NEW EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW EATERIE VAPIANO LETS FUSSY EATERS ORDER WHAT THEY WANT

A new Italian restaurant which will allow picky customers to choose exactly how they want their food is coming to Scotland.
As well as being able to talk to their chef directly, and choose unusual ingredients like strawberries or figs in their pasta, they can also garnish their dishes picking fresh herbs from the numerous basil and rosemary plants dotted outside and inside the venue.
Vapiano restaurant already has around 190 venues around the world and plans another two - one in Edinburgh and another in Glasgow before the end of the year.
The German owned chain which has opened restaurants in five continents since 2002 and is a favourite with Corrie stars Tina O Brien and Brooke Vincent in Manchester promises to give customers more choice by preparing fresh food according to your wishes right in front of your eyes.
It means customers won't be able to complain that something is too salty, spicey, tomatoey, creamy, cheesy or that their pasta is too hard.
Vapiano means go slowly in Italian and customers can also ask for up to three times extra portions of beef, chicken, prawns and salmon in their dishes and even put ingredients from other dishes in their pasta if they want.
With a selection of pizzas, pastas, antipasti, salads and desserts on offer it puts food control back in the hands of diners.
Eleven types of pasta and fresh pizza dough are made daily in the premises and salad dressings, bread and dolce are also made on site too.
The restaurant, which is a favourite of wrestler David Hayes who obviously asks for double portions, will shortly open a three-floor, £1 million venue in Edinburgh's St Andrews Square also plans a Glasgow branch in the old Virgin Megastore building within the next few months.
Phil Sermon, Managing Director at Vapiano, said: "The Vapiano teams in Edinburgh and Glasgow are getting ready for opening, bringing the freshest range of pizzas, pastas, antipasti and salads to diners in both cities.
"The unique concept at Vapiano sees our visitors greeting their chef, ordering directly from them, resulting in a tailored dish made just how they like it! If diners want it extra spicy, add a touch more chili. Or if they want to really indulge in their favourite prawn dish, they can ask for a double portion. Once you're back to your seat, you can then pick additional garnish for your plate from the herb crates on the table.
"Whether you're wanting to grab a quick lunch to keep you going for the rest of the working day or you're heading out at the weekend for a relaxed meal and drinks with friends, Vapiano is perfect for a brilliantly fresh italian meal."

YO! JAPANESE FOOD VENUE OPENS AT GLASGOW FORT THIS WEEK.

 HERE'S a first look at the swanky new YO! restaurant at Glasgow Fort. 

The UK’s most famed Japanese food operator, will open a second new restaurant in Glasgow this week on Thursday 7th September, 2017.

Following the launch last month of YO! GLASGOW CENTRAL, in the heart of the city centre, the wildly popular brand is now about to open the doors to YO! GLASGOW FORT, the company’s fourth restaurant in the city.

Situated at the main entrance of Glasgow Fort, the new restaurant will have an outside seating area for al fresco dining (sunshine permitting!) – this area being a point of difference to all other YO! restaurants. 

What’s more, the expansion has presented an opportunity to employ new talent from the surrounding catchment area. Along with the experience of the team already in YO!, these new appointments will ensure YO! GLASGOW FORT has a strong local connection.

Culinary pleasure seekers can expect a perfect mix of YO! classics and newly curated dishes at YO! GLASGOW FORT including hot favourites such as Katsu Curry, Ramen & Miso, Yakisoba, Chahan, Teriyaki, Gyoza and Tempura, and delicious hand made cold Nigiri, Temaki, Sashimi, Rolls and Fresh Salads. In keeping with Glasgow’s ‘UK’s Most Vegan Friendly City’ status there are also an impressive 16 vegan and 29 vegetarian dishes.

 To demonstrate its commitment to Scotland, YO! is delighted to now be working with Scottish suppliers to source the best quality salmon fresh from the country’s shores. Only Scottish salmon is now served in YO!’s 78 restaurants across the UK.

YO! is one of the only high street restaurants that freshly prepares its dishes on site, in open kitchens, and YO! GLASGOW FORT will be a striking scene in which to enjoy its carefully curated menu.

