A huge chunk of Bristol’s new restaurant openings centre the menu around small plates. COR, Lucky Strike, A.B.O.E and Picole are just a few new arrivals who focus on grazing and sharing during their services.
Diners, from my experience, have a love/hate relationship with sharing plates. It always reminds me of that scene in Friends when Joey yells that he “doesn’t share food” when his date leans over the take a chip. It’s not for everyone.
I’d say I sit firmly in the ‘for’ camp, especially when it comes to mezze in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Not only for trying lots of different dishes but it reinforces that communal feeling around the dinner table. My only qualm is that it becomes easier to rack up a bill you weren't expecting, deceived by the marginally lower prices.
