From the House of Plates to the House of Boxes

THE House of Plates restaurant in Castlebar, which reopened last week after being closed for over three months, have launched a novel takeaway menu that patrons can enjoy at home, writes Tom Gillespie.

The #inabox click-and-collect takeaway concept has been devised by proprietor and chef Barry Ralph (pictured), who explained that the restaurant is contemporary with a focus on small and sharing plates.

The restaurant is family owned and operated by award-winning chef Barry and his wife Helen.

Barry said: "We are a casual, contemporary restaurant with a focus on small and sharing plates. We are passionate about using locally produced, seasonal and artisan foods. We have a team of food partners from the surrounding locality and region."

He added: "We are very excited to be able to bring customers the very best of Irish ingredients in a takeaway option that can now be enjoyed at home.

"We were the House of Plates but it’s not on a plate anymore - it’s in a box. We are running with a lot of the favourites from our menu inside, but were are making it more casual with a lot of sliders, burgers, wings, vol-au-vents, and Japanese Ramon bowls. They are all priced around €10 and the customer can order as many as they wish.

"We have also launched a bite box for two people to share where they will get a selection of three or four dishes and a couple of sides, a dessert and a little drink of Kombucha, fermented tea, that we brew in-house here made out of wild elderflower. They, including a veggie box, are going out for two people at €36."

Barry continued: "We fully opened the restaurant on Wednesday last, taking back five full-time staff, and are delighted to welcome back customers to dine with us, following all HSE guidelines as the safety of our customers and staff is our main priority.

"However, some things won’t be the same as before as we enter this new changed landscape. We will have very limited seating capacity so patrons should book well in advance to be guaranteed a table.

"But we promise the same great local Irish ingredients cooked with flair and passion, accompanied by the best beverages and amazing service.

"It has been a challenging time over the last few months but there were also some positives. We enjoyed reconnecting as a family by cooking, growing, foraging, playing and taking time out to see nature and all its beauty.

"We are now rested, refreshed and buzzing to get going again.

Barry Ralph trained as a professional chef in GMIT. He has worked in some of Mayo’s leading hotels and restaurants, including Knockranny House Hotel, Westport, and An Carraig, Castlebar, where he was head chef for five years and where The House of Plates is now located on Chapel Street, Castlebar.

At just 24, he was the only Mayo chef to be nominated for Best Chef in Connacht by Food and Wine Magazine.

More recently, he was nominated for Best Mayo Chef by the Restaurants Association of Ireland. His cooking has also been noted for a recommendation in the prestigious Georgina Campbell Guide to good dining in Ireland.

Barry is a former Flo Gas Mayo Masterchef of the Year.

Barry explained the concept of the House of Plates: "Our focus is on small and sharing plates. Most of our diners enjoy two to three plates per person with a side dish.

"We are passionate about using locally produced, seasonal and artisan foods.

"In House of Plates we provide a new dining experience for the customer, giving them the opportunity to sample new and exciting dishes with the small plate concept, accompanied by exemplary service."

For reservations at the House of Plates, call (094) 9250742 or email reservations@houseofplates.ie.