By Amy Glasgow @theglasgowdiet
We’re extremely lucky in Glasgow that in the West End alone, there are so many incredible eateries to choose from. So much so that actually choosing where to dine can be quite overwhelming. Which ones are good? Which ones will let you down? I’m here to help! Each month, I’ll bring you my top five spots for a specific category or type of cuisine. This time, seeing as we’re into February, it seemed only appropriate that I bring you my top choices for a romantic Valentine’s Dinner this February 14th.
HOOLIGAN
It seems that tasting menus are the latest thing to be offered by Glasgow’s top restaurants, and relative newbies Hooligan are no exception. After launching a special Monday Tasting Menu for an incredibly reasonable £28 (or £49 with paired wines), it seems only appropriate that, as it falls on a Monday, a tasting menu be offered especially for Valentine’s Day.
As with all of their menus, the food is designed to be shared, which is perfect for a cosy date with your special someone. If their previous menus are anything to go by, which have featured stunners like Cumbrae oysters with fermented red chilli, and Tiger prawns in a Goan curry sauce, this menu should be a delight.
Being a small space, tables are limited so be sure to book yours sooner rather than later.
PORTER & RYE
Steak lovers, if you need an excuse to treat yourself this Valentine’s, Porter & Rye is the place for you. While they aren’t offering a specific Valentine’s menu, they have curated a selection of specials which will be available at the restaurant from the 11th to the 14th February.
There are delicate small plates like scallop tartare with pickled mackerel ceviche and crab sea truffle pate, and a main that is sure to blow your socks off. Just listen to this: 16oz dukkah spiced, red wine buttered chateaubriand for two. If that doesn’t scream ‘SPECIAL’, I don’t know what does!
BAR BRETT
If you’re a wine lover, this is definitely the spot for you. Bar Brett has taken Great Western Road by storm with its incredible array of hand selected wine, plus a small plates menu that packs a punch of flavour.
This Valentine’s Day, Bar Brett are serving up a four course menu designed just for lovers. The meal kicks off with the classic combination of fizz & oysters, followed by a delicious grilled fig, lardo and pistachio starter. For main, they’re going all out with a rib of beef to share, paired with celeriac puree, oyster mushroom, smoked breadcrumbs and a Pinot Noir sauce.
Finished, of course, with a Bare Bones chocolate ‘cake’ and salted caramel. Yes to all of the above please. Tables are limited to I’d get booking quick!
THE LOVEABLE ROGUE
Having already established their new tasting menu in 2021, it only makes sense that The Loveable Rogue is offering an extra special Valentine’s tasting menu, available from Friday 11th to Monday 14th February.
It’s quite the steal too, with six courses costing just £36, with the option to add matching wines for another £30. The menu features a unique selection of dishes, with twists on old classics, like a Coronation Chicken Pie, or a Lasagne, which instead of being filled with the classic Italian ragu, contains crab meat and a shellfish bisque for extra indulgence.
111 by Modou
If you decide that a six course menu just isn’t enough for you, I highly recommend heading up to Kelvindale and sampling 111 by Modou’s extra special 10 course Valentine’s menu, which is available on Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th of February.
At £50 per person, it’s actually pretty reasonable, if you consider that it’s just a fiver per dish, with top quality ingredients like beef tartare, oysters, white truffle, lobster and Shetland cod all featuring on this specially designed menu.
There’s the option to add paired wines to the menu as well, and having experienced previous 10 course menus here before, I can tell you, you are in for a treat. Plus, if you can’t use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to scoff 10 plates of food, when can you?!
Is your favourite romantic west end spot on the list? Think we’ve missed somewhere? Let us know! Head over to our Instagram page and tell us your thoughts @westendermagazine.
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