Restaurant Reviews

RON MACKENNA

Smokey Trotters Kitchen, London Road, Glasgow

1

I tried James McAvoy's favourite Glasgow restaurant - and I have to admit I loved it
Smokey Trotters Kitchen in Glasgow's east end is the restaurant that James McAvoy, yeah the big-time movie guy, called upon to cater for his new production.

Gerard Richardson in his happy place

Gerard Richardson in his happy place

Gerard Richardson

My favourite bottle of booze lasted 20 years - that must be a record

I can't remember when I last gave a restaurant a score this high. It's outstanding

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson: Old tawnies are history in a glass

Margo, the new kid on the block

Margo, the new kid on the block

'New Ox and Finch' will be a huge hit but some things need rethink, I'm afraid

A good port is one of life’s essentials

A good port is one of life’s essentials

Associated British Ports

Gerard Richardson: Any port in a storm when you are on the trail of rare beasts

It’s years since I’ve done this kind of lunch and it was good. Really good

Two Eight Seven at 287 Langside Road in Glasgow

Two Eight Seven at 287 Langside Road in Glasgow

'I was blown away by the Beatles of baking. The food here is fabulous'

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson

GERARD RICHARDSON

What links Champagne, Churchill and Tesco's own-label crackers?

Rum Shack in Glasgow's Strathbungo - rated the world's 22nd coolest neighbourhood by Time Out

Rum Shack in Glasgow's Strathbungo - rated the world's 22nd coolest neighbourhood by Time Out

I’ve learned one thing as a food critic: Never order goat curry on a Wednesday night

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson

'It's almost as if the grapes have been put on steroids'

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Processed with VSCO with ka1 preset

1

I stayed at a Highland hotel with its own airfield - and an incredible restaurant

The Old Fish Bar

The Old Fish Bar

3

'I'm impressed' Chippie pulls off remarkable transformation into chic fish restaurant

You can keep your yoga and raki sessions, says Gerard Richardson

You can keep your yoga and raki sessions, says Gerard Richardson

How I learned to pick the perfect big red

The quality at Yamato is extremely high

The quality at Yamato is extremely high

1

'Jeezo. Does that actually say £67 for a sashimi platter?'

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson

I took the 'big whites' challenge - and loved it

Four Seasons restaurant, Stockwell Street, Glasgow

Four Seasons restaurant, Stockwell Street, Glasgow

2

This little restaurant is a gem - despite my oh-so predictable ordering blunder

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson

Forget the reds, Spanish wine has a new trick up its sleeve

The Kirkhouse Inn Strathblane

The Kirkhouse Inn Strathblane

Restaurant reviews

Take on the Crystal Booking Maze for the best curry of the year

An Darna Stirling

An Darna Stirling

How much fun was this five-course meal for just £25? Lots and lots

Sole Club, Glasgow

Sole Club, Glasgow

There's a few early hiccups but this classy £25 four-course meal is a total bargain

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson

1

Gerard Richardson: I'm a wine snob - but I learned an important lesson last week

Kate Moss famously said nothing tastes as good as skinny

Kate Moss famously said nothing tastes as good as skinny

How the cult of dieting was born in Scotland - 350 years ago

Dennistoun Bar-b-que

Dennistoun Bar-b-que

1

This restaurant does one thing few other places in Scotland can

The Haylynn Canteen on Dumbarton Road in Glasgow

The Haylynn Canteen on Dumbarton Road in Glasgow

1

I'm hot in the city - and so is this surprisingly cool urban restaurant

'The Peking duck pancakes could easily feed three, but you'll find it hard to share'

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson: I'm a simple guy when it comes to whites but there’s so much more

La Masa, 26a Renfield Street, Glasgow. In foreground is the pork belly skewer with guajillo salsa and chicharrones

La Masa, 26a Renfield Street, Glasgow. In foreground is the pork belly skewer with guajillo salsa and chicharrones

Ron Mackenna: I think we’re getting into high-brow toast and cheese territory here

'Weeks later, I'm still dreaming of Edinbane Lodge and the Isle of Skye'

'Weeks later, I'm still dreaming of Edinbane Lodge and the Isle of Skye'

1

'Weeks later, I'm still dreaming of Edinbane Lodge and the Isle of Skye'

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson: I've never had a poor wine from the Napa and I've tried plenty

People eating food from The Olive Tree, a Chinese restaurant at the Savoy Market, Savoy Centre, Glasgow

People eating food from The Olive Tree, a Chinese restaurant at the Savoy Market, Savoy Centre, Glasgow

Ron MacKenna: It is not every day I get chased by a 5ft-tall Chinese waitress

Vintage port could blow your mind

Vintage port could blow your mind

Gerard Richardson: Why your next 'special' bottle should be a vintage port

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson

Drinking port in summer? I did and it was wonderful

Salandini's in Hyndland, Glasgow. Picture Gordon Terris

Salandini's in Hyndland, Glasgow. Picture Gordon Terris

Ron Mackenna: The pasta in this restaurant is silkier than a George Best chat up line

Piggs Bruntsfield in Edinburgh

Piggs Bruntsfield in Edinburgh

Ron Mackenna: I'd love to give it more than 5/5 for service - but I'm not allowed

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson

What has happened to our summer? Time to reach for a hearty and warming red

Brett, Glasgow, is tiny but mighty

Brett, Glasgow, is tiny but mighty

Ron Mackenna: This restaurant must have the best atmosphere in Scotland

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson

If you love your wine, you have those long-dead dinosaurs to thank

Adventure and relaxation awaits at Mar Hall as renovations reveal bright future

La Bodega, Glasgow

La Bodega, Glasgow

Ron Mackenna: This cafe may be my most surprising food discovery of the year

The Chapel room

The Chapel room

Finding the perfect stay with the right balance doesn’t mean a trip across the globe

Sailing along the Danube in Budapest

Sailing along the Danube in Budapest

A mesmerising cruise into the heart of old Europe

Peebles Hydro double room

Peebles Hydro double room

Best of Scotland

Scots hotel brews its own beer and has a gin distillery. Is it the perfect place?

Rumi, 96-98 Hope St, Glasgow. Photograph by Colin Mearns

Rumi, 96-98 Hope St, Glasgow. Photograph by Colin Mearns

2

Ron Mackenna: At last, a Glasgow restaurant with real old-school waiters

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson: What kind of whine (sorry, wine) do our politicians like?

The Giffnock Cafe: Gordon Terris

The Giffnock Cafe: Gordon Terris

Ron Mackenna: I was cynical about the small plates but I was so wrong about here

Aye Eat, Inverness

Aye Eat, Inverness

1

Ron Mackenna: Is there really such a thing as uniquely Scottish dishes?

Ron Mackenna: Bib at the ready – this chain restaurant is not what you might expect

CJ’s K-Cafe/ Life 4 Cuts, Glasgow

CJ’s K-Cafe/ Life 4 Cuts, Glasgow

Ron Mackenna: This place is weird but so much fun

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson: The secret of getting a good French red for under a tenner

Zhima on St Vincent Place in Glasgow

Zhima on St Vincent Place in Glasgow

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Ron Mackenna: It's early days in here but both the mains I had were terrible

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson

Gerard Richardson: My trip to a most unusual winery in a most unusual urban location

Cafe Tehran in Glasgow

Cafe Tehran in Glasgow

'This cafe is a little out-there, a little wacky, yet totally family run. I loved it'

Does this luxury hotel offer the bottomless best brunch buffet in Scotland?

Does this luxury hotel offer the bottomless best brunch buffet in Scotland?

Does this luxury hotel offer the best bottomless brunch buffet in Scotland?