Urban Plates

You can get a good, balanced meal here for a reasonable price. Lots of options to choose from. On my latest visit Maritza made the experience even better by being great at her job.

Overall the food was great. The area is very nice and clean. Geo gave us an amazing service.

I had an amazing experience here! Alex was really nice and her hospitality was amazing! food was also phenomenal! would definetly come back here and recommend to my friends

I contacted the catering coordinator, Nicole. She is amazing! I requested a quote and her recommendations.

The food is delicious fresh and you can't go wrong with Urban plates. Their sandwiches are delicious. My favorite is the chicken and turkey. I did get feedback that many liked the steak. Me not so much.

They use DoorDash as their delivery service.

TL;DR food we were able to eat had some great flavor profiles, but the service speed and incredible timing issues with the kitchen topped with the unclean dining area and lack of systems made this a huge disappointment. Second star was for the flavor of the stuff we could eat and the manager who refunded us without giving us a bunch of hassle. Novel to follow:

Urban Plates made an appearance at Taste of Culver City 2024 and their dish was so good we decided to come try the Playa del Rey location.

The location is inside a busy residence and commercial area just off Jefferson mid-way between Lincoln and Centinela. There were multiple entrances to the parking structure but the structure design is just awful and we ended up stuck for 5 minutes behind people who couldn't figure out which way to go.

Walking up to the storefront, there were outdoor tables with fire pit centers which looked cozy for outdoor dining. Walked into the front door and here's where the problems began:
There is no organic flow to the ordering area. You walk in and theres just a glass wall directly in front of you with no host, signs, or direction. We realized this is a counter-order type place and found out after we ordered we also could've sat down and used our phones to order.
Figured out how to stand in line (no obvious "entrance" and people were sort of randomly milling about in the actual line).
Finally got to the front to order from an obviously checked-out, disinterested employee. Menu stated Stella "and other local beers". Asked employee about local beers, sheepish smile and "we only have Stella".
We ordered 2 iced teas, burger and fries, chimichurri steak with brussel sprouts and chipotle marble potatoes, and 3-up which was 3 veggie sides with some bread. We were handed a number to place on our table and our iced teas, grabbed napkins and utensils (near the front similar to Tender Greens), and went to sit.
We wanted to sit at 3 different tables and all were covered in filth. Found the least offensive version and went back to grab extra napkins to clean it. Sat down and noticed a lot of other tables were also dirty and kinda gross. Ice had completely melted in the iced teas in the 3 minutes between the counter and the table. ???
Saw our burger sitting on the counter in front of the kitchen for a good 10 minutes before an employee finally brought the burger and steak plates but did not have the veggie plate. He grabbed the number off the table and started to walk away and i had to stop him to let him know we had more food than those two. He seemed confused, put the number back on our table, and walked away.
Burger had an unmelted piece of cheese on it and was ice-cold. Gross. Steak plate had lukewarm steak and potatoes, brussels were ok. I took burger to the front counter, was told to take it to the kitchen/service area. Woman there said np we'll make a fresh one. Went back to the table to share the steak plate and wait for the rest.
5 mins later 3-up plate came with seasoned mushrooms, harissa cauliflower, and herbed fries. The mushroom tasted like they were bought at the Whole Foods deli next door and served straight out of the refrigerator, but the harissa cauliflower and fries were warm and delicious.
15 minutes after bringing the burger back, the new burger came. Unmelted cheese. Top of patty nicely charred. Underside of patty ice cold and blood raw.
I took the burger back to the kitchen area again. Big issue with counter order spots, customers have to do so much legwork to get things fixed and partner and i were just exasperated at this point. The same woman who offered the first remake came to help me again. I pressed a knife into the burger patty, scooped a teaspoon of blood onto the plate, and asked her if she thought this was cooked. She started to offer another fix but I cut her off. I let her know we were no longer interested in anything from this kitchen and I'd like a refund. She walked me back to the register area and handed me a refund. Offered a discount for next time but we were done.

