GLASGOW’S MADRAS CAFE HAS MORE AWARDS THAN TABLES

GLASGOW’S Madras cafe has snapped up another gong as 2023 South Indian Restaurant of the Year at the Scottish Asian food awards - and they now have more awards than tables. 
The eateries latest trophy makes it the most awarded Indian restaurant in Glasgow as it adds to its collection of glass and silverware - including Trip Advisor Best Indian restaurant in Glasgow.
In fact, the restaurant in the city’s Howard Street now boasts so many awards it has more trophies than its 16 tables that seat 50 diners.  
Owners Altaf Hossain, chef Shabu Natarajan and JD Tewari have worked tirelessly for the last three years to build a solid foundation and they can’t wait to give back more to the community this year. 
Altaf said: “I think we’ve become the most awarded Indian restaurant in Glasgow. We have won twenty awards in total with eleven being presented to us in just the last year. 
“Winning the prestigious award that honours our south Indian dishes is truly a moment of triumph for all of us at Madras Cafe and I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to each member of our extraordinary team. 
Dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to delivering the best culinary experience have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in achieving this accolade.
To our chefs, who craft each dish with precision and love, thank you for elevating our culinary offerings to new heights. Our head chef Shabu’s creativity and skill shine through in every bite. 
Our front-of-house staff ensure that every guest feels welcomed and cherished.
I think this recognition will inspire us to continue striving for excellence, innovation, and the highest standards of hospitality. To our guests, Thank you for being the driving force behind our success, and here's to many more accolades in the future.”
Dishes like the golden crisp Masala Dosa and Chicken Chettinad with its coconut herbs and spices are two South Indian dishes which have proved popular with regular and new diners including celebrities like Liverpool and Scotland player Andy Robertson and top Masterchef contender Sagar Massey.
Altaf and his team now want to give back to Glasgow and say: “We hope to do even better in 2024 in our service and offering new dishes to our guests. We would also like to do more charitable work, and more engagements in the community.”
To celebrate their win, Madras Cafe is offering 20 per cent off its food menu throughout January. 

SCOTS ARTIST ROGUE ONE GIVES A COLOURFUL CHAT AT UBIQUITOUS CHIP

ROGUE ONE, the artist behind many of Scotland’s most iconic and photographed public street artworks admitted he’s hidden himself inside many of his famous murals around the city. 

As the first very special guest of CONVERSATIONS AT THE CHIP; a new series of events by Ubiquitous Chip inviting the country’s leading creative figures to share their images, ideas and inspirations, he entertained the audience with tales from the start of his tagging life to where he is right now. 

 The artists whose real name is Bobby McNamara is normally pretty elusive so it was a joy to see him come out of the shadows for the the first CONVERSATIONS AT THE CHIP event at the much-loved Ashton Lane institution. 

Speaking with The Glasgowist’s Paul Trainer, Bobby was right at home as he spoke of his favourite artworks and the perils of working atop a cherry picker. 

 Known for his incredible works across Scotland, including in Glasgow The World's Most Economical Taxi in Mitchell Lane and Crazy Cat Lady on Sauchiehall Street, as well as the staggeringly beautiful montage wrapping The Clutha of figures such as Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Billy Connolly, John Byrne, Paolo Nutini and Sharleen Spiteri, ROGUE ONE also said he has turned down many a request - but asks for permission before he creates any artwork these days. 

His clients now include VisitScotland, Glasgow City Council, housing associations and residential landlords, educational establishments, and numerous private customers.

The event which cost £40 per person included a drinks reception with special X by Glenmorangie cocktails on losing an old fashioned and delicious peach option as well as  three course supper curated by The Brasserie Head Chef, Maccy. 

Guests enjoyed dishes like haggis, salmon and a lemon posset to finish.The Ubiquitous Chip plans several more events over coming months.

ST ANDREW’S FOODIES IN FOR TREAT AT THE SEAFOOD RISTORANTE

ST Andrew’s eaterie The Seafood Ristorante,  has begun a new chapter with a modern new dining look to the historical town.

 The stunning new look offers a luxurious space to relax and unwind with a truly immersive dining experience. Located on the Scores Bruce Embankment, overlooking St Andrews Bay and West Sands Beach, the restaurant offers 360-degree views of Scotland's dramatic North Sea. 

