Goodbye Glasgow

Well folks, Glutton is going Global!  It's farewell to Glasgow as we're moving to Spain! 

Stay tuned for details of Glutton Spain style......

Glutton En Famille – Part 2

Arisaig, Merchant Square, Glasgow

So on to part two of Glutton’s family friendly eating out mission.  I mentioned in part one about there being plenty of Italian restaurants in Glasgow providing a good, relaxed child friendly atmosphere, but as it happened we didn’t actually go the any of them.  The reason.... a great fun but slightly tiring visit to Edinburgh Zoo left us a little too exhausted for another meal out however a handy solution was some excellent take away from the newly refurbished O Sole Mio on Bath Street.   

We feasted on risotto, pizza and some particularly delicious flatbreads all of which were of a great standard for take away food.  The Italian sausage on the pizza was high quality and punchy, the chicken and truffle oil risotto was packed full of flavour and well cooked but the highlight was the rosemary and garlic focaccias which were actually thin pizza bases cooked in the stone oven until crisp and golden – utterly addictive!  If you live in the city centre or nearby it is definitely worth considering and I can’t wait to go back and sit in to enjoy the food again.

That covered I’ll move on to our next dining out experience which was Arisaig in the Merchant Square.  I love the Merchant Square because it always makes me think of continental Europe, no rain, cobble stones and simulated “al fresco” dining make it and pleasant change.    I haven’t always loved the restaurants though, so it was up to Arisaig to change my mind.....

We had booked a table for six and a highchair but when we arrived it seemed to show two on the reservation, luckily they had plenty of room inside the restaurant so problem averted.  The restaurant inside has been nicely decorated with some funky Scottish twists and the table provided was nice and spacious.

The menu is mostly Scottish themed and has quite a large selection of both seafood and meat options.  What I wasn’t convinced on was the price of some of the dishes,  for example £7.95 for a bowl of mussels, even rope grown ones from Lewis, is excessive however it did seem to even itself out with some of the meat dishes and a reasonable pre theatre menu.  The kids menu is quite limited, but the offerings are homemade which is commendable.

For starter I decided on the crab cakes and honestly I was a wee bit disappointed, they were too big and quite stodgy and the crab seemed lost in amongst a lot of potato.  However the accompanying tomato cream sauce was good and helped carry the cakes along and a deep fried piece of curly kale garnish was absolutely stunning.   My husband’s smoked venison was delicious though, not for the faint hearted it has been well cured but the watercress and beetroot salad was a lovely accompaniment to the strong meat.  The rest of the table enjoyed the unusual smoked Brie dish and some nicely cooked if a little boring fried squid.

On to main course, I decided on the chicken fillet and haggis which was tasty and well balanced.  I had read the menu wrong and assumed the chicken would be stuffed with the haggis but I liked it never the less.  The whisky cream sauce was well seasoned and complimented the moist chicken and spicy haggis well.  Arisaig don’t serve carbohydrates with all of the main courses but they did provide a decent selection of vegetables.   The best plates of the night were surprisingly from the pre theatre menu, a spiky dish of chicken in a chilli coconut sauce served with sweet potato mash and a generous beer battered fish and chips were met with delight by all who had them.  Unfortunately a vegetarian dish of red pepper and spinach sausages fared less well and was deemed almost inedible, but thankfully my nephew’s ample and delicious portion of homemade chicken nuggets and chips came to the rescue of my hungry sister-in-law!

No desserts required as we had a chocolate birthday cake to finish off, brought out by the cheery and in tune waiting staff, it was a good finish to an okay meal.   Apart from the evil veggie sausages most of the food was tasty and well presented, a few tweaks here and there would have made all the difference and because of that if I’m back in that part of town Arisaig probably won’t be my first choice.  If you do fancy trying this restaurant I would opt for the pre theatre, it definitely came up trumps on our visit.

Glutton En Famille – Part 1

Café Rouge, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow

 

Glutton’s challenge this week; find child friendly restaurants in Glasgow city centre.  I began the task with great gusto, only to find that most of the promising offerings were Italian restaurants.  That was one night out of three sorted but the other two proved slightly more challenging. 

Our family along with our two year old nephew were visiting from Shetland so I wanted something appropriate but a wee bit different too.   After reviewing many a kid’s menu I have to say that if your child doesn’t eat chips (there must be some surely) then you’re in bother!  Almost every restaurant I looked at had a chip fetish, that and bread crumbed protein.  Now I’m not naive enough to think that the average kiddie would expect anything but chicken nuggets and chips in a restaurant, but I did find the choice pretty limited.  Incidentally, Wagamama’s kid’s menu was brilliant but we decided not to try it on this occasion, what I did go for was the new Café Rouge in Royal Exchange Square and it proved a good choice.

Café Rouge is a chain restaurant that offers a nice selection of uncomplicated French food in uncomplicated surroundings.  The decor in any Café Rouge always makes me smile, it’s like an imaginary French bistro, lots of mirrored art, brass fittings and dark wood - all you need is a man with a moustache and onion garland.....

