Sunday 31 March 2013

Malaga Tapas - Review

I visited Malaga Tapas on Sat 30th March 2013 - here's my review

Tener Cosas Buenas Y Malas


Malaga Tapas
After seeing a favourable review of Malaga Tapas I decided to give it a try. I was a bit disappointed when I looked at the restaurant's web site to see that it was still advertising their Valentine's Menu, almost seven weeks after the event! There was no information as to what was on the present menu, apart from Tapas, of course. Maybe the reviews would give a hint but, sadly, the hyperlink to the recent Sunday Herald review didn't work. Not a good start. However it was the restaurant and its food and atmosphere that I was wanting to try, not their website.

We managed to book a table for two for 8:30 on Saturday evening and, as hoped, the place was bustling when we arrived. The friendly staff left us standing just inside the door as they searched for a table. We didn't mind having to wait a few minutes for a taxi to arrive for those currently at our reserved table. However it would have been good if someone had offered to take our coats, offer us menus to browse, or even provide us with an apéritif.

Our hard working, enthusiastic and friendly half Spanish/half Scottish waitress showed us to our small table by the window allowed us to soak in the atmosphere of the place and it was clear that most of our fellow diners, including a number of families, were regulars to this little corner of Andalucia in Pollokshields.

We quickly decided to try the set meal for two (£26:95), accompanied with a bottle of Rioja (£18:95) and some iced tap water (gratis). The restaurante pequeño is owned by the Chef Guillermo and his business partner Cristobal, who runs the front of the house. Cristobal took our order and explained in some detail as to what ingredients were in the various salads included in our Set Menu. We chose a Ensalada de Garbanzos, a refreshing Chickpeas salad with coriander, mint, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.

The arrival of an unexpected, delicious amuse-bouche was a nice touch, although three bite-size portions, for a table of two, may lack a little attention to detail.

Various waitresses filled our small table with our dishes served in the small, traditional, terracotta Cazuelas. As well as the salad, which surprisingly was served half way through our meal, as was the waitress's enquiry as to whether we wanted some bread with our meal, the meal included: Patates Bravas; Champi Ajillos; Pollo a Ajillo; Cordero en Salsa; Croquettes de Pollo and Gambes Gamberdine. The fried potatoes in hot salsa were fine; the mushrooms sauteed in olive oil with garlic and chillies were delicious; unfortunately the chicken hadn't been sauteed in roasted garlic oil as described in the menu but placed in a dish containing the oil, the chicken portions on the top of the dish being bland , whilst those covered in the oil were much more flavoursome; the simmered lamb in white wine sauce with onions, ginger and mango fruit, although sounding superb was in fact very disappointing with the lamb being very dry and obviously not cooked in the sauce; the traditional chicken croquettes made of a light béchamel with large chicken bits and minced onions, golden deep fried also failed to live up to expectations with their being devoid of the promised 'large chicken bits' and the croquettes being slightly burnt rather than golden; the King Prawns lightly coated with beer batter were not served with the Chef's special recipe: cumin seeds and lemon garlic mayonnaise as promised but with a dip resembling sweet and sour. The chickpea salad, exceeded expectations, its freshness and flavours indicating that it had been freshly prepared.

Our café con leches (£2.25) could have been served a little hotter but by this time the service had deteriorated, as the majority of staff now concentrated in clearing out the restaurant in preparation for the next day's business. I finally managed to catch a waitress on her way to the kitchen and to get la cuenta but she then disappeared and it took a while before another one appeared and I could finally pay the £50.40 bill.

The evening was to end on a high though when the head waitress presented us with a voucher to receive, no less than, 20% off on our next visit, as long as it's within 8 weeks. Given that we had already decided to return to see their resident Friday night Spanish singer this was a pleasant surprise but they do need to get some other things right as well if it is to become my Andalucian local. In the meantime, I'll brush up on my Spanish.

Cookie - Review

“Imaginative Food and Friendly Service”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed for Trip Advisor on 18 March 2013

Cookie
I love the idea of Cookie as an eatery which sees itself as a hub of the local community however it had lost its way and I had stopped going. However I popped in for coffee last week and was impressed with the imaginative menu, which changes every week. Whilst some people think that a 'special board' is a bit old school, I think it reflects well on a place and is an indication that they use seasonal produce and that their menu varies on a regular basis. Lat week's menu with hake, bream, lamb and venison main course dishes was enticing enough for us to return on Saturday night to give it another try. 

Wood Pigeon

Lamb Dish
We were lucky enough to book the last table and the food lived up to our expectations, even more so as the starter specials included a wood pigeon dish which was rich and delicious. My companion was not disappointed with her choice of Mussels. There was a slight delay for the starters, which isn't a good sign, but the staff apologised for this and provided us with complimentary bread and oil. My partner chose the Lamb, which came on a bed of cauliflower puree, whilst I plumped for the hake which was served on a bed of pulses. Both oozed with flavour and were enhanced with a very nice italian wine. The Staff, which include a trainee, were friendly and professional with Sam the Manager having stamped her personality in the front of the house, whilst leaving the Chef and three other cooks to express their creativity in the small open kitchen. Sam had recognised us from our coffee visit and went out of her way to make us feel welcome.

My friend's desert was devoured with passion but unfortunately the trainee's two attempts at making a hot Irish Coffee failed to meet my expectations and it was quickly removed from the bill.

