A Shout Out to Patrizio

“Value” might be a dirty word in Highland Park Village, but I had dinner at Patrizio last night, and I was pleasantly surprised when the tab came. For two glasses of wine, one appetizer, one salad (split, plenty for two), two entrées, and one dessert, the bill was $72 before tip—$36 per person. And we had enough left over for a doggie bag. Anywhere else that meal would have been twice as much, thanks to the rash of restaurants that have opened up where it seems you can’t get an entrée for less than $20. For example, I do love the Porch, but the other night I paid about that much for my dinner—not to mention we had to wait an hour and half to get a table, which meant the whole “meal” lasted three hours—and all I had to eat was a buttermilk fried chicken salad and some wine. (Good, but not great.) And that doesn’t count the drinks and spinach-artichoke dip we had at the bar while we waited. Now, I don’t mind paying for good food, but how many times have you left wondering why a totally average meal cost so dang much? (I felt this way at Nove Italiano not too long ago. And Go Fish. And Le Rendezvous. ) Talk amongst yourselves.