The menu is varied and inexpensive with ample consideration for smaller appetites, the kids menu is quite good, omelettes and fishcakes made a nice alternative to the bread crumbed norm.  There are plenty of familiar Gaelic offerings such as onion soup, rillettes and confit duck as well as a few Moroccan style dishes to provide diversity.

For starter I went for the predictable deep fried Camembert and it was delightful, crispy on the outside and gooey, melting cheesiness in the middle.  Served with cranberry sauce and an above average dressed salad I enjoyed every morsel.  I stole a taste of the pâté which was a little run of the mill but perfectly reasonable.  Other dishes on the table included a decent houmous and fiery Merguez sausage both of which were well received.

Moving on the main course, I opted for the classic steak frites with a peppercorn sauce.  The steak was cooked medium rare as ordered, the sauce had a nice flavour but was slightly too alcoholic as if the brandy hadn’t been adequately cooked off and the pot of perfectly seasoned fries were out of this world.   My husband’s duck confit was equally well cooked and delicious, the duck had a gutsy whack of flavour and the meat was meltingly tender, the accompanying plum sauce wasn’t too sweet and only some flaccid green beans marred an otherwise great main course.  The Toulouse sausage, Breton chicken and beef Bourguignon also received positive feedback. 

 

My adorable nephew at the end of the table seemed to enjoy his sausages, chips and peas and he definitely enjoyed his vanilla ice cream so happy families indeed.

Service was amazing, a proper Glaswegian and slightly gallus waitress proved fantastic entertainment for all, she was full of funny anecdotes but efficient and courteous as well.  That combined with the tasty food, quaffable house wine and reasonable bill I was pleased I picked Café Rouge.  No fuss, good for kids, families and large parties alike, I’ll definitely be back.

Thai me up!

Thai Siam - revisited

We recently went back to the Thai Siam but this time we dined on the a la carte menu.  I’m pleased to report that the food was still pretty decent although we did notice quite a difference in price.

To start four of us shared the mixed starters which was excellent regardless of the £8.00 a head price tag.  A pretty bamboo platter arrived, generously stacked and with three dipping sauces to accompany the myriad of delights.  Chicken spring rolls and fishcakes were of the same standard as our last meal, but the chicken satay was stand out.  Charred on the outside and moist in the middle it was superb as was the accompanying peanut sauce.  The Pandan chicken was also tasty, quite fragrant and again well cooked.  Prawn tempura was advertised but what arrived was a mountain of battered vegetables and I was glad they did, although nowhere close to a tempura batter the vegetables had been lightly coated with a Chinese style batter (think sweet & sour chicken) and quickly fried so they had the perfect amount of crunch.  The selection of veg was wide, cauliflower, broccoli, peppers, onions and green beans to name a few - a big portion but excellent for a group of friends to enjoy.

For main course I opted for the duck Ped Thai Siam, a spicy and sizzling dish which was well cooked and interesting, it's one I would order again but beware, there was quite a bit of fat on the duck which as a glutton I devoured, but if you're a fataphobe steer clear.  Managed to snatch a taste of my husband's Gang Panang this again lived up to the last review, although he was accidently given duck instead of beef!  Noodles and rice were delicious as were the thai prawn crackers which I have managed to source from my local Chinese supermarket and have now started frying at home, not good for the waistline I admit but everything in moderation.....

The bill for four was £130 which included two bottles of wine and service was friendly and efficient.  My advice is to try the Thai Siam's pre theatre first and if it's your cup of tea go a la carte for the mixed starter alone!

Original post below.

Thai Siam - Argyle Street, Glasgow

Pre theatre dining can be hit or miss when dining with friends, I often think restaurants limit these menus too much however Thai Siam is not one of these restaurants.  With a vegetarian in tow it seemed like the perfect place to get a reasonable meal without compromise on choice. 

Greeted with a friendly face and Thai prawn crackers on the table, drinks were ordered and menus perused.  The pre theatre offers a generous three courses for £12.90 which I think is brilliant value for money.  All main dishes are available with a choice of bean curd, vegetables, chicken, beef, pork or prawn which again appeals to all tastes and your side dishes are included.

I started my meal with chicken spring rolls which were full of chicken meat and vegetables with a slight curry hit which I enjoyed and served with a standard sweet chilli sauce.  I managed to steal a taste of the fish cakes which again were very enjoyable and although I would argue that they are probably not homemade, it didn’t bother me or my husband who wolfed them down with great gusto.  Other starters of vegetable spring rolls and chicken satay got equally decent reviews from our friends.

Main courses were tasty, my beef in black pepper and garlic was more reminiscent of a Chinese dish with a slightly gloopy sauce but I still tucked in.  Again a swift fork manoeuvre allowed me a taste of my husband’s choice of Gang Panang, a much more traditional Thai dish with a well spiced coconut sauce it left me struck with a bit of the old food envy.  An unfairly advertised “plain” noodle accompaniment was livened up with well cooked vegetables and was utterly delicious, as was the egg fried rice which along with large portions left us all feeling more than satisfied.

