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
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.
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
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.
4 GUSTO 