Six Plates Again, In a Good Way

Right about... now, Six Plates should be officially open for business.  They were open earlier for a friends and family event, and opened officially today.  Matthew has a menu up too; the menu is going to rotate a lot. 

The executive summary:  Opens at 4 pm, with food until midnight.  Open 'til midnight right now, or perhaps later, depending on business.  Closed on Tuesday. 

The space is really neat: very lounge-y, in a good way.  It's very much the kind of place you'd feel comfortable going to, sitting down, and having a glass of wine by yourself.  It also looks like it'll be a fun place to bring a few friends for a light snack or meal.  Very lush-looking inside, with lots of comfortable chairs and couches, and some small bar tables for sitting down with friends and eating with a knife and fork.  You order food and drinks at the bar.  The by-the-bottle wine list is huge.  The by-the-glass list is on the menu as recommended pairings, but you can of course order whichever by-the-glass wine is available, or of course order a bottle.  You can also buy a bottle to take home.

There's a large-ish walk-in wine room that reminds me of a miniature version of Aureole LV's wine tower.  There's also a space in the back that can be used as sort of a private dining area.  There are TVs in both areas; both were off when I was there.  I believe that seating is such that you can probably find a spot somewhere to talk w/o video distraction, so long as the place is not full.   

If you don't like wine, you're still ok: there are maybe 25 beers to choose from.  They run the gamut from Highland Gaelic Ale, to Delirium Tremens, to a fake beer if you need it.

The food:  As mentioned, the name of the restaurant reflects the food -- six plates.  Most of what was on the menu last night was designed to be eaten with knife and fork, but some things are and will be hand food.  There's a cheese platter for those who don't want the small plate offerings.  The place was quiet when I was there, as they were in-between the family event and the official opening.  I was in a hurry, and wasn't thinking I'd be able to get in.  But I did go in.  I was in a hurry and was worried I couldn't get any food quickly; I got food quickly.  I was worried about the small menu; it was great: a veggie offering, some seafood, and some heartier things.  I ordered a "chicken pot pie."  It came with an amazing garnish, what seemed to be a deep-fried chanterelle mushroom: hot and yummy.  The pie was in the modern pot pie style: instead of a two-crust pastry pie, the filling was in a large ramekin topped with a puffy, biscuity, airy bready thing: I don't know what to call it, so I'll just call it everything.  :)  Actually it wasn't bready at all.  The filling was thinner in consistency than I was expecting, but I think that also reflects the modern way of doing without an actual crust, and therefore not needing to thicken the filling.  But thin doesn't mean insubstantial: the filling was chock-full of chicken, corn, mushrooms and other stuff.  It all tasted really fresh. 

I suggest going by after work today and trying it.  Be prepared to relax.  As I said, I didn't have much time, and wasn't even expecting to be able to eat or stay, but I certainly relaxed a little while I was there; with my brief look, it appears Matthew has done a great job.

So:  Erwin Terrace, at Erwin and Lasalle.  It's on the side facing away from Erwin Road, on the ground floor.  From the back parking lot, it's the right-hand corner of the left-hand building.  321-0203.  Knock yourselves out.  Let us know how it goes.   

Comments

[Kira]

Ok, I want to go. I'll be up for a full week at Christmas, so let's go then! :)

[Anton Zuiker]

Joe, I was there Friday evening with my mother. Sorry I missed you. I had the scallops and loved them. The risotto and arugula was delicious!

[Joe]

Kira: Would love to go there with you. We should take a cab. :)

Anton: Sorry to miss you. I was actually there Friday night too, and had way too much wine. :) I had a scallop too and loved it. Didn't taste a risotto: was that the one labeled farrotto? If so it was made with farro.