Sadly nobody had room for dessert, even the temptation of a banana fritter couldn’t coax a space in our bellies.  Service was great, really nice and quick with copious prawn cracker refill requests met with a smile.  I recommend you try Thai Siam especially the pre theatre or lunch deal which has similar broad choice and good value menu.

Sweet Vallée High

La Vallée Blanche – Byres Rd, Glasgow

A work night out courtesy of the boss took me to La Vallée Blanche last week, thankfully unlike some other work nights out I can actually remember the meal!

La Vallée Blanche is one of my top ten restaurants in Glasgow, I’ve never had anything less than a great meal there and last Friday was no exception.  It’s a pretty restaurant done in a chalet style with lots of wood, warm colours and twinkling tea lights.  Service is always efficient and the staff are especially knowledgeable about the food and wine.

We arrived early for the reasonable pre theatre deal priced at £13.95 for two courses or £16.95 for three.  The pre theatre menu isn’t very long but it does hit the right notes, a few veggie dishes, a few staples and a few surprises, but I would suggest checking the menu online before you go because if it’s not your cup of tea and you stray into a la carte territory your wallet will know about it.

For a starter I decided on the potted chicken with lemon, thyme and parsley and it was utterly delicious.  A cute little pot filled with succulent, herby chicken was elevated by a serious lemony hit which made the flavours sing, accompanied with cornichons and good bread it was the best starter I’ve had for ages.  My fellow diners were equally impressed by the spring pea soup and the cured salmon which were both beautifully presented.

I opted for the classic steak frites main course, the steak was cooked and seasoned to perfection and topped off with crispy fries it hit all the right notes.  The pork chop with Arran mustard sauce was proclaimed delicious as was the pretty sorrel risotto.

The portions are perfectly proportioned so there was room for dessert, a supplement applies to the cheeseboard but the quality of the cheese makes it worthwhile.  The best pud on the table was the blood orange parfait with nut tuille and orange jelly, it tasted as good as it looked and as you can see it looked wonderful.  The only slight disappointment of the meal was the rhubarb crumble with honey oats which was too sweet and a bit sloppy compared to the presentation afforded to most dishes.

The quality of the cooking makes the pre theatre a brilliant deal, the a la carte menu has some fabulous dishes on it but the price makes it more of a special occasion choice.  The wine can also work out expensive regardless of when you eat but the selection is good and abundant with classic French heavyweights that are worth splashing out on.

Good Gluttons go to Church

Church on the Hill, Algie Street, Shawlands, Glasgow

Glutton ventured South this weekend, a rare treat I know.  There are tons of tempting restaurants in Shawlands and I really should visit this part of town more often.  My lunch partner and cousin (a true South-sider) suggested the Church on the Hill and I happily obliged.

It bills itself as a gastro pub, the decor is funky and it has a huge bar which I’m sure will be rammed on a Saturday night.  Our waitress escorted us to a nice booth and provided us with wine and food menus.  On the subject of wine I can strongly recommend the house cava, highly drinkable.

The menu is eclectic and varied, I don’t always like menus that hop from one country to the next but I think it can be appropriate for pubs and this one still managed to have a flow to it.    

I started with the prawn tempura, a respectable dish with crispy, light batter and tasty salad and dipping sauce.  I’m sure the average Japanese connoisseur may have passed comment on authenticity but I still enjoyed it.

My cousin opted for the goat cheese tart which consisted of a puff pastry base filled with red onion marmalade and topped with an oozing slice of goats cheese.   This was a triumph, well executed and generous I was tinged with a bit of the old food envy – thankfully we both ordered the same main course!

For the main course we chose the steak sandwich and I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived.  All too often a steak sandwich seems like a smart idea until you’re chewing for Britain through some doughy, thick bread and tough steak.  It seems the good folks at Church on the Hill have thought of that and so deconstructed it into an open sandwich come canapé.  My tip would be to order the peppercorn sauce on the side as it might threaten to turn this lovely easy to eat dish into a bit of a mush-fest.   If you’re a traditionalist looking for a desperate Dan steak sandwich I would consider another choice but personally I loved it.  The chips were homemade, chunky and delicious and the peppercorn sauce had a great depth of flavour, perfect for dunking.

Next time I’m back in Shawlands I’ll find it hard not to gravitate back to this inexpensive and friendly venue.   The food was good, service was top notch and the wine bordering on addictive.  Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the neighbourhood.

Perfunctory Pony

Bath Street Pony, Bath Street, Glasgow

A wander down Bath Street proved uneventful in the restaurant sense, it feels a little dull these days except I noticed that O Sole Mio has undergone a makeover so I’m looking forward to trying that out.   After having a nosey at every menu on display we settled on the Bath Street Pony which seemed to lean more towards restaurant than bar.

It’s a nice looking place and we were greeted and seated by a cheery waitress, although on a warm sunny day it did feel a bit like the Mary Celeste.  Drinks ordered we perused the menu which is modern European with a heavy Italian bias throughout.  There were a couple of good value deals on, the Pony Express menu at £8.95 for two courses up until 7pm daily or £12.95 for two courses from the main menu up until 7pm daily.   We opted for the latter as it offered a wider choice.

