Patee Thai Restaurant

6 Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  7      Value  8     

We stumbled across this place while trawling through Brunswick Rd looking for somewhere to eat on a quiet Sunday eve. We couldn’t find anything else that looked suitable so we choose this one.

Not sure why we did – probably hunger pangs did it because it looks pretty dated from the outside with an ugly, graffitied doorway. It was no better inside with old fashioned heavy, dull wooden tables and chairs. Overall it just looks like its seen better days and is well and truly in need of a makeover.

The service though was efficient and polite, whilst the food, like the decor was fairly workaday.

We ordered a fishcake starter and two mains: a sliced beef in oyster sauce and a mixed veggie dish, the fish cakes were fine if a little small and the rest of the food was ordinary at best but the beef was dry and tasteless. Helpings though at the mains end were sufficient and the rice was nicely presented in a little silver bowl.

All up and including a single beer, we paid $45 for that lot which I guess is fair value in these difficult economic times.

We were easily able to get a table at 8.30pm. I’d say that at that point it was about 60% full so obviously these guys have a loyal following in these parts. By the time we left after 9,30pm it was practically empty and pretty much devoid of atmosphere, not that it had much to start with.

Since we were only in Melbourne on holiday it’s unlikely we’ll return here but if I could offer a word of advice to these guys it would be to spruce up their restaurant. Give it a lick of paint, some new furniture or at least clean up the entrance (see pic).

Feb 07, 2012 

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  2     

Last night we went to Patee Thai after an interval of many years. We had always enjoyed the food here so we were really looking forward to our dinner. What a disappointment. The moment we entered the restaurant our waitress wanted to seat us next to the only other occupied table in the place and then disparagingly referred to us 'wanting privacy' when we suggested we sit further into the room and away from their only other guest.

I ordered the mixed entree, which I could have bought in any frozen food section, none of it was freshly made. My partner ordered Tom Yum Prawn (as it was described), which was tasteless and had hardly any chilli in it, two frozen prawns, a sliced mushroom and a wedge of unrippened tomato. He described as the worst Thai soup he had every had, fortunately, the tide was out so there was very little of it.

Then came out main courses, Red Thai Beef and Red Thai Seafood. Again completely tasteless, virtually no heat at all (we ordered medium heat) and padded out with cheap vegetables. Will never go back, this was over all the most disappointing Thai meal we have eaten and what's more vastly over priced. The quality of the service matched the food.

Jul 20, 2011 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  7     

Coming from Sydney, the thai food capital in terms of variety and value, I was pretty happy to discover that Patee thai offered authentic thai cuisine that tasted right. Pad Thai was great, generous servings, condiments in the right places. Cashew prawn was also good, not too sweet. Patee Thai is not expensive, but it's not value either. Worst thing is the service, nice people but takes 10 times slower than a regular thai place should be. But I'd go back, cos the food is good.

Feb 20, 2011 

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  5      Value  8     

New to Melbourne, I was in search of a good thai restaurant to replace our local favourite in Auckland. The food we had at Patee Thai was a mixed bag - my red curry was really average, certainly nothing special, but my partners prawn and seafood dish was really tasty.

The service was also average. The staff were very un-attentive. We waited at the door for longer than we should have before someone finally noticed us standing there. After we were seated and had long ago decided on our drinks and food choice, still no-one paying attention to us. I saw another group of people raise their hand to attract the waiter's attention so they could order, so eventually when someone walked close to our side of the restaurant I did the same. After this, our entree and mains came out in a timely manner. While we were eating, another couple were seated and ended up looking very un-amused at the fact that no-one had tended to them to take there order either.

This place is definitely not my new favourite local. Would I go back again? I'd certainly try other thai places first.

Feb 18, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

My husband and I went Thai food hunting one day and we stumbled upon Patee Thai at Fitzroy. We were with a common close friend that time and we decided to treat her out – Thai style. Or shall we say, the Patee Thai style. We ordered Beef with Oyster Sauce, Chicken with Mango Sauce and ate them with steamed rice. The restaurant never fails to uplift our longings. The food was superb not just in terms of presentation which is as good as what we see on the site, but more so with the mild sting taste, the flavourful sauces – very unforgettable.

Emily was impressed by the automatic Thai feel upon entering the place. She even ordered a takeaway and had us promised to reunite there again some day and at that time it would be her treat. It's really nice to be able to share a common friend with my husband and much more when that person shares a common taste in life.

Sep 16, 2010 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

I've been in their Prahran branch and now that I'm here in Fitzroy near my sister's place, we took a walk and treated ourselves at their branch. You're welcomed with the same great experience. The ambience is just as surprising, an instant mind transportation to a Thai feel. This time I tried their Lamb Massaman Curry that is oh so bursting with flavour. Those tender lamb cuts drenched in that curry paste with Indian spices. The Pad Thai Noodle is also a must try. They can never go wrong with your steamed rice. Patee Thai is such a real treat to the taste buds.

My sister is a light eater. I had to takeaway what's left as I can't afford to just leave it there. It'd be still delicious for sure when I heat them at home for satisfying my cravings later. By the way both branches are on www.pateethai.com.au where you can do online ordering.

Local food is great and I feel pride there but a little switch of taste every now and then can't hurt. It's like meeting and keeping a real friend, you have to go outside yourself and try the other's view and appreciate it.

Sep 09, 2010 

3 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  2     

Returned to Patee Thai after a 2 yrs break and was bitterly disappointed. I remembered it being pretty good.

We started with the mixed entree which was pretty unexciting. Followed with main of golden crumbed prawn w tamarind sauce (special), which was dry and tasteless. Also green chicken curry, which is hard to get wrong. This one was bland and watery, not much flavour. The roti was pale and greasy. Service was disinterested and unengaging. Meal was not cheap at $50 for two either. Plenty of better value locally for less cost.

Definitely not going back. It is a shame to see places resting on the laurels of their previous successes.

Jun 11, 2009 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  8     

This place is excellent. I have had the best massaman curry here, and a lovely green curry. Their prawn crackers and thai satay are to die for and the service is so friendly and helpful.

The only downsides is that booking isn't exactly easy. In my experience you have to ring and leave a message, and on a Saturday when you just need to know if you've got a spot or not, this can get annoying. My partner and I had to book elsewhere because we hadn't heard back from Patee Thai hours later, but luckily they called soon enough for us to cancel the other booking and go there.

Also, at Patee Thai you can sit on the floor and with the right crowd this is fantastic, but something to bear in mind depending on who you're going with. The ambience is lovely, with dim, warm lighting and cosy brick surrounds.

Sep 20, 2008 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  9     

Great food, huge helpings for the prices and it tasted fantastic! Little bit of a wait, but considering the place was beyond packed, it was understandable.

Only thing I could pick at would have to be the tables we're seated at. We were only two people but the table was tiny and the chairs weren't so comfy either, and there was hardly any room between tables so you're basically sitting together with a whole heap of other people too. Overall, a great place to go on a quiet night.

Jun 23, 2008