Glasgow's Style Mile has a fabulous new addition in the shape of The Ivy Restaurant. Located on the site of the former Nationwide Building Society, in the heart of the city centre in The Royal Exchange Square, this new haunt will no doubt prove to be an irresistible magnet for the Glasgow glitterati.
The Ivy Collection is a well-known group of upmarket restaurants, brassieres and cafés, first established in London and now growing regionally across the UK. This is their second offering in Scotland, with the first Ivy established in Edinburgh.
The vibe
Set across two floors, the The Ivy Buchanan Street brassiere offers sophisticated yet relaxed all-day dining, striking interiors and fabulous menus. Here Glaswegians are able to enjoy breakfast, elevenses, lunch, light snacks, afternoon tea, cocktails, weekend brunch or dinner.
As a nod to its location, the walls of the restaurant are adorned with locally referenced artwork, including prints featuring influences from Mackintosh, Glaswegian fashion, Scottish opera and transport.
As well as the main restaurant, the space features two beautiful onyx bars and a glamorous private dining room, seating 24 guests and providing a beautiful location for exclusive events, drinks receptions, birthdays and working lunches. The Parisian-style outdoor seating area can be enjoyed all summer long, whilst DJs and musicians provide exciting, regular entertainment on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings for those dining upstairs or enjoying cocktails at the beautiful first floor bar.
The Ivy Collection is a well-known group of upmarket restaurants, brassieres and cafés, first established in London and now growing regionally across the UK. This is their second offering in Scotland, with the first Ivy established in Edinburgh.
The vibe
Set across two floors, the The Ivy Buchanan Street brassiere offers sophisticated yet relaxed all-day dining, striking interiors and fabulous menus. Here Glaswegians are able to enjoy breakfast, elevenses, lunch, light snacks, afternoon tea, cocktails, weekend brunch or dinner.
As a nod to its location, the walls of the restaurant are adorned with locally referenced artwork, including prints featuring influences from Mackintosh, Glaswegian fashion, Scottish opera and transport.
As well as the main restaurant, the space features two beautiful onyx bars and a glamorous private dining room, seating 24 guests and providing a beautiful location for exclusive events, drinks receptions, birthdays and working lunches. The Parisian-style outdoor seating area can be enjoyed all summer long, whilst DJs and musicians provide exciting, regular entertainment on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings for those dining upstairs or enjoying cocktails at the beautiful first floor bar.
The food
Head Chef Brian Scanlan oversees the kitchen, and he offers a wide and varied menu which also includes "Ivy classics", so if you're a fan of the London based restaurants, you won't be disappointed.
My family and I chose to dine on a Tuesday night and the place was packed to the rafters, creating a buzzing atmosphere. Our only issue was that the music was too loud, or perhaps that’s us just showing our age!
We ordered a selection of starters, including the oak smoked salmon, the native lobster served with a samphire risotto, the prawn cocktail and the tempura prawns with salt and pepper squid. The most outstanding starter was the risotto, which was devoured as soon as it arrived at the table!
For mains I opted for the native lobster linguine, made with a chilli tomato sauce, fresh San Marzanino tomatoes and garnished with parsley and spring onion, which exceeded expectations. My husband chose the steak and was pleasantly surprised as they cooked it exactly the way he likes it - rare. We've eaten out on many occasions and they always manage to overcook it, however they nailed it. My son had a chicken salad and my daughter Karam chose a smoked salmon dish.
Head Chef Brian Scanlan oversees the kitchen, and he offers a wide and varied menu which also includes "Ivy classics", so if you're a fan of the London based restaurants, you won't be disappointed.
My family and I chose to dine on a Tuesday night and the place was packed to the rafters, creating a buzzing atmosphere. Our only issue was that the music was too loud, or perhaps that’s us just showing our age!
We ordered a selection of starters, including the oak smoked salmon, the native lobster served with a samphire risotto, the prawn cocktail and the tempura prawns with salt and pepper squid. The most outstanding starter was the risotto, which was devoured as soon as it arrived at the table!
For mains I opted for the native lobster linguine, made with a chilli tomato sauce, fresh San Marzanino tomatoes and garnished with parsley and spring onion, which exceeded expectations. My husband chose the steak and was pleasantly surprised as they cooked it exactly the way he likes it - rare. We've eaten out on many occasions and they always manage to overcook it, however they nailed it. My son had a chicken salad and my daughter Karam chose a smoked salmon dish.
I’m a huge fan of coffee flavoured everything, so it was a no brainer when it came to dessert, I ordered the warm chocolate cake served with coffee sauce, I hate to say it, but I was rather disappointed, the cake was not warm and the coffee sauce wasn't strong enough. That being said, the day was saved with the apple tartin, which comes with a side of theatre - flambéed tableside, it certainly grabbed our attention and the children loved it! We can also recommend the melting chocolate bomb, a sphere that dissolves once the hot salted caramel sauce is added.
All in all, we had a wonderful time and have already booked in our next visit.
The details
The Ivy
106 Buchanan Street
Glasgow
Scotland
G1 2NB
www.theivyglasgow.com
All in all, we had a wonderful time and have already booked in our next visit.
The details
The Ivy
106 Buchanan Street
Glasgow
Scotland
G1 2NB
www.theivyglasgow.com
| The verdict This is a great place to visit for a sophisticated atmosphere, great food and stylish surroundings. Raj Gill *All opinions are my own. Images courtesy of The Ivy Glasgow. | Our experience overall Food and drink: ★★★★ Ambiance: ★★★★★ Staff attentiveness/friendliness: ★★★★ |
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