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My Guide To Glasgow

Ok so 2 weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting GLASGOW! It was my first time to visit Glasgow, and Scotland in fact…

Myself and Patrick departed Dublin on Saturday 8th of July and flew with Aer Lingus Regional  on a very short flight that landed in Glasgow approximately 1 hour after taking off.

As it was an early morning flight we went straight to our hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel (located on Argyle Street), dropped off our bags and headed straight for Brunch as we couldn’t check in until a little later on in the afternoon.

The location of the hotel is SO CENTRAL, it’s a stones throw away from Central Station located in the heart of the city centre and we were within walking distance of most of the places we were due to visit.

First order of business was Bubbles and Brunch at Hutchesons.

Located on Ingram Street (about 10 minutes walk from our hotel) and voted as Scotland’s ‘Most Stylish Restaurant’, Hutchesons is a vibrant reincarnation of one of Scotland’s most impressive architectural icons.

Spread over 3 floors, Hutchesons consists of the 158 Club Lounge – a boutique style bar that specialises in champagne and cocktails, The City Grill – a bustling first floor restaurant featuring a double height marvel with one of the most impressive ceilings you will ever encounter and to top it off (quite literally), The Glenfarclas Private Dining Room – set in seclusion guests have their own dedicated server and private bathroom.

Myself and Patrick arrived at about 11am and had a reservation for Bubbles & Brunch.

For £25pp we enjoyed freshly baked butter croissants, a choice of one of their delicious brunch dishes, a bottle of champagne and a carafe of fresh orange juice in case we wanted to get our mimosa on!

Patrick went for the French Toast with Bacon, Mozzarella & Canadian Maple Syrup.

I went for Eggs Benedict served with Ayrshire Bacon, Toasted Muffin & Hollandaise Sauce + a side of Spinach to compliment.

Check out the full menu here:

Even though we only paid £25 each it felt like we were in a 5 star restaurant receiving 5 star treatment. Every time our champagne glasses were half full, the waiter was over like lightening to top us up. Not to mention the food was absolutely divine, we were only short of licking the plates clean!

Bubbles & Brunch is available at Hutchesons on Monday through Thursday between 12pm – 3pm and on Friday through Sunday between 11am – 3pm. I would highly recommend a visit!

Making a reservation is easily done through their online booking form https://www.hutchesonsglasgow.com/reservations, however for parties of 6 or more it’s recommended that you email info@hutchesonsglasgow.com. You can also contact Hutchesons by phone on +44 (0)141 552 4050.

While we were dining at Hutchesons we got a phone call from the Radisson to say that our room was ready so after another tipple or two Patrick and I made our way back to the hotel to check in, head to our room and freshen up for the afternoon.

Opened in 2003 and designed by pioneering Glasgow-based architects Gordon Murray and Alan Dunlop, the Radisson Blu Hotel is a striking building, known for its sculptural copper wall that runs down Argyle Street.

Guests can enjoy first-class amenities at the hotel such as free high-speed wireless internet along with bathrobes and slippers. Guests also receive complimentary access to the neighbouring Sports Direct Fitness which includes the use of all  fitness facilities, swimming pool and sauna.

Patrick and I shared a twin room during our stay. The room had air conditioning thankfully as it was really hot and sunny while we were there! It also had a modern bathroom complete with This Works toiletries, a coffee table, writing desk and a large plasma TV.

After we checked in we chilled out for a little while before getting ready for dinner at The Ubiquitous Chip – a legendary Scottish restaurant hailed to have changed the way Glaswegians eat.

Over 40  years ago ‘The Chip’ was the first Scottish restaurant to champion regional dishes and locally sourced products and has now grown to become something of a Glasgow icon. The courtyard dining room is one of the most endearing magical spaces in Glasgow.

Patrick and I opted for a 3 course dinner for £29.95pp which was exceptional value considering the standard and quality of the food served.

For starter I went for the Braised Lamb Neck Pastilla served with Roasted Red Pepper, Peas and Broad Beans.

For main I had Shetland Cod served with Roasted Cauliflower, Dill Cream and Tempura Oyster.

For desert I had Chocolate Beetroot Cake served with Frozen Mascarpone and Raspberries.

