Plates

A Plant-Based Culinary Masterpiece Awaits You

In the echoing footsteps of culinary brilliance, my recent visit to Kirk Haworth's Plates was nothing short of a revelation. Nestled in a charming yet unassuming pocket of East London, this haven of plant-based innovation manages to seamlessly blend artistry with hospitality, presenting an atmosphere that's both inviting and sublime. The eight-course tasting menu unfolds not simply as a meal but as a meticulously crafted narrative—each course building upon the last in flavors that waltz effortlessly across the tongue. As a skeptic-turned-devotee of vegan dining, the sheer virtuosity on display left me giddy with admiration. Use of techniques normally reserved for meat-centric cuisine, like sourdough laminated to croissant-like perfection and deeply umami-rich mushroom dishes, reframed any preconceived limitations of plant-based cooking.

The service, indeed, is what elevates an accomplished kitchen to a realm of true elegance. Here, it shines with precision and subtle know-how. Special commendations to Maisie—whose genuine knowledge married with palpable pride gleams in a manner akin to gustatory symbiosis with Haworth’s creations. From the effervescent beginning to the show-stopping conclusion—a chocolate gateau as masterful as its accolades suggest—the seamless choreography between chef and staff went beyond mere efficiency, resulting in an experience where even a minor lapse, like slightly crowded seating, fails to overshadow gratitude earned by sheer culinary prowess. It’s a dance of flavors and attentive artistry compelling enough to linger in one’s memory long past dessert—a dinner elevated to epic, atmospheric dining theatre. Bon appétit, indeed! — Nigel Gourmet