Observing life in Glasgow, Scotland, the UK, Europe and Worldwide; be they movies, tv, travels, food or eccentricities. . .
Have you ever walked by something in the street, and thought it was strange, until you investigated it?
It happened to me earlier today, whilst having an early Sunday morning walk, lo and behold, there were loaves of bread on a bench (attached to the frontage) in front of Kaf cafe’.
I decided on the cheddar, chipotle & rosemary, delish!
CB
Sugarfall is a place that I really have no idea if I’ve ever written about before. It’s a wonderful, high end (though expensive) bakery, that is similar to the very best of a French cafe’ (mainly aimed at cakes / deserts). So I will now.
I’ve been here numerous times over the last few years, but must say that this is the first time that I’ve encountered real cutlery here (or elsewhere)! And who knows, they could have been real gold as well?
It certainly goes with the surroundings, comes complete with a decent serviette, and is something that adds a touch of class to this establishment.
Though I must say, with their recent refurbishment they seem to be aiming at a more take-away clientele, having reduced the number of seats inside, whilst expanding the coffee / til area.
Not to worry, will return.
CB
I was here one time, in the shop after a hike, and was too late to grab a meal – my loss. So it was always my intention to return.
Oakwood is one of these hybrid types of places, that was probably at one time only an outdoors garden centre, but has morphed into a “things you don’t really need to buy for the house” / garden shop / restaurant.
It’s on the road heading south to the Glengoyne distillery (which itself has morphed into something huge for the tourists) and if it wasn’t for the now, giant round about, you’d never know that it was even there.
What struck me, was the view! Something to behold as it faces south, via it’s gigantic windows, to overlook the nearby hill, Dumgoyne. IMO, it’s an unparalleled café view in Scotland, or at least one that is not too remote, or in the Highlands.
The food, Coronation Chicken and an Orange Cake(?), a new one to me, was typical but well done
Will return.
CB
This little place, complete at times with plants and outdoor seating, is one of these types of places that now are flooding the West End due to the incessant demand for them (map view)
What’s interesting is that this café and many others, are now moving further and further west, Tulipane happens to be in Thornwood, nearby the great Bibis (a Mexican place) amongst others, as more flats are being built nearby, by the Clyde river.
Their food is always great with friendly service, and the partner had a bowl of soup / German bread, that could feed an army.
Recommended.
CB
After the arrival in Kirkmichael and a bought lunch (tasted great!), we headed via car, to Bridge of Cally, with the intention of walking to Blairgowrie, which went astray! We stayed the night and the next day shifted with the car to Blairgowrie.
What a very small place, with the hotel the Bridge of Cally hotel, being packed yet the food was wonderful – world class btw. We needed the sleep and chill, and the next morning, I discovered that the A93 to the front of the hotel was closed. After I enquired, I was told that this was due to yet another road fatality on the A93 to Blairgowrie. I can only say, that on the same road heading south to BOC, the level of driving whether a caravan or not, was simply appalling! Take care, though this may have been due to the fact that this was one of the first days where travelling was allowed after COVID.
Once in Blairgowrie, where we discovered that they are the Strawberry or Berry capital of the World, we went for a short roam, and found a path on the Cateran Trail, that followed the river into the town. Some shots are below, and was struck by the sheer beauty of the place. Afterwards had a tea / cake in a cafe, the delightful Cateran Cafe in the heart of Blairgowrie.
Finally, after leaving on the A93 again to Perth, we came to a bend in the road and just simply HAD to stop at the best stocked farm shop (The Strawberry Farm Shop) I’ve seen. The cake / pecan pie / brownie was heaven!
After about £60 worth of grub was bought, we stumbled back to Glasgow.
CB
Have I spoke about this place before? Not sure, but during the lockdown, there has been a noticeable change here; gone are the fish n chips (!), gone is the nouveau Scottish cuisine, and in comes a semi-form of deconstruction, that to be blunt, is not my scene.
