Category Archives: Food and Drink

The rise of Glasgow’s independent coffee culture

Glasgow last night played host to the launch of Scotland’s first Independent Coffee Guide, cementing its place as a major player on the speciality coffee scene.

coffe photo2 photo1 indieguide

Over 100 people packed into South Block on Osborne Street to experience the landmark moment for the local industry, as Salt Media publishers unveiled their glossy 130-page encyclopaedia of Scottish coffee shops and roasters.

The guide is the first of its kind in Scotland after similar successful projects by Salt Media in the south-west and north of England. North Berwick-based photographer Gavin Smart contributed an array of images to the guide, and these were displayed in a mini-gallery at the launch event.

“Incredible”

Jo Rees, editor of the Indy Coffee Guide, said: “There’s loads of coffee in Scotland – some of it incredible, some not so good, but with your Indy Coffee Guide in your back pocket, you can be confident that you won’t waste your precious and limited caffeine intake on anything but the very best speciality coffee. It’s your starting point for some brilliant coffee adventures.”

Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood, UK Barista champion, said: “The guide represents the emergence of “coffee tourism”. After all, guidebooks have led people to new and exciting realms for centuries.”

A four-strong panel picked out 44 top coffee shops and 11 top roasters stretching from Ullapool to Berwick. Also included are supplementary lists of 27 highly recommended shops and 7 roasters. All in all, 22 Glasgow establishments are featured in the Guide.

The Scottish speciality coffee industry is riding a wave of publicity at the moment. The second Glasgow Coffee Festival was held in October last year, and the launch of the Independent Coffee Guide comes one day before the ‘northern’ heat of the 2016 UK Barista Championship which is being held in Glasgow today.

The guide will be available for sale at the coffee venues featured in the guide, at Waterstones and good bookshops, via Amazon and from the Indy Coffee Guide website

Number 10 Hotel, Southside’s hidden gem

IMG_4574

The Wright Brothers, John (left) and Gordon (right) pictured with bar manager Shaun (centre)

From Functions and Funerals to Flourish and Fame

 

How Number 10 Hotel became the new hidden gem of the South Side.

As a Glaswegian West Ender who now lives in Edinburgh, I will hold my hands up to say that I rarely venture over to Glasgow’s South Side, especially when going for a meal. I was therefore intrigued when a friend recommended a visit to a small function-hotel turned local produce restaurant in Queen’s Drive.IMG_4536 Number 10 Hotel, normally famed for its large function areas alone has transformed its once gastropub menu into a pinnacle for local flavour. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients and making everything in-house, the wonders coming out of the restaurant’s kitchen are setting tongues wagging in Glasgow’s South Side. The creative forces behind this shift are the hotel’s chefs, brothers John and Gordon Wright. At 29 and 27 respectively it’s hard to believe that these brothers could boast 20 years’ experience between them. Yet with both retaining impressive CVs built working in 5 star restaurants throughout the city, the brothers have brought their penchant for all things local to Number 10’s extensive menu. “I think that we have both taken the best parts from the restaurants we worked in and applied them to our own menu,” John explained. “We came here wanting the opportunity to provide something fresh and local and we don’t think that anyone else is providing the same service over on this side of the city.” Gordon injected. The Reporter cannot fault them on their dedication to fresh flavours, rising early to bake everything from the bread to the biscuits – Gordon jokes that the only thing they cannot make themselves is the eggs and the flour. So what took these brothers away from their five star kitchens and into Number 10 Hotel? “I once worked in a kitchen where their supplier for cooked chicken was sent over from Thailand” John explains. “I wanted the opportunity to provide people with quality food in the way I know how to cook it and here at Number 10 Hotel we have been fortunate enough to have creative control” bar “We’re lucky as the owner trusts us completely.” Gordon agrees, “And we believe we’re proving that people are interested in good local food, since we’re getting busier and busier.” Tucked up away opposite the greenery of Queen’s Park, Number 10 Hotel could be a country club a million miles away from the bustling city centre. However, this quiet exterior proves to have its drawbacks. “We can be easy to miss” John admits, “though we’re seeing that when people discover us they come back again and again.” “We tend to be fully booked at the weekend.” Gordon emphasises. “But we still feel like more people would be interested in what we’re trying to do if only they knew about it.” With the commitment and obvious pride in the service they are providing, I have no doubt that these brother’s will go from strength to strength. Number 10 Hotel is worth a visit, even just to sample their Hot Chocolate Fondant, a treat that dare I say it is worth the extra hour in the gym working it off.

 

 

The Skinny on best places to eat and drink in Glasgow

skinnycover

‘Edinburgh and Glasgow’s best food venues’ named by readers of The Skinny

The winners in The Skinny magazine’s annual readers’ food and drink survey of venues in Glasgow and Edinburgh have been announced, following a major public vote by the magazine’s readers.

The survey is a celebration of all aspects of the thriving food and drink scene in Scotland, with readers naming their favourite bars, beers, cafes, restaurants and shops across eight categories.

This year’s survey – the fourth since its inception in 2011 – saw thousands of votes cast online for venues large and small across central Scotland, with the readers of The Skinny‘s Northwest edition also polled on their favourite food haunts in Manchester and Liverpool.

The results of the 2015 food and drink survey can be found in an eight-page special in the January issue of The Skinny, which is out now, as well as online at theskinny.co.uk/food. The full list of winners can also be found at the end of this release.

The Skinny is Scotland and the Northwest of England’s leading culture and listings magazine, with an ABC certified distribution of 56,770 free copies of its two editions going out to venues across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool every month.

World Cup party at the Love Pub

Scotland’s national football team may not have made it into the Brazilian World Cup 2014, but pubs and bars throughout Glasgow, Lanarkshire and the whole of Scotland will still be celebrating the world’s most prestigious tournament in style.

Angels Hotel in Lanarkshire, affectionately called “The Love Pub, was picked to be part of Scotland’s Pubs & Bars A Story to Tell initiative because it is famous not just as a meeting place but for staff falling in love and subsequently marrying! It seems apt that one of these stories relates to the World Cup – the current bar manager, Claire Farr, met her husband when he was the manager of the bar at a previous World Cup. In their case, love really does equal football.

Naturally the bar will be hosting an exciting celebration for the duration of the World Cup, launching with a Carnival Kick Off on Saturday 12 June from 12 noon to late including:

Brazilian style World Cup Dancers
Sampling on the hour every hour.
Body painted model sampling
The Rumba Bumba Steel Band
BBQ
Street food
Bonus goodie bags
And much more

The celebrations at Angels, and its sister venue The Parkville, will continue throughout the tournament and into the Commonwealth Games. Highlights include:

Nacho
Special tapas meal deals including The Tapas 6 – Any 3 Tapas from their Tapptizer menu
World Cup Cocktails
Prizes including t-shirts and free Brazilian waxing
A La Botella menu
Round the World cocktails – The Coctel 8
The Brazilian – the ultimate party night for women only on 5 July including live music, Butlers in the Buff, a 2 course meal for £20 and more prizes.
The Final Party on Sunday 13 July – a ticketed party including a 5 course meal and sombreros.

And so they have someone to cheer on, the pub has selected three teams of their own to support through the tournament: Brazil, Uruguay and Honduras.

Speaking about the celebration, Siobhan Edwards, Marketing Director for the hotels said:

“Our Angels Hotel bar is affectionately known as the love pub, not least for the number of people who have met and subsequently married in our pub, but also because of the passion all our staff have for what we do. While Scotland may not be in the World Cup, we know that much of our football loving population will still want to celebrate the tournament and what better place to truly get the adrenalin pumping than surrounded by other football fans in your local pub or bar. We have created a very exciting celebration at all our bars so that our locals and visitors have a very special story to tell about World Cup 2014.”

