TIME TO GO WEST
Van Winkle set to open on Byres Road
VAN Winkle started out as a bourbon bar opposite the Barrowland Ballroom at the Gallowgate. On the opening night, I was told the plan was to steadily develop the business and then look to expand. That time has now come with the second branch opening on Byres Road, taking over the corner previously occupied by The Hill.
To mark the opening, Van Winkle will accept payment from anyone who has US Dollars lying around that were intended for summer holidays that didn’t happen. There will be more than 50 bourbons to choose from alongside American whiskeys, cocktails, beers and wine.
You’ll also find an excellent five cheese macaroni, Buffalo chicken wings, burgers, sandwiches and bar snacks. Van Winkle also has a dog- friendly menu, developed by BBC Scotland’s resident vet Ross Allan from Pets’n’Vets.
Van Winkle have also announced they will extend the Eat Out To Help Out scheme until the end of October, giving people who have booked in advance a 50% discount of up to £ 10 per person, Monday to Wednesday. Anyone taking advantage of the scheme will also have the option to eat as many wings as they can in 90 minutes for just £ 10.
Derek Mallon, of Van Winkle, said: “Van Winkle is all about sharing a flavour of the USA and we’re incredibly excited to be opening up our second bar on Byres Road.
“Our aim is to bring real quality products, delivered by genuine people, in an atmosphere that transports you to Kentucky.
“The last few months have been tough for the hospitality industry, so it feels very positive to be opening new premises, creating jobs and bringing something new to the food and drink scene in the west of the city.”
Van Winkle opens at 94 Byres Road next Thursday with dining inside and out and available for takeaway and home delivery.
Rogano’s Restoration
It was a Twitterstorm. The longer Rogano remained boarded up and locked, the more people began to fret, to speculate and to share their own doom- laden prognosis for the future.
Eventually things reached a crescendo and obituaries for Glasgow’s oldest surviving restaurant were being drafted.
In the absence of any confirmation, many expressed the hope that Rogano could rise again.
Food writers from across the country joined the earnest plea.
In response a statement was swiftly issued and we received our own email from the management: “Unfortunately Rogano is currently closed and we do not have a reopening date at the moment. I can confirm that Rogano is not for sale and that we will be reopening in 2021.”
Make long- term plans for lobster Thermidor.
Hug and Pint
I spoke to Colin Campbell, co- founder of Hug and Pint back in the depths of lockdown when uncertainty hung over Glasgow’s local food and drink scene like the sword of Damocles.
He was thinking about the original idea behind the pub and how they could make their way back to it: “We wanted to make a place that makes people happy. A transaction with the customer where they can pay a fair ticket price, come in and have the time of their life. Offer a great food selection. That was our opening statement.”
The Great Western Road favourite will have to wait a while to welcome back music acts and return as a buzzy weekend venue, but they are now in a position where they can reconnect with the local community in some way after six months with the doors shut.
Yesterday, The Hug at Home opened for collection orders that can be placed online or by phone. The kitchen team are back with interesting plant- based dishes and there are a selection of drinks from the bar to add to your takeaway.
Collections and payments will be made from a pick- up point at the front entrance of The Hug and Pint. All staff will be adhering to social distancing guidelines and ask all customers to do the same and to wear a face covering when collecting your order. They hope to have delivery options available in the future and are working on safely providing sit- in dining.
Cocktails and Books
As local food and drink returns, ensure you always have the top table by buying a copy of Glasgow’s 100 Best Restaurants.
In a special collaboration, you can now send a copy of the book alongside some cocktails by ordering at bottle- drop. co. uk/ shop/ glasgowist. Strawberry daquiri, pink gin Collins and espresso martini are among the options to accompany your reading time. A great excuse to start a book group on Zoom.