Hidden Michelin star restaurant where you can get a 3-course meal for just £35
The Inspectors of the world-renowned Michelin Guide announced their top picks from across the UK and Ireland for the month of December, featuring 25 new additions.
21 of the restaurants were found in England, and more specifically, six of them can be found right here in London. Amongst the city’s picks were Mediterranean and Middle Eastern delight Honey & Co, Bloomsbury; Mayfair’s Amethyst, which serves a 12-course surprise tasting menu; and Ochre, a new haunt housed inside the National Gallery. The list also included Planque, a modern British restaurant hidden under two railway arches in Dalston-Haggerston.
The Inspectors wrote of Planque: “This appealing, boldly styled restaurant is set under two railway arches and has a huge communal table at its centre. Modern British dishes are listed in size order and come with an unfussy style and fresh, vibrant flavours. The accompanying wine list offers a global mix, service flows smoothly and they also have a store selling wines, specialist food and kitchen equipment.”
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Planque offers guests to sit at the heart of its venue, schmoozing on the communal table, or the opportunity to sit at the kitchen end of the place to watch the chefs at work. It’s also home to a members’ lounge, wine cellar, and retail store. Dishes on their menu range from GBP4 to a maximum of GBP30 (for a dish of Steamed Pollack, kalettes and fennel), with many of them costing between a pretty reasonable GBP10 to GBP20 for a main.
Choices include Cured Sea Bass with beetroot and mandarin; Roast Jerusalem Artichokes with hazelnuts and baked Mont d’Or; and Crown Prince Squash served with black trompettes and whey. On their website, they also offer a Saturday lunch menu which includes three courses for GBP35. And considering Planque is a wine cellar, guests can expect their selection to be… well, massive.
Their scroll of vinos include champagne; red and white separated by region (their white wine choice is extensive); and a small handful of roses.
Yes, we did go through the list to find the priciest wine… For a cool GBP652, guests can sip of a bottle of 2003 Chateau Rayas ‘Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve’ from the Rhone region. Their wine list only denotes bottle prices, so be aware before you think a single glass will cost you an arm and a leg.
Planque are also in the habit of hosting events all about wine. Previous occasions have included tastings, such as ‘Women in Wine’, where guests could experience wines from a whole host of French female winemakers. The restaurant currently has a 4.5 out of five star rating on Google Reviews, as previous customers praised the food, wine and service.
One customer commented: “Excellent small plates of food served in a chic understated open kitchen layout. The service was impeccably calm and unobtrusive. The food of a very high standard.
It would have been great to have a more informed guide to the quite substantial wine list.
“I personally like a sommelier, as I don’t like wading through wine lists when you are meeting socially with friends, especially when you would prefer not to over spend on wine! Restaurants really need to curate affordable good options, especially in these challenging times. Having said that, the Negroni was excellent.
I will be back, even though it means coming across town.” Another said: “Seated us last minute for some wines and light snacks. Lovely atmosphere, great service, and fantastic selection of wine with food on par with a fine dining restaurant.”
How to get there
Address: 322-324 Acton Mews, London E8 4DY
The closest station to the restaurant is Haggerston Overground. Is there a story you think we should be covering? If so, please email [email protected] or at [email protected]
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