Cail Bruich
2024 Gewurztraminer Corralillo Matetic
Pea Tart, Lemon, Alsace Bacon
Old Winchester Gougere
Milk Bread, Chive Butter
hand-dived orkney scallop, charentais melon, calamansi, finger lime
isle of wight tomato, west coast crab, garden herbs, bloody mary sauce
poached scrabster turbot, surf clams, courgette, smoked vermouth sauce
sladesdown farm guinea fowl, corn, girolles, broad beans, fino sherry
perthshire strawberry, katy rodger’s crème fraîche, pistachio, basil
dark rum canele, brown butter madeline
Owned by brothers Chris and Paul Charalambous, the Cultar Restaurant Group behind a quartet of Glasgow eateries, Cail Bruich is considered by many to be Glasgow’s best restaurant and is currently just one of two awarded a Star by Michelin.
Now led by Chef Lorna McNee, a veteran of Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, it is inside a charming but contemporary space on the city’s West Side that guests may visit at Lunch or Dinner for fresh yet balanced fare rooted in classic French technique.
Priced at just £100 during lunch, five proper courses flanked by extras, those who book early are encouraged to request a seat on the kitchen’s verge where staff can be watched quietly working on each and every plate from start to finish.
Offering well-priced Wines by the glass, Chilean Gewurztraminer nicely suited to the whole Summer menu, Canapes come first in the form of a piping hot Gougere and Pea Tart prior to oven-fresh Bread alongside herbaceous Butter.
In tune with the Seasons, Scallop Tartare bathing in Melon with Asian Citrus as bright as it was beautiful, local Tomatoes also looked beautiful amidst picked Crab, though the flavors became a bit lost in assertive “Bloody Mary” Sauce.
Moving to Turbot, slow-cooked but hidden by Vermouth Sauce and sliced Clams alongside a ribbon of Squash, Guinea Fowl arrives similarly excessive with a small slice of the Breast amidst various Vegetables and Mushrooms both whole and pureed.
Reining it in at Dessert, a Napoleon of Strawberries, Crème Fraîche and Pistachio kissed by Basil perfectly balanced but varied bite-to-bite, Mignardises include a Madeline Proust might write about plus a Canele on par with those in Bordeaux.
www.cailbruich.co.uk