The renowned multi-award-winning restaurant, owned by Stefano Pieraccini of The Rocca Group, has an increased capacity for 56 guests and a spacious semi-private dining for groups of up to 14. A new reception and bar area has also been created to allow guests to unwind and relax before enjoying favourites from their coastal inspired menu. 

 Guests can savour the menu's special flavours, which are created with the best locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. The dishes are designed with a touch of Italian flair and the a la carte menu offers a classic dining experience as well as a seasonal set lunch menu should you wish to catch up with friends for a casual, relaxed afternoon treat. 

Roasted Orkney Scallops, John Ross of Aberdeen Smoked Salmon, and East Neuk Crab Agnolotti are among the menu's starters, and North Sea Turbot; Pittenweem Day Boat Halibut; Scrabster Monkfish, and Perthshire Roe Deer are among the mains.

 The renovation was inspired by Stefano's desire to not only inspire his staff but also customers to create an unforgettable food and drink experience that people want to leave their house for.

Stefano Pieraccini said “With more and more restaurants reopening, it's important that we maintain the highest standards and expectations our guests and staff expect. Our new look is contemporary, modern and represents the now as well as the future. The interiors reflect the beautiful surroundings, combining coastal colours with spatial fluidity and intuitive elegance”. 

 Initially open four days a week for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Saturday, the team behind The Seafood Ristorante plans to expand to five days a week beginning in April, with the addition of a new Tuesday service.

The Rocca Group commissioned Davidson Baxter Partnership Architects to reimagine the restaurant space and interiors for a new generation of customers. The architects had previous worked with the groups other venues in Edinburgh, Rico’s Ristorante and The Broughton.

 The open plan space has been upgraded with Chartreuse and dark olive-green furnishings, as well as rich brown tables and ebony-style wooden flooring. The new bar area increases the venue's capacity to 56 guests, and contemporary bar stools and low height poser tables have been added to encourage pre and post-dinner cocktails.

The Seafood Restaurant is open weekly, Wednesday to Saturday from 12pm - late at Bruce Embankment, St Andrews KY16 9AB. 

Book now at www.theseafoodrestaurant.com 

TILLY RAMSAY TRIES THE NEW MCPLANT BURGER AGEAD OF STRICTLY TOUR

Tilly Ramsay proved she has an open mind to grub as she  took time out between busy rehearsals for the much anticipated Strictly Live Tour. 

In the run up to the big event she decided to go for a special menu. 

And it wasn’t nouvelle cuisine. 

Tilly, whose dad is famed Scottish chef Gordon Ramsay, decided to get some high street food for a change and    looked in good spirits as she visited a local McDonald’s.

The TV star, wearing a white puffer coat teamed with casual black jeans, strolled through the city of Leeds whilst clutching a McDonald’s bag during a well-deserved break from the hectic Strictly schedule.

Tilly is the latest star to be spotted tucking into a McPlant – after Mark Wright arranged for a McDonald’s van to visit his £1.3 million home renovation to deliver lunch for his builders.

 

The McPlant is the new vegan offering from McDonald’s which launched nationwide in January following a successful trial in October 2021. The impressive McPlant, which took over three years to develop, features a patty co-developed with Beyond Meat® and has already proved hugely successful with McDonald’s customers.

 

The impressive build features a Vegan Sesame Bun, Mustard, Ketchup, Vegan Sauce, Fresh Onion, Pickles, Lettuce, Tomato and Vegan Cheese. It is cooked separately from other McDonald’s burgers and sandwiches using dedicated utensils. 

 

 McDonald’s UK&I spent three years on research and development to bring a delicious plant-based offering to British and Irish customers, and every element of the McPlant was designed with taste and quality top-of-mind. 

From the plant-based patty co-developed with Beyond Meat, to innovative vegan cheese based on pea protein that tastes just like McDonald’s iconic cheese slices, and a new vegan sandwich sauce. 

