Restaurant Glasgow

Buff Club is open seven days a week and claims to offer the ‘connoisseur’ clubber an eclectic mix of vintage disco, funk and soul music; with several theme nights throughout the week, for instance the Electro Trash night on a Tuesday.

There is a charge at the door which ranges from £4 – 5, but if you are a student or work in a licensed premise you can get discount on certain nights, however this fee is offset by the cheap drink offers going on.

If your bored hearing all the usual dance and pop fluff then Buff Club is definitely worth a visit and makes a refreshing change on a Saturday night.

Glasshouses: 10.00am – 4.45pm (4.15pm in winter) Visitor Centre: 11.00am – 4.00pm Toilets: 10.00am – 5.00pm

The Botanical Gardens consists of a well maintained park hosting some beautiful trees including a 200 year old weeping ash, immaculate gardens including; a world rose garden, a herb garden and a chronological garden, and a children’s play park. Within the gardens are the arboretum and the Kibble Palace, the ‘A’ list building constructed from glass and iron into an exquisite curvilinear design. The Kibble Palace was originally a concert hall but now houses an impressive range of tree ferns and fish pond. The glasshouse arboretum hosts a large collection of tropical orchids and an extensive tropical plant collection.

Visiting the Botanical Gardens on a sunny day is definitely a wise choice; it was bustling with activity, and given its location nestled amongst the West End it is shielded from the wind; making it a true oasis in the middle of the city. The gardens were immaculately kept with several paths winding round the gardens allowing walkers to absorb the wide variety of mature trees and foliage the gardens have to offer.

Kibble Palace is quite small and although stocking a wide variety of tree ferns, was most impressive for its architectural qualities and beauty. The main glasshouse area is like a jungle; it is humid, leafy, and full of rustling exotic noises. The flowers are amazing, I found myself stopping every five steps to take pictures of unusual and evocative blooms and the array of flowers on display within such a small space is amazing. The piece de résistance of the entire gardens has to be the tropical orchids; in every colour you can imagine and some so delicate that they have to be kept behind glass, if you visit the gardens ensure that you have a visit to view these delicate beauties.

Vodka Wodka bar is a tiny little bar on the popular Ashton Lane in the West End. The bar is very popular with students and on the Thursday night I visited it was packed to the rafters with everyone out enjoying the last remnants of the warm and sunny day. The bar and outside seating area was buzzing with chatter set to the typical background music of RnB, cheese and pop, however there is no dance floor nor any seating areas.

The bar stocks a range of Polish, Russian and Scandinavian spirits alongside a comprehensive list of drinks and a sizeable cocktail menu. My Long Cosmopolitan was enjoyable, and given the busyness of the bar I was appreciative that it was served in a tall glass rather than the normal Martini; chances are if it had came in a Martini glass I would have either spilt it over the person standing next to me or whilst trying to negotiate the stairs up to the outdoor seating area!

The outdoor seating area was basic, just a series of walls with a few outdoor heaters but it served its purpose or allowing us to sit down outside. The outside area, given the nice weather, was as equally busy as the inside bar sharing its same lively atmosphere, and given that the bar doesn’t serve food it was not cluttered up with tables allowing for more room.

Vodka Wodka is perfect for a pre nightclub drink; and as the name would suggest it is high on vodka and low on children which in my mind makes for a brilliant bar.

Having just moved to Glasgow about a month ago, I am going through a touristy phase and thought that in my adventures across the city I would let you all know where is worth a visit and where isn’t.

First on my list of ‘things to see’ was Kelvingrove Museum; it is the most visited tourist attraction in Scotland, something I was initially surprised about but given that it is free it kinda makes sense!

