ADVERTISEMENT

Dear bars and restaurants, we do genuinely appreciate how hard you try to impress us. After the pandemic hit, it has been a continuous struggle to save your business and attract both workers and clients. So it's only normal to put that extra bit of effort into everything, from the thoughtful playlist to premium Marseille soap in the bathroom.

Some restaurant owners and chefs take the dining experience up to the next level and come up with very ingenious ways to serve their food. Think of starters served straight on the table, croquettes served in an iron mask and no, I am not kidding.

Thanks to the internet's beloved We Want Plates project founded by Ross McGinnes back in 2015, we now have a crazy collection of absurd food servings to scroll through. “It’s the global crusade against serving food on bits of wood and roof slates, chips in mugs and drinks in jam jars,” says its description and hey, thanks for the public service, you guys.

Psst! More hilarious food servings from We Want Plates can be found in our previous posts here, here and here.

More info: wewantplates.com | Reddit | Facebook | Instagram |Twitter

#2

The Juices Dripped Onto My Legs Through That Nice Crack In The Board

The Juices Dripped Onto My Legs Through That Nice Crack In The Board

Platinumtide Report

#3

This Rose Flavored Chocolate Dessert That You Have To Lick Off Your Hands! (Miami)

This Rose Flavored Chocolate Dessert That You Have To Lick Off Your Hands! (Miami)

TheFlavorFox Report

Previously Bored Panda spoke with Ross McGinnes, the founder of the ‘We Want Plates’ community. Ross started the campaign in 2015 after a friend posted a picture of an average-sized steak on Facebook, which had been served to him on a large chopping board.

“It was captioned, unironically, 'That is a big meal!' It wasn't a big meal—he'd fallen for all this style-over-content hipster gastropub nonsense,” he recounted. Then, Ross searched Twitter for an account which would allow him to vent his spleen with like-minded people, but he found nothing. That’s how We Want Plates was created. Today, the project has 900,000 followers across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Reddit.

#4

Reject Modernity, Embrace Tradition

Reject Modernity, Embrace Tradition

theirskills Report

#6

You Could Order Barbie Meat At A Chinese Hot Pot Restaurant My Sis-In-Law Went To Last Night

You Could Order Barbie Meat At A Chinese Hot Pot Restaurant My Sis-In-Law Went To Last Night

luketherock Report

ADVERTISEMENT

McGinnes also noted that some restaurants put food on strange things because they want to try to impress their customers. Sometimes, that turns against them. “My local pub used to do a great Sunday roast: twelve quid, piled high, tasted great and yes, it came on a plate. One weekend they added a quirky offering to the menu: little sandwiches, pies, dainty cakes and mini milkshakes served on a miniature picnic bench. The benches, painted bright pink and yellow, sat on top of tables seating actual grown adults. And what was the first thing these infantilized diners did? It wasn't to try the food—it was to whip out their phones and take a picture.”

#7

So I Went To Alinea This Weekend

So I Went To Alinea This Weekend

dabuttmonkee Report

Add photo comments
POST
amyleigh-ritediesel avatar
Yuki Li
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's just pretentious. Am I supposed to lean over the table and risk getting my arms all dirty just for more blueberries lol.

meinespammailadresse1 avatar
A B C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just imagine someone with wide or puffed sleeves. Yeah, no thank you.

Load More Replies...
julie_rose_translator avatar
Julie C Rose
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m a non-American who can’t afford to buy even a tiny apartment and even I know that Alinea is a super-expensive status symbol restaurant. So anyone who can afford to go there automatically loses my sympathy when they complain about it.

carolyngerbrands avatar
Caro Caro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you accept and want this then you need your head examined.

donotreplytokjk avatar
Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My sympathies to the staff. They not only have to deal with the customer complaints, they have to clean up the mess!

kjorn avatar
kjorn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so many waste in that. you could eat all of it in a bowl but not on a table!

southon avatar
Bobert Robertson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what Alinea is known for so why complain about it if you still willingly went?

skara-brae avatar
Skara Brae
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If a restaurant resorts to the tactics of Lady Gaga/Bjork/Marylin Manson to make a name for themselves, then they are entertainers more than they are chefs.

grubbster55 avatar
annelouise-bidstrup avatar
AnnaBanana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You have to PAY in advance?? Seriously? Wow, that's arrogance (by the restaurant)!

