There is so much to say about this place, I don’t know where to start.
I’ll begin with the brother-sister power duo who founded Plates, the plant-based food studio in Hoxton.
Coming from Michelin starred roots (their dad is renowned chef Nigel Haworth) and their own respected positions in the industry, Keeley and Kirk Haworth are the perfect pair to open a London restaurant.
The food, drink and setting are all ‘influenced by art and inspired by nature’. Sister Keeley is the Creative Director at the restaurant. She works closely with brands and artists to ensure the space is full of inspiring pieces reflecting their natural ethos.
Exec chef Kirk Haworth has worked in many prestigious establishments including London’s The Square and Pied a Terre. Using only plant based ingredients, he carefully crafts each dish exploring its elements in varying forms.
He’s adopted high quality techniques, some traditionally used when cooking meat, and migrated them in to his plant based cooking at Plates. All dishes are cooked without meat, fish, gluten, dairy or refined sugar. Instead, Kirk focuses on organic vegetables, fruits and wild herbs in the creation.
As a sufferer of Lyme disease, Kirk’s transition to vegan eating has been instrumental in improving his symptoms, giving him the drive to create delicious plant based dishes. His interest and care for this clearly translates in Plates offering.
The current ‘Natural Food Journey’ consists of 5 courses. Each course is designed to document an ingredients change from initial growth, through various treatments and cooking techniques, to a final work of art served on a plate.
Worth a special mention is the outstanding gluten free liquorice bread, brushed with zingy carrot oil and served alongside a star anise infused carrot whip.
With each course, comes a wine pairing. All wines are natural and from the same supplier to ensure a vegan paper trail. A North East Italian rose is served with tomato consomme and a light Swiss white is paired with the pot roast hispi cabbage and crispy confit potato.
Each title on the menu has a nutritional account accompanying it. Young leeks we learn, are packed with vitamins A and K and are high in the compound allicin which is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal. And tomatoes, they’re a powerful antioxidant and rich in lycopene which supports bone and heart health. Just another example of the careful thought and consideration gone in to the founding of Plates.
The 5 courses are bookended with a pineapple slammer; a fruity, coconut cocktail to refresh the palette, and a rum vermouth accompanies the textures of cacao, cherry & almond dessert.
Plates is open to the general public on Saturdays only. The team host a number of private events throughout the year. They are currently focused on the Plates x Aesop seasonal collaboration in September.
To find out more, visit their website.
93 Kingsland Rd
London
E2 8AG