The galleries within the museum are on the ground floor; Creatures of the Past, Ancient Egypt, Glasgow Stories, Scotland’s Wildlife, Scottish Art, Expression, Looking at Art, Mackintosh and the Glasgow Style and Looking at Design, and on the 1^st floor; Conflict & Consequence, Cultural Survival, Dutch Art, Italian Art, French Art, La Faruk Madonna, Every Picture Tells a Story, Scottish Identity in Art, Glasgow and the World, Scotland’s First People, Sculpture Highlights and Picture Promenade.

My favourite bit of the museum was the ground floor, which was also very popular with families; the centre gallery was very impressive. There is a wide range of stuffed animals on display, including a magnificent elephant that you are told is called Sir Roger; and overhead is an impressive Spitefire plane suspended from the ceiling. Almost every animal you can think of must be under Kelvingrove’s roof; kangaroos, hedgehogs, ostriches, dinosaur and even the mystical Haggis creature!! If you are a bird lover then make sure you look upwards (many of the birds are suspended from the ceiling) and visit the Scottish Wildlife section that has an impressive array of bird species.

On the ground floor other highlights include the Ancient Egypt gallery containing mummified artefact and fun games for children to play with. The Charles Rennie Mackintosh design area is also very interesting; a dedication to one of Scotland’s finest artists and designers.

The 1^st floor was substantially quieter than the bottom; although the music coming from the brass brand playing in the courtyard area and the famous organ are made it a little less ‘museumy’. There is a comprehensive selection of art on display covering various eras and genres including the breathtaking Christ of St John of the Cross by Salvidore Dali. Keep an eye out for pieces by Rembrant, Picasso, Van Gogh, Degas and Botticelli. If you’re looking for a bit of Glasgow history the History Discovery Centre has various paintings and pictures that capture the transformation our city has undergone.

Overall the Kelvingrove Museum deserves its title as the number one tourist attraction in Scotland as it appeals to all ages and its galleries are extensive covering a range of interests, mediums and genres. The entrance hall/courtyard has a large coffee shop and often has live music playing making it an ideal public space to stop during your walk around the beautiful surrounding Kelvingrove Park.

For further information visit the Kelvingrove Museum website.

Italian

Average price of meal (2 courses + glass of wine): £18

Having heard rave reviews about their pizza on numerous occasions and being a pizza fan myself I was really looking forward to my visit to Big Blue; and it did not disappoint I enjoyed every aspect of my visit to Big Blue. My only complaint being I couldn’t get a table in the outside area, but in all fairness the outside area is small and packed due to the sun being out, apart from that I really enjoyed the atmosphere and food.

Although Big Blues entrance is situated directly on the main street the restaurant itself is down two flights of stairs at the river level allowing it to have an outdoor veranda overlooking the River Kelvin. The restaurant exudes a laid back and warm atmosphere; and it was surprisingly busy for midweek- perhaps it was the beautiful weather. The menu focuses primarily on pizzas and pastas however salads and a grill menu are available; taking all recommendations into consideration I had a pizza- topped with tuna and red onion in case you were wondering.

When it arrived we were offered the usual black pepper but also a chilli and garlic oil to drizzle which I thought was a bit unusual. The pizza was delicious very light and soft, and the toppings very fresh- I was left satisfied by the pizza however I am unsure whether it was as good as everyone seemed to have made out. Although liberally topped, I felt the pizza lacked moisture and taste, I think there maybe wasn’t enough cheese on it. One thing I did notice was a large number of people having the Calzone, which literally looked like a mountain of carbs, far more than those having normal pizza which made me think perhaps I ordered the wrong pizza… that the Calzone is what everyone is talking about.

In conclusion, even though I thoroughly enjoyed my pizza and the service was brilliant I felt like I was robbed of my magical Big Blue pizza- the pizza I ate did not meet the expectations that were built up from the recommendations. Perhaps I made the mistake of putting the Pizza on the Pedestal, or perhaps I chose the wrong one… either way I did not have the out-of-this world pizza I was promised.

Opening Times:

12pm till late.

