Monday, August 27, 2007

M5 has the great patio

If you’re looking for a place to kick off your evening or chill with friends, M5’s patio is the hotness.
M5 is the newest venture by the Harper’s crew. It’s an upscale Mediterranean restaurant in SouthPark near Crate & Barrel.

I tried it Friday and loved the spacious patio, which has tables on the Sharon Road side and wicker sofas and love seats closer to the building. Overall, the restaurant’s design is stylish, with suede panels on the wall, but the bar is narrow. And on Friday, a bunch of older men looked for hot young thangs.

When it comes to the food, stick to brunch. The Spanish eggs and French toast were tasty and filling. When it comes to dinner, save your money. It’s one of those places that gives you a big bill and a little meal. Plus, my server completely screwed up the filleting of my whole Red Snapper. The gnocchi was delicious, as was the halibut.

There’s a portable bar and servers. DJ Steve Tuohui spun chill house music. The people hanging out Friday were a mix of diners, like ourselves, and others. They were black and white, straight and gay, and a range of ages. Some were couples, and others were small groups of friends.

The patio is the restaurant’s biggest success because it’s a space where you hang before a night out. It’s also comfortable enough to chill for the evening. The patio is open on weekdays until 10 p.m. and on weekends until 1 a.m. or later depending on the crowd. Tuohui spins Thursday-Saturday.

Have you been to M5? What do you think? What other restaurants’ have a cool patio? Post your replies below.