I started with the Gravadlax served with pickled shallots and cucumber dressing which was lovely.  The fish was quite mild as was the pickle but it was well presented and only marred by a burnt piece of otherwise yummy foccacia.   My husband’s dish of Italian sausage was good, the course sausage was done in a tomato ragu and served with more (this time unheated) foccacia bread.  It was disappointingly lazy to serve burnt toast, it could easily have been redone as our starters wouldn’t have suffered from the wait.  

Moving onto the main courses which were hit and miss.  The hit was a steak burger, tasty, well cooked and served with better than average chips.  The miss was the Pork Milanese which seemed to suffer from another bout of lazyitis.  The pork had been stacked on top of cold salad, chips and then topped with wet vegetables so breadcrumbs that had started out nice and crispy ended up as soggy mush.  Had it been more carefully presented it would have been delicious.

The bill was reasonable, the music excellent and the service friendly, frustratingly I would bet during a busy service these silly mistakes wouldn’t have happened which is a shame.  The majority of restaurants on a slow day can easily succumb to lacklustre standards but Bath Street Pony’s has left a wee bit of a bitter taste in my mouth, much like the burnt toast.....

Glutton at home

Thanks to the awesome Glasgow weather, Glutton opted to stay in this weekend so I thought I'd share some of my eats with you.

Saturday was a lazy lunch courtesy of Morrisons supermarket!  They had a lovely selection of deli treats, so I put together an antipasti platter with meats, stuffed peppers and pickles.  A board of cheese, pate, quiche and chutney was also delicious and I finished the feast off with tapenade, grissini and oatcakes.  Very tasty and very simple!



Kept it simple for dinner as well, a starter of scallops, asparagus and pancetta with an anchovy butter was divine and a dish I'll be making again and again.  It was all done in one pan and only took about ten minutes from start to finish.

Main course was mussels in a spicy tomato sauce served with crusty bread, again an easy dish apart from cleaning the mussels which is a slight labour of love. 

My shellfish was purchased from the sublime MacCallums which remains my favourite fishmonger in Glasgow.  They had a great selection when I went yesterday and you can also get a good range of game, fresh veg (their wild mushrooms are wonderful) as well as some nice deli items. 

Hopefully our summer will start soon and I can look forward to some al fresco dining!

Ciao Bambino!

Gambrino - Great Western Rd, Glasgow

A nostalgic dinner with a best friend took me to Gambrino recently.  I say nostalgic because it’s round the corner from the old flat we shared and brings back memories of cheeky late night suppers and boozy lunches that we couldn’t afford at the time. 

Gambrino is a cheerful place with romantic stained wood and flickering candles and on the night we visited it was almost full which is nice to see.   The menu is a decent size with a good range of starters and packed with plenty of pizza and pasta dishes dotted with a few other Italian menu staples.

To start we decided to share the bresaola and rocket salad with parmesan shavings and a garlic flat bread.   The bresaola was nicely presented and tasty but for £7.45 I thought the portion was pretty mean, bresaola is not as expensive as say Parma ham or a beef carpaccio so I would have expected a more generous helping.   The flat bread was wonderful, well cooked with a perfect amount of both garlic and seasoning.

Starters demolished and on to the main course, my friend went for an old favourite of fettuccine al cartoccio, a baked pasta dish where the pasta has been stirred through with Bolognese sauce, mushrooms and mozzarella, amongst other things.  I think it’s a great dish, really delicious although be warned it is also seriously filling!  I opted for a chicken Milanese and I confess that I was disappointed.  The chicken wasn’t flattened out properly which I find off putting and it had been burnt on one side, the accompanying spaghetti was nice but didn’t make up for the poor chicken. 

They have a brilliant selection of predominantly Italian wines with a reasonable number offered by the glass.   Service was good and I like the fact that some of the staff are Italian which lends some extra charm to the experience. 

It’s maybe not a restaurant worth crossing the city for but if you’re in the area then I would recommend a visit, a bit of la dolce vita never hurt anyone!

Tequila it makes me happy.....

Chiquito – Springfield Quay, Glasgow

With a bank holiday weekend to fill I found myself at the cinema followed by dinner at Chiquitos Mexican restaurant at Springfield Quay.  Now I find the lack of Tex-Mex restaurants in Glasgow a complete mystery as it is one of the most popular cuisines with the masses, I mean seriously, do you know anybody that isn’t partial to a plate of nachos or skillet of fajitas?  Anyway, I am happy to report that Chiquito’s is offering up decent Tex-Mex food that is bound to please a crowd.

What better way to get you in the mood than kicking off with a pitcher of Margarita, and this restaurant did a surprisingly good one.   A perfect blend of tequila, triple sec and lime juice sweetened with agave syrup it was scarily drinkable, not too sweet and not too strong it was served in proper Margarita glasses with salted rims - muy bueno!

The menu is what you would expect in a chain restaurant, an eclectic mix of family favourites and slightly strange fusion dishes such as hoisin duck fajitas....  Definitely a menu minefield so my advice would be to keep it simple and stick with the classics.

