Plank Restobar — Restaurant in Oakville

I really love Plank Restobar, it's actually my go-to first date spot! It has a trendy but relaxed atmosphere, great food options, and impeccable service.

We managed to get street parking right by the restaurant, and they double checked that we were parked on the street when we came in. I'm not sure if they've had people ticketed/towed from lots nearby or if they maybe have an agreement for their customers at a lot, but either way I think it's great that they make sure you found parking and won't have any issues.

We were walk-ins with no reservations, and while we got seated almost immediately, they had mentioned that they would need the table back in two hours as they had a reservation for it. I have to say, it's the first time that I didn't feel rushed to get out when they had someone coming in after me. The timing, and flow, of drinks and food was absolutely perfect, so the pace of the evening was really comfortable and relaxed. They do a great job of making you feel welcomed and valued as a customer, not like they just need to turn over tables as quickly as possible like some places I've been to.

We opted for a few apps and ordered the Korean Bao, the crispy fried chicken skins, and the short rib yorkies. The Bao is SO good, we wished we had ordered two plates of them. The chicken skins were also very tasty, though quite salty so better for a group where you only have a couple of pieces rather than two people trying finish it all (though I definitely did as leftovers the next day!) and the yorkies were unfortunately not to my or my date's taste as the chef had added quite a lot of the horseradish sauce, and it's all either of us could taste in it.

Service was AMAZING. Our server was very bubbly and friendly, and also very helpful with aiding in a drink choice. She recommended the sangria and it was SO GOOD. I would go back just for another glass, and I'm not a big drinker. My date really liked their happy hour options, which had a beer he liked on it, as well as some of the apps we ordered, so that was a nice surprise price-wise.

Our table was checked on the perfect amount, not overbearing and not left to our own devices either. It was also really cute that as the sun went down they adjusted the lighting and brought candles to each table for ambiance. I loved that!

We had mentioned to our server, when asked how things were, that neither of us cared for the yorkies. We made it super clear that it was just feedback, a "hey chef, guests are saying too much horseradish sauce tonight", definitely not making a fuss or complaining. We ate 1 each, so 2/3.

The manager still decided to stop by our table. He was very personable and very obviously enjoys his job and takes it seriously. We had a nice chat about our experience, what was great, what had room for improvement (literally only the yorkies, and we still weren't making a complaint). He agreed, looking at the yorkies, that they were a little heavy handed on the sauce that night. It happens! We definitely gushed about everything else, we were having a great time. And yet, he still insisted on getting us a free dessert (the really great creme brulee) and comping the yorkies off of our bill. It was unexpected but super thorough customer service.

We had the best time, and as we were leaving got smiles and well wishes from every server and manager we passed. I have to say, having worked in restaurants, they seem like a really cohesive, happy team there and it's really nice to see and definitely makes their customer service top notch!

I will 100% be back soon, and definitely recommend them for...

I'll start off with the positive.

I travel a fair amount so I do what I can to give other hard working over taxed individuals a reap world experience and review of establishments so they can judge for themselves if they should contribute their own remain over taxed wages to 'said' establishments.

First off our server was 'Olivia' and she did an excellent job on serving our table of 4. She was genuinely friendly, she smiled and accommodated us during our dining out experience.

We sat out on the street side patio but did check the inside of the restaurant and I liked the wooden rustic feel of the restaurant. Over all the general attention of the wait staff was positive and consistent even though they were generally a younger demograph serving us. I'm 52 and service is key to me and my fellow dinner mates.

My friends had their little one with them and we felt very welcomed here.

Now the food review.....

I checked the online menu first for our menu options so according to the Korean Bow dish of chicken, spices and cabbage i decided to try the Bao dish 1st. It arrived in a sample of 3 individual pieces. What was lacking was what is shown on their website photo samples was the cabbage and sauce. We received a crunchy 'dried' piece of chicken in the dough based holder without any cabbage nor seasoning. Thus very lacking in the food experience.

My shrimp order was labeled as large spice shrimp dishes as one of their main dish offerings but was more deep fried breaded covering than shrimp and the 'salad' beneath it was your typical 'salad in a bag' used more for optics and consumption.

My friend ordered the steak and fries which looks plentiful and delicious however when mine arrived the steak was 'minimal' and an excessive amount of salt on the fries. I'm all about flavour but a bit too much on the salt for this.

To sum things up the experience was decent enough and location is great. The trick is to have consistency when it comes to the dishes offered. I can appreciate it being busy but we are in a crucial time after the scamdemic we just went through and it's important to follow through on the delivery of menu items offered.

Side not I've attached my bill which was $156.22 and I tipped 20% to the server bringing the total bill to $187.46. As I said in the beginning I'm like everyone else that works hard for their over taxed dollars and the bill pictures shows the balance and date spent supporting Plank Restobar.

Would be willing to do another review to see if they take their real world reviews seriously.

Take the real world review for what it...

Context Last minute decision to take the parents out for dinner and a stroll.  Decided to visit Bronte Harbor in Oaville on a Friday evening.

Venue: Located very close to the water but no actual view of the harbour as with the window seats of other restys (i.e. Yolanda) further south on Bronte.  Their patio is small, quaint and a lot less noisy than inside (parents couldn't hear themselves speak). The interior is very, woody - like the Black Pearl and looked to be in good shape.

Food: Server explained their offering well (e.g. which dishes were good for sharing in multiples of 2) - (Rec: reviewing the menu ahead of time since they've updated it).  Found most of our selections to be above average in taste & presentation - most impressive being the trout/toast and the sliders with least being the wings.  The steak-frites entree was good but not something we'd crave to order again.  All dishes were definetly gourmet tapas.

Service: The hosting was annoying with reservations.  Called hours before the 5:30 res cutoff and was continously put on hold as they seemed to be confused with their own process.  Eventually, we were told to just show up.  We had passed by at 7:30 pm and told it was a 40 min wait to seat (4). It took about 20 (Rec: giving them  your mobile # to get the table notificaton text instead of carrying their pager).  Our server knew their product/offering well and although very busy she was quite as courteous and engaging.

Overall: Will definitely return to try other menu items and have the few we found 'crave worthy'.  It is on the pricey side but it aligns with their product and venue.  Found the experience to be on par with d/t T.O. tapas bars -  so no need to head back d/t if residing in Halton. Its definitely worth a visit for the experience for gourmet tapas in a small town with character beside...