By Amy Glasgow
Looking for the Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Glasgow?
If you told me a few months ago that I would have one of the best meals of my life at a restaurant down a side street in Bearsden, I would have shrugged you off. Since when was Bearsden a top culinary destination?
Apparently, since Elements opened its doors. Led by Head Chef Gary Townsend, this fine dining restaurant focuses on an immersive and unique experience that changes with the seasons, in a welcoming and relaxing setting. Considering that over three hours passed in the blink of an eye, I would say they have succeeded.
For Starters…
On arrival at the restaurant, you are given only the drinks menu, and a small spoon resting on a marble block is placed at your table. Where’s my food menu, I wondered, and what is this small spoon for? The answer came to our table in the form of three delicate canapes, each carefully explained to us by our server.
The trio included a haggis ‘takoyaki’ (a Japanese savoury pancake), an eggshell filled with asparagus panna cotta, pancetta and a parmesan foam, and a charcoal croustade of sea bream ceviche with caviar and avocado mousse. Each one was as delicious as the last, although my favourite was the light and bright ceviche.
At this point, we were given our menus, with both tasting menu and a la carte options. We decided to go a la carte, with each course offering four dining options. While we waited, we enjoyed the still warm house sourdough accompanied by cultured butter and a chicken butter, because bread is always a good idea.
The standout starter for me was the Ayrshire pork jowl with pickled walnut, dijon mustard and carrot. The meat was unbelievably tender, falling apart at the touch of the fork, accompanied by the natural sweetness of carrot and the slight acidity from the pickled walnut.
The Main Event
My main however truly stole the show. Tweed Valley beef done three ways: a rump steak, slow cooked ox tail, and a short rib finished on the Habachi grill, all served with flavours of beetroot, horseradish and a deliciously crisp potato terrine flavoured with black truffle. This dish blew me away with its flavour, refinement and balance. Such a carefully crafted dish that I simply could not fault.
And For Dessert?
To finish, I treated myself to one of their signature Elemental cocktails to accompany my dessert. Simply titled Fire, it was a margarita inspired mix of Speyside 7 Reposado, mango liqueur, hibiscus, guava, habanero and lime. Fiery, refreshing, delicious. It went beautifully with my dessert of strawberry, lemon verbena and basil.
The experience concludes with a box of Petit Fours, each one inspired by the four elements – earth, air, wind and fire. A miso fudge for earth, pistachio macaron for air, and a boozy whisky and passionfruit pate de fruit for fire.
I cannot explain how much I absolutely loved this experience, and while the prices are steep, in my opinion, the food, drinks, service and overall experience is worth every penny.
WIN!
Amy loved her experience at one of the best fine dining restaurants in Glasgow. Now, here is your chance.
Westender and Elements Bearsden have teamed up to offer one very lucky reader a Three Course Set Menu Lunch for 2 with a bottle of champagne.
To enter our fantastic competition click HERE!
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