Urban Plates — Restaurant in Torrance

I noticed this place after going on a gym date at 24hr Fitness, and since things were going really well I decided to grab some lunch with my date at this establishment. After perusing the menu outside, I figured a place serving such delicious looking food would be top-notch. Even the ambiance was more inviting and upscale than other establishments of its kind.

Unfortunately, everything is only upscale and quality in appearance, and the delivery of service and food was no better than a cafeteria at a hospital. The cashier was so lacking in energy, and seemed so downtrodden that I was concerned for her wellbeing. The other staff seemed like they didn't even want to be there.

I thought to myself that surely the food would make up for the poor service. However, the only dish I received that was of higher quality was the most simple dish -- a spicy chicken sandwich.

Even the spicy chicken sandwich was a bit of a disappointment because they threw an entire bottle of ketchup on the plate. I don't mean poured an entire bottle, no, they just served me the dish with the ketchup bottle on top of the food. No one wants a bottle of condiments on top of their food, especially not after people have been handling the bottle to get it to me and who knows however many times before that.

My date's soup was served cold, yet the bowl was piping hot leaving a tepid goop to be slurped down. The steak, potatoes, and veggies I was served were all lukewarm at best, had no seasoning, and the steak had been cross contaminated with some sort of seafood. Biting into a cold steak tasting of fish almost had me gagging.

Like I said, though, the sandwich was the simplest dish but it was bomb.

I can't ever see myself returning here, so go at your own risk. At least the presentation doesn't disappoint, so food...

This used to be my go to place especially because many of the ingredients are organic. One of my favorite dishes that I buy is the beef braise. It's affordable and up until now was a decent portion size. Tonight when I opened the bag to check my order they had a little tiny plastic rectangular container with two compartments where they had put a hot soup and the mashed potatoes in the other section. It used to come in a very large paper bowl that was microwavable safe with a nice portion of mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes might be approximately the same amount as they used to be, but the beef braise is now 1/3 the size. I asked them to repack it as I do not like hot liquids in plastic it needs to be in a cup with a lid where it cannot leak. The cup they packed it into is a quarter of the size of the Bowl they used to pack it in. For $15 and some odd change I expect a decent portion, not something that is mostly gravy with no meat very few mushrooms and a third of what it should be size-wise. I ordered a different meal a few nights ago and the steak I asked for as well done was so poorly made that it didn't even resemble steak. I don't know what's going on with the people that are preparing the meals but clearly they need better supervision. Also as they raise prices stop shrinking the entrees. I also found it laughable that a simple turkey plate for Thanksgiving they have the nerve to charge $24 for. Same size as their regular entrees, Turkey does not cost more than beef or salmon. It doesn't even include a piece of pumpkin pie. Better option is the hot food bar at several...

Urban Plates is a hidden treasure. It has an unassuming exterior. When we arrived, we thought the place may have been closed because we saw no movement from outside. Once inside we did not receive a welcome. An employee, giving manager vibes, told us to order at the counter and pointed in its direction. The menu had several selections that you order cafeteria stl. I ordered Grilled Sustainable Salmon plate. My sides were organic red and white quinoa with tomato pesto and mashed organic potatoes. I ordered my salmon to be cooked medium well as close to rare as possible. My wife ordered the Moroccan Chicken Braise.

The interior was comfortable; the ambience is sport bar like with several seating areas within the restaurant that gave you the feeling of a great place for a date night. We chose to sit outside at a counter with a line of fire warming us.

Our food was plated and was simply scrumptious. We savored every morsle. The food was so good I secretly wanted to lick my plate. My salmon was cooked to perfection. I had to tell the cook how well he cooked the salmon and meal. The I did not need to add any seasoning. The quinoa was like tasted like I imagined to be the food of the gods. My wife said her meal was excellently seasoned. She said it tasted fresh, light and healthy. We give the meals a 10 out of 10. We loved the cookies to chocolate chip and oatmeal. There is plenty parking. I enthusiastically recommend The Urban...