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!

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.

Restaurant Reviews

I will be posting restaurant reviews whenever I visit a new restaurant (not just in Glasgow!), and hopefully keeping up to date my Top 10 Glasgow Restaurants.

Based on previous visits, I will post my Top 10 now, and hopefully they will move and change when I visit somewhere new and exciting.

GastroGirl's Top 10, as of 7th September, 2008 (in alphabetical order):

Battlefield Rest (Battlefield Road) , pictured on the left by weejames on Flickr. Wonderful, family run neighbourhood restaurant. Setting is spectacular, but the star is the food - packed full of flavour. The specials board never disappoints. Leave room for one of their amazing sundaes for dessert!
Blas (Argyle Street) Scottish produce, Scottish food. The new trend for locally sourced produce doesn't feel trendy here; it feels traditional - the practices our grandmothers would have had before the dawn of the supermarket. The courgette rolls with Ayrshire bonnet goats' cheese are to die for. They have also opened a new deli on Hyndland Street where you can buy the produce.
Cafe Gandolfi (Albion Street) A Glaswegian institution. The gravadlax is so good, you could close your eyes and be in Gothenburg. Try the pastrami and sourdough plate. Poilane is not just for toast! Have yet to sample the much-praised Gandolfi Fish - hope to get there soon!
Ichiban (Dumbarton Road) Their lunch menu is such good value it is almost ridiculous. The bento boxes allow you to try little pieces of everything, along with an avocado-green blob of choking hot wasabi. The Miller Street branch is just as good.
No. Sixteen (Byres Road) Tiny, poky wee place that oozes character, and the food is brilliant. In an area where restaurants seem to change every two weeks, this wee gem has stayed put. Their fish dishes are particularly good.
The Sisters Kelvingrove (Kelvingrove Street) Unassuming place above a noisy pub, which on first glance makes you wish you'd gone to the superb Mother India across the road. But once inside, the room is glamorous and comfortable. The food is simply but beautifully cooked, with mint infused summer greens not detracting from a well-rested, beautifully pink piece of lamb resting on top.
Tinto (Battlefield Road) Not the most glamorous of surroundings this, but what a find. The sangria is wonderful, the tapas varied and fresh, and the little liqueur before the journey home is always welcome. They don't accept credit cards yet, so be warned, but do go - and try the whitebait!
Two Fat Ladies (Dumbarton Road) Another perennial favourite. I've picked the Dumbarton Road branch over the newer incarnations of this chain because of its charm, the kitchen in the window tempting passers-by. The seafood is out of this world, and on the occasions where there are lobster specials - don't pass them up!
Urban Grill (Kilmarnock Road) Part of the chain that owns Urban on St Vincent Street and Gamba on West George, this Southside star is a really beautiful place for a special meal. The cocktails are beautifully mixed, the service is impeccable, and the food at its best can defy description. (It's hard work to make a prawn cocktail taste special, but they managed it).
Wee Curry Shop (Buccleuch Street) One of three Wee Shops dotted round Glasgow, these places are out of this world. My favourite (yes, I'm a regular!) is the Chicken Mahkni Masala, which is so bursting full of sweet almond tastes that you don't mind that it's mild. The aloo saag is rather wonderful too. Don't pass over the pakoras, either - they are wonderfully crisp, not even barely resembling those on-the-way home treats we've all enjoyed at one time or another.

I've noticed that in putting this list together that I have gone to the West End, Southside, City Centre and Merchant City, all in the Top 10. That can only say something about the decent quality of restaurants in Glasgow! I want this list to change, though, and I have a few recommendations from pals for places I should try - Nanakusa, the Japanese place near Charing Cross; Mise en Place in Pollokshields, amongst others. No doubt I will eventually give you my cafes list and maybe even a pub list, I certainly feel qualified to discuss the latter.

GGx