Kirk Haworth is a pioneering plant-based chef, co-founder of the Michelin-starred restaurant Plates London, and the first plant-based contestant to win the Great British Menu.
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Visited last month; A simply stunning experience from beginning to end. Kirk has created the most wonderful menu and the experimentation of tastes and textures is just delightful. I am still joyful just even thinking about the laminated sourdough bread. Textures and temperature are manipulated in ways you have never seen before to enhance powerful flavour combinations. My favourite dish was the flavours of banoffee which was finely balanced and evoked emotions of a classic childhood dessert. Another standout dish was the sweetcorn cappuccino which was a refreshing texture whilst mainataining a rich balance of flavours. All of the staff were so friendly and welcoming and it was a privilege to be at the chef's counter. The team came out to showcase the lion's mane to guests which was the star of the main course. I was given a couple of additional amuse-bouches throughout the tasting experience. Thank you so much for a truely unforgettable evening.
Loved the high table, really comfortable and meant we were in our own little bubble.
Service was terrific, everyone being so knowledgeable and passionate about the menu and ethos of the restaurant. It was my third visit and this was a new menu to me, so was a voyage of discovery.
My favourite dishes were Almond ricotta, herbaceous dashi (how clever was that!), jersey royal potatoes, sorbet, almond butter ice cream and flavours of banoffee pie. We also loved the taco filling.
For this unique experience it was complete value for money.
Without a doubt, if I can get a table reservation I will be back.
5
My second time at Plates and I’m keen to ensure it’s a key part of any future trips I make to London from Australia. The 12 course chef tables menu was wonderful and I savoured every bite. It is great that this team continually adjusts the menu to reflect the freshest ingredients so each dining experience you have has new surprises. What I also loved was the welcome I received from Kirk and the whole team. Everyone at Plates cares about the dining experience they create and they work to ensure everyone feels like a VIP. The combination of menu and service creates a truly special occasion that leaves this very happy diner with some great memories to take back to Australia and a desire to come back soon.
5
Amazing experience from start to finish. The restaurant has an incredible team of staff in the kitchen and the front of house. It was a pleasure to have some of the best food I have ever tasted and the botanical pairing complimented the meal perfectly. Knowing this was a joint celebration for the weekend between mine and my partner’s birthday, arriving to our table being set out with a birthday card at each of our seats was a lovely additional touch and demonstrates the thought which goes in to making the evening even more special. I would recommend booking this restaurant to anyone and would love to be a returning customer. Thank you.
5
18 months after receiving its Michelin star, I finally managed to visit after trying to book a few times. Long story short: we loved it and would definitely go back.
FOOD
We went for the 8 course lunch menu which was delicious and got us to discover so many things.
-who knew strawberries and tomatoes could work together
-curry butter? Genius
-sweet and sour crunchy abricots amazing
-lion’s mane, amazing, I’m going to start buying this
Overall we had no idea what to expect but every dish tasted amazing and we felt our sensory buds were definitely stimulated to the fullest. You arrived half way through the tasting and remind yourself it is plant based because it honest doesn’t feel it. You’ll enjoy whether you are vegan or not, I can guarantee that. They also find great ways to impress you, I won’t say more.
Overall I think it’s a bit pricey still, at £109 per person + service charge and drinks. But if you can afford by all means it was fantastic.
STAFF/SERVICE
Given the Michelin star, I expected amazing service and to be honest the guys bringing the dishes including the chefs were top notch, friendly, knowledgeable and happy to explain things. My only criticism was one of the host ladies who was clueless about a dish when I asked them a question.
The experience was relatively luxurious but without the presumption of being fine dining, it felt relaxed.
ATMOSPHERE/LOCATION
The restaurant is very small, maybe 10 tables which explains the tough reservations. There is only one toilet also. It felt a little cramped in there in my opinion: the worst is seeing the table next to you get the dishes before you and the surprise before you.
CONCLUSION: would definitely come back and recommend.
