I’M not saying the Moll isn’t a doll to look at but a guy needs a a change of scene some days. I daresay Blondie had days where she pictured Cary Grant when she leaned in for a smooch so I had dreamed up a plan to help keep things fresh.
I’d heard a rumour there was a little-known restaurant in Glasgow that boasts some of best views of the city centre skyline.
Smack back in the middle of the Style Mile or the Golden Z as it used to be known, the Carlton George Hotel is the kind of place that could be overlooked unless you are a paying guest.
We left the Buick at Tec Towers and checked in for a meal at Windows at the Carlton George Hotel, whizzing up to the top floor.
Perched on the seventh floor of the hotel, as well as boasting magnificent rooftop views, it has a small outdoor terrace for al fresco dinin.
The rain was battering down and the Moll had forgotten her leopard print rainmate, so we stuck to the safety of a table nestled in the corner of the restaurant.
I cast my eyes over the clientle and judging by the chat I could detect (I’d left my voice recorder at home) as predicted, it was full of hotel guests.
According to the restaurant, all the dishes are made using locally sourced ingredients with menus changed frequently to make the most of what is in season.
With an open plan kitchen, you can also watch the chefs in action if the view isn’t enough. I guess there is no pleasing some folks.
The staff were friendly and helpful and it wasn’t long before there was a bottle of red and a jug of H20 on our table as we checked out the goods on the menu.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn we were just in time to order the very reasonably priced pre-theatre, which offers three courses for £19.95. But would the food match up to the views?
Toots was feeling adventurous so she ordered up the Haggis Tempura, which came with a poached egg, cracked black pepper and red wine jus. She wasted no time in devouring the starter, which was beautifully presented.
I ordered the goats cheese brushetta that was accompanied by onion marmalade and balsamic glaze and it hit the spot. The portion sizes might feel a little small to some folks but my waistline ain’t getting any smaller and I’d rather quality over quantity these days.
For the main event, Toots was tempted by the butter and thyme basted chicken supreme, accompanied by haggis, neep and tattie bake, chipolata sausage and whisky jus, and it didn’t disappoint.
I went for the smoked haddock dish, which was accompanied by asparagus and was packed full of flavour. We had a bit of room left over for dessert and Blondie hoovered up Windows’ own version of the sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla pod ice-cream.
I was intrigued by the ‘deconstructed’ cheesecake of the day, which turned out to be strawberry. “Crumbs,” shrieked Toots, when it arrived at our table, which darn summed it up. I resolved to stick to regular ole-fashioned American cheesecake in future, although it was tasty as hell.
We settled the bill and headed off for into the night for a more familiar view at Tec Towers.
Food
Haggis Tempura
Goats cheese bruschetta
Oven basted butter chicken
Smoked haddock and asparaus
Sticky toffee pudding
Deconstructed cheescake
Fixed menu, three courses for £19.95 x 2 £39.90
Drinks
Bottle of Merlot £22
Total £61.90
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