Load More Replies...
samchilton avatar
Sam Chilton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why even pay for this, let alone a decadent amount. Just babysit a couple of two year olds and you get paid to clean up this sort of mess!

anneking68 avatar
StrawberryParfait
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do not wish to mingle my spoon with someone else's saliva-covered spoon in all those sauces, please and no thank you.

kathrynbaylis_1 avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WTF? Are you serving a meal or slopping the hogs? If I walked into a restaurant and saw that, I would spin on a dime and walk right out. They better f*****g well wash their tablecloths in scalding hot water and disinfectant soap. F**k!

samc_1 avatar
ljamie04 avatar
izabelaizukulikowska avatar
Isabella
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alinea's owner is weak-to-the-head bouffon, I am not even surprised this is his way of serving food. He just wants to be at the Chef Table with big boys like Ramsay.

eekhoorn02 avatar
Anna Snorrepot
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

well it looks nice and it's fun while they set it up. But imma bend over and lick the table and elbow my friends and get my shirt all dirty.

rstone avatar
Bexxxxx
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What happens when they’re done this dish and want to order something else? Does each dish get served on its own table? Do they have like a whole dishwasher for tables in the kitchen? Does this get plated in front of the guests or do the servers bring out the table like this? I have so many questions lmao

marcoconti avatar
Marco Conti
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK, so the tradition in northern Italy is to serve Polenta (cornmeal) directly on the table so every MEMBER OF THE FAMILY (not guests in a restaurant) eat it right off it. This is something born of poverty and the fact that Polenta on wood gets less soggy. These things in the photo can be served on plates without ruining the experience. Also, that's paper. What kind I don't know, but I am not eating semi-liquid stuff off paper.

felyperennan avatar
Felype Rennan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This only makes sense to me if the slogan of the place is "Taste disgust"

heynsdesigns avatar
Shirley Heyn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would never return to any of these places, just quickly put them out of business!

gracesmith_1 avatar
Grace Smith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How the f**k are you supposed to even eat that?? Lick the freaking table??

anniemyers843 avatar
Annie Myers
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, that's most definitely Alinea. Some assembly necessary.

shamapes avatar
Maple Chan
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And you expect me to pay for what the chef/waitress/waiter dropped??

sj-dumond avatar
JD Lee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

F*ing stupid, & a waste. If you payed for this you were had.

dawnmariebulut avatar
D-m Keilman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alina is one of my bucket list places to go. Yes the food (15+ courses in a top notch restaurant) but the experience too.

nadinebamberger avatar
Nadine Bamberger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a fascinating episode of "Chef's Tabke" about this restaurant and Grant Achatz, its master chef. He had cancer of the tongue and had to come up with a dining experience that doesn't solely rely on taste. So in that context this makes sort of sense.

gemmelltastic avatar
Got Myself 4 Dwarves
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What in the fresh hell......I'd totally eat most of it too as my husband eats so slow

ryandeschanel avatar
Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The decoration is nice, but where is the food?

bobbiemeyers avatar
ljamie04 avatar
Hollysmom
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Idiotic pretension and paying exorbitant prices makes some people feel special.

Load More Replies...
marakitsch0 avatar
Candia Lee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Guy on left: Nope. Not even gonna try. At least there's paper underneath, not directly on the table. It better be very tasty if I have to leave so much behind.

belvian_candra avatar
Felix Belvian
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

briantrotta avatar
GlobeMT
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

So many people trashing something they don’t understand and taken out of context. This course is served on a rubber table topper and there is a long presentation where the artwork is created in front of you with some of the most delicious ingredients you have ever tasted. Dining at these restaurants is not the same as going to a standard restaurant. It’s not just about ordering a meal and having it brought to the table. It is an experience, and one that I bet most people here trashing it would really enjoy if given the opportunity.

kfidei avatar
GoddessOdd
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand it just fine. Really. I've eaten in many very fine restaurants. For me, the experience is beautiful surroundings, an attentive waitstaff, a luxurious menu and a really good cellar. Having to watch while servers smear stuff all over a rubber sheet doesn't really entertain me, aside from giving me something to tell my friends to avoid. It also scores about a 200 on the pretentious meter. This is really a conceit... assuming that diners would want to spend an hour watching staff smear stuff around while getting a long, and no doubt equally pretentious explanation of what they are doing, and how the stuff that looks like vomit is concocted from only the finest richguy berries gathered in a tiny spot in the mountains above Rio de Janeiro. A large part of fine dining is presentation; this looks like a horrible accident, and not appetizing in the slightest. Most of the food on that table, delicious though it may be, is not actually edible, which is sinful waste.

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Pasta, Sauce, Bread. In A Wire Cone

Pasta, Sauce, Bread. In A Wire Cone

AI_YA Report

Add photo comments
POST
jack_bonner80 avatar
NoneYa41
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

one of the more ridiculous trends unfortunately. i keep seeing this and can't grasp the "why" of it at all....

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Breakfast In A Egg Carton

Breakfast In A Egg Carton

Vastylez Report

“Over the following months the picnic benches became increasingly popular, coinciding with the specials board becoming progressively smaller, before it eventually disappeared altogether,” Ross told us. He remembered sitting there one Sunday, watching bench after garish bench emerge from the kitchen like a technicolor carnival of idiocy, before his usual roast arrived.

#10

Dinner With A Side Of Tetanus Anyone?

Dinner With A Side Of Tetanus Anyone?

rawgabbitschnitzel Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#11

A Friend Ordered Tiramisu In Scotland. Why Sugar The Lid?

A Friend Ordered Tiramisu In Scotland. Why Sugar The Lid?

