Windows Restaurant
44 West George Street
- Food served: Mon–Fri noon–2.30pm, 5–9.45pm; Sat/Sun 12.30–2.30pm, 5–9.45pm
- Pre-theatre times: Mon–Sun 5–6.30pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 8
- Private dining: F
- No. overnight rooms: 64
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least 25% of main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu
- Capacity: 50
- Largest group: 50
- Open since: 1999
- Average price 2 courses: £15.95 Sun–Thu, £16.45 Fri/Sat (set lunch) / £22
- Pre-theatre price: £15 Sun–Thu, £16.45 Fri/Sat
- House wine: £18.20 per bottle
This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 – in the shops now or buy online.
Crowning the Carlton George Hotel, right in the heart of Glasgow, Windows Restaurant boasts a fantastic view of the surrounding city. Far from the noise and traffic below, diners can watch the cityscape light up while sipping aperitifs, safe from the worst of the weather. With a loyal crowd of lunching ladies and a steady clientele of overnighting businessmen and tourists, the restaurant is perhaps overlooked by local gourmets. Yet the food is thoughtfully prepared and thoroughly Scottish. To begin, a wobbling quail's egg is balanced on a stack of black pudding with a rounded, earthy flavour, while wafer-thin slivers of smoked salmon are draped on a remarkably light blini and encircled in a light, creamy sauce dotted with beads of avruga caviar. The talents of head chef Simon Partridge are further displayed in the main courses: a dish of venison is expertly seared and served on a round of potato and black pudding stovies; and a sea bass arrives at the table encased in paper, which, when opened, releases a steam subtly aromatic with lemon and herbs that brings out the flavours of the wonderfully moist fish. A friendly front-of-house team provides attentive and efficient service, making this rooftop a haven from the city streets.
- High point: Spectacular setting matched by the food
- Low point: Bland 80s decor
Comments
No comments yet – be the first.
To post a comment you'll first need to log in: Forgotten your password?
Not registered? Sign up – it only takes a minute.
