Europa

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• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses:
   £10 (lunch)
   £12 (evening meal)
• House wine: £9.95 per bottle

• High point: Friendly service
• Low point: Mini-screens above the booths kill conversation
• Food served: Mon–Sun 11am–9pm
• Bar open: Mon–Sat 11am–midnight; Sun 12.30pm–midnight
• Open since: 2004
• Also offers: Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008
– in the shops now or buy online.

There are two big selling points for this barnlike bar: its proximity to Queen Street Station and George Square and its many TV screens showing football, which draw large crowds for big games. There's a giant one indoors, mini-screens above the booths, and even one in the outdoor smoking area. A visit to the loo is positively educational, with information about our European neighbours on each stall, while flags and postcard views reinforce the broad continental theme. The menu appears to be a little more narrow in scope, however, aiming simply at fuelling up those in for the sporting action. Among the starters, the vegetable soup has a strong, salty flavour and plenty of carrots, but is a little over-oily, while the beer-battered mozzarella sticks are crisp and sweet, and come with a sharp tomato dip. The calzone is hugely filling, with an abundance of mushrooms, but the beef stroganoff is disappointingly gloopy, with a rather chemical tang. There's a limited choice for vegetarians.