For more information about the stories pubs and bars in Glasgow and throughout Scotland have to tell, visit http://www.scotlandspubsandbars.co.uk

Submitted by Kirsty Innes

angels_inside

screenshot383

Hard Rock Café arrives in Glasgow

Glasgow iNTERIOR 1

 

The Hard Rock chain has announced that its latest restaurant will open in Buchanan Street with a weekend of Scottish Music at the end of this month.

The three-day spectacular called The Scottish Music Weekend, kicks off on Friday 31 January, where Clyde 1 will be broadcasting ‘The Knoxy show’ live from the cafe 10am-2pm. The legendary KT Tunstall will be returning to her Hard Rock Cafe roots and performing an exclusive live set during the afternoon, including hits such as ‘Black Horse and The Cherry Tree’, to win a chance to watch KT live tune into Clyde 1. One lucky listener at the event will have the chance to win a stay at the Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana in The Dominican Republic. Scottish rockers, We Were Promised Jet Packs will perform in the evening, to win a chance to be there head to the Facebook page.

Hard Rock’s newest home in Scotland’s cultural capital will continue the celebrations on Saturday 1 February with free musical guitar masterclasses from Andy McKenzie and Jamie Keenan (The La Fontaines) Highlighting Hard Rock’s commitment to supporting new and unsigned music, on Saturday Feb 1st from 2:30pm The River 68’s, The Recovery! Bear Arms and The Holy Ghosts will all play free to enter shows on the first floor of the restaurant. In the evening guests will be treated to a performance from Glaswegian natives, Kassidy, to win a chance to attend enter here.

On Sunday 2 February legendary music journalist Billy Sloan and Emu band will be hosting the morning’s free music masterclasses. Glasgow will be treated to grand opening extravaganza and “behind the velvet rope” access to a legendary Hard Rock guitar smash at 7:30pm, which marks the opening of every cafe, casino and hotel worldwide, followed by a VIP very special performance by Scottish legends, The Fratellis at the grand opening event. The first lucky 100 people in line outside the café at 8pm will gain access to the party and win the chance to rub shoulders with celebrities, VIPs and special guests, at what is set to be the hottest party to start the year!

Dave Pellow, Area Vice President, Hard Rock Europe said “The Scottish Music Weekend is the perfect way to mark the grand opening of Hard Rock Cafe Glasgow, we have some great local talent and Scottish legends performing live, showcasing the venue’s live music space. Since opening our doors in November 2013, we’ve been overwhelmed with the support and we’re extremely proud of the success of Hard Rock Cafe Glasgow.

Hard Rock Cafe Glasgow opened its doors in November with over 1000 people through the door in the first day. Hard Rock Cafe Glasgow’s design features include an interactive touch wall with technology that enables fans to explore the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia collection and virtually tour the company’s venues around the world. The multi-level Hard Rock Cafe Glasgow is ideally situated in the Antheneum building on Buchanan Street, memorabilia adorning the walls features legends and superstars including Sir Elton John’s amazing platform boots, Rod Stewart’s silk suit, Glasgow’s very own Angus Young’s iconic velvet schoolboy outfit and E-Street band legendary saxophonist Clarence Clemons’ bagpipe and kilt. Scottish artists included in the list of rockin’ memorabilia include pieces from Frightened Rabbit, Primal Scream, Amy MacDonald, Alex Harvey, KT Tunstall, Bay City Rollers, Colin Hay, Big Country, Stu Sutcliffe, Al Stewart and Donovan.

HRC Logo Black GlasgowTo continue their philanthropic philosophy ‘Love all Serve all’, staff at The Hard Rock Cafe Glasgow will be selling white wristbands in the week leading up to the grand opening event, all proceeds will go towards Events for Charities, in support of The Clutha Helicopter victims. Wristbands are available for £1 from 27 January – 2 February.

Zombie Attack in Johnstone!

zombie

THE Johnstone outlet of Cook and Indi’s World Buffet found itself subject to a zombie attack on Halloween when staff dressed as the living dead to raise funds BBC’s Children in Need.

 

Cook Gill, co-founder of the restaurant, said: “The Zombie attack was great fun and our customers loved it – as did our staff! In the event, we raised hundreds of pounds for Children in Need – maybe Zombies aren’t so scary after all!”