 

GLASGOW RESTAURANT THE DHABBA HAS HEALTH BOOSTING TEA

GLASGOW restaurant The Dhabba has come up with a special health boosting Turmeric and Ginger Six Spice Tea to celebrate afternoon tea week. 
The Merchant City nut free North Indian restaurant always tries to introduce innovative new ideas in its menu. 
And the tea which also contains cloves, black pepper, carom seeds, green cardamom, black cardamom and fennel seeds is said to help reduce inflammation, support your immune system, ease pain and reduce nausea. 
The spices which have antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting properties, can also aid digestion and leave your breath smelling fresh. 
The bright yellow-orange spice, known as turmeric, has seen a rise in consumer demand over the years – thanks to its scientifically-proven health benefits. Aryuvedic medicine has used turmeric for treatment of pain and inflammatory disorders and now a compound found in this versatile spice, known as curcumin, may also help to eliminate certain viruses according to a recent study published in the Journal of General Virology. 
Owner Navdeep Basi said: “Our tea has been developed to give people an extra boost at this time. We obviously don’t have a cure all for Covid but our Turmeric and Ginger Six Spice blend can give a wee boost to those who have been a bit under the weather or who want to be kind to their system. Since it’s afternoon tea week we thought it was the perfect time to introduce this to our menu and it can be teamed up with starters, main courses or desserts.”
The Dhabba’s Turmeric and Ginger Six Spice Blend is available for £3.95 from this week.
The Dhabba and its South Indian sister restaurant Dakhin is also participating in the governments Eat Out To Help out scheme offering diners up to ten pounds off their meal Monday to Wednesday throughout August.

NATIONAL BEER DAY BRINGS EXTRA FROTH TO GLASGOW AND BEYOND

IT’S National Drink Beer Day this Saturday and to celebrate we’ve compiled a list of facts about one of our favourite drinks.

1. In ancient Egypt, beer was traditionally brewed by women. Beer soup was also a popular breakfast dish in medieval Britain and was often made with beer and cheese.

2. President Obama was the very first president to brew his own beer on White House grounds. The White House Honey Porter and White House Honey Ale were brewed using honey produced in beehives at the White House.

3.  For more than 5,000 years beer has been brewed in Scotland and there are currently more than 150 breweries in Scotland producing around 2,000 regular beers and thousands more special event beers.

4. This Saturday Dakhin South Indian restaurant in Candleriggs Glasgow which also celebrates its fifteenth birthday this month has partnered with Kingfisher beer to give a free pint with every main dish ordered from its menu. Just quote ‘15th birthday’ when you book a table.

5. In 2013, Germany built a 5km beer pipeline to the Veltins-Arena, a major football stadium in the city of Gelsenkirchen. There is a Thor Beer pipeline in Randers, Denmark and the Halve Maan Brewery opened one in Bruges, Belgium.

6. Beer has been around for so long that the moon even has a crater named Beer. Beer is the world’s oldest and most widely consumed alcoholic drink and the third most popular drink – after water and tea.

7. Cenosillicaphobia is the fear of an empty beer glass. Obviously ‘the fear’ can come  from an beer glass too. The world's longest hangover lasted four weeks after a Scotsman consumed 60 pints of beer.

8.Stanford researchers found that beer bubbles create a gravity-defying loop. Bubbles head up in the center where frictional drag from the glass is less and moves down on the outside as the top gets crowded.

BBQ FRUIT IS THE NEW GLASGOW FAVOURITE AT DHABBA

Scots Indian restaurant The Dhabba is offering customers more thrills with their grills as they celebrate National Barbecue Week with some strange fruits.
The North Indian restaurant which boasts an outside pavement area for the sunnier months often uses a tandoor for its food. The bell shaped oven traditionally made of clay fires with wood or charcoal can reach temperatures of 480 degrees Celsius (900 Fahrenheit).
For National BBQ Week which takes place from May 27 until June 2 diners will be able to enjoy a platter of tandoori fruits alongside favourites like tandoori lamb, chicken, monkfish and vegetables.
Phaldari Seekh combines unusual fruits like lychee, pink guava, mango, loquat, papaya, jackfruits and gooseberries with a hint of spicy marinade. It’s healthy and substantial dish that gives you a real taste of Asia.
Dhabba owner Navdeep Basi said of the dish: “We always strive to offer something a little different here at Dhabba. Our customers have always enjoyed our tandoori dishes and this is definitely the season for them. The marinade of our Phaldari Seekh is a hint spicy but the fruits are mostly sweet which is quite contrasting. Each bite is a different taste because of the number of fruits in them.”
The £11.95 dessert platter will be available during National BBQ week only.

