Plates — Restaurant in Dacorum

Plates is brought to us by the coffee shop crew of Fred & Ginger, stalwarts on the high streets of Berkhamsted and Kings Langley. It looks inviting, the menu is appealing and the decor has a modern, clean, minimalist aesthetic. We have been several times but I’m not sure Plates is for me. The bones of the business are earnest - tapas style menu, seasonal produce, natural wines - but there is something that doesn’t work here.

Cocktails are great. Natural wine selection is robust and staff are knowledgeable about it. The small plates served tapas style offer many options that are changed frequently and always sound good on paper but unfortunately, were just a bit underwhelming on arrival. Some dishes hit, more missed unfortunately - on both dinner occasions. The real let down are the large plates, they just don’t slap. There are usually three to choose from; meat, veg and fish but were just a bit … meh. Better off going full tapas style small plates and snacks. The first time we visited was definitely a better experience. Most small plates were well received. The second visit, we felt a little disappointed. Out of the six small plates we ordered, half were good. Not wow. But good. It does feel a bit style over substance but I don’t think it means to be. The intentions of this restaurant are good and it’s so promising on the surface. The food needs to level up a bit more in terms of flavour profiles, seasoning and sometimes presentation to reach the standard of the surroundings and drinks… it’s such a shame and I don’t like leaving a negative review, I hope this can be viewed as constructive. Staff are great. Brunch was good although my companion wasn’t that enamoured with their dish unfortunately. I would return for another mid morning session - the reviews reflect breakfast and brunch are done well here - and perhaps dinner again one day hoping it to be third time lucky. I love the aspiration of this restaurant and what it’s trying to be but regrettably, it is just lacking the most crucial element come...

Sorry to say that I was really underwhelmed. We’ve had this place on the list a long time. Really impressed by the menu and it looks like they have some fantastic Mediterranean nights Middle Eastern Tapas etc. We visited on a Saturday afternoon the place was really packed which was encouraging and I was spoilt for choice from the menu in the end. I punished for the Shakshuka, which for anybody that doesn’t know is a Moroccan style breakfast dish, that involves poaching eggs in a spicy tomato sauce sometimes serve with some feta or pomegranate seeds with some sourdough and sometimes some spicy sausage. The description sounded fairly good. When it arrived, I was really disappointed to see an average tomato sauce with some fried eggs on top and some thinly sliced chorizo charcuterie laid on the top. Fried eggs on a tomato sauce, really isn’t good enough to call a Shakashuja, the waitress was polite and dealt with it, she explained that the chef is new - so I ordered some poached eggs on toast instead as I thought that was safer (And that was totally fine) the coffee was decent and my partners tahini mushrooms seemed okay as well no complaints there. However, she did order a bloody Mary, which has to be the worst bloody Mary effort ever, like literally I don’t think they’ve ever made one before and once again the waitress admitted that they don’t do cocktails very well. At least she was honest and they refunded that off the bill and we handed that back. It was literally like a basic tomato juice with a vodka in it I think, no spice no pickle no nothing apart from an ice cube. All in all probably wouldn’t go out of my way to try again although I know we just probably had bad luck in ordering things that they hadn’t quite finessed. But honestly, take it off the menu if you can’t do...

Personally I’d give Plates 4.8 stars if I could, purely for conservatives sake.

From the outside-in; huge fan of the exterior aesthetic - clean cut, subtle yet notable branding; inside a welcome surprise - Mediterranean lounge dining with a sprinkle of Berkhamsted familiarity; the bar area is a particularly clever dynamic, not to mention the plethora of seating options - bar stools, high tables, low chairs, round tables… it’s impressive for such a small spot indeed!

The menu; dynamic yet universal in my opinion, and regular changes are a welcome treat. Having visited for both brunch and a small plates dinner on multiple occasions I can safely say all the options are well curated and delivered - with vegan and gluten-free options here and there, and skilled chefs who accept small customisation requests gladly! It doesn’t end there; bar is a diamond in a sea of jewels - sublime natural wine, bouncy beers, thorough ciders, and sophisticated cocktails to match - one could not possibly ask for more in the ways of Saturday night pleasantries!

I would recommend visiting for a brunch before trying your first dinner here as not everyone would be accustomed to euro-bistro in a tapas format… but NEVER FEAR, the servers are extremely informative and helpful, not to mention accommodating - particular compliments to the sommelier with the long hair and warm smile; a rarity!

WARNING: DO NOT MISS A FRIDAY NIGHT HERE! The atmosphere is always electric, the music smooth and the drinks flowing; a certified pleaser for friends, date or family crowds!

I can’t offer much in the way of improvement for this place, thoroughly impressed and will definitely, indubitably, sincerely be visiting again and again and again!...