FOOD & DRINK NEWS & REVIEWS
GOLD STANDARD The caterers for Glasgow City Council’s museums and galleries have upped their game at the shiny new Emirates Arena. Laura Muetzelfeldt gears up to discover a revolution in healthy stadium food
T hey aren’t always listed on the Emirates Arena Café menu, but chips are served. No surprise for a stadium eatery, perhaps, but worth mentioning here as this café, run by Cordia’s hospitality wing Encore, is setting the pace for a leaner, fresher, healthier breed of stadium food. There’s not even a burger in sight.
Along with seasonally inspired menus, this new approach has helped it become the first leisure facility in Britain to achieve the admirable Gold Food for Life Catering Mark, awarded by the Soil Association. A scheme adopted by schools, caterers and other venues around the country, Food for Life provides bronze, silver and gold benchmarks guaranteeing that certain percentages of food offered on menus is freshly prepared, seasonal, ethically sound, and free from additives.
During the summer, the arena is hosting two Commonwealth Games sports – badminton and, in the adjacent Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, cycling – so it’s no surprise that the café fully subscribes to the Commonwealth Games Food Charter. Signing up to the ambitious charter is a promise to serve food that’s locally sourced and environmentally friendly, representing the best of Scotland’s natural produce. The integrity and transparency encouraged by the charter is evident at the café’s counter. All the ingredients for salads and sandwiches are visible,
EMIRATES ARENA CAFÉ
allowing for a tailor-made approach to taking on fuel between training sessions. And choice is key here, with virtuous containers of fresh fruit sitting beside jolly tubs of strawberry cheesecake. A commitment to quality ingredients is also evident: Ayrshire ham, ribboned with thin strands of fat, is a world away from the watery squares found in supermarket packets; black olives are shrivelled and salty and sun-drenched with flavour; and a range of fresh pasta is made with organic flour.
Complementing this fresh outlook is the clean, modern design. Mid-century lampshades dangle from the ceiling like angular pinecones, mosaic pictures of different sports by local primary school pupils decorate one wall, and a random assortment of red, white and black moulded chairs help to create a relaxing and cheerful atmosphere.
With a large window looking onto the arena itself, along with food to satisfy the appetite you’ve worked up while working out, the café offers an attractive insight into the legacy many hope for from Glasgow 2014.
+ Olympic standard Mango Tango smoothies - Shut for the Games but food outlets will be outside
1000 London Road, Glasgow, G40 3HG, 0141 287 7000, encorehospitalityservices.co.uk/Venues/Emirates-Arena
Food served: Mon–Fri 8am–8pm; Sat 8am–4pm; Sun 8am–6pm Ave. price of a two-course meal: £8 (lunch/dinner)
32 THE LIST 20 Mar–17 Apr 2014
SIDE DISHES News to nibble on Glasgow sees recent Spanish opener Fino joined by tapas restaurants Cubatas (Elderslie Street) and La Boca (Hope Street), with a new branch of South American chain Las Iguanas dancing into West Nile Street. In Edinburgh, however the oldest of the capital’s Spanish restaurants, Igg’s, has shut its doors along with neighbour Barioja.
Next month’s special issue of The List includes our annual 192- page Eating & Drinking Guide with new reviews of over 950 places around Glasgow and Edinburgh. Included are some 140 openings, plus our Hitlist and Tiplist picks, and the announcement of our 2014 award winners. As well as the usual outlets, you can buy copies (and pre-order) online at shop.list.co.uk
RECOMMENDS . . .
COTTIERS COTTIERS GLASGOW
Cottiers Bar set in the heart of the West End is a perfect place for drinks. During the summer months a delicious barbeque menu is served from the popular terrace outside.
In the winter months the candle light and well-stoked fi re will have you staying far longer than you intended.