'Small plates'

They aren't 'appetisers' over here nor are they tapas as previously mentioned. Fairislecable exactly put my concerns.

Just ask the server, and they will advise. For instance, if it is crab cakes, how many are there... I believe small plates are appetizers, the restaurants are just using a new name for them.

I wouldn't expect to share, and might be known to order two appetizers and dessert.

I recently attended a dinner for 10 people and the menu was small plates. It was very difficult to order from a very mixed group.

Some people ordered pies which were normal sized but tricky to try and share and other seafood was minuscule and only suitable for one.

However the desserts were massive.

I really didn’t enjoy it at all - I won’t be going back.

I didn't mean like tapas. It's just that so many menus today consist of 'small plates'. I ordered two once and it was far too much. I'm genuinely confused about it all. Modern life!

I love the informality of ‘small plates’ dining.
We sometimes share a dish if it is something new that we both want to try, but generally just order for ourselves.

Small plates are usually too small to be sharing I feel... unless you have lots as you might do with tapas.

ah you mean like tapas?

I thought you meant small plates in order to keep quantity down.

Agree re butter boards! Yuk

I don't like the new fad of having a butter board, smears of butter on a wooden board topped with fruit, herbs or spices. Looks a mess to me.

I find food portions have been getting smaller over the last 5 years or so. Nothing to do with plate size as the plates are usually enormous and come in all kinds of weird shapes and sizes.

I only have more than one course if we are out to celebrate something, but then stick to two, starter and main course, plus a plain black coffee while others eattheir desserts.

Should read caterers

At least caters seem to have ditched using slates unless you know different? Hated food presented on a slate plus the noise of using forks and knives with them.

Ask. Waiters should be able to tell you whether a plateful is usually for sharing or eating by yourself.

I like a big plate.

I will often have two ‘small plates’ that complement each other and a pudding. I don’t usually share them.
Sometimes the main course offering is just too much.