 

Cook and Indi’s World Buffet offers five different cuisines (Indian, Japanese, Sushi, Chinese and Italian) and over 100 dishes. As well as Darnley, it has outlets in Glasgow, Hamilton, Bishopbriggs and Johnstone – with more opening soon.

 

 

Catering company go bananas over Fairtrade

Sodexo Prestige and Hampden Go Fairtrade Bananas 

 

Hundreds of free bananas will be handed out at one of Scotland’s most popular stadiums by a Scottish catering giant to show its support for Fairtrade farmers around the globe. Hampden football stadium will be giving away over 500 pieces of the sustainable fruit to delegates attending its various corporate events and conferences during Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from February 25.

 

The move has been dreamt up by Sodexo Prestige, which also provides catering and hospitality services at venues such as Perth and Hamilton Race Courses, Aberdeen Football Club and National Museums of Scotland. Austin Tilsley, Scotland regional director at Sodexo Prestige, said: “We partner with some of the finest venues in Scotland and were determined to do our bit for Fairtrade Fortnight. Now every delegate attending a meeting or conference at one of those venues over the fortnight will get a Fairtrade banana on us.  It’s a bit of fun, a tasty snack and a perfect way to get people to think about where their food comes from and to focus on the excellent work of the Fairtrade Foundation. Everything we do at Sodexo Prestige is about using locally-sourced, sustainable and in-season produce as widely as possible.  Obviously we can’t buy locally-grown bananas, but we can make sure those we do buy help the poorest farmers around the world. We already use a range of Fairtrade products across our venues, including sugar, coffee and tea.”

 

Fairtrade Fortnight runs to March 10 and aims to promote the issue of world poverty, encouraging people across the UK to think about where their food comes from and help support smallholders in the developing world.

 

A total of 10,000 bananas will be handed out by Sodexo Prestige, which partners with 17 top class Scottish venues and more than 50 across the UK. It also provides catering for The Open Championship, one of the world’s biggest golfing events.

 

Parent company Sodexo employs more than 1000 people across Scotland, providing catering and a wide range of other services at scores of sites, including council buildings, government offices, courts, schools, colleges, as well as many businesses. The company, which operates globally, has outlined its long term sustainability goals in its Better Tomorrow plan, a worldwide sustainability strategy taking it up to 2020.

 

James Bennet, Head of Brand and Out of Home at the Fairtrade Foundation said: “In 2013 Fairtrade is challenging businesses to go further for Fairtrade producers. We are pleased to work with Sodexo Prestige on a number of initiatives that drive sales of Fairtrade goods across their sites and raise awareness to their consumers. Over the past few years in line with its Better Tomorrow Plan, Sodexo Prestige has actively engaged with Fairtrade. We look forward to continuing this in the future and across 2013 driving more significant producer impact. “

 

Operating under the BS8901 Management System for sustainable events, Sodexo Prestige implement a number of practices designed to ensure it acts in a sustainable manner. Initiatives include ensuring all baked goods are made on site or sourced from within 30 miles; using fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients where possible; and consolidating deliveries to minimise food miles.

 

Valentine’s Day – Mussel Inn

As the dish traditionally known as ‘the food of love’, and enjoying a reputation as a potent aphrodisiac, oysters will feature as specials at award-winning Scottish seafood restaurant Mussel Inn this Valentine’s Day.

Yet, whilst chilled oysters served naturally or with shallot and red wine vinaigrette remains the most popular option on its menu, Mussel Inn has noticed a growing trend in popularity of grilled oysters – and even oyster tempura.

Matt Johansson, food and beverage manager at Mussel Inn, said:- “According to Greek myth, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, sprang forth from the sea on an oyster shell and gave birth to Eros, which is where word ‘aphrodisiac’ derives, and legendary lover Casanova always started a meal by eating 12 dozen oysters. That’s why we’re sure that our oysters will prove popular options on our menu this Valentine’s Day!

