Red Onion, Glasgow

We celebrated K's Birthday at the award winning restaurant, Red Onion the other day.
Helmed by John Quigley, the food takes on a casual gourmet influence.


Here's some of the food that we had that night.





Seared scallops with chorizo, rocket, plum tomato and Balsamic dressing





Crayfish, apple and baby gem salad with Marie rose dressing and Melba toast





French Onion Soup





Mixed grill of harrisa loin of lamb, merguez sausage and smoked aubergine with tzatziki and cous cous





Grilled seabass fillet with risotto Nero, shaved fennel, rocket and confit lemon

Hot chocolate brownie with honey comb ice-cream

Lemon tart with fresh strawberries and crème fraiche

Crème brulee

The food was intended to be an upmarket reinterpretation of local favourites and should sit comfortably on many of our palettes.
Well priced for the food the that we received.
Look forward to returning back sometime someday.

Red Onion
-------------------
257 West Campbell Street
Glasgow G2 4TT
Tel: 0141 221 6000

http://www.red-onion.co.uk/

P. S: Happy Birthday DAD !!!!

♥ Tribeca Glasgow

I feel so liberated having finished 7 nights. The thought of just being able to chill throughout the day not having to worry about getting up at 6pm, rush through a microwave dinner and be in for work at 8pm makes me = )

The night crew decided on American Breakfast Cafe, Tribeca, for our post night grub.

*Looking forward to the Huge portions of pancakes, potatos, honey, bread, sausages, eggs lots & lots of eggs !!!!





I settled on The Varick!.. My tired brain must have been confused. I went for the French toast instead. To say the least the portions were huge though: a Head of baguette and 2 thick toast soaked in "eggie" batter. The accompanying maple syrup provided much of the needed sugar I had burnt on my last night. I like how it came in a nice Ikea Glass jar. *Gimmicky but I like !





My friend had the Egg Benedicts on Toasted Seeded Bagel, topped with Smoked Salmon.
He must be hungry. I was barely halfway through my plate and he had finished his.





I got to try some of my other friend's Brooklyn. A 3 layer pancake stack with butter and syrup. She was hungry and needed a savoury fix. Hence the Bacon.


You know... I am glad there is some sort of an American Cafe around. I've grew up wondering what it was like having some American breakfast in a cafe sitting amongst a cool gang of friends. The deco (including that Yellow NY Taxi) and all provided a great American feel.
As for the food, I've got a bit of a mix feeling. It looks the part. Larger portions than usual but... the taste didn't blow me away.
*blame it on the tiredness. I think I will be back again just to give it one more shot

Tribecca Cafe
-----------------
102 Dumbarton Road
Glasgow G11 6NX
Tel: 0141 576 0122
http://www.tribecacafe.com/menus/menu/

Cail Bruich - Market Menu

Merry Xmas one and all. Its great to be back blogging again. I do miss it but work does take over the better half of my time.

Met up with some year mates at Cail Bruich one weekeday evening to try out the market menu.
17.95 quid for 3 courses
14.95 for 2 courses.

Whiskey Cured Oak Salmon with Lemon CApers, creme Fraiche and Herbs. Nice plated and not looking like it was ready to fill you up even before the main course.

Venison liver Parfait, apricot, pear & saffron chutney, toasted sourdough bread. Didn't realise that parfait is also known as pate... Good thing the chutney did well to mask the gamey taste of the pate. still a nice dish though

Hake, ratte potatos, sprouting broccoli, Seville Orange Hollandaise. Greatly pan fried fish, fresh veggies, and creamy potatos. The seville orange hollandaise sauce provided a nice tangy kick to the fresh fish.

Braised Pork Cheeks, Pureed Potatos, baby onions, Lardon, mushrooms, parsley.

A very competent brownie. Simple pleasures. mAximUm Satisfaction.

Cail Bruich West
----------------------------
725, Great Western Rd,
Glasgow,
Lanarkshire
http://www.cailbruich.co.uk/


G12 8QX

Chinese Kitchen - Savoy Centre

Many thanks to my CCU sister for introducing me to this terrific Malaysian Cafe. There was no way I was going to discover it on my own because its in the middle of SAVOY CENTRE. This place is what I consider the Singapore equivalent of Bukit Timah plaza and Katong Shopping Centre but less "hip". Seriously, the only people who go there are the grannies and uncles who convene for their Weegie chitty chattery over lots of sugar overloaded pastries. (Ok I lied. I secretly go there for bubble tea hahaha)

I was really surprise to be greeted by a scene of mainland chinese and BBCs chowing down on what looked like wanton mee and horfun. Amongst them, the local Angmohs were seen eating the usual chicken curry chow fan and "Singaporean Fried Noodles".

