HISTORY OF PLAINFIELDS
We
opened our restaurant in 1977 at our first location
at NW. 21 st and Kearny. It was a very small building
that only accommodated nine tables. My brother and
I built the furniture and did the remodeling necessary
ourselves. Our goal was to be a fine wine destination
and serve a changing international cuisine. We would
have Italian, French, Spanish, Indian, and other
dishes. We enjoyed immediate popularity and praise
in the press.
In 1978 my brother married. His wife
is from Pune India. So once the Indian culture was
part of our family we naturally began to feature
more Indian dishes as part of our international menu. |
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In
1985 it became apparent that our location was too small
to serve our customers. We decided to purchase the Meier
Mansion just down the street 10 blocks. We have completely
remodeled the house to its original splendor. We
took great pains to retain its 19 th century charm and
character. Again my brother and I did much of the work
ourselves. I built all of the tables.
In
our new location which we opened in 1986 (we were never
closed even one day during the remodel and move) we decided
to focus on Indian in décor and cuisine. We still
wanted our extensive wine list to be on the forefront and
with this as the goal we developed a menu unlike any other
Indian restaurant in the world. Our dishes are authentic
to the magnificence to the Raja (the Indian Kings) who
were so wealthy that they could hire the greatest chefs
in the world to prepare their meals. At the same time we
have made our dishes wine friendly. We have gone so far
as to design dishes that are specific matches to our favorite
wine varietals.
Over
the years we have been so fortunate as to receive many
awards such as Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence,
Vegetarian Journal Critic's Choice (the only such award
on the west coast), Zagat rated excellent, American Restaurant's
Best Wine Lists in America Bronze Medal, Mobile Guide 3
stars, and Gourmet Magazine Top Table Award. We are very
grateful for this recognition.
In
2007 my brother decided to retire from the restaurant business.
After a few pitfalls I decided to buy out his interest
and proceed on my own. As ever I am dedicated to my work
and my desire to provide my beloved customers the finest
and most sincere dinning experience that I can. I want
to continue to create the cuisine that everyone has come
to love. At the same time I would like to reach back to
our roots. I would like to include some of the same passions
in food and wine that started us out in the beginning 31
years ago. Last fall I began a series of dinners that I
call “Chef's Whimsy”.
These are seven course dinners with wines to match each
course. It affords me the freedom to explore and create.
The dinners have been lots of fun.
We
are proud of what we do at Plainfield's but none of that
would be possible without the support of our valued guests.
They are the reason we try so hard and I will never be
able to fully thank them for what they have done for us
in their patronage. The best I can do is to cook my heart
out which I swear I will do.
Craig Plainfield
Chef/ Owner
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