For more on the Glasgow’s South Side visit www.list.co.uk > Six of the Best
ATTRACTIONS Eating & Drinking: South Side
Gusto & Relish 729–731 Pollokshaws Road, 0141 424 1233 This cosy café has a wonderfully laidback atmosphere. Wide windows throw light on a bright dining space, while a deli counter filled with delicacies and shelves stacked with quality pastas, jams and sauces ensure there’s something for all. A large wall clock dominates, but no-one bothers with the time as they chat and enjoy the food. Cherry & Heather Fine Food 7 North Gower Street, 0141 427 0272 A tiny takeaway and deli opposite Cessnock subway. The wholesome whimsy of the name extends to the menu, which alliteratively encompasses home-made soups, stew, sandwiches and sushi in imaginative combinations of fresh, high-quality ingredients. It’s not only cheaper than chips, but a site healthier and far better tasting to boot.
eat deli 16 Busby Road, Clarkston, 0141 638 7123 Getting a table at this upmarket deli isn’t always easy, which is a reassuring sign. But get one and you won’t want to move for the rest of the day. Savoury or sweet, the menu options and deli selections are always well- sourced and high quality, with a particularly eye-catching choice of fresh and unusual cakes to get that sweet tooth tingling.
Battlefield Rest 55 Battlefield Road, 0141 636 6955 This charming former tram terminus is easy to spot with its graceful olde- worlde charm. Interiors are styled to exploit the original fittings, complete with cream drapes and elegant ceiling paintings. The menu takes a diverse view of Italian preparation with a list that includes crepes and chicken in coconut milk along with the usual pizzas and pastas. Delicious. The Pakistani Café 607 Pollokshaws Road, 0141 423 5791 Jimshaed Sharif’s distinctive café has long been a prominent part of the South Side community. It may be closed for the next week or so, but we look forward to seeing its return and enjoying its engaging home-style cooking at great prices. Low-fat, halal, Fairtrade and natural ingredients add an extra level of satisfaction to the eating experience here.
Mise en Place 122–124 Nithsdale Road 0141 424 4600 A popular neighbourhood deli and café by day, this place becomes an informal bistro four evenings a week, serving simple, well-cooked Mediterranean-style dishes including daily-changing pasta dishes and tarts alongside excellent veggie risottos and classy deserts. A warm, understated interior and personable service add to its charms.
Butterfly Kisses
SHOPPING Start with a stroll down Allison Street to gawp at the vast selection of spices and other foodstuffs for sale, finishing up with something sweet (and Halal) from the marvellous Glasgow Sweet Centre. Not enough of a sugar hit? Check out Shawlands newcomer Candy Love, stocking both old-fashioned sweeties and new local bespoke brands such as Kschocolat. Those with rarified tastes may prefer to browse the mouth-watering selections of good Scots produce at the 1901 Deli on Skirving Street, or take a wander round the Queen’s Park Farmers’ Market on the second Saturday of every month. If you’re browsing for clothes, try vintage treasure-troves Hayes and Raw Vintage or designer boutiques Butterfly Kisses and Glitz and Glamour. Raw Vintage also stocks jewellery and clothes by local artists and designers, and they’ll design to order if you can’t find what you’re looking for. Meanwhile, Urban Beauty on Pollokshaws Road caters to anyone in need of some emergency skincare in an attractive, off-beat setting. Alternatively, you could set your compass towards the three gloriously haphazard Cosgrove Care charity shops on Skirving Street, to RW Stevens, a fine old tailor and kilt maker which is now well into its seventh decade, or to Moon Guitars, a proper old institution for rockers both Scottish and international.
■ BELLAHOUSTON PARK It’s always nice when you can inject a wee bit of culture into your weekend jaunt and opportunities abound in this pretty park, whether it’s wandering into the House for an Art Lover, or checking out the array of walking, cycling and orienteering routes. Green-fingered visitors should make a beeline for the walled garden and check out the breathtaking views of the city. Dumbreck Road, Glasgow, 0141 427 0558, www.house foranartlover.co.uk/artpark- glasgow
■ THE BURRELL COLLECTION Boasting over 9000 artworks, this purpose-built building features reconstructions of rooms from Sir William Burrell’s home, alongside medieval art, tapestries and alabasters, as well as works by Degas and Cezanne plus a treasure trove of artefacts from ancient China, Egypt, Greece and Rome. Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, 0141 287 2550, www.glasgowmuseums.com
■ POLLOK COUNTRY PARK The Burrell Collection may get a hefty load of the attention, but its home, Pollok Country Park, is worthy of attention itself for its many walks and extensive wildlife. It’s Glasgow’s largest park and the only country park within reach of the city and can be reached by train from Central Station to either Shawlands or Pollokshaws West. Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, 0141 616 6410. 14 THE LIST 10–24 Sep 2009