New Openings in Glasgow

I get way too excited to check out a new restaurant opening. At the moment, Glasgow has some really interesting places which are bringing something totally new to the city, which is quite refreshing. Here's 5 places which have really got me excited:

A'Challtainn Fish Restaurant and Bar
54 Calton Entry, Glasgow (Barrowlands) G40 2SB

Mussels at A'Challtainn Glasgow (via their facebook page)

Ok, so I haven't actually been here yet but it's next up on my list of places to visit. I love that the Barrowlands area is going through a resurgence and A'Challtainn sounds really good from having a peek at the menu and what I've read online. It's very seafood orientated which is right up my street and it's dog friendly which is always a win. There's the added bonus of a food festival/market on this weekend (Friday 9 December - Sunday 11 December) with an amazing line up of food trucks.

Alchemilla
1126 Arygle Street, Glasgow (Finnieston) G3 8TD

Beetroot, feta, walnut and dill with sea bass ceviche at the back — Beetroot, feta, walnut and dill with sea bass ceviche at the back

I was so excited to eat here that I was even having dreams about it. Thankfully it lived up to my hopes and really wowed me – the chef, Rosie Healey, is from Ottolenghi and brings a totally fresh menu to Glasgow. The food is light, simple and yet stunning – we tried 6 dishes plus dessert and it was very close to total perfection. Stand out dishes for me were the beetroot (above) which was a real showstopper of a humble vegetable and the octopus dish with almond, radicchio and squid ink. I'd read online that this place was booked out til 2017 but we got a booking for same day on a Sunday and it wasn't even 1/2 full, so don't let those rumours put you off.

Ramen Dayo
Gordon Lane, off Gordon Street (by Bier Halle), Glasgow G1 3PL

I love ramen! We were in Japan earlier this year which of course total spoils you in terms of good Japanese food. I heard about this place a while back and then it all of a sudden appeared this week on Gordon Street, in the laneway by Bier Halle. Yes, the space is semi-outside but we were totally snug last night as the heating is really good, so don't let that put you off. There were a few new opening hitches – items on the menu not being available, not receiving some of the things we ordered and them running out of chasu pork (the key component of the dish!) but we managed to order just in time to still get the ramen. It was really good – if I was being picky, I'd say the portion size was a little smaller than I'd expect but otherwise I really liked it and will definitely be back. For me, it's the best ramen I've tried in Glasgow and I can't wait to see how this place goes. If you're veggie/vegan, there doesn't seem to be a veggie offering just now as all the ramen is based on pork broth but there are veggie gyoza available. I've written a full review here if you want to read more.

Ibérica
140 St Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5LA

Aubergine confit-style with honey and pine nuts

Ibérica took my fancy as I love Spanish food, and this place sounded like the real deal. I was invited to lunch with Janice from Burt Greener (their PR company) and we enjoyed a delicious selection of food. The restaurant is more high-end than any other Spanish restaurant in Glasgow. For me, the highlight was the aubergine dish – my all-time fav vegetable and this was probably the best aubergine dish I've ever tried, which is a massive call. The food was really, really impressive – fresh, seasonal and unusual. I also loved the tuna sashimi which was a special, and the croquettes were just heavenly. I'm already planning another visit as I enjoyed it that much I want to share it with Graeme too.

Temaki
113 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 6LL

This place isn't even open yet so I'm mentioning it a little prematurely but I am SO excited about it because they're bringing sushi burritos to Glasgow. If you've never had the joy of trying one, here's a pic from Sushiritto in San Fransisco which is always a must-visit for me when I'm over. It's essentially sushi wrapped up like a burrito with some Mexican flavours in there. Temaki doesn't have an opening day yet but I'll definitely be one of the first people to try it and will report back!

Update: I've now visited and reviewed it here!