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4 Favourites: Cocktails & Dining in Glasgow

It’s funny how your life routine changes without you realising it. One minute you’re a student, scraping together your last £20 for another Wednesday night in Bamboo, the next you’re a ‘grown up’ looking for a quiet cocktail, hoping for a nice sit down (admittedly still scraping my last £20 together depending on how long ago pay day was..)


I am aware at 24 I am not old, but older than 18 year old me; dinner and drinks is just the much more ideal situation these days. Luckily, living so close to Glasgow means lots of lovely places to do just that. I thought I would round up 4 of my favourite places in Glasgow city centre to enjoy dinner and cocktails in a pretty setting – all tried and tested by me (and believe me, I have certainly tested the cocktail menus, for research purposes only of course..)

1 THE ANCHOR LINE

Where? 12 St Vincent Place, Glasgow, G1 2DH
What? ‘ Set in the beautiful surroundings of the completely restored grade A1 listed Anchor Line building on St Vincent Place, The Anchor Line showcases the best of Scottish produce with influences from both sides of the Atlantic. Think fresh oysters, lobster and scallops, the finest scotch beef, ribs and burgers to die for.’

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know The Anchor Line is one of my favourite places in the city centre. Since my first intro to the restaurant on it’s opening weekend in 2014, I fell in love with the dreamy interior – and the yummy cocktail list. The a la carte menu is to die for and bonus points for their Sunday set menu which has the same portion sizes as a la carte and always lots of choices (£21.95 for three courses which is amazing value).

Go-To Dish? For the set menu, my favourite is the Potted Duck Liver Pate, Roast Sirloin of Beef then melt-in-your-mouth Chocolate Brownie (usually adding on a compulsory bottle of prosecco, of course). For the a la carte, I love their seafood; King Prawn Cocktail to start and Lobster Frites for main  – the fries are super skinny and the lobster (full or half) is dreamy.

Go-To Cocktail? It’s got the be the Caramel Pineapple Daquiri, but the Marilyn Monroe is a close second.

For more information and reservations, visit www.anchorline.co.uk or call 0141 248 1434.

 

2 HUTCHESONS BAR AND BRASSERIE

Where? 158 Ingram Street, Glasgow, G1 1EJ
What? ‘A three floor dining venue where people can enjoy its grand spaces and lavish interiors in a convivial environment while helping to protect and important part of Glasgow’s heritage.  Whether it’s cocktails in The 158 Café Bar, dinner in the Grand Brasserie or a special occasion in The Glenfarclas Private Dining Room; you are always guaranteed the warmest of welcomes at Hutchesons’.

Hutchesons is one of those places in Glasgow you stop and look at just for the sheer beauty of the building, especially now the full restoration has it back to it’s finest beauty. Since opening in 2014, I have not been able to stay away from the delicious food, perfect cocktails or the stunning architecture (seriously Instagrammable ceilings , FYI). The 158 Cafe Bar is ideal for a mid-shopping lunch and the Grand Brasserie never disappoints with its a la carte menu. Introduced last year, Bubbles and Brunch is a dream for dining in Glasgow, with their tagline ‘brunch without bubbles is just sad, late breakfast’ certainly appealing to me; you get a bottle of prosecco, a breakfast dish each, orange juice and yummy croissants for £40 for 2 people (more on that later).

Go-To Dish? I love The 158 Cafe Bar menu, my favourites have to be Smoked Scottish Salmon for starter and the Steak Frites is always cooked exactly to my liking.

Go-To Cocktail? The Clover Club is seriously yum and tastes so different to other cocktails. If you’re looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth, the Parma Violet is a-mazing. If you’re opting for non-alcoholic, I love the Raspberry and Elderflower Smash – it made not being able to drink on my birthday bearable (damn you, antibiotics)!

For more information and for reservations visit www.hutchesonsglasgow.com or call 0141 552 4050.

 

3 MILLER & CARTER

Where? 47 St Vincent St, Glasgow G2 5QX (situated in the Old Post Office building).
What? ‘Miller and carter serve the finest 30 day aged steak. Our expert butchers hand cut every steak ready for our specially trained chefs to season and grill them to perfection. Alongside steak, they offer a range of tempting dishes including Handmade Scotch beef burgers, grilled meats and ribs, and delicious fish dishes’

I first tried Miller and Carter in Newcastle and loved the service, the amazing choice and cooked to perfection steak. I was excited to see the Glasgow addition, situated in the Old Post Office building just off Buchanan Street. I love a good steak and a wine so I will happily try out their Cork and Cleaver Wednesday, pairing you a 8oz rump steak with a glass of white, red or rose wine. Just in time for summer, they have added new cocktails to their cocktail menu and (bonus) they are only £4.95 all day Monday to Wednesday.

Go-to dish? My favourite is the rump steak (medium rare, please) which comes with seasoned fries, parsley butter, a slice of onion loaf and a balsamic glazed tomato – with the rich bordelaise sauce. I admit I may have skipped a starter and ordered a ridiculous amount of sides (to share so I didn’t feel too bad). I highly recommend the amazing lobster mac and cheese, oh and the grilled lobster tail..and maybe the garlic button mushrooms – you can never have too many sides!

Go-to cocktail? I have still to try their new additions to the cocktail menu, but you can never go wrong with one of their Strawberry Daquiris.

For more information or for reservations visit www.millerandcarter.co.uk/Glasgow or call 0141 404 2914.

 

4 GUSTO 

 
Where? 16 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, G2 6NU
What? ‘Inspired by the traditional grand cafes of Europe, Gusto is all about making the everyday exquisite. Their classic and contemporary Italian menu takes fresh, carefully selected, simple ingredients to create the best tasting food around. Timeless and classic surroundings make any occasion – whether it’s a family lunch or dinner for two – feel special’.
Since Gusto first opened in Glasgow, it has became a go-to for a refreshing cocktail, delicious food –  and the chicest contemporary interiors with their grand bar. The menu is filled with Italian dishes, from meat and fish to pizza and pasta. If you sign up to their free dining club (simply visit their website), you get 40% off your total food bill Sunday-Friday and from 12-5pm on a Saturday which is a-mazing. Their pre-theatre and lunch menus are great value too (and there’s £4.95 cocktails at the bar Thursday-Sunday all day with their Cocktail Club, which sounds like my favourite Club ever).
Go-to dish? The calamari deep fried with lemon mayonaise for starter followed by the pan roast duck breast for main is perfect, and don’t even get me started on how good the desserts are – I just wish I could indulge in the Nutella and mascarpone calzone (#NutAllergyProblems)
Go-to cocktail? Either an Elderflower and Peach Martini or Cherry and Coconut Sour.
For more information or for reservations visit gustorestaurants.uk.com or call 0141 227 6270.
I would love to know if you like these kind of features, if you left a comment or tweeted me @rachellawler_.

 

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