Being a glutton the starter with the most appeal was the fiesta platter, an appetizing selection of BBQ chicken wings, nachos, onion rings, chilli poppers, corn on the cob, potato wedges and Chiquitos own Tostadas (a baked flour tortilla with garlic butter).  I know this is not “cheffy” food by any stretch of the imagination but that doesn’t mean that it’s not delicious and satisfying!  I found myself grinning at the bliss that was a damn good Margarita and a tasty, spicy combo of all things deep fried and cheesy.  

For main course I was awkward and ordered a starter dish of Louisiana hot wings and a side of fries.  Again, not exactly Michelin stuff but boy they went down a treat.  The wings had a very addictive deep savoury heat, fried hard and served with more of the Louisiana sauce; my only jibe was the lack of a cool blue cheese dip and celery accompaniment more normally found with hot wings.  The fries were fine although served in a big flat plate which made them go cold quickly.

My husband’s  Cajun slow cooked beef Chimichanga, consisted of two mammoth fried tortillas stuffed with rice, refried beans, beef, cheese, guacamole and sour cream – almost everything but the kitchen sink!   It tasted brilliant, the beef was melt in the mouth tender and had a nice earthy chilli flavour.   Our friends enjoyed their equally huge dishes of the chicken Chimichanga and a very spicy Pollo del Fuego.  Thankfully it was no problem to provide carry out containers for the inevitable leftovers from all at the table.

No desserts, with bellies full of Chimichangas and icy Margaritas we were lucky to get back on to our feet again.   The bill was reasonable and service was cheery but a little slow.  All in all a very enjoyable dining experience, if you want something fun, funky and frozen then invite your friends, leave the car at home and have a good old fiesta at Chiquitos.

Rogano Rocks

Cafe Rogano – Exchange Place, Glasgow

Glutton is back in the West this week with a birthday celebration at Cafe Rogano just off Royal Exchange Square in the city centre.  I picked Cafe Rogano because it’s a good bit cheaper than the main restaurant upstairs but it still has a great sense of style and a really decent menu.

It was a Sunday afternoon and at 1.30pm we were the first table to arrive, I have to confess this is the first time I have ventured downstairs and I was pleasantly surprised.  The sumptuous art deco theme of the main dining room is continued and although it proclaims to be Glasgow’s “oldest restaurant” it was nice and fresh without looking too battered.

On being seated I was informed that the 5pm deal comprised of any starter and main course for £12 (with the exception of oysters & steak) – this was a great treat as I hadn’t even booked through 5pm!  Ssshhh......  Indeed it seemed that they were generously pointing this out to all the tables that arrived which was good advertising at least.

The menu leans towards seafood as you would expect in the Rogano although not too heavily and there is plenty of choice.   Disappointingly the mackerel starter that three out of four diners were ordering was not available, so instead I opted for the smoked salmon.  A generous portion of excellent smoked salmon arrived but unfortunately with little else on the plate, don’t get me wrong it was delicious but five tiny capers and a lemon quarter made for a sad accompaniment.  Had it been served with a side salad, cucumber pickle or even some bread it would have been exceptional.

Other starters on the table included goats cheese bonbons with beetroot, crispy on the outside, creamy and goaty in the middle although the beetroot lacked a bit of sourness, chicken liver parfait which was well executed but needed a bit more seasoning and the punchy crab cocktail was vibrant, spiked with zesty lime and hot ginger.  

The main course was where the cooking really started to shine, tediously three of us ordered the duck although a finer dish I couldn’t imagine.  A confit leg brushed with spicy harissa paste was melt in the mouth tender, it was served with a stunning apricot sauce which tasted like it had been made using ground almonds, in a similar fashion to the albondigas (meatballs) in Andalucía.  It was finished with a drizzle of fresh mint oil and a lovely fruity cous-cous, devoured and enjoyed by all.  The final main course was a supreme of chicken with haggis croquettes, a good dish although not as complex as the duck.  A sneakily ordered portion of fries were also fantastic, straight out the fryer and salted to perfection.

Dessert was also ordered for a change and I’m so glad I did, this restaurant produced the best crème brûlée I have eaten in ages.  The texture was spot on, light but creamy and firm and full of heady vanilla.  The sugar top was evenly caramelised and deliciously crunchy.  I’m almost scared to go back and order it again in case I am disappointed!

Cafe Rogano was a delight that afternoon, a satisfying blend of luxury, comfort and gastronomy all for a particularly reasonable price, I would urge a visit.

East is East - Glutton in Edinburgh part 2

Petit Paris - Grassmarket, Edinburgh

Hangover averted our second day in Edinburgh took us to Petit Paris, a French restaurant down in the lovely Grassmarket.   It could not have been more different in style from our meal at Castle Terrace but it was equally as good.  This restaurant is small but perfectly formed in a traditional French bistro style where French waiters, checked table cloths and art nouveaux posters complete the scene. 

