BRUNCH BONANZA
Takeaway treats from Durty Vegan Club
DANNY McLaren’s culinary journey goes from Easterhouse via Bloc+ on Bath Street to setting up Durty Vegan Burger Club. His concept started off as a pop-up before finding a permanent home on Argyle Street.
This Saturday they launch their collection and delivery menu as Durty Vegan Brunch Club with orders available from 11am-4pm at weekends.
Dishes include sweet and savoury options, served in recyclable containers and with ecological disposable cutlery. Highlights include peanut butter and banana waffles with maple syrup and vegan Oreo spread.
The hot box is a hangover crushing combination of vegan black pudding, fresh kale, kimchi, cheese sauce, Sriracha dip and more of those handmade waffles. The latest innovation is hot and smoky Louisiana barbecue Ribz.
If you are curious to try some plant-based fast food, they will be taking orders on their app. You can find them at durtyveganburgerclub.com.
New single release
Mogwai have released their new single Ritchie Sacramento, the second song to be taken from their forthcoming tenth studio album As The Love Continues, set to be released on February 19.
The band’s Stuart Braithwaite says: “Ritchie Sacramento’s title came from a misunderstanding a friend of ours had about how to say Ryuichi Sakamoto. The lyrics were inspired by a story Bob Nastanovich shared about his friend and bandmate David
Berman who proclaimed Rise Crystal Spear as he threw a shovel at a sports car. The song is dedicated to all the musician friends we’ve lost over the years.”
The new record arrives 25 years on from the release of Mogwai’s debut single, Tuner/Lower. Stuart tells me that he finds it surreal preparing to release new music with no touring dates: “I think this is the first time we’ve gone a whole year without playing a gig. It’s always been a big part of what we do. Everything involving being around other people has been cancelled and if you are a musician, that’s a lot of your life.”
Before proper gigs return, “hopefully at the end of this year”, Mogwai will premiere a live performance of the new album, recorded at
Tramway arts centre, that will be broadcast worldwide at 8pm on Saturday February 13. Tickets are on sale now at mogwai.scot.
Cancelling a tour of Europe and America leaves Stuart with more time to explore around Glasgow. “Not long before lockdown I got a bike. I live in the West End and when I travel into town I’ll cycle down the river. I’d never really seen any of that, except maybe looking down from the Kingston Bridge. You can keep going into the East End, towards Celtic Park and Dalmarnock. You see places from new angles”.
Listening to the new album, Mogwai is the music we need right now, a transcendental and intriguing soundtrack to whatever movie you are making in your head. Songs to transport us out of the circumstances we find ourselves in.
Lockdown Update
There was a muted sigh of relief from the hospitality industry yesterday when the latest lockdown restrictions were announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Rumours had been swirling that collection for food was to be restricted with only delivery available. Delivery apps, while convenient and accessible, can take up to 30% of the transaction from restaurants while also charging customers to bring to their door. Being able to take orders direct mitigates that to a certain extent.
The rules now state: “Customers will no longer be permitted to go inside to collect takeaway food or coffee. Any outlet wishing to offer takeaway will have to do so from a serving hatch or doorway.”
Several places have already moved to this kind of system and I can imagine most places that are open will be able to adapt and be compliant almost immediately.
Mini Grill on Bath Street is among the restaurants keeping things going in January with a contactless home delivery and collection service seven days a week. Highlights include its Sunday roast menu that now includes a 72-hour braised steak pie served with roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables.