Archive for 2016

Home Archive for 2016

Chaophraya In Glasgow

Photograph sourced from www.twitter.com

I had been eager to go to Chaophraya for ages; we simply hadn’t had the chance to visit with everything going on.

Chaophraya is located in what is known as “The Townhouse” on Buchanan Street, and iconic building in Glasgow and offers Thai/ Chinese cuisine. The organisation also has a bar located at the bottom of the restaurant, which offers beautiful cocktails in a sort of lounge type venue.

Dinner With Shakespeare In Antalya

Photograph sourced from www.shakespearebistro.com

Today’s blog is all about the love of Shakespeare.

Shakespeares is termed as a bistro, it hosts both a restaurant and a bar. It is situated in Turkey and hosts venues all over the country. The one we visited was located in Antalya, which we came across on our summer holiday last year.

Shakespeares became our “go to” place; after we found this place we literally dined there all day, every day. Eating abroad can be funny for me, depending what oils or ingredients are used in the meal I can become unwell due to my IBS.

Whenever I am abroad I always like to go out to a different place each night and taste the local cuisine but in Antalya we stuck to Shakespeares constantly. We originally visited Shakespeares for dinner one night and it was just beautiful, it was also very romantic. The temperature was roasting, it had been a beautiful day, music was playing and the place was jumping. We had a candlelit dinner outside, letting us take in the real atmosphere of the venue. Shakespeares is such a welcoming place and the atmosphere was very lively plus Turkey is so cheap compared to our currency, which made the experience more enjoyable.

Scotts By The Shore At Troon

Photograph sourced from www.scotts-largs.co.uk

Tonight our journey takes us down the west coast of Scotland to Troon to visit Scotts. Our destination tonight is a beautiful glass restaurant located on the waterfront that looks out towards the Isle of Arran.

Scotts has a sister branch in Largs (Scotts), both venues are located near the yachting clubs down at the shores, looking out across the water. This is a beautiful setting if you’re out driving before your lunch or dinner (make sure you follow the correct roads, unlike Mr Sk and I- we ended up on the other side of coast).

The Bothy At Byres Road

Photograph sourced from www.bothyrestaurant.co.uk

Today I talk about a little secret venue hidden behind Byres Road, if you know about it then I may be the only one that hasn’t found out about it till recently (I do tend to hide my head in the sand).

Today’s venue is the Bothy, a Scottish themed restaurant located near Byres Road. The Bothy also have another brand located in Perth if you fancy a nice drive for lunch or dinner.

The Bothy is a unique restaurant (we know I like them) serving their own style and twist on Scottish cooking. The venue hosts an extremely relaxed and snug environment making it very easy for customers to relax in comfort and enjoy their dinner. I use the word “snug” because when I think of the word “snug” I think of a cosy location that’s welcoming with lots of warmth where a consumer can curl up and relax. “Snug” is the perfect adjective to use to describe the Bothy, it provides a comfortable and warm environment. It is very welcoming and hosts’ lots of sofa/ couch type furniture allowing customers to relax with friends and enjoy food and drinks. Ironically the Bothy entertains their private dining functions in a room called the “snug”.

Coias Cafe In Duke Street, Glasgow

Photograph sourced from www.coiascafe.co.uk

It was a friend that introduced me to Coias years ago. It started off as an Italian themed café and was later converted into a restaurant.

Coias is located at 477 Duke Street, Glasgow, G31 1RD right at the end of town. Coias originally opened in 1928 as a café and has racked up an impressionable image, becoming well known throughout Glasgow and the west of Scotland. It was taken to the next level in the 1950’s by increasing the menu. 2006 saw the organisation extend to premises next door and go through a massive refurbishment to include take-away and deli features. The restaurant also offers an alcohol license allowing consumers to enjoy a glass of wine with their dinner.

Breakfast On The Sands, At The Ferry

Photograph sourced from www.cometobroughty.co.uk

Continuing our adventures up in Dundee our next place to be discussed is The SandsRestaurant, also located in Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

The SandsRestaurant is also known as The Glass Pavilion. The SandsRestaurant hosts as the restaurant side to the venue whereas the “The Glass Pavilion” becomes known as the venue side with consumers hiring the place out for weddings and functions.

Bruach At The Ferry

Photograph sourced from www.cometobroughty.co.uk

Tonight our journey takes us up north to a little beauty of a restaurant known as Bruach , located in Broughty Ferry, Dundee (otherwise known as the posh side of Dundee). Bruach is tucked neatly away on a side street at 326 Brook Street, Broughty Ferry, DD5 2AN.

