Plot restaurant is an indication of the rapid regeneration of Tooting. Located within the grubby Tooting Market, this new little eatery is rather more upmarket than it’s surroundings, and the young trendy locals living in the area seem very pleased about its arrival.
The open plan kitchen and counter gives an inclusive and friendly feel, not dissimilar to many of the boutique restaurants popping up all over Brixton. It is the first restaurant from cousins Mark Kimber and Harry Smith who seem relaxed and happy behind the bar and stove.
The menu offers ‘small plates of modern British food’, a description I’m seeing more and more across London which I think translates to… creative seasonal cooking with local ingredients. We started with crusty fresh bread and homemade marmite butter, which was so good I could happily have eaten it without the bread.
The short menu is ideal for a group of four, order everything once and fight over the last few mouthfuls. Between two of us we managed four plates and a couple of desserts.
The menu changes regularly depending on what the team get fresh from local traders. My favourite was the Harissa goat ragu with Roast aubergine and cucumber yoghurt, a wonderfully flavoursome reduced meaty sauce coated a thick slice of aubergine with a refreshing yoghurt accompaniment. It illustrated just how delicious goat can be and made me promise myself to cook with this unique meat at home more.
I also really enjoyed the Wye Valley asparagus with homemade Romanesco and lemon oil, a lovely British dish with vibrant flavours. I found the Grilled Tunworth with truffle honey and pickled mushrooms confused as a combination of flavours, overpoweringly sweet and strong. Shetland scallops were cooked to perfection and paired with celeriac and apple. On the whole I found the food tasty and exciting but I think the presentation could be improved as some of the plating looked a little lazy.
A Gooseberry Bakewell tart with clotted cream was a tasty if simple dessert. Dark Chocolate Mousse with milk ice-cream, strawberry and mint coulis was more decadent but too rich to finish.
There is a great drinks list of carefully selected wines and craft beers, so be sure to let the guys choose you something to go nicely with your meal.
More information and book a table at Plot here.