Check out the full menu here:

Another exceptional meal was had for little or nothing and again, I’d definitely recommend a visit to The Ubiquitous Chip if you’re currently living in, or planning a visit to Glasgow!

To make a reservation you can do so via their online booking form here: https://www.ubiquitouschip.co.uk/book.php. For special requests or bookings for large parties you can email reservations@ubiquitouschip.co.uk.

You can also contact The Ubiquitous Chip by phone on +44 (0) 141 334 5007.

After dinner Patrick and I had one or two drinks and retired to the hotel as we were knackered having been on such an early flight that morning.  Day 1 was extremely productive and we managed to visit 2 of Glasgow’s hotspots which we were thrilled about!

The following morning which was Sunday 9th July we woke up early and had breakfast at the hotel as we were staying on a bed and breakfast basis.

As well as having a large buffet of food to choose from including cereals, meats & cheeses, pastries, pancakes, hot breakfast items such as bacon, sausages, eggs, haggis, pudding, potato cakes etc AND a wide selection of juices, you can also choose specialised items from the breakfast menu.

I went for Eggs Benedict (my fav lol) served with Honey Roast Ham, Toasted Muffin and Hollandaise Sauce with a side of Crushed Avocado.

After brekkie Patrick and I returned to the room to get ready for our  lunch reservation at The Corinthian Club.

The Corinthian Club was built by David Hamilton in 1842 on the site of the 18th century Virginia Mansion and is one of Glasgow’s most elaborate and richly decorated buildings both internally and externally.

It originally housed the Glasgow Ship Bank which was extended and embellished with superb sculptures and decorative features added by highly acclaimed architects, artists and artisans including James Salmon Snr, John Thomas and James Ballantine.

Patrick and I opted for the 2 course Ultimate Sunday Roast which came in at £18.95pp.

To start I had Chicken Liver Parfait served with William Pear & Sultana Chutney and Toasted Brioche.

For main we both had 21 Day Aged Gilmour’s Sirloin of Beef served with Yorkshire Puddings, Honey & Thyme Roasted Root Vegetables and Herb Roast Potatoes.

We had yet another amazing meal here and there was no end to the beauty inside – well worth a visit even if it’s just for a drink!

To make a reservation at The Corinthian Club phone +44 (0) 141 552 1101 or visit the website here.

After our lunch at The Corinthian Club we had a little time to kill before dinner (yes we are ALL about eating and drinking lol) so we decided to embark on a Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Tour of Glasgow.

It’s a great way of seeing the city if you’re working to a schedule as without ‘hopping-off’ the entire tour takes around 1hour 30 minutes  – 2 hours and you’ll get to see 21 of the city’s finest attractions during that time.

***Patrick is working on the vlog at the moment so you’ll get to see footage from the tour once that’s completed***

That evening we had a reservation at 7pm  for ‘Champagne Sundays’ at The Gannet.  The restaurant is housed in a grade II listed, 108 year old tenement building. Derelict for almost a decade, the space comprised just 3 walls and a single basement level floor over two stories when work started.

Menus at The Gannet celebrate the best of Scottish produce, dictated by the rhythms of the British seasons in a stripped back and relaxed setting and always feature seafood, meat and vegetarian options.

Since opening in October 2013, The Gannet has won Best Newcomer Restaurant in the Chefs in Scotland Excellence Awards 2014, Best Newcomer in The List Eating and Drinking Awards 2014 and has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for the past 4 years running!

The ‘Champagne Sunday’ menu offers 3 courses and 1 glass of champagne for £30pp.

To start I had one of the daily specials that wasn’t on the menu – Scotch Eggs and it was my FIRST TIME EVER to have Scotch Eggs! I LOVED them – they were so delicious!

For main I had Slow Cooked New Season Borders Lamb, Courgette Wrapped Shoulder, Belly, Peas, Roast Rib & Cumin Sauce.

I eat out A LOT and I must say, that was one of THE nicest main courses I’ve EVER had!

I had the Salted Caramel Fondant with Tonka Bean Ice Cream for desert and it was divine!

The food was SO good at The Gannet! Such exceptional value for money, I will definitely be racing back there the next time I’m in Glasgow!

To make a reservation at The Gannet you can email info@thegannetgla.com or phone +44 (0) 141 2042081.

