Scotland: Glasgow

After the last year we decided that we really needed a break away to just chill out and distract ourselves. We weren't quite ready to venture abroad in case of any medical issues, so decided instead to head north to Scotland. My Dad's family are originally from this part of the world, but us Owls had only been up here once before, when we walked the Great Glen (Fort William- Inverness) and had since been wanting to return. Our trip started in Glasgow where we had booked 2 nights at CitizenM. This hotel had scored highly online and looked quite novel with its almost Japanese style rooms and slightly communist naming conventions- we were not disappointed!! If Ikea did hotels this is what they would look like, no space was wasted and storage was clever, meaning that despite a small room the bed was enormous taking up the entire bottom end of the room.

After checking in (e.g. jumping up and down on huge bed) we headed out into the balmy Glasgow evening. We had booked a table at No.16 in Kelvingrove due to its high online recommendations. It was just a short ride away on Glasgow's subway (3rd oldest in the world dontchaknow!) and easy to find. As we got there a little early, due to paranoia over first time subway use, we had time to pop into The Butterfly and Pig just opposite where they served a large selection of real ales! If we had known we would have allowed more time here beforehand.

On to No.16 itself, the restaurant is tiny with a few tables downstairs and a little mezzanine level above but this just makes it feel intimate rather than cramped, helped by the soft lighting and fairy lights hanging in the front. Then there is the food, oh my goodness the food! We had seen the menu online and were already excited at what they offered but it far exceeded our expectations. I would have been quite happy to just have a plate of their homemade bread and rosemary & parmesan dipping oil it was so tasty. Instead we just nibbled on it while reading the fabulous menu.

Eventually we decided on the ham hock (me) and sardines (him) to start followed by the lamb (me) and halibut (him). I am not quite sure how to describe the food, you felt like you were eating something amazingly tasty and indulgent, yet at the same time somehow light and healthy. This has to currently be in my top 3 meals of all time! The photos below don't do it justice.

All of this was made even better by the outstanding and friendly service from all the staff. I am now trying to work out how soon we can go back up to Glasgow just to eat here again. If you are going up that way then I highly recommend it. After this amazing food we were left to take the subway back to our giant bed (ok via the bar for a cheeky cocktail) and watch the sun going down over the roofes  of Glasgow!