Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
447 Great Western Rd.
&
0141/334-0686.
www.laparmigiana.co.uk. Reservations required. Fixed-
price lunch £14.50; main courses £16-£22. AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Sat noon-2:30pm and 5:30-10:30pm;
Sun noon-7:30pm. Underground: Kelvinbridge.
La Vallée Blanche
FRENCH Opening just before the worst recession on record
is awkward timing, but this restaurant at the top of Byres Road appears to have
weathered the storm and has more critics happy than before. Named after a glacial
gorge, La Vallée Blanche gently mimics Alpine aesthetics with wood paneling and
lanterns, but the food is not especially rustic. Dishes such as braised pig cheeks,
scallops with black pudding and artichoke sauce, and roast guinea fowl are well
executed and refined. The set-price lunches emphasize French classics.
360 Byres Rd.
&
0141/334-3333.
www.lavalleeblanche.com. Reservations recommended. Fixed-price
lunch £13; main courses £16-£20. MC, V. Tues-Fri noon-2pm and 5:30-10:30pm; Sat and Sun noon-
10pm. Underground: Hillhead.
Ubiquitous Chip
MODERN SCOTTISH No other restaurant has been more
responsible for the culinary renaissance in Scotland than the Ubiquitous Chip.
Opening the “Chip” in 1971, the late Ronnie Clydesdale (1936-2010) was way
ahead of the curve. Although not a professional chef, he had the idea of bringing the
best Scottish ingredients into his kitchen—and then to the attention of diners. To
this day, the menus state the provenance of the produce, a practice now common-
place in most of the better restaurants. The menu may feature Rothesay black pud-
ding, Hebridean Soay lamb, Ardnamurchan venison, Aberdeen Angus filet steak, or
Scrabster-landed lythe; the wine list is epic. Upstairs, there's a friendly pub and a
brasserie that serves similar quality fare at a fraction of the price.
12 Ashton Lane, off Byres Rd.
&
0141/334-5007.
www.ubiquitouschip.co.uk. Reservations required for
restaurant, recommended for brasserie. Fixed-price lunch £25; fixed-price dinner £40. AE, DC, MC, V.
Daily noon-2:30pm and 5:30-11pm. Underground: Hillhead.
Moderate
Balbir's
INDIAN After taking a break from running restaurants in Glasgow,
Balbir Singh Sumal returned in 2005 to open this sprawling place, serving first-class
curries and other Indian specialties. Dishes are lighter than the norm, as his chefs
eschew ghee in favor of low-cholesterol rapeseed oil. The tandoori oven is used to
good effect with dishes, especially a starter of barbecued salmon, served with freshly
made chutney. 2010 saw a renovation of the interiors. If on Glasgow's Southside,
check out his
Saffron Lounge
at 61 Kilmarnock Road (
&
0141/632-8564
). Open
evenings only.
7 Church St.
&
0141/339-7711.
www.balbirsrestaurants.co.uk. Main courses £8-£14. AE, MC, V. Daily
5-10:30pm. Underground: Kelvinhall.
Crabshakk
FISH/SEAFOOD Established in 2009 by a family with links to
Scotland's Western Isles, the only confusing thing about this newcomer is the deci-
sion to misspell the name. The menu ranges from moderately priced fish dishes,
such as smoked mackerel and horseradish or a fish club sandwich with chips, to
more pricey whole crab or lobster. And they're only available if found fresh in the
market that week. Crab cakes are a signature dish and they're wonderfully lacking
any potato filler. Langoustines are sold cold or grilled, in small or larger portions. The
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