Glasgow – Page 4 – Curious Bystander

This week? I actually went to a Golf Show in Glasgow & had a nice walk to get there

And it, Bunkered Live 2022 – SEC, Glasgow, was not only fascinating with the amount of people, almost ALL men, who were there but also with the different stands that were there. But first, I had a nice walk there through the Sandyford area of Glasgow – Very pleasant. This area has undergone a transformation recently, with gentrification, more students and an incredible amount of class restaurants / cafes popping up.

The first part passed by the old Kelvin Hall, which has been purchased by Glasgow University a few years ago, as the yooni is undertaking a large refurbishment / new builds project in the area. And then passed by the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, and several other highlights such as the cherry blossom trees and a mosque from the Ahmadiyya part of Islam.

The next continued through some tenements of Sandyford, before we went through the 80s looking overpass / tunnel, to finally arrive at the Scottish Exhibition Centre (SEC).

It was the number of “contests” at the exhibition, that seemed to me where all the “real men” who were there, were interested in. These ranged from “Golf Darts”, to sand trap skills, to a chipping contest to get closest to the pin.

Equally, a number of stalls had nothing to do with golf. These ranged from, believe or not, someone from the WWF and / or the Scottish Wildlife Trust, to an organic cat food stall, who I believe were from the Republic of Cats? Who would’ve thought! Who knows, they must have done some research as to just who would attend.

A welcome sign to help Bicyclists – An air station in Glasgow

Coming from a recent trip to the cycling mad country of Germany, it was a pleasant surprise, to see the below “Wee Repair Station” outside of Gartnaval Hospital, in the west side of Glasgow.

Wee Repair Station

I’ve yet to see these elsewhere, though of course they no doubt are, but find these to be both needed and an encouraging sign that help is on the way for any struggling cyclists, in need of air.

Even instructions!

But what is strange, is that these are not by the Glasgow authorities, but, I believe, installed by Sustrans?

If so, more please.

Tchai Ovna, Tea House / Café, West End, Glasgow, Scotland

Have been here simply NOT enough times over the years, but when in attendance, I always think – why not? They have an incredible selection of rare teas, in a gigantic pot!

Tchai Ovna, down an alleyway in Glasgow’s West End, on the banks of the Clyde river

It’s down an alley that if you didn’t know, you would never expect a café to be. Though there are signs around the corner that do state there is a café here.

Signs directing you to Tchai Ovna.

I decided, been here before but didn’t partake, finally to have a sharing, Middle East platter with a friend, and it was beautiful.

Middle East platter to share

It did what it said it would do, and with a pot of Darjeeling, a huge pot to share, it was more than sufficient to pass away a couple of hours, amongst an eclectic mix of people; vegans, students, artisans, etc.

It is also available for dinner reservations.

Have already planned my next visit.

5/5

Eusebi Deli, West End, Glasgow, Scotland – Best Pizza dough on Earth

One of my main beefs with pizza and specifically with “thin and crispy” or even non-thin pizzas, is that the dough, even after baking, is ALWAYS soggy and wet in the middle! Always!

Bianco Pizza (Béchamel base, potato, parmesan, rosemary & gremolata and Salad – Interesting

So when I was here at Eusebis yesterday, in the West End of Glasgow, and was told that the particular type of dough / pizza was the best in the world(?), I thought let’s try it. Boy, it is!

Firstly, the pizza itself, Potato Pizza?, was excellent; who would’ve thought? The accompanying side salad was different as well, with some form of attention paid in its creation – even with apple slices.

Service perfect and personal, even when it was actually quite busy both inside and outside in the late Sunday afternoon.

5/5 – Will go again, though have been here before, but this is the first time since pre-Covid

New Week, more from Germany, and some more Glasgow Street Art –

Don’t have a bit of talent when it comes to art, but have simply always loved murals – we’ve more and more here, th0ugh they’re probably more correctly referred to as street art in these days. So during a recent walk to the city centre, I came across two more examples of this type of genre.