NoBid9404 Report

#12

Friend Of Mine Went To A Restaurant And Their Starter Came In A Book

Friend Of Mine Went To A Restaurant And Their Starter Came In A Book

deadsocial Report

“The meat was cold and the potatoes were burnt. It was once their main Sunday trade, but the traditional roast had died an unpalatable death. But that’s OK because they were doing a roaring trade with the benches, right? Sure, until the pub down the road started doing them too. Then the one around the corner.”

Ross recounted that before you know it, everyone’s doing the same ‘quirky’ thing. “Except it’s not ‘quirky’ anymore because you can’t move for mini picnic benches and now all their roast dinners are rubbish to boot,” he told us.

#13

Plates Shouldn’t Fall Over When You Stab Them With A Fork

Plates Shouldn’t Fall Over When You Stab Them With A Fork

ruspow Report

Add photo comments
POST
yeciye4857 avatar
yeciye
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When asked for food served in a stable way, this restaurant would bring straw and horses instead of plates.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Uhm.. How Do I Drink It..?

Uhm.. How Do I Drink It..?

lmews Report

#15

Our Corn Chips Came In A Rusty Bucket

Our Corn Chips Came In A Rusty Bucket

mezzoforte24 Report

#16

The Croquette In The Iron Mask

The Croquette In The Iron Mask

izzygomes Report

Add photo comments
POST
binolishah avatar
Binx
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, would be fun if every time you pick one up, the tongue goes in to retrieve one more

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Lunch Served On A Heavy Stone? I Felt Bad For My Server Who Had To Carry It

Lunch Served On A Heavy Stone? I Felt Bad For My Server Who Had To Carry It

Xboxben Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#18

Crepes Served As Babushka Barbe

Crepes Served As Babushka Barbe

auxdear Report

#19

My Meal Was Served In A Folded License Plate. I Mean I Guess It Is A Plate In A Way

My Meal Was Served In A Folded License Plate. I Mean I Guess It Is A Plate In A Way

motherofdargans Report

#20

Friend's Mother Went To A Restaurant And Got A Glass Of Pasta! Upside Down!

Friend's Mother Went To A Restaurant And Got A Glass Of Pasta! Upside Down!

VinWing13 Report

#23

My Boyfriends Ice-Cream Came In A Little Metal Tub, But Mine Came In A Little Plastic Wheelbarrow

My Boyfriends Ice-Cream Came In A Little Metal Tub, But Mine Came In A Little Plastic Wheelbarrow

lazycarrotcake Report

#25

I’d Send This Back. This Replaced An Amazing Restaurant In My Town That Was Killed By Covid

I’d Send This Back. This Replaced An Amazing Restaurant In My Town That Was Killed By Covid

throwawaydogmama Report

#26

Spaghetti-No

Spaghetti-No

sarahdara Report

#27

Pasta Flight, Ended Up Everywhere

Pasta Flight, Ended Up Everywhere

moglyman Report

Add photo comments
POST
peitschen331 avatar
Gaby Almodovar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ridiculously unnecessary, not practical for guests and too much idiotic work for the kitchen. The chef here is a jerk.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#28

My “Flying“ Noodles. They Where Cold Within A Minute

My “Flying“ Noodles. They Where Cold Within A Minute

PaulusLangus Report

#30

Kids Food On Dvd-Case (Photo From Restaurants Own Page)

Kids Food On Dvd-Case (Photo From Restaurants Own Page)

Minion2 Report

#32

Removing Splinters With Greasy Fingers

Removing Splinters With Greasy Fingers

aloofloofah Report

#33

We Want Tables?

We Want Tables?

Bragisson Report

Add photo comments
POST
micheldurinx avatar
Marcellus II
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually was planning to do my garden table somewhat like this, with left over 'green roof' materials. I hate mowing and grass, so it would be Sedums; the problem it it's either boring or very uneven.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

I Swear, It's A Chocolate Mousse And Pop-Corn On A Wooden Board....

I Swear, It's A Chocolate Mousse And Pop-Corn On A Wooden Board....

Call_Me_Bitsch Report

#35

Flattened Chips Due To The Weight

Flattened Chips Due To The Weight

EverFinch Report

#36

I Guess We Are Serving Fish On Fish Bones?!

I Guess We Are Serving Fish On Fish Bones?!

mmajamm Report

Add photo comments
POST
donotreplytokjk avatar
Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should I quit my job, and become a professional fish skeleton cleaner?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

Aah Yes, I Finally Experienced The Classic Shovel Plate

Aah Yes, I Finally Experienced The Classic Shovel Plate

deodit Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#38

An Actual Non Stick Pan, Instead Of A Plate

An Actual Non Stick Pan, Instead Of A Plate

henlohihenlo Report

Add photo comments
POST
andrewm-am12 avatar
Horatio Jay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, that's bowel cancer waiting to happen. Never use metal on non-stick cookware, kids.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

This Would Be Embarrassing

This Would Be Embarrassing

kooshetty Report

#40

So This Is Supposed To Be The Best Way To Eat Caviar...

So This Is Supposed To Be The Best Way To Eat Caviar...

Zaea Report

Note: this post originally had 100 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.