My fears were only alleviated when I saw the Chinese character menu and spoke to the Malaysian waitress. I knew I was in for a treat.

Aa ordered an aromatic plate of Malaysian beef curry rice. Yes, it looks like any other curry but when you take the first bite. "Boleh la~!" "Sedap man!" I could almost start speaking Malay. It was really that good. Maybe they used a premix maybe but whatever it is, I wouldn't mind eating it again.

I obviously went for my favourite dish. Quite ironic eh to be eating Chicken rice cooked by a Malaysian. What to do, unless I open a store, God knows when will we see a restaurant here opened by a Singaporean.

By time this was served, the Lao Ban Niang (Lady boss) who spotted my "attention seeking" camera came over to say harlo. Instantly, she knew we were from Singapore. Suprise !! -__-

Soon after she started explaining to me that this store has been around for some time. She din hesitate to do abit of PR (not the kind that I get involved with at work) and kindly informed us that the kitchen is not open on Sunday and in the evenings BUT! they have a sister store on Cambridge Street which opens in the night.

Going back to the chicken rice, the star of the dish was the chilli. It was fresh, tangy and garlicky. The chicken was not the plump silky version but was good enough for me just as the rice was shiok enough for me to want another plate.

I wasn't sure if it was a lunch time offer but the main meals all come with a free drink. Not bad rite ~ ! £7.5 -8.5 for a main meal plus free drink. The drink I had was called San se cha. I couldn't make out what it was initially but when it came, it made visual sense. 三色茶 was a multi layered tea of milk tea, more milk (maybe coconut milk) and GULA melaka

Innovatively impressive.

Its been awhile since I wrote such a lengthy post but this place really does deserve a visit.

p.s: NO I DIDN't get a discount or free meal !! for this post haha

Chinese Kitchen
-------------------------------

Savoy Centre Sauchiehall St
Glasgow, G1 1
(0141) 333 0067
Open Mon to Sat till 5pm
Close Sunday.


Canton
-------------------------------
67 Cambridge St
Glasgow G3 6

Breakfast @The Drake

The flat stumbled upon this wee breakfast place tucked away in a basement along woodlands road.





French Toast bigger than the size of your palm with organic honey

A full scottish fry up bound to heighten all lipid levels.



Its nothing to wow about but at least, its convinient, cosy relatively cheap and does the job of satisfying one's breakfast craving.

I shall return.


p.s: only available for weekend brunch

The Drake
---------------------

1 Lynedoch Street
Glasgow, G3 6EF

http://www.thedrakebar.co.uk/

Crabshakk: A seafood showcase

Crabshakk and I met when I was still a student. It was love at first sight and taste. A combination of modern chic designs coupled with its rustic fisherman decorations left me hungry for what it was going to offer.

2 years down the "fishing"line, my heart still goes on ..... -__-""


~ rite... enough of my post nights gibberish ~


Truth be told, I really enjoy every experience that I have been here and I say this again, I'll choose it my first choice to showcase the seafood of Scotland in the Westend.

Unlike poultry/meat restaurants, seafood restaurants tend to rely on the catch of the day to decide what's on the menu. Unpredictable but that's the charm that it brings.

The "spoofs" aka razor clams turn out wonderfully flavoursome. I have been eating this the chinese style with soy, sesame oil and garlic. What I din't realise until now was that bacon made a great pair with the razor. *or issit everything just taste nice with bacon hmm.

I've had plenty of tuna and sardine sandwichs but the novelty of this upscale fish sandwich really turned me on. Chunky sweet white fish, smoked makeral and did i see crab meat as well .. It packed a load of species in there. The only let down was that it was too big to fit into one bite. PLUS. the use of toast was a double edge sword. On one hand, it helped prevent the sandwich from being too soggy but then it made it extra difficult to bite through without making all your fillings fall out of it.

These scallops were huge and very very very expensive but worth every single penny. Again I see the neat bacon trick used to enhance the flavour of the scallops.

