Lovin' spoonful
Finding somewhere genuinely romantic to dine out on Valentine’s Day poses its own unique challenges, writes Barty Shelby.
i there is one night ol'eyery year that causes many a restaurateur to grit teeth. break out in a cold sweat and curse. it is l4 Iiebruary. Based on diners‘ behayiour. some restaurant managers swear that it must be the only ttight ol‘ the year when many ol these couples dine out together. (iiyen their awkward tableside manners. others in the business are reasonably conyinced that it may be the only night ol' the year these people attempt to haye a ci\ il meal together. full stop. \eryousncss per\ades and oyer- cagerncss to please can sometime ensure that trysting couples liail miserably in the romance stakes.
It doesn‘t haye to be that way. of
course. .\'or does the night out haye to entail the distraction of serenading troupes ol‘ \‘itllillisls or the obligaton purchase ol a red rose.
But why do restaurants dread the night. cyen though it‘s a guaranteed lull house l‘or many (aside l'rom the atmosphere created by supposed loycl's who actually prefer someone else's company 99‘; of the time)? Normally. any giyen night ot'l’ers a mix ol‘ guests: a l'ew couples here and there. but probably as many parties ol tour or more. A dining room lull of tables for two can tnake seryice tricky. Think about it. Pairs ol‘ diners storm through meals more quickly. And obyiotisly. serying a room with a 5()-seat capacity. where there are 25 dil'l‘erent bills. instead oi. say. I5. puts a burden on stall.
Still. it is tradition and plenty ot~
venues promote their Valentine's
100 THE LIST.‘ '0‘ Vet) .‘L‘w‘i?
night oll‘erings. love is in the air. proclaims the Lansdowne Bar & Kitchen 1014] 334 4653) in (ilasgow‘s West Iind. Prolits are in the atmosphere. too. as the place where you can normally get a starter and a main for £15 (or less) is charging couples £39.95 for a pair of two-course meals on this night. At Salty Dog (()l4l 221 7800) in Princes Square. another special
A DINING ROOM FULL OF TABLES FOR TWO CAN MAKE SERVICE TRICKY
menu is being offered. Starters include those classic aphrodisiacs ~ oysters (seryed with a nutmeg gla/e) ~ as well as main courses such as Indian spiced yegetables. Three courses are £29.95. The Living Room (in (ilasgow. ()870 220 3028 and Edinburgh. 0870 442 27l8) pushes out the loyeboat with seared scallops with a pea and mint risotto and pannacotta with champagne-soaked strawberries. Yummy sounding and £35 per person. as well.
Your Valentine yictttals don’t have
to come from a special one-ol'l'
selection. however. So. consider Restaurant Martin Wishart (()l3l 553 3557). Leith‘s Michelin star destination that traditionally eschews the trappings of a
Valentine's menu. Or get out of
EAT&DR|NK
town: the views from Greece Pier [(0131 33] I298) pictured] in South Queensl‘erry should offer the perl'eet backdrop for a wee canoodle oyer canapes. Plus they have rooms for the night. In the west. Amber Regent (014! 33! I655) may be one of the best —- il‘ a slightly oil-centre choice. The traditional (‘hinese restaurant in the (ilasgow city centre has bags ol~ plush ambience.
Book early. whereyer you go.
And for you singles or anyone opting to stay home. someone else can still do the cooking. Mhairi Taylor ol’ Delizique 1014! 339 2000) food and wine shop in (ilasgow ol'l’ers alternatiye Valentine meals. fully prepared and ready to re-heat. She is planning dishes such as homemade blinis with smoked salmon. light salads. beel' Wellington and chocolate pots. There‘ll be champagne. All at a fraction ol’ the cost of dining out. Plus. as she says. ‘You won't have to light for a taxi home.‘
Orocco Pier
mm
News to nibble on . . .
I Michelin stars in 2006 have shone most brightly on Andrew Fairlie and his restaurant at Gleneagles, which now is among ten in the UK with two gongs from the esteemed guide. While some may be surprised that Restaurant Martin Wishart [pictured] didn’t achieve the same, Fairlie has boasted a single star (first obtained in Glasgow) for about six years more than his peer in Leith.
I Aziza's is a new north African cafe/restaurant. which opened late last year on Great Western Road in Glasgow’s West End. The tiny place offers a menu 01 mezze. couscous. kebabs and tagines. Plus you can toke some apple tobacco on one of the water pipes and occasionally a belly dancer manages to gyrate lit the cosy confines. Ail/as Cate Bazaar, 517 Great Western Road. Glasgow.01413571117.
I The former premises of Rogue restaurant and bar in Edinburgh’s West End have been colonised by Giuseppe’s - a pizza and pasta Italian restaurant with a wine bar. Fans of David Ramsden's former operation might be slightly aghast. Many of the design details remain, although their effect is slightly lost amid more mundane additions. The plush lounge is now full of cafe-style tables, although the tableau/mural of historical looking rogues still fills the back wall. Giuseppe’s is at 67 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, 0131 228 2700.
I Back in Glasgow, those who like Cresswell Lane's Cafe Andaluz’s approach to tapas can enjoy the same fare in the crty centre. A second branch has opened on St Vincent Place. Call 0141 222 2255.
I Finally, the proprietors of Roastit Bubbly Jocks diner on Dumbarton Road have opened a snug restaurant a little further west called the Kail Yard Green. It will have a regularly changing menu of Scottish-inspired dishes as well as some Mediterranean specialities. Kail Yard Green is at 599-601 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow. Call 0141 579 0179.