I have been coming to Glasgow for 34 years and for many of those I have been coming to Bearsden and Milngavie. It has often been difficult to find somewhere good to eat but, with the passing of time, a culinary sun has begun to shine over southern Scotland.
It shone brightly today in Milngavie both literally and figuratively as we ventured in a party of four to Andiamo. Formerly the Allander bar and club, the building has been transformed beyond recognition. The interior design is immediately striking and you can appreciate the effort and thought even if you don't share the taste.
The conservatory style frontage of the restaurant is a mixed blessing. It afforded an excellent view of arriving patrons so large they perhaps should not eat again this year. The light and warmth were perhaps excessive on an early summer day like this and I would suggest the more conservative and well air conditioned interior to support the ambience.
The food scored highly for presentation, quality and value. Our aunts both had Pollo al Limone with which the chef might have ventured a lemon sauce rather than a citrus slice. Nevertheless the chicken was generously portioned. My partner's Fusilli Pollo Prima Vera satisfied and my own beef medallions with mushroom risotto came close to elating me. Andiamo serves excellent ice cream and this was especially good with the stunning amareno cherry dessert.
Lunch prices brought a bill of well under £15 a head although none of us drank alcohol.
4 1/2 out of 5 for bringing inspiration, value and a lightness of touch to north Glasgow.
Andiamo is also at Hamilton and Giffnock www.andiamo-restaurants.com
Saturday, 30 May 2009
Friday, 29 May 2009
Marriott Hotel - Glasgow Argyle Street
Tonight's meal at Source restaurant was a bit of a revelation. Previous Marriott offerings under the Mediterranea brand were frequently pretentious, poorly executed and overpriced. Someone seems to have turned that around.
We were not initially convinced by the £20 table d'hote price for three courses especially as my stomach was still considering lunch and did not really need a dessert.
My pancetta and melon approached minimal quantities but turned out to be well judged in the context of the meal. My partner was not convinced that creme fraiche added much to his green pea and red pepper soup.
My pork medaillons were just about perfect and the jus a sensation of flavour. The pave of duck opposite me was indistinct from some other meats and the garlic mash predictably lacked garlic in much quantity. Nevertheless we were satisfied.
My partner thought his cheese plate probably was a bit overloaded whilst my William Pear was perfectly pleasant. Taking quantity and quality together this was at last good value in a Marriott.
4/5 for putting the past where it belongs
We were not initially convinced by the £20 table d'hote price for three courses especially as my stomach was still considering lunch and did not really need a dessert.
My pancetta and melon approached minimal quantities but turned out to be well judged in the context of the meal. My partner was not convinced that creme fraiche added much to his green pea and red pepper soup.
My pork medaillons were just about perfect and the jus a sensation of flavour. The pave of duck opposite me was indistinct from some other meats and the garlic mash predictably lacked garlic in much quantity. Nevertheless we were satisfied.
My partner thought his cheese plate probably was a bit overloaded whilst my William Pear was perfectly pleasant. Taking quantity and quality together this was at last good value in a Marriott.
4/5 for putting the past where it belongs
Cafe Andaluz - Glasgow G1
Spanish food is every bit as much a delight as French or Italian but, unfortunately, to experience it authentically and away from the tourist trail you have to commit yourself to the most ridiculous eating hours on the face of the planet. So when an opportunity arises in your own country or at least its neighbour, Scotland, it is worth a dabble.
We were not disappointed with our tapas at Cafe Andaluz in St Vincents Place. The crowds which filled the place only minutes after our arrival spoke eloquently of its reputation. Between us we had six varieties served in portions which were not small. My partner was particularly delighted with his black pudding and onion marmalade. I was surprised my mushrooms on toast were not warmer.
Dessert was a masterpiece of flavour but not strictly a pavlova. Pavlova is not made by putting a meringue near some raspberries. This otherwise successful project seemed to have missed out its construction phase.
With the special offers at lunchtime keeping the price to a remarkably restrained £27 for two including soft drinks it might be worth avoiding the higher evening prices.
4/5 for ambience, quality and the components of a pavlova.
We were not disappointed with our tapas at Cafe Andaluz in St Vincents Place. The crowds which filled the place only minutes after our arrival spoke eloquently of its reputation. Between us we had six varieties served in portions which were not small. My partner was particularly delighted with his black pudding and onion marmalade. I was surprised my mushrooms on toast were not warmer.
Dessert was a masterpiece of flavour but not strictly a pavlova. Pavlova is not made by putting a meringue near some raspberries. This otherwise successful project seemed to have missed out its construction phase.
With the special offers at lunchtime keeping the price to a remarkably restrained £27 for two including soft drinks it might be worth avoiding the higher evening prices.
4/5 for ambience, quality and the components of a pavlova.
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Bombay Blues - Glasgow G2
On a day which had been cold then warmer it was unnecessarily hot in the centrally located Bombay Blues in Glasgow's Hope Street. We chose the buffet which does not allow a particularly worthwhile appraisal of the menu and it did not compare favourably with Cafe Tusk. Being at the other end of the country or as I suppose the Scots would argue, in another country, it perhaps does not need to.