I had the ham hocks to start, and the cod for a main, and both were fine, as in “fine”, but honestly I would’ve loved to have had the old school fish n chips, with a batter that you could eat on its own, and a portion that was large enough to take home and graze from for the next week.
Will this be the future for Glasgow restaurants? Are the smaller portions more profitable? So many questions.
CB
I am once again on a working holiday, but will give you some snaps from a recent walk in the Cateran Way, in Perthshire in Scotland, in addition to some other reviews, music, etc.
But to start, last weekend it was a typical lockdown day, stuck in Glasgow, why not a cycle ride to the Merchant City in Glasgow, for a “secret” restaurant to eat at.https://www.brutticompadres.com/ – which is down a lane in the Merchant City, in Glasgow; between Miller and Virginia Streets (in Virginia Court) – is an oasis from traffic and pedestrians.
The nachos, albondigas and more nachos!
It was a Sunday, and surprisingly, they were open and very welcoming; with a Spanish tinged menu.
It hit the spot, and with the vibe of having your own outside court to sit in, where we even had space to park our three bikes, it was a relief and something that we’ll be repeating in the future.
CB
As I’m on holiday, I’ll still try to do some blogging this week and being in England currently, I’ve already noticed that the weather is just so much warmer down here!
This week will be posting some holiday snaps from the last few weeks; will continue showing a Glasgow foto here and there; and try to highlight a café / restaurant that I’ve partaken of recently, in these dreadful COVID days.
So, what about a restaurant review?
This concerns Balbirs in the West End, which is a slightly more, upmarket Indian restaurant, that has always to me been very friendly.
As the lockdown finally ended a few weeks ago, we were able to go to the West End and sit down inside, but of course without alcohol, which I don’t really mind forsaking to be honest!
This wasn’t the only thing that I enjoyed, as due to this recent’ish lockdown, I took advice from the server as to any “low calorie” ideas that she had in mind. In a few minutes, a more senior colleague recommended the shish kebabs, that were both low in sauces / fat and tasted delicious! Why don’t I do this more (asking for any recommendations?)? I will in the future.
The price is about what you should expect and the decor, and professionalism is superb – will go again and again and again.
CB
Have you ever just wondered into an area or place, not knowing what to expect? Or, as in my case, have you ever been desperate to go to a place, as it is literally your last port of call (in this case, due to the lockdown that we still have in Glasgow)? As the above graphic shows, the nearest place is at least a few kms away; with the location on the A82 being ideal.
Owing to our still being in Level 3, this café is the furthest one can “go West!” and still legally be in obeyance to the law. It wasn’t a mistake to do it.
It’s a strange one, on one hand, there is a golf shop attached to it, and on the other there’s a mini-golf area, resplendent with an accompanying giant dinosaur! Brilliant!
Equally, there’s an eccentric mix here; posh golfers, moms and weans, businesspeople (as it’s the only place near here that does coffee), and the locals. They’re here for one thing in my opinion though, the food, from the café / restaurant is simply delicious, with enormous portions – served quick and ably. I had the Coronation chicken sarnie with tea.
Honestly, that’s all I expect nowadays, and they have simply never failed me on my infrequent times here, especially on the way back from the Highlands.
4 / 5
CB
Is it allowed or even thought nowadays, that a brilliant place should simply be taken for granted, and if not, should you constantly be checking it out, to see if something has changed? And what if, something has indeed changed? And not for the better. What do you do? Slate it, or give it another chance, or was it a one off? Or write a critical review, in order to try to remedy the situation.
This is my predicament with this café. I used to simply love their eggs rancheros; the beans, avocado (not smashed!) and the freshness of the tomatoes. But I regret to inform, that it was simply rotten earlier this week. The “over easy” eggs were hard boiled; and I mean HARD boiled. As if they had been cooked hours before, and then reheated under the heat lamps. Ditto with the brick-like toast. Combined with no butter for the said toast, and you had a fairly dreadful meal; minus the A+ service.
I’ll try to give it another chance.
Curious Bystander 