It’s tiny yet pretty. We visited at night time and it was lit up in blue lighting. The restaurant sits opposite from the water, it is just beautiful. We came to know of Bruach through my brother. When we visit our family up in Dundee we usually go up for the day but on this occasion Mr Sk and I were both on days off and decided to make a trip of it. We went out for a family dinner with the rest of the squad and made a night of it. My brother is fortunate enough to be within walking distance and it made it an even better night with being able to walk to dinner, have a couple of drinks and walk back along beside the water.

The Night We Went To Chin Chin

Photograph sourced from www.groupon.co.uk.

The restaurant I’m going to discuss tonight is a little gem called Chin Chin, hidden away at 4 & 6 Old Gartcosh Road, Gartcosh, North Lanarkshire G69 8EU. It’s heartbreaking to find out the restaurant doesn’t have an official website and uses a Facebook page to rely on for promotion. There is no website or other online platforms for the brand which is tragic with the place being such a pretty and professional restaurant.

Chin Chin is a Chinese and oriental cuisine type of restaurant and I first came to know of it through a Groupon deal. Mr Sk’s parents had visited the venue through Groupon before and were so impressed with it they purchased a further Groupon deal for six of us to go. The night out allowed us to catch up with each other, which is difficult usually, when we all have busy schedules and different shifts. The restaurant is beautiful; it is completely different to other Chinese restaurants I have been to previously.

Bread Meats Bread In Glasgow

Photograph sourced from www.food.list.co.uk.

Now one place I do like to eat at is Bread Meats Bread. This restaurant is a burger/ hot dog joint, located at St Vincent Street, Glasgow. This place is calorific heaven but it is totally worth every single bite. For an IBS sufferer like myself it might not be so great for continuous visits but I still allow myself occasionally to go for a treat.

The Glasgow store of Bread Meats Bread was opened up in 2013 with the Edinburgh store opening later in 2015, after the success of the previous one. The wait for dinner or lunch can be lengthy, the branch in Glasgow can have a queue halfway around the block however it is worth the wait, I have been to Bread Meats Bread a couple of times and I have enjoyed every visit. It is perfect for couples on casual date nights, colleagues after work or friends catching up. It hosts a vibrant, casual and relaxed atmosphere.

The Beech Tree At The West Highland Way

Photograph sourced from The Beech Tree.

Located in Dumgoyne, Killearn is TheBeech Tree, a beautiful little restaurant and bar placed on its own in the countryside. Before even stepping inside the place its surroundings will take your breath away. I’ve been coming here for years and there is nothing better than jumping in the car and going for a scenic drive in the sunshine and ending up at TheBeech Tree for dinner. To me TheBeech Tree is similar to the Duck Bay Marina (see previous blog) in regards to the market the restaurant targets but a little more homely and cosier.

This little gem is an independently owned venue and has been in operation for years, building up an impressionable image so good that the same customers who visited the restaurant ten years ago are still coming back. TheBeech Tree is beautiful, an idyllic country restaurant welcoming everybody. During the summer the restaurant is a major hot spot with customers, it is one of the most popular places within the Stirlingshire region to visit on a sunny day.

Treat Time at Big Licks

During the busy period of semester time at university my time is split between studying, working and trying to fit in a social life (which usually doesn’t happen). Being a mature student is manic! I’m not complaining about my lifestyle as I chose this for myself and I only have myself to blame but it can be crazy at times. In previous blogs I have mentioned Mr Sk and I are saving for a mortgage so I don’t allow myself to go out and party that much plus the older you get the hangovers get worse (they last for days).

Sourced from Big Licks

The Duck Bay at Loch Lomond

Ah the Duck Bay! You only have to mention the name of the venue and I already want to go out for lunch or dinner. I absolutely love the place, it’s one of my favourite all time places to eat. I simply love it- I cannot fault it.

From the way the brand presents itself to the food they serve, it is just beautiful. No wonder the place is stowed out with weddings every year- it’s a beautiful location, especially with the adjacent beach to the hotel, perfect for the photographs.

Sourced from Duck Bay

A Date With Raffaelle

Whenever a new food establishment opens up it always creates interest from the consumers, you can’t help but look in the windows to see what it’s like or what’s happening. This was exactly my response as I walked past the newly opened restaurant Raffaelles in Bearsden last week. I may add it was a busy night for me resulting with me ending up at the chippie for dinner (so much for healthy eating) and I couldn’t help but feel the awkwardness of me dashing past in casual clothes compared to those well-dressed customers sitting in the restaurant next door. It looked busy and it always has since the venue opened.

Photograph sourced from Raffaelles

On Top of The World at The Shard

Clinging to Mr Sk’s arm and I was certain I wasn’t letting go! Hearing him chuckle at me from where he was standing beside me he started to explain he was only moving an inch forward to look out the window giving me the ultimatum that I either moved with him or stood on my own in the spot I was currently stood in. He knew fine well that I was too feart to move forward but I wasn’t removing my firm grip that I had of his arm until I was back on normal ground. I had no choice but to move forward with him.

Photograph sourced from The Shard.

The Teddybear's Picnic at Argyle House

Our Booth looking on to the pitch.

When you look at the image above in my blog what do you see? Rangers Football Club? Nope, wrong answer. Ibrox? Nope, wrong again. If you look past the football associations you will allow yourself to see the small silver/metal signage on the door labelled “Argyle House Restaurant”. This little beauty will be the focus of today’s blog.

I stepped into the Argyle House Restaurant 150 Edmiston Dr, Glasgow G51 2XD for the first time on my eighteenth birthday and fell in love immediately, so much so I told my parents no matter who, where or when I get engaged, this venue (depending cost wise) will host my engagement party…….that was ten years ago and I’m still waiting for a ring. Haha! Anyways back to eating.

A Taste Of The Irish At The Church

Today’s blog takes us across the waters to the little Irish city known as Dublin. Here we find the hidden treasure known as The Church. Mr Sk and I were very lucky to have time off after the Christmas holidays and taking advantage of Ryanair’s good price cuts we took ourselves off to Dublin for a couple of days. One of my good friends had recommended we go to The Church however I’m one of those people that can’t be bothered looking for places when on holiday, I’m happy to stroll about and see what we come across.

Tasting New York in Tribeca

It’s Sunday morning; the sun is streaming through the windows indicating signs that spring is on its way and there is nothing better than jumping in the car, going for a drive and heading out for breakfast. Sunday is an infamous lazy day and cheat day (a non- healthy eating day) and with this in mind I head for a little American gem hidden in Glasgow known for its pancakes.

There isn’t anywhere in Glasgow I allow myself to go for pancakes apart from Tribeca located on Dunbarton Road near Glasgow. Parked appropriately outside the café is a NYPD police car and an infamous American yellow taxi. For a split second, customers will think they’re in New York especially with the bustle of customers waiting on the pavement for Tribeca’s signature pancakes.

Sourced from JamesVsBurger

The Only Way is Sheesh

Not a lot of people up north especially near Scotland will have heard of Sheesh, the Turkish restaurant located in Chigwell near Essex, England and that is my primary reason for discussing it in tonight’s blog. Other reasons include that the restaurant is also my favourite place to go out for dinner plus the food on offer is absolutely delicious (my mouth is watering just thinking about the dessert menu). I never thought I would get to visit this place once with living in Scotland but I’ve been privileged to visit Sheesh twice and I absolutely love it and cannot fault it at all.

Sheesh Restaurant (Image Provided by Rochelle Wood)

Nothing Helps the Morning After the Night Before Like Nandos

There are mixed reviews in regards to Nandos . Some people love it, others find it boring because they only serve chicken but I really enjoy a visit to Nandos

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Being a mature student is a dream I always had and I’m so happy that I am finally carrying out my dream. I am in my third year at university working towards my goals of an honours degree. In addition to the constant studying I also work part time, some shifts can be in the early morning or even during the night resulting in a lack of social life, which is why I usually end up at Crollas (see previous blog) for a catch up with friends.

It is very rare for me to have a night out, I think the last time I decorated the tiles of Glasgow was back in September so with this in mind my friend and I decided it was time for a reunion and a rare night out.

The Cold Stone Creation at Crollas

If you haven’t tried or even heard of the cold stone creation then you haven’t lived. Ladies & gentlemen I encourage you to sample this beauty immediately.

For those who haven’t heard of “The Cold Stone Creation” it is a mixture of ice cream involving numerous flavours, mashed together topped off with a mixture of sauces and decorations such as sprinkles, tablet and meringue. The dessert can be consumed inside the restaurant or be taken away (to be honest I prefer to eat it inside as it is presented a lot nicer compared to when being taken away).

Not Staying In

The last few days before the year is out plans are made to celebrate New Year! Arrangements tend to include where to go and what to drink not forgetting the all-important outfit to wear. The days of and before the big night turns into a mad rush.

On 1^st January the day is spent recovering in a hangover mess wanting to eat our body weight in carbs and sugar. From then on we focus ourselves on making resolutions for the New Year with 90% of the resolutions including promises to carry out regular trips to the gym, eat healthy and to stop going out to help save money.

As much as I’m all for saving money, hitting the gym and eating healthier, I don’t plan on putting a stop to my eating out- I love eating out, it’s my treat.

A regular "mate date" visit to Crollas, Byres Road.

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