Located in the prestigious Princes Square I visited November with high expectations of understated glamour and style. However, I was left somewhat disappointed; I cannot put my finger on what exactly I did not enjoy about the bar but I think that it was the inability to mix the bar and nightclub elements together successfully. I know that this is an entirely personal opinion, and that November is a very popular haunt, but with it being 10-11pm mid week and the bar in full ‘nightclub’ mode with lights turned down low and dance beats turned on high, with no one dancing and the bar itself being half empty, I felt it was trying a little bit too hard.

Looking for a place where we could talk my friends and I chose to sit on the ‘outside’ balcony overlooking the shopping centre, the downfall of this being the doors were kept shut by the bouncers and we were left without out any music at all which I found rather unsociable.

Although I was less than impressed with the bar interior and atmosphere I was delighted with the drinks list which was weighed down with choice, cocktails prices ranging from £3 – 6; the Apple Martini was incredibly moreish, and I was mesmerised by the black Ink Martinis I saw a group of girls tucking into.

I can tell that November works much better as a nightclub, and I am making a note to revisit it during the normal nightclubbing hours to get a full perspective, but it lacked the warmth, bustle, and atmosphere I enjoy in a bar which really let it down, its only saving grace was its selection of cheap yummy cocktails.

Italian

12pm till late

Average price of one course meal (inc. drinks): £15

I think that Royal Exchange Square is becoming a fast favourite of mine for a drink and a bite to eat. I really enjoy the use of the public space and the way it connects the bustling Buchannan Street to the über cool designer boutiques. There is a wide range of eateries and cafes to choose from; and if the weather is in your favour you can grab a bite to eat in one of the many outdoor eating areas that line the square.

Being a warm(ish) and dry day I opted to dine outside for my visit to Di Maggio’s, given the fierce competition for a good table under the canopy (should the heavens open as it always seems to do in Glasgow) I did not have the opportunity to see the interiors of the restaurant.

I have two issues that make me weary of eating al fresco; the weather- being Scotland it can be unpredictable wind, rain and chill can all spoil a good meal and animals, i.e. flies (not technically an animal but you know what I mean) and birds, particularly seagulls- coming from Aberdeen where the seagulls outnumber the people and having been attacked by one that resembled a flying cow for my chips (these stories are rife in Aberdeen I warn you) I am almost scared of anything that has wings. My visit to Di Maggio’s managed to avoid all these issues; as like all the outside restaurant eating areas in the Royal Exchange Square are there was a canopy and outdoor heaters that kept us warm and dry, as for any flying rodents I did not see one at all which kept me happy.

As the name suggests Di Maggio’s is Italian through and through, the menu offering a wide range of Italian favourites such as pastas and pizzas but also combining the Scottish and Italian with the Scottish Seafood section. I believe that Di Maggio’s is famed for their pizza’s and although they were very appetizing I did resist, another at my table however did have one and it was sublime, very fresh and topped with rocket salad and shaved parmesan. It was so good that when it couldn’t be finished we requested it to be boxed up to be devoured later which the staff were more than happy to do.

For myself I ordered the Fusilli El Greco, a pasta dish consisting of chargrilled chicken, spring vegetables and feta cheese; I am not much of a pasta fan but this was very nice indeed, the vegetables still had a slight crunch to them and with the feta cheese melting in it was the perfect combination, I feel hungry just even remembering it…

The service was very good, and given that it was a busy Sunday we were served in a timely manner and our food was prompt. I really really enjoyed Di Maggio’s, as did everyone else at my table and it was very affordable with the pizza and pasta dishes coming in at around £9, the grill and fish dishes were around £12-14, and I will definitely be going back!

Other Di Maggio’s can be found in the Shawlands, Renfrew Street (City Centre), West End, Pollockshields, Braehead Shopping Centre, Aidrie and East Kilbride.

