Two Fat Ladies at the Buttery

I haven't kept my Top Ten updated for a while - I must try and get back to that at some point. I do have a few perennial favourites though; Sarti's on Bath Street for hearty city centre Italian fare, Battlefield Rest which is my 'go-to' restaurant, having never had a bad meal there, and Two Fat Ladies on Dumbarton Road.

I recently ate at the Blythswood Street branch of this Glasgow chain and wasn't disappointed. Everything I loved about the Dumbarton Road branch was there, with a few flourishes to make the restaurants distinct.

So, last night, I decided to whisk Mr Gastro to the only one I haven't visited - Two Fat Ladies at the Buttery. The owners have also opened a 'little sister' restaurant, The Shandon Belles, round the corner. Everything about the Buttery exudes class and warmth. We were greeted at the door by the friendly waitress, who took a drinks order and we sat in the front bar perusing the menu and enjoying a drink before being shown to our table.

The bread we were given was so fresh, it was either cooked in-house or from Tapa, there are so few places in Glasgow that make such good bread. Mr Gastro ordered the scallop and black pudding starter, served with some smoked haddock and a chive veloute.

I started with the confit duck ravioli, which had a madeira jus, and little cubes of tomato. Absolutely delicious, and just the right start to my wonderful main - scallops again, but this time served with a velvety cauliflower puree, asparagus and parma ham.



Mr Gastro had the venison saddle with braised red cabbage and juniper - looked lovely but a wee bit autumnal for me at this time of year - and we both had honeycomb ice cream with chocolate and pistachio wafers and milk gelato (think Mini Milk ice creams from when you were a kid!) which were lovely.

I would definitely recommend this place, along with the other two TFL restaurants, this one is a wee bit grander, for that special occasion! It will be on my mind when I draw up my top ten!

Had To Show Off The Crayfish Salad!

Absolutely gorgeous plate of salad, that I had to share with you!

Two Fat Ladies In The City

Went out last night for a belated Valentine's dinner with Mr Gastro last night, after having spent the afternoon in the GFT watching Breakfast at Tiffany's. After a few drinks in the Butterfly and the Pig on Bath Street (see below for a review of their fabulous burgers), we headed just around the corner to Two Fat Ladies on Blythswood Street.

I haven't tried the branch in the old Buttery yet, but the Dumbarton Road restaurant is a long standing favourite of mine. We hadn't tried the City Centre one before, but hoped it would be every bit as good as the original.

We weren't disappointed. This review doesn't even have pictures because I was so greedy and just ate what I was given, rather than pausing to capture the plate! Mr G had cullen skink ('the best I've ever had', he proclaimed) followed by monkfish, rosemary and bacon skewers on creamed savoy cabbage and leeks. It looked and smelled absolutely delicious, but I was more than happy with my own choices! I had clams served with linguine and a spinach beurreblanc - so tasty that I am going to try and recreate it! - followed by scallops on MacLeod of Stornoway black pudding, in a saffron and spring onion cream. Quite honestly two of the best plates of food I've eaten - everything was cooked to absolute perfection, and the flavour balances in each dish were spot on. The sauces were beautiful and rich (just how I like 'em!) but left no room at all for a pud - I was absolutely full by the end of the main.

Washed down with a lovely half bottle of Muscadet too, as Mr G was on the beers. Can't wait to go back - absolutely delicious.