BARGUIDE 2009 The Two Figs
THE DOUBLET 74 Park Road, 334 1982. Mon 11am–11pm; Tue–Sat 11am–midnight, Sun 12.30–11pm. Basic pint: £2.65
The Doublet is one of the last of a dying breed: the traditional West End boozer. Describing itself as a ‘pub for conversation’, it’s been run by the Don family since 1961 and has a faithful clientele of all ages from students to silver-haired gents. Real ales and malt whiskies are a specialty, and the lounge bar upstairs is packed at weekends. With The Stand just across the road, comedians can often be spotted propping up the bar. High point: it’s old-school and proud THE HALT 160 Woodlands Road, 352 9996. www.myspace.com/haltbarofficial Mon–Sun noon–midnight. Basic pint: £2.55
Situated just up the hill from The Doublet, The Halt has a lively scene surrounding it, catalysed by cheap pints and the wide range of events that take place in the adjoining Halt Too venue – from open-mic sessions to gigs, comedy shows, charity fundraisers and private functions. Great for either a casual drink on a weeknight or a proper session of a weekend, when DJs spin an eclectic mix of tunes. High point: unfussy atmosphere and good prices SPECIAL MENTIONS CCA for the incredible roster of arts events; Rab Ha’s for the banter; Moskito for the beers; Delmonicas and Revolver are two of the finest LGBT hangouts.
GOOD FOOD THE TWO FIGS 5 and 9 Byres Road, 334 7277. www.thetwofigs.co.uk Mon–Sun 10am–midnight (food served Mon–Sun 10am–midnight). Basic pint: £3
This place had to hit the ground running when it opened in the summer because of the glowing reputation of its sister operation The Left Bank. Thankfully for the owners, and luckily for us, it’s every bit as sure footed – an elegant space full of crisp lines and shades, and much-lauded designer wallpaper, but with real warmth as well. It’s a place where one could have a pint during the day and feel comfortable, and The Two Figs successfully combines pub atmosphere with food that skilfully mixes tastes, flavours and textures from around the world. Take the shawarma, for example: skewered shreds of lamb atop a flatbread. Well-seasoned and juicy meat gives way to mint and cucumber, with the sweetness 22 THE LIST 19 Nov–3 Dec 2009
of beetroot in the accompanying fatoosh. Further to the east, there’s a robust and filling curry of sweet potato and aubergine, or further still: pad-thai noodles in a sticky and vibrant blend of fish sauce and chilli, with sweet peanuts for crunch (two of the many vegetarian dishes). It’s all top-drawer and no surprise that business is booming and The Two Figs has gone some way to revitalising the ‘wrong’ end of Byres Road. So go early. And go soon. High point: ten draft beers STRAVAIGIN CAFÉ BAR 28 Gibson St, 334 2665. www.stravaigin.com Mon–Sun 11am–midnight (food served Mon–Sun 11am–11.30pm) Basic pint: £2.70
The restaurant beneath often wins plaudits for its skilful rendering of modern Scottish-cum-global cuisine, but the café bar – which takes all the excellent traits of downstairs into an informal, chatty, street-level setting – is just as popular. It serves comfort food of the highest order: in Gressingham duck with potato terrine, or haggis neeps and tatties, or beer-battered fish and chips, the sheer quality of the ingredients really comes through. High point: true quality THE BUTTERFLY AND THE PIG 153 Bath St, 221 7711. www.thebutterflyandthepig.com Mon–Sat 11am–3am; Sun 12.30pm–3am (food served Mon–Sat noon–9pm; Sun 12.30–8pm). Basic pint: £2.60
The Butterfly and the Pig’s kookily worded menu (vegetabebell sanwegeable, anyone?) is in keeping with the hotchpotch of the décor, crockery and seating . . . it’s all a bit loco. Thankfully such madness ends at the kitchen door and flavoursome pub grub is a certainty whatever it’s called. Dishes are big and full-blooded, from Scottish black pudding and apple salad, to French onion soup and some rugged Irish stew. High point: a cheap pint for the city centre
BIG SLOPE 36a Kelvingrove Street, 333 0869. Mon–Sun noon–midnight (food served Mon–Sun noon–9pm). Basic pint: £3 It would be interesting to know how many folk come into Big Slope for a drink, but end up having something to eat. That’s what makes a good bar food menu: perched on the table, teasing and appetising. Here we have pub favourites with lovely twists – beef and rabbit lasagne, poached egg and sun-dried tomato pizza. The dim lighting and a funky fireplace make it a comfortable place to hang out. High point: great location beside the park
BREL 39–43 Ashton Lane, 342 4966. www.brelbarrestaurant.com Mon–Sat noon–midnight; Sun 12.30pm–midnight (food served Mon–Sun noon–10pm). Basic pint: £2.90
Glasgow’s Belgian bar invites many adjectives: casual, rustic, classy, hip. Ultimately it keeps things simple, an impressive selection of imported beers complementing a concise food menu. Expect rich and hearty plates like merguez sausage with mashed potato, or steak with Bordelaise sauce and chips. And, of course, there are mussels: pots or platters and with four different sauces. The beer garden (more of a ‘beer hill’) is one of the city’s best. High point: chilled-out atmosphere SPECIAL MENTIONS Ubiquitous Chip, the city’s grand dame; the Arches for food with a vibe; Liquid Ship, for mezze with cocktails.