GLASGOW GLUTEN FREE RESTAURANT DAKHIN OFFERS SIX GF BREADS

A Scots restaurant now boasts six different types of gluten free bread for its customers to celebrate Coeliac Awareness Week.
South Indian restaurant Dakhin in Glasgow’s Candleriggs has been certified by Coeliac U.K. and every single dish in the restaurant from starters to desserts is gluten free.
To celebrate Coeliac Awareness until May 19 the restaurant have created a brand new bread for customers to try.
The special creation is called Vattayappam and it is made of rice and coconut sugar, cardamom, cumin and a bit of salt.
Priced at £3.95 it joins other breads on the menu including Sada Dosa, a crepe from rice and lentils, Chilla, a thin and savoury bread made from gram flower with fenugreek, Siru Uttapam, a soft pancake from ground rice and lentil and a three feet long Paper Dosa.
Owner Navdeep Basi said: “We have served up a full Gluten Free menu at Dakhin since we opened in 2004. Last year we were thrilled to be officially approved by the Coeliac U.K. and we can’t wait to show customers new and old some of the exciting dishes we have on offer. It’s important that people with Coeliac disease can feel safe when they are eating out and we take pride in the fact that we can give them an extensive range of dishes from vegetarians to chicken, lamb and fish that they will enjoy.

SCOT SQUAD OFFICER KAREN GETS HER TEETH INTO DAKHIN PANCAKE

SCOTS Squad’s Officer Karen might have tackled a few big cases in her time, but she’s never got her teeth into  something like this! 
Actress Karen Bartke was dining in Glasgow’s Dakhin restaurant when she was presented with the three foot in diameter whopper made from rice, lentil, a bit of sugar and salt. 
The massive gluten free dosas as they are known in South India can be filled with mashed potatoes, chicken, lamb, seafood or even ice cream, or other treats for those who like a bit more sugar.

Karen revealed that her character Officer Karen would be particularly chuffed as she is gluten intolerant. 

Keen said: “It is the biggest pancake I’ve ever seen in my life. I’m quite afraid of it because it is just vast. I’m not sure I have a frying pan big enough to make it. Ironically officer Karen is gluten intolerant so this is the ideal pancake for me as Officer Karen. 
We established that in a really early one because Bobby came in and wanted to give me Whoopsy’s and I said I couldn’t take them because I was gluten intolerant. This is the ideal restaurant for Officer Karen because she can’t have gluten. Looking through it is like looking through the Clyde Tunnel. 

Karen is about to star in There's Something About Mary Queen of Scots tackling one of the country's most well-known and loved figures at the Flying Duck on March 15. 

It’s part of the Comedy festival but she’s open to other roles and looks up to Olivia Coleman as an actor she’d love to enmulate. She said: “I’d kill to do something like Broadchurch.”

Karen says she’s often given roles because of the dark circles under her eyes.

She laughed: “I make a really convincing shift worker because of my dark circles. In the make up and hair at Coronation Street where I was playing a Doctor I said to the lady that under my eyes was the black hole of concealer because it sinks in instantly and she told me ‘That’s good, we like that in our doctors.’ 
I look like I’ve not slept. I need to get a fire service job and an ambulance job and maybe a social worker just to do all your major shift services.” 

In the meantime talented Karen is looking forward to series five of Scots Squad and said: “It is due to go out on the new BBC Scotland channel and then I think BBC 1 Scotland. I’m really proud of the show. It’s got a lovely heart and real empathy for the police’s function.”

GLASGOW’S TRIBECA RESTAURANT LAUNCHES BOTTOMLESS COFFEE

COFFEE lovers will be in their element now that Scotland’s TriBeCa restaurants are offering bottomless cups of the elixir. 

The Glasgow and Edinburgh based American diner is about to announce a brand new menu incorporating its famed burger and pancakes - and we’ve managed to get a bit of inside info ahead of its launch.
Diners at the four Glasgow restaurants - Dumbarton Road in Partick, Park Road in Woodlands, Fenwick Road in Giffnock and Bell Street in the Merchant City  as well as the one in the capital’s London St, will be able to enjoy limitless cuppas  Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 11:30am and 2:30pm-5:30pm.
The bottomless coffee and a bagel offer gives you unlimited filter coffee and a toasted bagel with cream cheese or butter for 4.95 and is available now.
The new menu will also be available across all TriBeCa within the next two weeks.
We recently told how new owners stepped in to save the restaurant chain from liquidation - and they have plans to expand the American-style diner further with fifteen planned over the next two years.




