Glasgow West End: Pat's Guide to Eating Out: Restaurants, Cafes and Bistros: Restaurant News

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Photo: waiter. Glasgow West End Restaurant News August, 2007

Restaurant Review by David O'Neill Indian Quay

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Glasgow West End Restaurants and Pubs made a tremendous contribution to the success of the West End Festival, providing great food, drink and music. The Goat, OranMor, Brel, Stravaigin and Rio's Cafe have all been selected in our West End Festival Awards 2007

Alla Turca - Great New Restaurant Comes to Town

A great new restaurant has come to town in the form of Alla Turca - a wonderful Turkish Restaurant down in Pitt Street. Jim and I joined Roy Beers and Tommy McLaughlin at the launch of the restaurant and we had a great night. Burak Soyusinmez, the young, enthusiastic and multi-talented owner impressed us with some fabulous canapes, great music, dance and the Moet-Chandon was flowing. Good luck to Burak and his partner Lisa Perrie - Alla Turca is sure to be a tremendous success.
Read Roy Beers' Special Feature
Book at Table at Alla Turca on our Restaurant Reservation Service - including a free room and champagne for your private function.

Rijsttafel Night

Something new from Stravaigin, Ruthven Lane.

A Dutch take on Indonesian dining -Rijsttafel (or Rice Table) a selection of tapas sized dishes served with rice, chutneys and pickles.

The dishes sound exotic and wonderful and include: Satay Ayam - Spicy peanut chicken skewers, Gulai Bagar - West Sumatran mutton curry, Udang Asam pedas - Hot and Sour Prawn curry and Kelia Itik - Duck Curry. Also vegetarian choices. £14.95

2nd Tuesday of Every Month from Tuesday 11th September

Reserve a table and enjoy a complimentary bottle of guest beer.
Telephone: 0142 334 7165.

The Salon

We also went along to investigate The Salon, which replaces G1's 'Gong' on Vinicombe Street, off Byres Road. The decor is pretty sumptuous - an attractive venue for the glam crowds of an evening and offering family brunch at week-ends.

Autumn treats at OranMor

This Autumn at OranMor you can not only enjoy a new season of plays at their lunchtime theatre A Play, A Pie and A Pint or on a Wednesday evening at A Dinner, A Drama and A Dram but you can also enjoy some high class entertainment at A Cocktail, A Concert and A Canape

Roy Beers also keeps you up to date with all the latest developments - Glasgow West End Dining and Drinking. Including Stefan King's plans for The Botanics and Hotel du Vin's new smoking booth.

May, 2007

The West End's Eating Out Scene has never been more vibrant with the opening of Cafe Francais - bringing a touch of Gallic charm to the bottom of Byres Road. We also have the wonderful Hotel du Vin, One Devonshire Gardens - all set up to offer top class evening dining or leisurely afternoon teas in their new gardens.

Cafe Culture is exploding with lots of little coffee shops springing up in Partick - including the very friendly Cherrybean at Dumbarton Road, Broomhill. Kelvinbridge also has much to offer with a cluster of great restaurants and coffee shops around Park Road - including the expanded Asiza, Enjoy, Mad Hatters, Theo's and The Bay Tree. Cafe Cherubini, 360 Great Western Road, is under new management and Marc Di Lucca is just about to open a new mezzanine level, which can be used for small private parties.

Louis' Grill on Gibson Street (a sister of No 16 Byres Road) is a lovely restaurant - very relaxed and cheerful - great service and really super burgers.

For in depth information about dining and drinking Glasgow see:Roy Beers' Dining and Drinking Column

Reviews and Special Fatures

Roy Beers' Special Feature on The Shish Mahal

Review of Cul de Sac - Ashton lane

Add your own review

Paperinos Support Coeliac Awareness

Glasgow based PAPERINOS, has become one of the city's best loved restaurants offering classic, authentic, Italian cuisine at affordable prices and in stylish surroundings; in support of diners, who suffer from coeliac disease, the restaurant provides delicious alternatives to wheat pasta.

Recently, recognition of coeliac disease has come to the fore with many sufferers complaining that an evening out often goes hand in hand with lengthy explanations of the condition - alongside disapproving looks by restaurant staff who often think the diner is nothing more than a fussy eater!

