Ploussard

Ploussard is where you take people who think they don’t like small plates and Clapham. Like a beige, unbranded, cashmere sweater, Ploussard’s modern European dishes sound quite basic on paper, but don’t be fooled. This food is quietly confident, while still going big on sustenance and flavour. Plus, there are surprisingly few loafers on show. Eating here is the closest we’ve come to channelling Gwyneth Paltrow levels of chicness, and for that we love Ploussard.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

If money talks and wealth whispers, Ploussard is barely audible. It’s all wood panelling, concrete floors, and artfully tousled linen napkins. The staff aren’t the type to start telling you (unprompted) about the weekend DJ set they’re doing. They’re just friendly and helpful. It’s the perfect setting for suspicious glances to be exchanged over Cape Wrath oysters and a jealous lover to eat their burnt bay custard tart a little too seductively.

If you don’t want to feel like a cast member in a glamorous whodunit film, skip the booths and tables for two, and book the window counter seats instead. It’s much more laid-back and makes sense for a quicker, more casual meal. Plus, there’s nothing quite like criticising people’s cycling skills at the busy junction outside, while you slot crispy squid ink crackers loaded with smoked cod's roe into your mouth.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

The best plates of food are heavy on fat—a wet garlic and goats' curd dish that’s an elite aioli, and oily focaccia served with smooth burnt onion butter. Order many of the tender lamb and salty anchovy-topped crumpets, and wonder why you’ve been stopping at butter all these years. Bringing people—a date, your parents, your best frenemies—to this chic spot is a statement of intent that you have your life together.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Bread And Butter

Prepare to destroy the linen napkins. The bread course is an oily, airy focaccia-type situation which will leave its grubby marks on your jeans and heart. Ploussard doubles down on the decadence by serving it with a burnt onion butter that’s equal parts smoky and sweet.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Lamb & Anchovy Crumpet

These crumpets feel denser and more substantial than the inhale-and-it’s-gone supermarket types. The added structure helps to hold up all the toppings—rich, fall-apart lamb, salty anchovies and capers, and puffed wheat—while still tasting light. A standout dish.

photo credit: Sinéad Cranna

BBQ Cucumber, Almonds, Salt Lemon

Pretty and tasty—this dish proves that it’s possible to have it all. Charred strips of cucumber come sprinkled with flowers and little hits of citrusy lemon rind. And it’s served on a delicious, garlicky schmear.

photo credit: Sinéad Cranna

BBQ Hogget, Piattone Beans & Morels

This dish has left the realms of small plates and ventured into full-sized territory. The hogget is perfectly tender and the same colour as our cheeks after a run. The long, flat piattone beans are satisfying, almost pasta-like sheets that soak up the bright, herby sauce.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Chocolate Mousse, Salted Caramel Ice Cream, Hazelnut

There’s not much more to expand on here. This dessert is simply the best of all the things listed in its name. Imagine them all combined in one picture-perfect bowl, and now imagine eating it.