“Yet whilst I personally love them naturally with a sprinkle of lemon juice – they are so fresh that you can taste the sea water – our grilled oysters with gruyere cheese and bacon are amongst the most popular dishes on our menu. For novices I would recommend the oyster tempura, which has a delicious crispy outing and lends the oyster an appealing, velvety texture.

“Carefully nurtured in the sea lochs of the Scottish west coast, our hand selected and sustainably cultivated oysters grow more slowly then those from warmer waters, providing a richness and depth of taste that we believe is unique.”

Located at  157 Hope Street, Glasgow and 61-65 Rose Street, Edinburgh, the award-winning Mussel Inn is renowned for its passion for its offering of delicious locally sourced fresh seafood, providing excellent value for money and a quick and friendly service.

To book a table call 0141 572 1405 or 0131 225 5979  or log onto their website for more information.

New cocktails at bobar

Hilton Glasgow Grosvenor is delighted to announce their funky fresh new cocktail menu at bobar as they step into 2012.

The new cocktail menu has been designed to combat the winter weather, with an array of warm winter ingredients such as spicy ginger, wholesome honey, ripe black cherry, port and aromatic cloves to warm up the coldest of days.

There is something for every palate on the list of unique bobar cocktails.  Just in time for Valentine’s Day, loved ones can enjoy a crisp and rich ‘Snowcapped Romance’ with its velvety fusion of coffee tequila, chocolate liqueur and soft vanilla capped with apple syrup cream.

While those longing for the spring season can get in the mood with ‘Honeysuckle’, a soothing synthesis of honey vodka and milk, delicately veiled with floral lavender and finished with aromatic nutmeg, or ‘Pocket Pears’, a clean , refreshing fusion of fresh pear and sharp apple, spiced with seasonal cinnamon.

These devilishly decadent cocktails are priced from £6.00 – £7.50, bringing some sparkle to the month of January in the heart of Glasgow’s stylish West End.

For further information, please contact bobar at Hilton Glasgow Grosvenor on 0141 341 6516.

Find them on Facebook or join the conversation on Twitter – @bobarbyresroad

Valentine’s Day meal for two at The Avenue

Lovebirds have a chance to win a romantic meal for two at Il Pavone Sud in The Avenue Shopping Centre in Newton Mearns.

In a fab new Valentine’s competition, The Avenue is inviting loved-up shoppers to name the fantastic Italian Restaurant at The Avenue for a chance to win the prize of a delicious three course meal for two with a bottle of house wine.

Michelle McCabe, Centre Manager at The Avenue, said: “Everyone knows that Italian cuisine is the food of love, so where better than Il Pavone Sud to spend a romantic evening? And I do hope my husband is reading this!

“Il Pavone enjoys a wonderful reputation for providing exceptional Italian food and service and prides itself on using only the freshest ingredients to prepare first-class Italian cuisine from authentic pizza and pasta to fresh seafood and its special Valentine’s menu looks absolutely delicious!”

Pavone Sud’s Valentine’s Menu features starters of: home made Italian meatballs; home-made traditional Tuscan soup; chicken liver pate; sautéed king prawns; mixed crostini and fresh rope mussels cooked in vodka.

Main dishes include: risotto porcini; fresh sea bass fillet; grilled ribeye; spinach and ricotta cannelloni; grilled chicken supreme marinated in lemon and rosemary; taglatelle tossed in a tomato sauce with Italian sausage and a touch of pesto and linguine pasta tossed in garlic olive oil and chilli with fresh mussels. A dessert platter for two, meanwhile, offers tiramisu and profiteroles.

Meanwhile, a caricaturist will be in situ at The Avenue on Sunday 12th February for anyone that would like their caricature done for their special valentine and popular mall mascot Newton will be walking up The Avenue on Valentine’s Day, handing out chocolate hearts to help shoppers get into a romantic frame of mind.

The Avenue’s Valentine’s competition opens on Wednesday 1st February with entries closing at 12 noon on Tuesday 14th February. Entry forms are available throughout The Avenue and should be posted in the entry box on the mall or returned to the management office by thedeadline date.