Coeliac disease is now estimated to affect as many as 1 in 150 people, with the condition largely unnoticed and undiagnosed. Earlier this year MSPs in the Scottish Parliament the condition was the subject of a debate where nearly a dozen MSPs showed support towards raising awareness of the disease, including ?lack of early diagnoses? and the higher costs of gluten free foods.

Coeliac Awareness Week (UK) launches on MONDAY 14TH MAY 2007.

  • Paperinos City Centre, 283 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3HQ - Tel: 0141 332 3800
  • Paperinos West End, 227 Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8UD - Tel: 0141 334 3811
  • Paperinos To Go, 227 Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8UD - Tel: 0141 334 3888

December 2006

Rio's Cafe

Saturday 9th December. DJ Junior - dance, blues, nu-jazz, world and afro.
Free. 8 p.m.
27 Hyndland Street, 0141 334 9909

Theo's

380 Great Western Road
Fri 8th & 15th Dec 6-8pm
Enjoy an accoustic evening with Glasgow newcomers
Hey Princess
will play all their hits and some Christmas songs
Jingle Bells all the way!
FREE early evening gigs just in time for light dinner at Theo's
Bring your own bottle and join in the Festivities
Children more than welcome
Fun children's menu
percussion instruments provided by Theo's favourite elf...Faylinn
More info http://www.theoscafe.co.uk

Children deck the halls at Stravaigin2

2nd Decemeber, Stravaigin2 Children Make your own Christmas Decorations

Theo's

Theo's Coffee and Play - Saturday 2nd December and Sunday 3rd December, 2006
Sale of gifts from fair trade sources - as diverse as Nepal and Partick, mostly handcrafts. Also a nice lady from Barefoot Books is coming to read some stories to pre-schoolers and offer her books for sale too.

November, 2006

Saint Andrew's Day

Ubiquitious Chip - Meg Dod's Dinner

30th November 2006 ~ £43.65 Per Person Inclusive.
The Chip are reconstructing an early 19th century dinner and you can dine in the style of some of the major figures of the Scottish Enlightenment including Scott, Adam Ferguson, James Hogg, Christopher North and others.
Four course dinner and a dram, a St Andrews Chardonnay and glass of Madeira ? one of the tipples of the club. Not only an enjoyable evening but one of real historical interest.

Mistress Meg Dods was the formidable landlady of the Cleikum Inn near Peebles. Immortalised in Sir Walter Scotts novel St Ronans Well.
Further information and to book

Mad Hatter

A family affair - this lovely little bistro has just opened on Great Western Road, between Park Road and Kelvingbridge Underground. Peter Brunton and his brother Ross and sister Angela have created a rather elegant, but cosy, coffee shop (wonderful Tuscan Coffee) and great soup and sandwiches. They have some great plans including Jazz Nights. Could brighten up these looming winter evenings.

Glasgow Restaurants Christmas Menus 2006

Planning a night out or celebrating with your family - you will find something to suit everyone from our selection of Christmas Menus. Festive Dining, Christmas Lunch Menus, Christmas Dinner, Party Nights and Banquets.

Eating Out News

September, 2006

Blas - Scottish Cafe and Restaurant

1397-1403 Argyle St, Glasgow, G3 8AN. Tel: 0141 357 4328
The other day someone left a comment on the site about this new restaurant, advising us of the 'relaxed atmosphere and very tasty Scottish menu'. So we acted on the recommendation and were not disappointed. It's in a fantastic location, just opposite Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - what a view! Unusually, the Scottish fare was very imaginative and delicious. I had the Veggie Platter - an absolute delight with Haggis, Wild Mushroom Barley Broth, Courgettes and Dunsyre Cheese and a lovely rice dish. This was accompanied by oatcakes and cottage cheese and chives. An absolute bargain at under £5. Jim had some lovely smoked Haddock Fish Cakes - the menu is superb and the staff headed up by the charming Ross Parry are doing a great job. Alan Copeland is the talented chef and we were served very efficiently by Catherine Mills, a new arrival in Glasgow from Northern Ireland.
This restaurant is bound to be a big hit with visitors to the gallery and is likely to become a firm favourite with Glaswegians.