I LOVED the flavors of what I could eat! Food safety issues, seeming lack of systems (how did the expediter not know we had another item coming?), and absolutely horrible kitchen operations combined with nobody cleans the tables and disinterested counter staff is a total turnoff. As much as I want to eat here there are just too many issues and nobody seemed to care.

This chef should find a company that appreciates her talent and repertoire and will support her with the logistics that will elevate her excellent food design rather than diminish it.

$51.20 (2 people. Food: Barramundi sea bass w/ hollandaise sauce, asparagus, red & white quinoa tomato pesto, rustic bread. Grilled chicken plate, mac n cheese, mashed potatoes w/ gravy. Dessert: 1-Banana cream pie, 2-Chocolate chunk cookies. Drink: Organic lemonade and water) Urban Plates (Playa  Vista) monologue:

I've seen Urban Plates around town and decided to go for lunch with a friend. The location of this Urban Plates was spot on. It is located on the property of a super cute and inviting, large outdoor mall ish type area with plenty of parking and indoor/outdoor (with a gas fire pit) eating area option. There is a large menu with attractive options. You can get creative with how you mix & match your plate and your beverage of choice (above and below 21 year old drink options).

After receiving recommendations, having some laughs with Tomas, and ordering, we set up camp outside at the fireplace. Shortly after, our food (see above) was delivered, nice and hot n fresh. Buen provecho is what was said as my plate was presented to me. So, I followed directions and...

We grabbed our forks and dug in. I had the fish plate (pics attached). It was appetizing to my eye and tongue palate. It was a simple tasting meal, nothing over the top. It gave me the feel that I was on a clean food diet, mild seasoning and healthy run of life that I need to maintain because I need to look good in my vacation clothes in a few weeks type of taste. My friend just said their food was alright. Neither of us would be ordering those particular dishes again.

But ya'll, let me tell you about the cookie you see in the pic. Tomas, if you are reading this, thank you again for that crunchy on the outside, and slowly but surely, as you move towards the center, it gets appropriately softer chocolate chunk hospitality cookie. Now that, my Yelp cousins, I'll go back for!

The atmosphere, Tomas' hospitality, the bilingual greeting from the waitress (didn't catch her name) and the cookie certainly gave me a good taste (no pun intended) about Urban Plates. So I'll try it again, just a different dish. I'll let ya'll know what I think.

Oh p.s. - Tomas recommended the banana cream pie for my friend. Let's just say the container it was in was completely empty; not a crumb in sight.

I ate here for the first time this past weekend with my cousin and we loved it. We met Maritza and she was so kind, patient and helpful! The food was so so delicious, and the dessert was the BEST part. We got 3 slices to try and they were seriously a treat. We also got to sit outside by the fire which definitely boosted the ambiance and kept us warm. We had a great time, thanks Urban Plates!!

Always my go to spot after Panini cafe closed during the pandemic. Great services, great ambiance, healthy food! We get all sorts of salads and 3 item plates, and sometimes bowls.

Quick, affordable, and healthy food?! Almost sounds too good to be true. This was my first time trying Urban Plates and I loved the unique variety of options.

I tried the Chimichurri Grilled Steak Plate with Organic Red & White Quinoa W. Tomato Pesto and Rainbow Carrots & Golden Beets ($19.95) and the Moroccan Chicken Braise ($12.95). The steak was a bit on the tougher side and the Moroccan chicken braise could've used a little more flavor. Overall, both super delicious.

For 4 dishes for 4 people, the meal was about $70 and totally worth it. As a bonus, the place is located in Playa Vista Runway, which is the cutest complex to walk around.

We have been to Urban plate handful time. Every time we come here I leave very satisfied! But I tried their new sea bass plate and let me tell you! It was sooooo good!!!! I choose sweet potatoes with bell peppers and roasted Brussels sprouts as 2 sides. It was so good that I def wanna try it again! My son loves their mac and cheese and chicken strips. My partner loves their mushed potatoes with brown gravy too!
When the weather is great, they have outdoor seating area that really nice. There are plenty of Parking inside the parking structure and also street parking.