They have done a favour in bringing spice to a country which, at the time of my first Scottish Indian restaurant experience in the early 80s, so assiduously avoided it. So the flavours were not in doubt but the selection and rate of replenishment were poor.
I ate what I wanted but the greedy part of me wanted Movenpick ice cream. I celebrated several notable anniversaries whilst waiting for the attention of the waiter and decided not to be greedy but leave.
2/5 for inattentiveness but proper use of chilli.
They have done a favour in bringing spice to a country which, at the time of my first Scottish Indian restaurant experience in the early 80s, so assiduously avoided it. So the flavours were not in doubt but the selection and rate of replenishment were poor.
I ate what I wanted but the greedy part of me wanted Movenpick ice cream. I celebrated several notable anniversaries whilst waiting for the attention of the waiter and decided not to be greedy but leave.
2/5 for inattentiveness but proper use of chilli.
KFC - Charnock Richard Services M6(N)
Of all the fast food you can eat KFC is, I think, amongst the best - in moderation.
However, the review today is not about the food which was fine but about the payment method. The Charnock Richard Service Area has two self-order points which incorporate debit/credit card payment facilities. I liked it a lot. No interface with the hard of understanding, pretty quick service and off to scoff. I hope it spreads.
However, the review today is not about the food which was fine but about the payment method. The Charnock Richard Service Area has two self-order points which incorporate debit/credit card payment facilities. I liked it a lot. No interface with the hard of understanding, pretty quick service and off to scoff. I hope it spreads.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Duo Restaurant - Renaissance Heathrow
The newly rebranded Duo restaurant at Heathrow’s Renaissance hotel has done away with a popular and successful buffet which offered considerable variety, left in place a limited and very expensive à la carte and added an even more limited table d’hôte menu. We had been driven to the restaurant by the bar’s £7.50 soup and £12 sandwiches and found ourselves no better off except for the improved view of departing aircraft.
I could not believe that tandoori chicken was not accompanied by rice – none was available. I thought gratin potato might not be an appropriate side. While I was imparting my opinions to the manager I also pointed out that gateaux is a plural and that if I ordered the black forest variety anachronistically offered on the table d’hôte, then I would expect many or several rather than the more likely one.
We ordered with reluctance and with considerable sympathy for my money. My partner’s delice of salmon was well cooked but the polenta probably had not been acquainted with the promised garlic. My chicken was in fact beautifully prepared and I survived an unexpected encounter with the red chilli hidden in the onion accompaniment.
Tangerine delice even with a free portion (compensation for the lack of rice) was a disappointment. Served at room temperature rather than more appropriately chilled it was no more than an unspectacularly topped sponge.
Good quality food with inconsistent preparation and pretentiously overpriced means 2/5.
I could not believe that tandoori chicken was not accompanied by rice – none was available. I thought gratin potato might not be an appropriate side. While I was imparting my opinions to the manager I also pointed out that gateaux is a plural and that if I ordered the black forest variety anachronistically offered on the table d’hôte, then I would expect many or several rather than the more likely one.
We ordered with reluctance and with considerable sympathy for my money. My partner’s delice of salmon was well cooked but the polenta probably had not been acquainted with the promised garlic. My chicken was in fact beautifully prepared and I survived an unexpected encounter with the red chilli hidden in the onion accompaniment.
Tangerine delice even with a free portion (compensation for the lack of rice) was a disappointment. Served at room temperature rather than more appropriately chilled it was no more than an unspectacularly topped sponge.
Good quality food with inconsistent preparation and pretentiously overpriced means 2/5.
Little Chef - Liphook
There was a time when you could enter a Little Chef with confidence about what to expect of both food and service. That certainty was dispelled by successive sales of the franchise and the recent intervention by, I believe, Heston Blumenthal.
The food was always good if predictable and benefitted from being cooked to order. The staff were always under stress at anything over 50% occupancy.
Now the menu is different for every visit and evidence of Heston is sparse. This I deduce from the fact that my chilli was not served with ice cream nor were there lychees with my partner’s rather suspiciously constituted burger.
I was largely satisfied with my dish but my partner reported and I confirmed that the burger had, to say the least, a strange texture not unlike a kebab but mercifully not tasting of lamb.
The staff however plumbed new depths of incompetence. The shared starter was ordered successfully only after I had explained the menu to the server three times! At the end, the heavy rain outside suddenly seemed preferable to the drips inside. I was brought the correct bill but then inexplicably charged for someone else’s (cheaper) meal.
I felt an urge to be honest and pay the larger amount. The other guest was a soldier and might have had concealed weapon. My honesty cost me several minutes at the till and gained me nothing except the tip I did not leave.
1/5 for backchat and incompetence.
The food was always good if predictable and benefitted from being cooked to order. The staff were always under stress at anything over 50% occupancy.
Now the menu is different for every visit and evidence of Heston is sparse. This I deduce from the fact that my chilli was not served with ice cream nor were there lychees with my partner’s rather suspiciously constituted burger.