Cookie is a small and intimate eatery and we chatted with our fellow diners at the accompanying table, who also enthused about the delicious food, they informed us that they will be returning on a regular basis and so will we! 

Strathbungo bar and kitchen Review

“Needs to get the basics right”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed  for Trip Advisor on 13 March 2013

The Bungo

I've visited 'the Bungo' on a number of occasions and it always suffers from lack of communication within the staff. On a recent visit for a coffee, I was asked no less than five times if I wanted lunch, even though it was after 2pm.Last night wasn't quite so bad but when you've just discussed the Tuesday Special Burger with the waiter you don't want the manager then to come to your table to tell you all about the ...Tuesday Special Burger.... This week was an Irish themed burger and pint of Guinness special for just under £10. Unfortunately the 'special' removed the hand cut chips and salad which normally accompanies the burgers and replaced them with two potato croquettes and a small green garnish. I was just about to send the burger back for being cold when I realised that the top of the burger was hot and the problem was that the burger had been served on a cold plate. My partner was not drinking and opted for the non special deal burger and her chips didn't stay hot either as her plate was also cold. An initial explanation from the manager that they didn't heat the plates because of the salad, was soon replaced with one of not have a plate warmer, when I pointed out that there was no salad with the 'special'. Get a hot plate and serve the salad on the side and improve communication between the staff if you want to please your customers experience.

Sunday 10 March 2013

Pollockshields in the Snow

Here's a photo I took, from my kitchen window, during the snow fall on Mothering Sunday.  "Never cast a cloot........."



Friday 1 March 2013

Govanhill Baths

Here are a couple of photos that I've taken of the Georgian Govanhill Swimming Pool, which a local trust hopes to re-open at some point as part of a Wellbeing Centre.





e Georgian swimming pool and wash house in Govanhill, Glasgow. - See more at: http://www.govanhillbaths.com/about/#sthash.XO8xpiUT.dpuf
We campaign to preserve and conserve, for the public benefit, Govanhill Baths and for the redevelopment and reopening of the Georgian swimming pool and wash house in Govanhill, Glasgow. - See more at: http://www.govanhillbaths.com/about/#sthash.XO8xpiUT.dpuf
We campaign to preserve and conserve, for the public benefit, Govanhill Baths and for the redevelopment and reopening of the Georgian swimming pool and wash house in Govanhill, Glasgow. - See more at: http://www.govanhillbaths.com/about/#sthash.XO8xpiUT.dpuf

Royal Samaritan Hospital for Woman

Here's a recent 'vintage' photo, taken by me, of the Royal Samaritan Hospital for Woman in Glasgow's southside.



and here is one taken in 1915, almost 100 years ago.


The building is on the corner of Victoria Street and Coplaw Street in Govanhill. The hospital was built in the mid-1890s, designed by the architects Ninian McWhannell and John Rogerson.

The design was an adaption of the 17th century Scottish Renaissance style. The hospital opened in 1896 with 30 beds.  A dispensary was added in 1897.  The building with round towers in the foreground, was the Alice Mary Corbett Memorial Nurses' Home. It was named after it's financier Mrs Cameron Corbett* (nee Polson) of Rowallan and was built in 1904 and subsequently extended.

The Royal Samaritan Hospital for Women had 30 beds in 1896 and 83 by 1907. A second new wing increased this to 156 in 1927. In 1991 the Hospital was closed but a year later it was briefly re–opened as an orthopaedic and general surgery unit managed by the Victoria Infirmary. It was redeveloped in to Flats (30 units for sale and 13 for rent) by Govanhill Housing Association in February 2001/2.

and here it is in full colour;

 
*Archibald Cameron Corbett was born on 23 May 1856, the son of Thomas Corbett of South Park, Cove, Argyll & Bute and Sarah, daughter of Archibald Cameron. His father was the founder of the Glasgow Central Working Men's Club & Institute, the first Working Men's Club in Scotland. He was educated at Glasgow Academy, and went into business at the age of 20, leading to his involvement in the management of his father's estate at Woodgrange, London. 

He inherited this estate on his father's death, continuing the development of workmen's clubs, cottages, allotments and gardens there. In 1887 he married Alice Mary,only child of John Polson of Castle Levan, Gourock. They had two sons, Thomas Godfrey and Arthur Cameron and one daughter, Elsie Cameron. He unsuccessfully contested the parliamentary seat of North Warwickshire in 1884 and was elected Liberal MP for the Tradeston district of Glasgow in 1885,continuing as MP until 1911. In 1901, the Corbetts bought the 6,000 acre Rowallan Estate in Ayrshire.

Archibald Cameron Corbett was well-known as a politician and a philanthropist, being a prominent benefactor of the City of Glasgow In recognition of his parliamentary service and his generosity to the citizens of Glasgow in gifting Rouken Glen Park and Ardgoil Estate, Argyll & Bute, for recreational use, he was granted the Freedom of the City of Glasgow on 21 January 1908. He held particularly strong views on the 'Irish Question', taking part in the campaign against Home Rule for Ireland with Lord Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Roseberry; John Bright; and Joseph Chamberlain. 

His philanthropic work included giving financial support to a number of religious and social movements, including the Foundry Boy's Society and the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). He was also very active in the work of the Temperance Movement in Scotland. He was created Baron Rowallan on 27 June 1911, and following his elevation to the House of Lords he made a hobby of showing visitors around both Houses of Parliament. His sudden death on 19 March 1933, whilst reading at his gentleman's club, Brook's Club, London, prompted numerous public expressions of condolence.