Pitchers of house red and white wine were served in tumblers the same as they do in a lot of Parisian bistros and my favourite way in this kind of restaurant.  Again, both an a la carte and lunch menu were offered but the lure of a salmon rillettes starter on the lunch menu swayed my decision and I’m glad it did.  The salmon had a slightly smoked flavour and was bound in a light dressing spiked with dill, it was served with toasted croûtes and it tasted utterly sublime, it’s a dish I’ll be trying to recreate at home.

For my second course I ordered the steak.   A word of warning - I asked for the steak to be done medium as I know that French restaurants prefer to undercook their steaks which indeed was the case here, it came rare.   Ask for anything below medium and you run the risk of it still mooing.... 

Aside from being slightly less done than I would prefer the steak was fantastic, seared until crusted it was well seasoned and tender.  The accompanying peppercorn sauce and sautéed potatoes were equally as good and a separately ordered, well dressed side salad ticked the green box.

My husband’s dish of pork fillet with a blue cheese sauce served with mash was also an authentic nod to bistro cuisine and although slightly cold he devoured the lot and proclaimed it delicious.

The lunch menu is a steal at £11.90 for two courses and coffee (supplement for steak) and the pitchers of wine also offer up decent value our bill for two was under £50.   I think this is wonderful restaurant, on a sunny Sunday it was packed to the brim inside and out and it is bursting with French charm and charisma.  Although a very different experience from our lunch the day before I would be as eager to recommend a trip to this adorable bistro to anyone interested in a low fuss, rustic dining experience.

East is East - Glutton in Edinburgh part 1

Castle Terrace – Castle Terrace, Edinburgh

A recent jaunt to Edinburgh was a fabulous opportunity to sample some of the capital’s brilliant cuisine.   An overnight stay in the beautiful Scotsman Hotel gave us a prime location from which to start our glutton’s tour!

My husband treated us to lunch at Castle Terrace restaurant down near the castle (funnily enough) and what a way to kick off a great weekend.  The restaurant is the epitome of modern elegance, all dark wood and glamorous wallpaper with smart, efficient staff.  We were greeted and seated near the back of the restaurant in a nice little alcove area slightly removed from the hustle of the busy main room. 

The waiter provided the wine list, lunch menu, tasting menu and a la carte menu giving us maximum choice, however we opted for the lunch menu, which at £20 for three courses is great value in these credit crunching times.   Although not a big selection on the lunch menu we had the choice of three dishes for each course all of which were focused around seasonality.

With a bottle of Prosecco poured and food ordered the waiter arrived with a selection of savouries on a board.  Thin breadsticks, little scones and crunchy bits of spinach and squid ink pasta were interesting and a bit hit and miss.  The breadsticks and pasta were tasty but the anchovy and tomato scones were reminiscent of the taste of my old home economics efforts, a wee bit floury and bland.  On the contrary, next to arrive was an amouse bouche of salmon mouse with cucumber cappuccino, a delicious little cup with layers of cucumber and chive jelly, smoked salmon mousse, tiny fried croutons all topped with a light, creamy cucumber foam.  It was outstanding and I could have eaten about ten of them!

Taste buds a tingling the first course arrived, for me a subtle, seasonal dish of asparagus with a raw spring vegetable salad accompanied by a black olive tapenade.   The asparagus had been trimmed and lightly cooked and the salad was made up of broad beans, peas, mushrooms, carrots and radish all prepared and dressed with the lightest of touch.  The tapenade was good although I did feel it slightly overpowered the other delicate flavours on the plate but I loved the simplicity and style of the dish.  My husband started with the pea soup, served with gnocchi, poached egg and tiny bacon bits and it was stunning.  Every texture and flavour from the smooth soup, runny egg yolk, crispy bacon and light dumplings made the dish sing.  If we go back and it’s still on the menu it is a must order starter.

Unusually, both of us ordered the same main course of braised pig cheeks with seasonal vegetables.   An incredibly tender braised pig cheek was garnished with tiny vegetables, a crispy fried bonbon of more cheek, rich jus and a blanquette sauce.  Again every morsel on the plate had been beautifully executed by the chefs.  I probably would have enjoyed the dish with the jus only but that is more a personal taste and I think it could have made the dish too wintery for the time of year.

A short break was requested before the desserts were ordered, a classic crème brulee was marred by being over done with the blow torch and unfortunately had started to slightly curdle.  The other dessert was a stunning apple en croute, strudel like and served with cinnamon ice cream and crisped apple slice it ended the meal on a high.

Although not perfect I have been highly critical of this restaurant as it is fine dining and the recipient of a “Rising Star” from Michelin.  The service was impeccable and the food was prepared with such care and attention that I really think it is worth a visit, especially with such a great value lunch menu on offer.  I can’t wait for another excuse to go back!

Footnote.....

Following on from our glutton’s tour of Edinburgh I am wisely omitting our evening activities from this blog, let’s just say that after such a wonderful meal in Castle Terrace several more drinks were consumed throughout the day and we ended up with a not exactly gastronomic dinner of nachos, buffalo wings and fajitas in the Filling Station – yummy and drunken!