That night myself and Patrick were in the mood for a little boogie and late night drinks so we went to a nightclub called Bamboo. It’s an underground nightclub that has two rooms – one was more hip hop and R&B and the other room was more mainstream dance music!

Needless to say we lived in the hip hop and R&B room and we had the absolute craic there – I think we must have stayed out until around 4am! Sometimes I wish there were more clubs in Ireland that just played hip hop and R&B because I’d be out A LOT more if that was the case!

Bamboo is located at 51a West Regent St and you can get in touch with  them by emailing club@bamboonightclub.co.uk or phoning +44 (0) 141 332 1067.

We had an appointment at The Blythswood Hotel Spa the following morning which is just what the doctor ordered waking up with groggy heads!

It boasts a 10,000-square-foot spa facility incorporating nine luxury treatment rooms, a thermal suite, two relaxation pools, a lounge and café area plus several additional relaxing guest areas.

We weren’t booked in for treatments but spent the morning relaxing in the Thermal Suite which included the use of the Sauna, Crystal Steam Room, Laconium, Saunarium, Tepidarium, Hydro Pool and Vitality Pool.

The Laconium is a good choice for people who like to relax in warmth, but find the temperatures of a steam room or sauna too challenging.

The Saunarium lies somewhere between a sauna and a steam room combining the benefits of both in a more moderate form.

The traditional Sauna is a dry air room that heats to 85-95 degrees celsius. Some people prefer the dry heat of a sauna, others the damp heat of a Crystal Steam Room which is thought to be particularly good for cleaning out the respiratory tract.

The Hydro Pool and Vitality Pool are designed to aid in the relaxation of tired and aching joints – the pools contain a selection of hydrotherapy body jets, floor jets and seated areas with jets to gently massage the entire body.

We finished off by cooling down in the Tepidarium where we relaxed for approximately 30 minutes before heading off to our next appointment – Afternoon Tea at ROX Diamonds and Thrills.

ROX – Diamonds & Thrills is Scotland’s fashion forward diamond and watch specialist. ROX specialise in diamond rings, engagement rings, diamond jewellery, wedding rings, silver jewellery and watches. They are the official stockists of brands such as Ebel, Gucci, Raymond Weil, Stephen Webster, Shaun Leane, Toywatch and Audemars Piguet to name but a few!

The ROX store features a hidden gem upstairs known locally as the Thrill Room. Stuart Cranston opened the first tea room in Glasgow there in 1875, reportedly the first in the world!

The Thrill Room now features an exclusive Laurent Perrier Champagne bar where you can relax and shop for jewellery.

To get in touch with ROX directly you can email argyllarcade@rox.co.uk  or phone +44 (0) 141 221 0550.

It was such a nice experience to have afternoon tea whilst dripping in diamonds simultaneously!

Last but not least Patrick and I had an appointment at the Beauty Kitchen to make our own body scrubs!

Jo-Anne Chidley opened the first Beauty Kitchen in Glasgow, her aim being to create 100% effective, natural, everyday luxury beauty products.

The Beauty Kitchen prides itself on sourcing innovative sustainable beauty ingredients to create effective natural products and has taught over 5,000 people how to make their own along the way!

We met with their qualified aromatherapist who talked us  through a variety of scents and ingredients which we used to personalise our very own body scrub!

For the ingredients I chose Himalayan Salt, ‘Inspire Me’ Essential Oil which has notes of Lemongrass & Grapefruit, Bitter Orange, Cranberry Seed & Wild-Crafted Rose Petals and voila…

For more information on Beauty Kitchen and their products check out their website http://www.beautykitchen.co.uk. They sell online plus you’ll be able to shop their products at Holland & Barrett stores nationwide.

After our appointment in the Beauty Kitchen we made our way back to our hotel, collected our bags and got a taxi to take us to Glasgow Airport for our return flight to Dublin with Aer Lingus Regional.

We both had such a fantastic time and despite having 3 full days there, I still feel like there’s so much more I wanted to do and see!

I’m so happy that I eventually got to visit Scotland – somewhere I’ve always wanted to go and I couldn’t have asked for a better city than Glasgow!

I will 1 million per cent be back and hopefully before the year is out! I hope you enjoyed the editorial as much as I enjoyed putting it all together for you!

Peaches x