I was largely satisfied with my dish but my partner reported and I confirmed that the burger had, to say the least, a strange texture not unlike a kebab but mercifully not tasting of lamb.
The staff however plumbed new depths of incompetence. The shared starter was ordered successfully only after I had explained the menu to the server three times! At the end, the heavy rain outside suddenly seemed preferable to the drips inside. I was brought the correct bill but then inexplicably charged for someone else’s (cheaper) meal.
I felt an urge to be honest and pay the larger amount. The other guest was a soldier and might have had concealed weapon. My honesty cost me several minutes at the till and gained me nothing except the tip I did not leave.
1/5 for backchat and incompetence.
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Fairly Glorious Too
I tried a second MPW soup and was not disappointed although curry soup probably is more an individual taste than pasta. Glorious! offers Indian Chicken, Spring Onion and Coriander, a description which rather understates the nearly dangerous number of listed ingredients.
The ingredient in common with the first soup tasted is, of course, chicken and that is undoubtedly very good. I could criticise the lentils in tonight's offering for being a little hard but I'd still suggest you buy it and you won't fell you have to have a main course afterwards.
The ingredient in common with the first soup tasted is, of course, chicken and that is undoubtedly very good. I could criticise the lentils in tonight's offering for being a little hard but I'd still suggest you buy it and you won't fell you have to have a main course afterwards.
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Cafe Tusk - Fareham
Fareham was never in my mind a particularly obvious destination for anything but is does now hold one attraction other than the best hairdresser I could find in the area.
There is no better place to take my new haircut for lunch than Indian restaurant Cafe Tusk which offers lunch buffet at superb value.
There is a very wide choice of starters, main dishes, accompaniments and desserts. The food is really very good and you can pretend to be an American and eat until you die or enjoy a more carefully thought out and balanced meal.
It would be fair to say that some of the food can be warm rather than hot and that one chicken variant is sometimes difficult to distinguish from another but at around £17 for two with non-alcoholic drinks, the value is indisputable. I always leave satisfied and looking forward to the next visit.
http://www.cafetusk.co.uk/
There is no better place to take my new haircut for lunch than Indian restaurant Cafe Tusk which offers lunch buffet at superb value.
There is a very wide choice of starters, main dishes, accompaniments and desserts. The food is really very good and you can pretend to be an American and eat until you die or enjoy a more carefully thought out and balanced meal.
It would be fair to say that some of the food can be warm rather than hot and that one chicken variant is sometimes difficult to distinguish from another but at around £17 for two with non-alcoholic drinks, the value is indisputable. I always leave satisfied and looking forward to the next visit.
http://www.cafetusk.co.uk/
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Glorious Indeed
I had not been at all impressed with the Marco Pierre White desserts sold by Sainsburys and so approached with caution his named soup. Actually "fresh real broth".
The contrast could not have been greater. I chose Chicken, Courgette and Orzo Pasta and it could not have been more delicious. The experience went beyond taste and hinged on texture, described on the tub as "light" which indeed it is. This was comfort and luxury food in one, priced reasonably as it turns out at, I think, £1.89.
Marco would have been horrified at my meal choice as I added pepper (my preference and my prerogative) and chose an accompaniment of pate on toast.
But, as it says in my introduction, food is about what you like and I will not be told by some wild eyed old ham whether or not I may use seasoning of my choice. Nevertheless I urge you to try something from the Glorious! range.
The contrast could not have been greater. I chose Chicken, Courgette and Orzo Pasta and it could not have been more delicious. The experience went beyond taste and hinged on texture, described on the tub as "light" which indeed it is. This was comfort and luxury food in one, priced reasonably as it turns out at, I think, £1.89.
Marco would have been horrified at my meal choice as I added pepper (my preference and my prerogative) and chose an accompaniment of pate on toast.
But, as it says in my introduction, food is about what you like and I will not be told by some wild eyed old ham whether or not I may use seasoning of my choice. Nevertheless I urge you to try something from the Glorious! range.
Raison d'Etre
You only need to look at me to see that I eat - a little too much. I enjoy food as much as I enjoy reading or sex and, unsurprisingly, with greater frequency than the others.
I haven't much time for food critics especially when their commentary is based on some arcane technical specification or whimsical personal expectation.
The enjoyment of food is about knowing what you like preferably without the hindrance of fad (vegetarian/vegan) or allergy (unfortunate).
My new blog brings you reports of what I like and don't like whether eaten in a restaurant or bought from a shop; reports from around the world, from land, sea and air.
Read, digest (as it were) and make your own mind up.
I haven't much time for food critics especially when their commentary is based on some arcane technical specification or whimsical personal expectation.
The enjoyment of food is about knowing what you like preferably without the hindrance of fad (vegetarian/vegan) or allergy (unfortunate).
My new blog brings you reports of what I like and don't like whether eaten in a restaurant or bought from a shop; reports from around the world, from land, sea and air.
Read, digest (as it were) and make your own mind up.
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