The Rio Cafe

27 Hyndland Street, Partick. Tel: 0141 334 9909
A very lively and spacious diner bringing a bit of magic to Partick. Great choice of food and brilliant atmosphere. You can also sample some Jazz every Thursday night and on Fridays, Mark Robb, one of the owners spins his latest 45s.

Hyndland Street is fairly perking up and is now one of the West End's most interesting places to sit and sup your coffee. There is plenty of choice - next door to the Rio you will find Blossoms, which sells traditional snacks and, of course, the wonderful Hummingbird is just a bit further up the street.
Blossom has super friendly staff and very reasonable prices.

Polish Taste

You will find this great Polish Deli at 21 Hyndland Street, Tel: 0141 338 6899
The Korzeniowski Family have introduced a whole new flavour to the West End with their Polish produce - you might not recognise things but they are happy to explain and inform you of all ingredients. My son John just loves their dumplings and the great Segafredo coffee also goes down a treat.
Delizique - is another brilliant deli on Hyndland Street.
Then every couple of weeks there is the Farmers' Market.

Sip and Surf

Yet another Internet Cafe has opened on Great Western Road just round the corner for Cooper's along from Kelvinbridge. It seems to be very popular with lots of people busy browsing and munching.

The Left Bank

The newish restaurant on Gibson Street has taken off in a big way. I went along there and caught up with the birthday girls, Joan, Jackie, Rena and Maggie along with Eleanor - service, atmosphere, and food are all top class and the joint is fairly jumping.

August, 2006

Gourmet Glasgow - Food and Drink FestivalFriday 18th - Sunday 20th August, 2006.

Gourmet menus, demonstrations by Glasgow's finest chefs and visiting celebrity chefs. The main venue is The Old Fruitmarket, Merchant City. Some of Glasgow's favourite restaurants such as The Buttery, Gamba, The Sisters and Cafe Andaluz will also particpate. Further information and ticket details.

the cheese bar and deli

A smart little deli and restaurant has opened at 61 Otago Street, replacing Otago. The menu, service and ambiance are superb and you can stock up on lots of goodies to take home. I enjoyed tea their with Val. Good luck with the new venture. Tel:0141 337 2282.

The Left Bank

Just around the corner on Gibson Street another lovely cafe bar has opened. This venture by Catherine Hardy, Jacqueline Fennessy and George Swanson is already proving very popular. I went along for lunch with Anne and we were impressed by the friendly staff, interesting menu and lovely decor.

New Polish Deli

There's a new Polish Deli down in Hyndland Street - Jeana Papamikial has been raving about it. However, I went down to check it out last Monday and it is closed Mondays but I'll go back again.

Farwell to Room

Room at One Devonshire closed it's doors (hopefully a temporary measure) on 7th August and Hotel du Vin has now arrived. I'm going to really miss Room as we did loads of work with them and I learned a lot from John Pallagi and his excellent staff. Hope that they will be reopening in Glasgow again very soon and in the meantime good luck in London, Manchester and Liverpool.

Catch up with the rest of the news on Roy Beers' Eating and Drinking Spot

Find out what the locals think on our discussion forum.

July, 2006

It's goodbye to Room, for a spell anyway, and hello to Hotel du Vin. Also new on the scene is 'The Left Bank' in Gibson Street, where I enjoyed lunch with Anne. Great menu and nice decor. Bobar, the Hilton's new bar, created quite a stir with their opening event - aptly named by our Discussion Forum members Westenders in the scuddie. Bobar offers an alternative view onto Byres Road - just across from OranMor. Getting mighty busy up that neck of the woods.
And going to be exciting in August when OranMor brings The Best of the Fest to the West - with a series of lunchtime plays from the Fringe. The Best of the Fest in the West - a first for Glasgow.

I was very sad to see Otago closing down but Mario and his buddies are off seeking pastures new.

You can read all the lowdown on the Eating and Drinking Scene on Roy Beers' Spot

May, 2006

Working with some of the most popular local restaurants we are now offering some special deals that you can book online with our Glasgow Restaurant Reservations.

We will gradually build up the facility so that you can choose from a range of special deals at different restaurants. We are delighted to have three of Glasgow's most popular restaurants on board to help us get this new scheme off the ground: Room at One Devonshire, The Buttery and Stravaigin.