With its instantly recognisable bold orange YO! branding, YO! GLASGOW FORT has an urban feel, with the use of both concrete and brick wall-effect finishes, as well as ceramic tiling. Exposed end grain birch plywood to joinery and an accent of yellow running throughout the restaurant, adds warmth and vibrancy to the scheme. Booth seating following the full length of the arc, as well as full height glazing, maximises exposure to the bustling hub of The Fort. The restaurant’s industrial aesthetic is reinforced with all exposed services above and a deconstructed ceiling raft feature.

Inside, YO!’s legendary Kaiten belt snakes around the entire restaurant, allowing customers to grab the fresh dishes from their seats.

A new To Go menu will also be available in YO! GLASGOW FORT across both hot and cold dishes.

 YO! CEO, Robin Rowland OBE said,

“We are excited to announce the opening of YO! Glasgow Fort.

“We have been blown away by the response to our return to the city centre. Glasgow loves YO!...and the feeling is mutual.  

“The arrival now of YO! Glasgow Fort will be another fitting statement for the city and YO! fans can expect to enjoy all their popular favourites, as well as exciting new food offerings, and all set against a striking new design aesthetic.”

 Phil Goodman, Centre Director at Glasgow Fort, added:

“We are delighted to be welcoming YO! to Glasgow Fort in its fantastic custom-built unit.

“With a delicious menu and fun atmosphere, it is sure to be a hit with our customers visiting for our leading shopping and leisure offering.”

STILL GAME'S JACK AND VICTOR GIVES SCOTS PATIENT SPECIAL SUPPORT

A Scots hospital patient with a rare genetic disease was thrilled to bits when she received a get well message from Still Game's Jack and Victor.
Sharon McNeilly, 43, from Cumbernauld suffers from the rare condition Von Hippel Lindau syndrome, an inherited disorder causing multiple tumours, both benign and malignant in the central nervous system.
Only 4-500 people in the Uk suffer from it and symptoms of the condition include headaches, problems with balance and walking, dizziness, weakness of the limbs, vision problems, and high blood pressure.
Sharon who has already had four brain operations to remove rumours as well as spinal surgery is due to go in for adrenal and whippes surgery on Monday.
Her husband Andrew who is recovering from cancer himself bumped into actors Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill as they filmed around Glasgow this week and asked if they would send a special message to her.
The lads went one better by videoing themselves in character delivering a humorous get well message that looks like an excerpt from Still Game.
In their message Greg says: "Hello Sharon we hear that you are recovering from a major operation."
Ford adds: "We're here to say we're wishing you all the well in your recovery and we hope that you're Still Game."
Greg then continues: "That's right Make sure you get lots of rest and that this dumpling makes all your teas and all your dinners and all your breakfasts. Get your goonie on, your telly on. Get well soon darling.
And Ford who then jokingly breaks his walking stick in half chips: "Otherwise I'll be snapping the stick.
Sharon who managed to get home for a few days from hospital before the big op said: "I can't stop smiling about this. Ford and Greg are absolutely fantastic and I've been a fan of Still Game ever since it first was performed as a stage show years ago. I'm absolutely over the moon that I have a personalised Jack and Victor message."
Sharon's husband Andrew added: "The lads were only too happy to put a smile on her face in between filming. I've had a similar operation to my wife's when I had cancer and I know it's a big op. She had to take time off her job at SSE Scottish Hydro as a result of her illness and had been trying to stay positive throughout this. Ford and Greg really managed to make her smile with their unique message."
From Scotland with Love - theshowbizlion.com
Excerpts of this article have since appeared in the Sunday Post.

STYLISH TERRACE OPENS UP AT GLASGOW HILTON GROSVENOR HOTEL

GLASGOW'S Hilton Grosvenor has revamped it's lounge area to offer the elegance of yesteryear combined with a contemporary twist.

The Terrace is the name of the elegant champagne, afternoon tea and cocktail lounge at the famous hotel where you can experience the unique character of the West End. 

And the stylish Terrace will be opened on Fridays and Saturdays from 5pm onwards with afternoon tea being served on Saturdays from 12 midday till 5pm.

There are private pods where you can cosy up for a romantic date, hold an important apres work business meeting or fun party  with friends. 

The hotel can even close off one of the rooms if you want an extra special private party. 

A live pianist also adds it the sophisticated charm of the traditional venue while a DJ will ramp up the sounds at dusk. 

Champagne and cocktails are very much encouraged the later it gets and cakes and tea are also served up along with sandwiches and minced pies. 

It's the perfect place to unwind after or during a crazy day and next month - October - it will be open every day from 10am.