Never before have I been in a bar and marvelled at it beauty; its décor is so undeniably sexy, its chandeliers, 17^th Century architectural charm and retro detailing ooze glamour: I am not surprised to learn that One Up has won Theme Magazine’s The UK’s Most Beautiful Bar2006, as it is truly magnificent (although I have just came from the somewhat dull Aberdeen- so perhaps I am easily impressed).

The clientele was an odd bunch, I think I was expecting footballers wives and celebrities (rumour has it that Gordon Ramsey has drank here before) but all I got was an ‘officey’ crowd, fair enough they were all drinking very expensive champagne but Gordon Ramsey they were not. The bar seemed to be split into two sections, one area full of men watching the football on big flat screens and the other area more of a ‘cocktail’ area with views of the Square, this of course being where we chose to sit.

As much as I did enjoy my surroundings there was an overwhelming aura of pretentiousness which was confirmed by the very rude bar man (or ‘mixologist’ as they like to be referred to now) who after seeing us waiting at the bar for several minutes still had to be instructed to serve us. Yet, fair play to him the cocktails we ordered, French Martinis, were delicious and very potent. Be warned though, they were not cheap, around £5.50 with the Champagne cocktails priced at £8.50, but in this instance I do believe the high price was justified by the quality of the products used.

I enjoyed One Ups beautiful décor and yummy cocktails but it can be pricey and depending on which night you come I can imagine it could be quite pretentious- I have my doubts as to how welcoming the bouncers would be on a Saturday night, this is a place to avoid if your in a big group I think. If, however, you want to be seen in one of the most fashionable bars in town and enjoy sitting in beautiful surrounding sipping on a Cosmopolitan then this is the place for you!

Gastropub

Opening Times:

Food Served
Mon – Fri: noon - 8pm
Sat – Sun: 11am - 8pm
Bar Open
Sun – Thu: 11am - 2am
Fri – Sat: 11am - 3am

Royal Exchange Square is buzzing with bars and fashionable spots, and from what I gather it is the ‘in’ place to be. As the name suggests the bar is buzzing with people, both inside and out, given the drizzly weather we opted for a table inside.

The interior décor is very upmarket- all dark wood and red walls, the beautiful exotic flowers at the bar gave it a nice touch that made it feel more bistro and less pub. Yet you are very much reminded that The Social is in fact a pub by the slightly stale alcohol smell lingering in the air, a pet hate I have with these types of places- air freshener would not go amiss. However moving on to the clientele, being that it was around 7.30pm there was a good mix of people in the bar, some following up their shopping with a cocktail, groups of young twenty-something’s kicking off their night and others just looking for a chinwag and something to eat.

There was a wide range of food on choice; I was pleasantly surprised to find little gems such as the haggis and sweetcorn pizza on the menu. The prices were not bad either the majority of meals just under the £10 mark. Being a cocktail enthusiast I was very impressed not only by the extensive cocktail menu but also because the majority of them were only £3; including my favourite- the Cosmopolitan, now having just moved from Aberdeen where you are hard pushed to find a cocktail under £5 in most bars I was in my element!

Getting back to the food our table service was good; my presumption that the staff would be pretentious was completely dispelled by our polite waiter who on request even recommended several dishes. Taking his advice we ordered a pizza each, they quickly appeared before us and were thoroughly enjoyed by both- the toppings were very generous.

Overall The Social is (and I hate to use this word, but in this case it is true) a ‘cool’ place to go, both for food and drinks, the clientele is varied and the music is good- at 8 o’clock the lights dimmed and it became very pop, R&B etc which suited myself perfectly. Our bill, considering we also ordered a bottle of wine, was fairly low at £30.

My final note would be that my visit to The Social was on a Wednesday night, so I cannot comment on what it would be like on a Saturday day or night, but I am told that it is super busy and the service is not quite as good as what I received on this occasion. Regardless of this, The Social is in a vibrant area of the city centre that attracts a fashionable crowd, if you enjoy that kind of atmosphere along with good food then this is the place for you, and I would definitely recommend it.