Can't imagine a seafood restaurant not being able to make a decent fish supper. Afterall, a good one relies on the owner's ability to source a good supply of fresh good quality.
This got C's 2 thumbs and 2 toes up.
The chips were outstanding. Maybe they were awesomely fried in goose fat mmmhmms..



So are you ready to crabshakk???

20110813-094, originally uploaded by jiapui.

Cail Bruich West End

Cail Bruich West is located in the bohemian district of the city's west end, adjacent the hinterland of the Glasgow Botanical Gardens.

Under the guidance of chef patron Chris Charalambous we offer a sumptuous menu adhering to our principled aim of seasonality and freshness. Our respect for Scottish food and a passion for evoking that special dining experience for our customers mark our uniqueness in our industry.

We have a range of menu's that will cater for all occasions from classic brunch dishes through to our seasonal a la carte.

The warmth of our family owned and operated restaurant permeates into the dining room ensuring our diners an intimate culinary affair. Our wine list is carefully from small suppliers around the world crafted to create the perfect partnership for our menu.

~~ Quoted from the Website ~~

This post is way way way over due. It was my birthday dinner treat from C. hahah how nice eh

I can barely remember what these dishes were called but this one certainly looked like a terrine of some sort.

Here is my pea soup with a nice poach egg. Its one of the best soups I've ever tasted. Very velvety in texture. Very posh indeed

Scabster Hake, Ratte Potatoes, Samphire and hollandaise. C had this.
Ever heard of Samphire?? I love it!!

I went with pork belly. The pork was good, moist but lack the crispy skin. As for the corizio chick pea side, I din;t feel that it was a good pairing. just seem abit too dry and overwhleming in taste?

Lastly a vanilla rice pudding and.................. a chocolate moose?




Thanks C

Cail Bruich West
----------------------------
725, Great Western Rd,
Glasgow,
Lanarkshire
http://www.cailbruich.co.uk/


G12 8QX

The Butchershop Bar and Grill

My flat really likes the Butcher Shop.

Good Quality Beef.
Master Chef cooking
Competitive Prices
Great Atmosphere and Service
Convenient Parking



Do check out their Côte de bœuf! and Steak Frites Tuesdays


P.S: Quick break. Back to Work..

The Butchershop Bar and Grill
---------------------------------

1055 Sauchiehall Street
Glasgow G3 7UD
Tel: 0141 339 2999
http://www.butchershopglasgow.com/

Good bye to another friend

Time of the year where peers move to another part of the country and My dear friend WY is finally moving down to London. In many ways I am happy for him as he embarks on his new life down South.

As we chowed down the salmon over some F1 action, it dawned upon me that I actually shared this dish with him way back in 2nd year.

and if you are wondering what those funny pear-shaped liked veggies are, let's just say they are the remnants of the potatoes that I used to make Rösti .



P.s.: Been too busy to blog recently. Hopefully I'll get more time to post in my next posting kekeke.

Casa Mia, Dumfries

WY and I made the long trip down to Dumfries to bring K back up to Glasgow last weekend. Dumfries for your info, is a 1.5hrs drive from Glasgow. This wee town is probably the furthest you will ever get sent for a placement but the good thing is that it provides the best undergraduate teaching I have experience in my other placements. On top of that...... CASA MIA...........

I was impressed even before I saw the restaurant upfront because the restaurant has its own SIGNPOSTING on the road!!!... Don't think I've seen anything like that before in Glasgow.

Do not be deceived by its location, located in the middle of a housing estate. This is one of the finest restaurants in Dumfries, serving up modern cuisine with a European twist.

Warm Salad of Bacon, Black puddding, chorizo sausage, mushroom and onion with soft poached egg. WY's quite into his poached eggs recently.

Sear Duck salad with raspberries, orange segments, Cherry tomato and pine nuts with a hazelnut oil dressing. Duck looks wee bit raw but K said it was lovely.

Dessert after appetiser? Nope..... Lemon sorbet with Balsalmic vinegar as a palate cleanser

Wild Mushroom Risotto with parmesan cheese and truffle oil

Linguini pasta with spinach, spring onions, garlic cherry tomato, pine nuts, radicchio and basil topped with parmesan shavings.

I had dessert.. a nice sticky toffee pudding with ice cream... Aye!!


If K says its good... it must be good... If you are ever down for a placement do give it a try.

Casa Mia
---------------------
53 Nunholm Road
Dumfries
DG1 1JW