Fanny Trollopes

Read the feature on this gem of a restaurant in up and coming Finnieston. Only a stone's throw from the West End.

Room Wine Club

15th May
"Great wine, great food and interesting people" - read the reviews

March, 2006

Find out about what's going on in Roy Beers' New Glasgow West End Eating and Drinking Spot

February, 2006

Latest news - Football fans can book a booth at The Lansdowne and watch the match over dinner!!

With Valentine's Day looming you can choose from a range of restuarants for that romantic dining experience - or if you just feel like treating yourself. St Valentine's Menus - or pop into Acanthus, 1032 Argyle St, Glasgow 0141 572 0232, where you can enjoy a great sandwich and coffee and also pick up your card and flowers.

Room

I've enjoyed a few visits to different Glasgow West End restaurants recently and had a lovely meal at Room, One Devonshire Gardens, with Gill, John, and Jim. The restaurant continues to go from strength to strength and apart from wonderful food courtesy of their talented chef, Mark Greenaway, Room offer a range of interesting events including their new Room Wine Club, 20th February, 2006

There is also a new Private Dining Room, which can be hired out for different functions.
For further information telephone: 0141 341 0000.

You can also Ask the Chef for some cooking tips and maybe win brunch for two at Room.
Latest deal - ?7 before 7 p.m. - Save 50% on all ? la carte courses at Room Restaurant.

Fanny Trollope's

1066 Argyle Street, Finniston, Glasgow G3 8LY. 0141 564 6464
Jess and I had a delightful dinner and interesting conversations with Mo Abdulla, restaurateur and chef, Gary Bayless also chef at Fanny's (who is doing a grand job) and the charming waitress Erin, all the way from Galway. Having successfully established the Cabin restaurant and Roastit Bubbly Jocks in Partick, Mo has been putting Fanny Trollopes on the map over the past six months. With 'Celtic' wholesome, tasty and recognisable dishes the menu is very enticing and the restuarant has been refurbished with attractive lighting and interesting art work lending it a very relaxed and welcoming ambience. The menu includes Scottish dishes such as Cullen Skink Smoked Fish Soup and Haunch of Argyll Venison with Parsnip Puree and Game Jus. The vegetable options sound very appetising and there are some great fish dishes like Oven Baked Mackeral on Ratatouille. Both Jess and I opted for the same starter and it was fabulous 'Red Wine Poached Pear and Dunsyre Cheese Salad. Absolutely super.
If you are going along remember to bring your own bottle.
Great pre-theatre menu - 2 courses £10.95 and 3 courses £12.95
You could not fault Fanny's and the comments book is worth a read.
Telephone: 0141 564 6464

TriBeCa

Photo: cafe.Jim and I popped down to Partick a couple of weeks ago and had a tasty brunch in the relaxed atmosphere of TriBeCa, Cafe/Restaurant, 102 Dumbarton Road (0141 576 0122). I had some wonderful pancakes with bacon and syrup - just could not finish them and delicious Bei and Nannini coffee. Alan Rodgers has recently taken over the restaurant and with his young team from all airts and pairts of the world he is offering fine food and friendly service...
Read the full article.

Refurbishment

...seems to be the name of the game and Stravaigin in Gibson Street has a whole new spacious and airy feel to it. The food remains outstanding and I had a lovely meal there recently with Jackie, Elena (who compared it favourably to her West London haunts), Linda and Janet. I had a wee chat with the manager Ciaran Gourlay overseeing the smooth and friendly service.

Also just undergone refurbishment is La Parmigiana Great Western Road, Kelvingbridge, so I must pop in for a swatch. Proprietor and head chef Sandro Giovanazzi has aimed to retain the atmosphere of a traditional Italian trattoria - so popular with La Parmigiana's dedicated customers. So rather than make drastic changes the upgrade has been about imrpoving the restaurant, where you can enjoy "unique dishes to inspire the italian food lovers".

New arrivals

On Great Western Road you will find Aziza's Cafe Bazaar 517a Great Western Road. Small and sumptous, my friend Jackie recommends it for lunch - especially the stews. The menu includes Moroccan and Middle Estern dishes with couscous and spices. Friendly atmosphere. 517a Great Western Road, Glasgow 0141 357 1117

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