What's wrong with a plate?

Yep, I agree and sometimes it chucked on a flat wooden thingy and then my steak pie comes in a dish on a plate, so I have to scrape it out onto the plate, I'm not fancy I'm into plain cooking and plain serving.

I have had chips in a plant pot amongst other things.  It seems to be the fashion to use everything and anything other than a plate!

Totally agree.  I've had a meal served with a pie in a dish, a pot with sauce in and chips in a small bucket.  All balanced on a wooden platter (slate is also somtimes used) with a load of salad leaves on top.    By the time I've assembled things into some sort of order half the stuff has fallen off onto the table.  I'm surprised that no-one has yet decided that serving your meal in a bedpan would be "tres chic" - give it time eh?

This summer we had cream teas on a wooden board, that seemed a bit strange (and messy!)

I wonder how well these "chic" (or whatever) items get washed?

It is nice when your server asks "Is there anything else I can get you?" and one can reply "Plate!"

And none of the food is very warm (that does not include salad) when served as they cannot heat the new "fad" serving "things" and you get a funny look if you tell them to warm it up,

I find the opposite is often the case as the food is dangerous to eat at such a high temperature - and yet the beer is so cold it prompts hicups and convulsions. Suppose it balances out somewhere in the lower gut.

One of our local pubs used to do really good food at reasonable prices, but since their refurbishment .... most things seem to come on a "slate platter" with 9 chips 'artfully arranged' in a bucket   

They now charge £14.95 for a burger and chips with "dressed leaves" 

We have in the last year started to use Wetherspoons pubs as its like the cc sites, you know what you are getting but not as expensive, and they all serve Doombar as part of their meal deals and all on proper plates

Some places have got a bit 'poncy' with prices to match. We find we eat more in the van now, seldom treating ourselves to a meal out.