From Scotland with Love Theshowbizlion.com

SCOTS ITALIAN RESTAURANTS BEAT ENGLISH FOR TOP HONOURS

Two Scots Italian Restaurants have beaten their English counterparts by being nominated for the Italian food Oscars. 
Glasgow’s own Oro restaurant in Kilmarnock Road joins Edinburgh’s Locanda De Gusti in being nominated for a trophy at the Melius Ristorante awards -rewarding the top 100 restaurants outside of Italy. 
And while Scotland has two nominations, England only has one - in the form of restaurant Beck at Brown’s in London. 
Scots chef Domenico Crolla said: “Every time I’ve competed in the U.K. for the past ten years Scotland has always done better than England whether it’s a pizza or restaurant contest. Scotland has always beaten England.”
Domenico reckons Scots restaurants are better rated because they are owner run.  
He said: “We have a culture of owner run restaurants here including Indian, Chinese and Italian which are all operated by the owners who offer an authentic experience. 
Other restaurants from Dubai and China are one the list so to be on the same list as them is quite an honour.”
Domenico can’t wait to represent Scotland when he visits Rome on October 29 for the awards ceremony. 
He said: “I don’t have the legs for a kilt but I’m looking forward to it. All the restaurants are of a high standard and it’s going to be close competition.”

BE A MODEL CITIZEN WITH A BELVEDERE BIRTHDAY PARTY IN GLASGOW

IF you like Vodka, Coffee and Fine Food then you need to book into a very special Birthday Party on Thursday October 4.   

Luxury brand Belvedere Vodka has teamed up with the ever stylish Citizen Hotel in Glasgow for an exclusive birthday celebration - and it lasts for the whole of October.

The showbizlion.com has always gone wild for  Belvedere and we love the stylish bottle that glows in the dark. 

 This time round Belvedere is bringing the iconic cocktail – the espresso martini – to The Citizen on St Vincent Place in the heart of Glasgow as part of an exclusive month-long ‘pop-up with a coffee twist’.

The city centre pop-up – a Scottish exclusive - will provide style and substance for a retail therapy recharge as well as for purveyors of fine gastronomy and vodka connoisseurs. 

Belvedere in Italian translates to ‘beautiful to see’ and the cocktails on offer this month are exactly that.  The Citizen’s mixologist Matteo Clerici has curated three other very special coffee-inspired cocktails that offer new twists on the classics - The Cold Brew Gimlet, The Chocomint Martini and finally a Don Cortez, which adds a subtle nod to Belvedere’s Polish roots. 

On Thursday October 4 there’s a party marking the first birthday of The Citizen and we’ll be there to try it all out. 

The history of The Citizen as the home of one of Glasgow’s first newspapers is legendary, the Grade A1 listed building it is set within – Scotland’s first red sandstone - is iconic, and its inspired gastronomy is unashamedly Scottish. Add to this an ambience that is chic and fun and the birthday party promises to be an unmissable occasion.

Guests will ascend into the striking building, and through to the Editor’s Suite – a stylishly restored homage to the venue’s heritage when in 1889 it was the headquarters of The Evening Citizen newspaper. 

On arrival into The Editor’s Suite, flashbulbs will pop and, for one night only, disco will reign supreme with a very special DJ set from Billy Woods of famed club night Supermax. Party goers will toast the occasion with the connoisseur’s cocktail of choice - the Belvedere espresso martini - as well as pairing canapés and birthday cake.

Tickets to attend the party are now available through this link https://booking.resdiary.com/widget/Standard/TheCitizen/6372?DATE=2018-10-4 or by calling 0141 222 2909. 

They cost £25 per person and include 3 Belvedere cocktails, canapés andbirthday cake.

Izzy Cameron of Moët Hennessy said: "The Espresso Martini is one of the most popular cocktails in the UK, with the coffee and spirit world growing closer together in their purity and quality. We are excited to be collaborating with The Citizen who are blending the natural character of Belvedere vodka with quality ingredients to showcase five unique coffee cocktails."

 Tony Conetta, Co-owner of The Citizen added: “One year ago, after an extensive restoration, we opened the doors to what is one of Glasgow’s most impressive buildings with an equally iconic history. Now, as we celebrate our first birthday, and in the spirit of The Citizen’s pioneering legacy, we are thrilled to be partnering with our friends at Belvedere for this unmissable party and unique month-long pop-up.” 

