Glasgow Restaurants: Fanny Trollopes

Photo: Meat dish.1066 Argyle Street, Finnieston, Glasgow G3 8LY. 0141 564 6464

The comments book at Fanny Trollope's is littered with promises that diners 'will be back' and many of the clientele come along to the restaurant as a result of recommendations from friends and family:

  • 'Fanny Trollopes was Fab'
  • 'The puddings are sensations'
  • 'These guys know what people want and they deliver it effectively'
  • 'The best meal out in a long, long time'
  • 'Just like the best of Edinburgh - only better!'.

The foregoing comments give you some idea of what people think of Fanny Trollopes - they simply love it! The fact that staff from other Glasgow restaurants often choose Fanny's for their nights out could be considered to be an even higher accolade. For their efforts they have also been given an "Award for Excellence" by Peter Irvine in the 2006/7 edition of 'Scotland the Best'.

Mo Abdulla took over Fanny's in October 2005 with a commitment to ' honest food, locally sourced, skilfully prepared and modestly priced' - this seems to be a recipe for success as people keep coming back for more.
The restaurant has a warm and welcoming ambience, the staff are friendly and the food is superb. Mo, who has been the driving force behind other successful West End restaurants, including The Cabin and Roastit Bubbly Jocks, firmly believes in a hands on approach. He takes an interest in all aspects of running the restaurant from staffing through to lighting but his driving passion is the food.

Photo: Sweet.

The menu changes frequently and Mo, along with chef Gary Bayless, loves to try out new dishes such as a recent game terrine which, unusually, was made with hare and served as a starter with a spicy pear chutney. Another recent dish, which was a big hit with diners, was orange marmalade steam pudding ? despite its popularity Mo still feels that he can further refine this dish.

Photo: Interior. Photo: Mo Abdulla and Mo Abdulla.

The menu is based around the loose idea of 'Celtic Food' with lots of game, fish and seafood as well as vegetables, which are combined to create 'wholesome rustic dishes'. On a typical day the kitchen will be working with such fine Scottish produce as; venison from Argyll or Perthshire, beef from the Buccleuch Estates, Stornoway Black Pudding, Ramsay's Carluke Pork ('the finest in the world'). The fish is supplied mainly from Troon Harbour by Macallum?s and frequently includes Smokies from Arbroath and fresh seafood. The emphasis on seasonal Scottish produce is continued with the vegetables. As Mo says:'This element of the meal is where it is most possible to reflect the change of the seasons'.

Photo: Dish. When I dined at Fanny's a few weeks back with Jess, I had some fabulously tender Glenfarg lamb and she had Argyll venison with Parsnip Puree - which she raved about. We both had the same starter 'Red Wine Poached Pear and Dunsyre Blue Cheese' - and it was delicious.

Fanny's include hearty dishes and traditional puddings in their lunch menu, which is a great deal at £10.95 for two courses and £12.95 for three courses - typical dishes on the lunch time menu are oxtail stew and pineapple and ginger steamed pudding. Also watch out for Mo's home made oatcakes.

Photo: dish. Fanny's also offer similar pre-theatre deals and is a popular choice for private functions. The restaurant can seat 50 and you bring your own bottle. You will find the staff very friendly and approachable and they will provide information about any dishes on the menu. Mo is also happy to have a chat and you may want to ask about the interesting art work adorning the walls, which include some original Scottish works such as Helen Smith ceramics, or you may want to find out just who was Fanny Trollope? - who many years ago worked in a Finnieston cafe.

Pat Byrne - April, 2006

Photography by Jim Byrne.

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