, early evening, to 'El Patio' in Ebbisham Square, formerly 'Il Ponte' (not to be confused with Ponti's near Oxford Circus, which while a similar formula, was no relation). We had liked 'Il Ponte' and used it reasonably regularly, and there seems to be some overlap as the manager recognised us from the old days - and he certainly knew how to draw one in - with mutually satisfactory results.

Reasonably busy when we arrived at around 1830, reasonably rammed when we left around 2100, including a large contingent drinking in the bar area. Quite a young place, with lots of young ladies dressed up (some more or less undressed) for their night out, but leavened with some older people such as ourselves. Various birthday parties and such. There were also some disco lights going, so perhaps there was to be dancing later. In any event, it had got quite noisy by the time we left, so our time was clearly up.

We were given a good table, by the window, but with a good view of the goings-on inside and out. A double, say four feet by two feet, rather than a single which I find a bit cramped.

Waiters, rather than waitresses, although there were a couple of ladies working the large bar.

Bread and olives to start, with the white bread reminding me of the bread we used to get in Tenerife; not bad at all for restaurant bread. Then what was described as a traditional Andalusian seafood and chicken paella, which meant yellow rice cooked to the point of sticking in a skillet. Filling and entirely satisfactory. Taken with a bottle of 2015 Noradaneve (otherwise Nora da neve) Albariño (a sort of grape) from the Rias Baixas (a place in northern Spain; just about warm enough to make wine). Just the thing according the BBC web site. See also reference 2. Very good it was too. I associate to my father's contention that fruit was best grown where it would only just grow. Too much heat and you got too much sugar and not enough flavour. For dessert, a slice of a sort of hybrid between a cake and a tart, involving a yellow crumb and almond flour, taken with a spot of warm calvados. Both good.

One house speciality seemed to be a sort of kebab served on a skewer suspended from something like the holders one used to have to hold fire tongs on, with a plate of chips under. Another was something that looked like glazed, small green peppers served between main course and dessert. We suspected that they might have been a touch hot for our palates, used to rather bland food, and declined the invitation from the neighbouring table to try one.

Some of the young people seemed a lot more interested in interacting with their telephones than with the people they were with.

Quite a lot going on in the square outside, including some young men with nothing much to do; presumably a bit short of funds. Quite a lot of people arriving by car and parking up in the NCP car park adjacent: let's hope they had nominated drivers. Several other restaurants in the immediate vicinity, all pretty busy.

A good night out. We shall be back.

Reference 1: http://elpatiotapasbar.co.uk/.

Reference 2: https://www.avivavino.com/wines/nora-da-neve/.