STILL GAME'S CAST AND CREW GIVE HINTS ON WHO WILL DIE IN NEW SCOTTISH SERIES.

STILL Game cast and crew have been giving subtle hints as to who might die in the new series - and they are suggesting it might not be of old age!

It's been revealed that someone will kick the bucket in the new series of the BBC show and bookies Ladbrokes have even been taking bets on who that might be.  
Now as filming reached its final day Jane McCarry and the crew have been tweeting a series of pictures teasing fans about who will go.
Jane McCarry held up a make up set marked Autopsy Palette as she told fans: "Ye seeing that? The autopsy palette. Ohh the plot thickens.. a suspicious death per chance?"

And series producer Jacqueline Sinclair also showed off a menu from the set that appeared to also suggest some kind of mysterious Denise. Dishes from the set included Don Coreone Pasta parcels in a Betrayal ragu (gluten free)
It looks as if Craiglang's latest victim doesn't necessarily die of natural causes.

SIR ALEX FERGUSON GIVES HILTON GLASGOW STAFF A SOFT BLOW DRY

SIR Alex Ferguson might be known for his famed hairdryer treatment but he ended up giving Hilton staff in Glasgow more of a gentle blow dry as he held an impromptu coaching session with them after a big night out.
It was like a scene from the half time dressing room as the former Manchester United manager volunteered to give one of his famous motivational sessions to staff at the city centre hotel the morning after he had hosted a charity dinner there.
And managers and front of house staff couldn't believe it as the famous Scot sat down with them at their breakfast debrief meeting to talk about teamwork.
The Glasgow Hilton which celebrates 25 years of being in business this year had donated its services to host a charity night for Street Soccer with Sir Alex.
The charity provide a range of football-related development and training programmes to socially disadvantaged people, including the homeless.
The following morning he was chatting at breakfast with management who told him they were about to have a debrief from the night before.
Sir Alex, who was officially off duty, then offered to attend the meeting so he could give staff some extra motivation.
William Hume Restaurant Manager said: " I have met Sir Alex on many occasions and he is indeed a great friend of Hilton, Glasgow. After breakfast Sir Alex joined the breakfast team for the debrief. He felt it very important the stance we were taking in listening to the guests and staff.”
An insider added: "He might be famed for his Hairdryer treatment with players like Rooney and Rio but underneath the scary demeanour is a golden heart who wanted to take some time out to help and support young kids."
Sir Alex spent an hour with the hard working staff and gave them advice they'll never forget.
The insider continued: "During Sir Alex's chat he talked about the importance of strong leadership. He said we are all leaders and each and every one of you has a role to play. He also talked about the importance of teamwork, listening and sharing information and having an appreciation of each individuals contribution. He told us that when we are leaders in an organisation we should get to know everyone’s name and make them feel valued, irrespective of station or rank.
Sir Alex also talked about the proud history of Glasgow and especially his love of Govan, and the legacy of Jimmy Reed in the political life of Glasgow.
The insider added: "Sir Alex spoke of the famous “Rat Race” speech made by Jimmy Reed when he was made Rector of Glasgow University in 1972. He then answered questions from the breakfast team and talked about his love of tattie scones."
New GM, Calum Ross, who has made a series of changes and is really behind the positive changes to install “teamwork” across the whole hotel both front of house and behind the scene said: "Sir Alex talked about the importance of 'TEAM' - that’s something we are also passionate about. He was here for the Street Soccer event and then surprised us all by coming to our staff meeting."
Sent from Scotland with Love - theshowbizlion.com
Excerpts of this article have since appeared in the Sunday Post.

JUDGE RINDER ON NEW STRICTLY HOPES DURING EDINBURGH VISIT

FORMER Strictly contestant and qualified barrister Judge Rinder says he hopes Debbie McGee wins this year's competition. He said: "I had a ball on Strictly and we all got on so well. I like Debbie and she's a person who is over fifty who has a really good chance of winning and I think that's great. Of course I won't be watching because I'll be too depressed."
The ITV Judge who rules in real life cases has a real admiration for articulate and authentic women.
The judge who is used to ruling the courtroom in his own hit series has recently recorded Crime Stories which takes a closer look at a variety of major offences.
He was recently at the Edinburgh TV Festival at the EICC to chat about his projects and also told theshowbizlion.com he is working on a chat show concept which will allow people to see his hate of intellectual snobbery and love of the quirky.