The above from a “michaelam.art”. Is this their “tag”:

And the below, in the Garnethill part of the western city centre.

Which may have a tag in the extreme upper, left hand corner, but is not readable.

I will say, that both appear to have a lot of pink in them! Who knows, maybe it serves a purpose here in Glasogw, due to the incredibly dark days that we have during our winter.

Later in the week, more from Germany (Bavaria) and from various restaurants / cafes I’ve been to lately.

279 Café Bistro, West End, Glasgow – Another veggie Burger – Different!

I must have walked by here several thousand times, another place that was on my list, and finally went in this week to see just what it has to offer. Equally, with a bistro vibe, it also happens to be one of the few restaurants in this area of the West End that is open late.

The décor and food were spot on, and had a lovely chat with the head waiter / proprietor about Corona, opening hours, strategy for day or night diners, etc.

I once again went for a non-meat burger, and was surprised that there were two choices (and staples in this type of food); haloumi or bean burger – I chose the former and also decided to have it “with cheese”; that the waiter and myself laughed about – a cheese burger, with more cheese!

It was lovely, healthy and the stack of chips was like a Rubik’s cube. The addition of avocado was an added plus.

4 /5 – Recommended

Will also in the near future, try their night menu.

This week – Germany, other things, but wait, another, new Chinese Cafe’ we have in Glasgow

And what a name and quote to go with it:

I Love You Desserts – 23 Byres Road,Glasgow

“The world is a little bitter, I want to give you a little Sweet” – how darling!

I will have to check this place out, as I just LOVE sweets and note that this is hopefully another triumph here in the West End, and will add even more to the variety here and to the variety of the recent explosion of Chinese eateries in this particular area.

Week Ahead; I go to Europe next week!

Not done too much travelling recently, but am still eating at a variety of Glasgow restaurants / cafes. More on both later in the week.

Equally, one of these places to eat, was at none other than one of Glasgow’s fine NHS hospitals, as I had surgery the past week – I had the meatballs, that although looked terrible, tasted beautiful! 10/10

In addition, particularly in these almost post-COVID days, I noticed a smaller chapel / place of quiet room, that seemed to me to be just what the doctor ordered. It was spacious enough, open to all beliefs / faiths, and looked to be something (quiet), and that should be encouraged – but both times I was there, it was empty!

I despair, but will blog a bit more later. And who knows, maybe it will be a review of more NHS food!

Vegan Burgers in Glasgow – The continuous quest for the best one . . .

I for some reason had been invited to the Western Baths Club, in Glasgow’s West End, and decided to order their version of the “vegan” burger – very surprised at the quality.

Maybe it’s because the trendy, vegan-friendly, West End of Glasgow has a helluva lot more experience when it comes to this type of food, but the overall presentation, taste and attitude (even had a shout out from the kitchen as to whether I required cheese – vegan presumably – with my burger) was significantly better than other places.

It was freshly made, with a fresh salad on top and was turned around in only a few minutes.

The corresponding price of £7.00 was unbelievable and will definitely go again, if invited.

4/5

The Week Ahead, the year in Review (if I feel like it) / Vino Valentino, Glasgow –

Can’t wait til I can Travel again . . . .

The final week of the year, and it has ended just like the last one, with us locked up and I for one am tired of it, considering I’ve been treble vaxxed. But I never do politics and will once again for the foreseeable future, simply have to make my own fun.

I will give my music single and album of the year, TV of the year and try to do a movie of the year, though did not really see any to be fair!

But during the last week, had to have a wine and popped in to a delightful, local, wine bar, Vino Valentino, only a stone’s throw from the house; where after asking for advice for a fruity wine, received one and it was a hit.

Vino Valentino – Various Shots

It’s small and quaint, and believe only about a dozen can fit in, at a squeeze. Also, they do a limited food platter that I’ve seen but never have tried.

Recommended!