Wong-derful

Ho Wong - York Street, Glasgow

Family arriving this week spells the beginning of another indulgent period which kicked off with a visit to the Ho Wong.  A Glasgow institution this restaurant has been open for almost 30 years and it seems to still be as popular now as ever.  It’s what I would describe as a traditional Chinese restaurant, with low lighting, starched white tablecloths and dark banquette seating but it has a lovely low key buzz which is just right for a relaxing meal.

Having been sat down and given the menu the great ordering debate started, the only issue with this menu is that it is full of delicious sounding Chinese treats and it takes some time to decide on which ones to go for.  Restraint must be shown as this place is not cheap, especially if you go for some of the divine seafood options.

Starters began with steamed scallops in their half shell served with black bean sauce, fat and juicy they were a testament to fine Scottish shellfish as well as the chef’s delicate touch.   At £4.50 a scallop there was some tussling over each delicious morsel but they were well worth it.  Next up was a more standard dish of salt and pepper spare ribs, a generous portion of salty, tender ribs with a great chilli kick.  Finally, the dish that really stood out amongst the starters was deep fried soft shell crab, done with salt and chilli they were cooked to perfection, sweet and delicious and definitely worth the £8.30 price tag.

Main courses were again shared and more chopstick wrestling ensued…..  Lamb in yellow bean sauce was a little on the sweet side for what is normally quite a savoury dish, served with cashew nuts it was tasty but not outstanding.  Aromatic lamb on the other hand was exceptional, served in the same manner as aromatic or Peking duck the lamb makes a delectable alternative.  Two seafood dishes of garlic langoustine and steamed halibut were also fantastic.  The classic method of steaming the halibut with ginger, spring onion and a little soy was all this beautiful fish needed and the langoustine were unexpectedly hard fried but very good nevertheless.  Accompaniments of fried rice and soft noodles were competently done, although not included with the main courses so be wary when ordering.

Service was very friendly and attentive however we did feel that our food took quite a long time to come out of the kitchen but with such high standards of cooking all was quickly forgiven.  The bill with wine for four of us was a hefty £180 however as I mentioned we had ordered some of the more expensive of dishes.  Ho Wong is a special occasion kind of place where you can indulge guilt free and revel in the delights of superior Chinese cuisine.

The only way is Essex!

Jamie’s Italian - 1 George Square, Glasgow

Ahh.... Glasgow in the spring!  Gale force winds, torrential downpours and the old glimmer of sunny warmth to show us what we are missing, it was this kind of day that I ended up in Jamie’s Italian.  Unless you have a party of eight or more you can’t pre book Jamie’s, so a visit there should be a leisurely affair as you will probably have to wait for your table.

After being given a pager from the hostess and informed it would be a mere thirty minutes for the table, the bar downstairs beckoned and a chilled glass of Prosecco was just what the doctor ordered.  Menu’s are provided in the bar area and what a menu it is, broken down into nibbles, antipasti, pasta and mains it is a food lover’s delight.   The vibe at Jamie’s is chilled and they encourage you to order as much or as little as you like, but the wait was spent debating how many dishes two people could reasonably order without embarrassment. 

Once shown to a slightly small table in the bustling upstairs the friendly waitress provided water and an offer of menu advice should it be needed, with drinks refreshed I set about ordering. 

To start I ordered dishes of marinated whitebait, Italian nachos, an antipasti plank for one and a selection of Italian breads to share.  The starters is where this restaurant really excels, the nachos are actually small cheese ravioli which are deep fried, topped with a sprinkle of parmesan and served with an arrabiata sauce and they are stunningly delicious.  A slightly insipid arrabiata wasn’t even enough to dull the pleasure of these little beauties and at £3.55 you’d be daft not to try them.  Whitebait are slightly pickled and served cold with a nice chilli spike and the antipasti plank is a thoughtful selection of meat, cheese and vegetables and well above average.  Even the selection of bread is impressive, soft focaccia,  grissini as well as a family favourite of carta da musica is served in a little pot with a side of grassy olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  The plates were wolfed down with wanton abandon and more than one tussle over the dwindling nachos.

Onto the main event, slightly anti-climatic after the starter I will admit but never the less a good offering.  A special of slow braised beef in a red wine sauce was only marginally let down by cold potatoes, however the meat was deliciously tender and melted in the mouth.  The other dish of grilled chicken was impressively moist in addition to having a fine charring on the outside which is difficult to achieve, the accompanying tomato, olive and caper sauce was tasty.  A side order of fried greens was a smidge heavy on the seasoning and a tiny bit burnt in places but even the best of us struggle not to burn our greens!

No room for dessert but the Prosecco and Pinot Grigio were a fine addition to a pretty great meal.  The small blips do nothing to dampen my enthusiasm for this establishment, the care and brains that have gone into what is basically a chain restaurant is remarkable.   From the light, airy premises, adorned with hanging hams and shelves of fresh bread to the funky bar offering cocktail specials, interesting wines and a selection of nibbles, it’s seriously clever.

Jamie’s Italian hits so many of the right notes in terms of service and fundamentally giving customer’s what they want, a vibrant, exciting meal without pretention or excessive expense.  Do yourself a favour, free up a couple of hours and indulge in a bit of Essex charm.

