Urban Plates — Restaurant in Irvine

Date Visited: December 9, 2023 Meal: Dinner Weather: Sunny Dining Company: Me and my girlfriend Occasion: Regular dinner, no special celebration Ambiance: Casual Dining with inviting patio seating

Returning to Urban Plates in Tustin, a spot I've frequented occasionally over the years, this dinner experience was notably mixed. Here's a detailed snapshot:

Atmosphere: The restaurant exudes a warm and inviting vibe, enhanced by its comfortable patio seating. The overall casual atmosphere is perfect for a laid-back meal. Cuisine and Drinks: For dinner, I enjoyed Salmon with brussel sprouts and fingerling potatoes, and my girlfriend had steak with broccolini and brussel sprouts, accompanied by a refreshing fruit drink. We both had water to drink.

Service: The evening was marked by service challenges. With the restaurant being under-staffed, there was a noticeable lag in service. A significant delay in our meals being served at different times (30 minutes apart) was a bit of a letdown. The manager did comp us a dessert for the inconvenience.

Cleanliness and Comfort: The restaurant maintained a decent level of cleanliness, with both the dining area and bathrooms being acceptably clean. The seating comfort was adequate for a casual dining place.

Noise Level: Moderate, conducive to conversation without being disruptive.

Menu Variety and Special Diets: Impressive and diverse menu options are available, catering well to various diets like vegetarian, keto, vegan, and gluten-free.

Dessert Options: Contrary to initial thoughts, the dessert menu at Urban Plates is quite extensive, offering a delightful range of choices for those with a sweet tooth.

Value for Money: Reasonable pricing for the quality and portion sizes of the meals.

Parking: Convenient, making access to the restaurant hassle-free.

Special Features: The restaurant is pet-friendly and kid-friendly, with a pleasant outdoor seating option.

Final Thoughts: While the food quality and menu diversity are commendable, the service aspect left room for improvement. Will I return? Maybe. The extensive dessert menu and the quality of the main courses are appealing, but better synchronization in service would enhance the dining experience. For those looking for a casual meal with a variety of options, Urban Plates remains a solid choice, provided you're...

Outstanding Organic Dining Experience!

Urban Plates has truly exceeded my expectations with their exceptional menu options, attentive service, and a welcoming atmosphere. I had the pleasure of visiting this remarkable restaurant recently, and I couldn't be happier with my experience.

From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm smiles and a genuine willingness to make my visit memorable. Haydee, Belen, and the manager Leo deserve special mention for their outstanding service. They were incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, patiently answered all my questions, and ensured that my dining experience was nothing short of perfection.

The menu at Urban Plates offers a fantastic variety of organic salads and hot plates, allowing health-conscious individuals like myself to indulge guilt-free. Each dish is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, and the flavors are simply outstanding. The salads are bursting with vibrant colors, and the hot plates are cooked to perfection, leaving me wanting more with each bite.

Haydee, Belen, and Leo went above and beyond to make sure I was satisfied with my meal. They checked in regularly, ensuring everything was to my liking and offering helpful recommendations. Their attentiveness and genuine care for their customers truly set Urban Plates apart from other restaurants.

Additionally, the restaurant's ambiance is inviting and comfortable, making it the perfect spot for a casual lunch or dinner. The modern decor, combined with the friendly staff, creates an atmosphere that is both relaxing and enjoyable.

Overall, I highly recommend Urban Plates for its outstanding organic salads and hot plates, as well as the exceptional service provided by Haydee, Belen, and manager Leo. They truly made my dining experience memorable, and I can't wait to visit again soon. Five stars...

In case you don’t look at your check, they automatically add a 3% SURCHARGE TO ALL ORDERS to cover employee health insurance and wages so the price you see isn’t accurate. This is shady and deceptive and something customers should be given the option to opt of (especially after many of their prices increased while they also lowered the plate pass perks). With the business they get they can afford to pay their employees more and cover their healthcare costs.

We wont be coming here anymore since they’ve taken most of my favorites off the menu (quinoa loaf, vegetable curry, cauliflower fried rice, brocollini and roasted pepper with farro.. that is FIVE items in a short period of time). Do you notice these are all vegetarian friendly items? What’s left and what’s been added as vegetarian entrees is disappointing and basic (literally two meh salads, two basic bowls, a sandwich, vegan bisque and they just recommend building a plate of vegetables and maybe some of their bland grains LOL) so I guess they don’t care much about those of us who lean plant based.

This is all while they dramatically changed their plate pass offer so it’s too expensive now for what it is. I’m better off ordering food from a nicer restaurant for these prices and just average offerings. We also tried the osso buco and it was so gross.. it tasted like plain, boiled, fatty and salty meat not like a delicious stew.

If they take items out they should also add some in especially vegetarian entrees because it’s so easy to recreate a plate with just vegetables at home. It’s thoughtless to just discontinue these items with barely any alternatives and ignore a significant market.

I don’t think I’m the only one who has noticed either since they’re less busy than...