VAPIANO FINALLY COMES TO EDINBURGH WITH MORE CHOICE FOR DINERS

WE love it when a new restaurant opens up in Scotland and theshowbizlion.com is going wild about the launch of Edinburgh's Vapiano.
                                                                     
 The global restaurant biz is set to open its latest slice of the Italian dining phenomenon in the Scottish capital this October, bringing its relaxed and easy-going approach to Italian food to the heart of the capital, and creating around 50 jobs for the city.
 St Andrews Square is the location of the restaurants first Scottish venue, in an 8,770sq ft. space over three floors, with Finkernagel Ross the lead architects using the classic Vapiano design.

If you've not tried it,  the restaurant offers you the chance to order directly from chefs while they make up your meal right in front of you.
For control freaks and fussy eaters like theshowbizlion.com this is the perfect thing and it means customers get the freshest range of pizzas, pastas, antipasti and salads at the made fresh in front of them.

Founded on a love of honest, good and supremely fresh food; Vapiano presents a laid-back vibe, with large, long oak tables, each with their own herb garden. Classic favourites join new takes on the irresistible Italian menu, and the bar area is a natural place to enjoy the company of friends.

At the end of each diner’s visit, payment is made via the smart-card system, which sees everything added to your card as you order. Before you leave the restaurant, you’ll also be treated to a spoonful of yummy gummy bears, a sweet treat to round off your visit to Vapiano.

Phil Sermon, Managing Director at Vapiano, said: “Edinburgh has one of the greatest restaurant scenes in Europe so we’re thrilled to be joining it. This is a city that enjoys eating out and we can’t wait to welcome new customers through the door. We’re also delighted that our opening will be creating 50 new opportunities for people to develop great careers in hospitality.

“According to an Italian proverb, ‘If you have an easy-going and relaxed approach to life, you’ll live more healthily and longer.’ This is the attitude that Vapiano lives and breathes. We hope our new customers relax into our new home and enjoy the abundance of delicious Italian dishes.”

The first Vapiano restaurant opened in Hamburg, Germany in 2002. Since then, the business has developed a portfolio of 186 Vapianos in 31 countries on 5 continents, and is popular with young workers, students and celebrities alike. The new opening in Edinburgh will be the first in Scotland and the fifth in the UK, following London and Manchester.

MEZZE BRINGS GREEK AND TURKISH TASTES TO THE CLYDESIDE

GLASGOW may not always bring sunshine but now we can pretend to bask in the heat of the Mediterranean – with the new Mezze restaurant.
The stylish restaurant and bar has officially opened down by the Clyde on the top floor of the North Rotunda.
It's perfect for pre concert grub before a night at the SEC Hydro with a real range of dishes from nibbles to full on mains. The split-level bustling contemporary foodie oasis offers impressive seafood dishes, mouthwatering chargrilled meats and kebabs alongside spectacular views out across the River Clyde.
And for veggies or those with gluten free requirements there are plenty of options like hummus, aubergine and tzatziki dips to make sure you have a plate smashing time.



Led by head chefs, Alex Lioly and Ridi Mukja, their modern dishes shine on the menu, as Mezze showcases the diverse Mediterranean culture and landscape – with Greek, Cypriot, Ionian islands and Turkish influences that reinvent classic fare.
The dishes – a combination of small and big plates have been created to share and to complement the casual, laid-back atmosphere and vibe of the space.
Sharing specialities include whole chargrilled sea bream, slow-cooked kleftiko lamb shoulder – a real show stopper, slow cooked chicken tava stews, and seafood saganaki stews that are perfect for bringing friends and family together.


Designed by CM Design Consultants, the 60-seater restaurant boasts postcard blue walls, comfortable and colourful fabric and leather booths and white washed tables and chairs that will transport you to port of Thessaloniki whilst you dine.
For drinkers, a relaxing bar area is set under a spectacular Santorini-inspired blue dome feature ceiling that provides a dreamy oasis for cocktails or a quiet glass of wine before or after dinner.


Greek beers and lagers come in all different grades from super light and fruity to something a little punchier.
Restaurateurs, Kevin Campbell and Toni Carbajosa – who own Greek-Cypriot restaurant Halloumi and Rioja tapas and cocktail bar in Finnieston are thrilled to open the doors.
Kevin Campbell said: "Modern Greek and Mediterranean cuisine is making waves at the moment and we wanted to create a dining space that pays homage to our chefs heritage. Ridi and Alex have created dishes that reinvent what they ate growing up in with a twist and the result is modern and fresh.
“Sharing is a culinary tradition and we wanted our guests to come and experience the magic of Mezze and feel as if they've stepped into the warmth of the Mediterranean Aegean sea.”


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com