Hot Tattie

Tattie Macs, Otago Street, Glasgow

Catching up with an old friend was excuse enough this week for dinner out and my companion’s venue of choice was Tattie Macs in Otago Street.   A warm, friendly little bistro sandwiched between Gibson Street and Great Western Road it was welcome suggestion.  

The restaurant is small but perfectly formed, twinkling candles and chilled out music makes it the kind of place I love.  The waiting staff were excellent, very informative and not over imposing, they were kind enough to let us try some of the wine before committing to a full bottle. 

A real selling point of this restaurant is their Bistro menu, available Sunday to Friday until 10pm and Saturday until 6.30pm, which is a bargain at £11.95 for two courses.  I appreciate a restaurant in this climate making the effort to stay busy and with such a reasonable offer and minimum time restrictions it paid off so by 8pm the place was bustling.

The main menu was offered but there is a decent choice on the Bistro menu so we ordered from that.  Starters were a pickled herring and potato salad for both of us, which was delicious.  The herring were sharp and sweet which along with the creamy potato salad was a match made in heaven.  The absent taste of advertised horseradish was only a mild glitch in a fresh and vibrant first course.

For my main course I plumped for the venison casserole, a melt in the mouth, comforting stew that was served with well prepared, zingy red cabbage and green beans.   My friend’s choice of roast chicken, with honey, ginger and Cajun spice was a surprise winner.  It was beautifully cooked, moist and much more earthy and interesting than I would have gathered from the description, it is a dish I will be ordering on my next visit.

The wine list is great with a good few choices by the glass but more importantly the whole ambience of the place is spot on.   Good service, food and wine make up ninety percent of any meal but Tattie Macs has the extra je ne sais quoi that makes it shine out.

Yo Sushi! – YoYo

Yo Sushi – House of Fraser, Buchanan Street

A recent venture to Yo Sushi in the ground floor of the House of Fraser was a pleasant one if not entirely consistent.   As with most Yo Sushi restaurants they have done a fine job of kitting the space out with a good number of booths and a funky conveyor belt arrangement.  I still find it a little strange that you can see into the store but finally the overwhelming scent of the perfume department has given way to a more food based aroma.

We were greeted by a friendly face and given one of the roomy booths which still have the conveyor belt ambling past which is fun.   With wine ordered and glasses filled from the table top taps we perused the extensive menu with gusto.  As I have mentioned before I am a menu enthusiast and Yo Sushi has a wide and varied selection of both hot and cold dishes.  Anyone scared of sushi should try this kind of establishment as the amount of raw fish on the menu is actually quite minimal, even a lot of the sushi dishes are made with cooked ingredients making them a safe choice for first timers or the squeamish.

Yo Sushi encourages you to order a few dishes at a time whilst helping yourself to anything that catches your eye from the conveyor belt, and at the end of the meal they count the different coloured plates to calculate the bill.  Be warned, don’t take anyone with a large appetite...  The bill can fairly mount up if you’re not careful!

As it was a relatively quiet Tuesday night the conveyor belt wasn’t packed with dishes, so we kicked off by ordering a few cold dishes from the waitress.  An adequate California roll was first to be devoured, followed by an interesting and flavoursome duck futomaki,  think duck and pancakes but in sushi form.   A masago gunkan got the thumbs up from my husband who is partial to the tiny flying fish roe.

Onto a few hot dishes, a chicken katsu which was fine, possibly a bit over fried and a vegetable tempura  that fared a little better.  Although the tempura batter wouldn’t have won any prizes the selection of vegetables was good, tenderstem broccoli, lotus root and aubergine along with the obligatory onion and carrot. Chicken gyoza were tasty but not as nice as I’ve had elsewhere however a beautiful seaweed salad snatched from the conveyor belt was a real favourite, a crunchy blend of seaweed, carrots and edamame in a punchy soy dressing that cuts across any of the fried dishes – a real palate cleanser.

Palate cleansed we were off ordering again, this time from the seasonal Kill Chill menu which has been designed for winter and only has hot dishes on it.  These were the two outstanding dishes of the meal, gyudon beef bowl was delicious and moreish we probably could have ordered another two of them.  It was like a beef stir fry on sticky rice but with a complex and rich flavour although sadly with none of the advertised pickles garnishing.  Next up the chicken wings which were hot , savoury and totally addictive, hard fried and finished with a slick of chilli sauce and spring onions they were my idea of heaven.   I would love these to become a permanent fixture on the menu as they were worth the visit alone.

A cute selection of desserts such as Japanese pancakes were on offer, but we were finally full. 

The kicker with most of my meals at Yo Sushi is usually the price, as a greedy Glasgow glutton it is hard to show restraint and with plates priced between £1.70 and £5.00 it can soon mount up.  The more civilized of you out there could probably keep it reasonable, I cannot!

All in all a good meal a few misses but mostly hits, the staff are very friendly and the vibe was nice although subdued on such a quiet night.  This restaurant is obviously geared to the Saturday shoppers and town workers but if you find yourself down that end of town in the evening give it a try.