Plate Restaurant & Bar (Restaurant)

Top 10 things you need to know about Plate:

1) They do things a little differently at Plate restaurant in Shoreditch. You won’t find an edgy hangout filled with all the cool east London kids. You will find a stylish affair, located within the snazzy surroundings of the M by Montcalm Hotel, mere minutes from the tech giants of Silicon Roundabout. This one’s for the fancy lot among us.

2) Saunter through the hotel entrance, spring up the stairs, to be greeted by friendly staff waiting at the top. Look around; you’ll notice Plate is divided into three sophisticated dining areas with comfy banquettes, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Old Street, marble flooring, and an open kitchen where smart chefs do clever things, making your food taste delicious.

3) Oh yeah, about the food. Unlike the surroundings, there’s nothing flashy about the menu; just ingredients of the highest quality brought together to create fresh, flavour-packed plates. It’s simplicity at its finest.

4) Start the evening with Plate’s signature bread flight: fresh sourdough; brioche; and Marmite(!) buns, with a selection of whipped and seasonal butters blended with onion and balsamic. It’s butter like you’ve never tried before - light but indulgent. The Marmite bread is subtle and tastes rather nice (and I usually hate Marmite!)

5) It might seem a little unusual to include smashed avocado on toasted sourdough for starters (not just brunch), but it really works, no matter the time of day. There’s generous portions of creamy avo and carefully poached eggs. Hankering for something meaty? The LDF 8oz sirloin steak is beautifully done, however you like it (medium rare please, people!)

6) At Plate, you’re in good hands. The owner and creative head chef, Arnaud Stevens, has previously worked alongside Gordon Ramsay and Tom Aikens, so expect fine fare.

7) Also, patience is a virtue and Hassan, our wonderful waiter, has it in abundance. We’re sorry it took us so long to order, Hassan. We appreciate the warm smile, the recommendations and the three bottles you opened for us to sample before picking our favourite wine. What a man!

8) You'll want to make room for dessert, no matter what. The chocolate caramel fondant is rich and indulgent, but the sticky toffee pudding wins it for me; swimming in a warm pool of sweet, delicious sticky syrup, it’s topped with Madagascan ice cream.

9) Got an important client in town? Then congratulate yourself for choosing Plate because the deal is as good as done. Contemporary venue? Check. Relaxed vibes? Definitely. Food showcasing the finest of British seasonal cuisine? On point. The perfect place to launch the charm offense.

10) According to the Plate website, it’s all about good company and, “The importance of simply taking time to share a meal with family and friends”. Thanks to the snazzy decor, the delicious dishes and the VIP treatment, I reckon they’ve got it right....read more