Tag: Makar

Kelvingrove Cafe Cocktail (West End, Glasgow) Event : Review

1161 Argyle Street
Glasgow G3 8TB

V: 2nd August 2018      T:  0141 221 8988  W: www.kelvingrovecafe.com

Child-Friendly: Yes (well-behaved kids)      Accepts: Cash & Card

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This weekend Glasgow starts a big cocktail event, with many places around Glasgow doing big events where you get to try some funky cocktails.

The cocktail weekend is running August 9 – 12th so check out www.glasgowcocktailweekend.co.uk for more info

Tonight I was invited to come to Kelvingrove Cafe for a cocktail launch event so I couldn’t wait to attend and see what they had in store.

On entering everyone was treated to a few different canapés, all of which were very nice so much so I may have had seconds. These were meant to complement tonight’s cocktails, but as they were so nice they kinda were finished before the cocktails.

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So after getting some nibbles I sat down and had a look around.

I have never been in here, so it was interesting to take a look around. The event was in the downstairs part of Kelvingrove Cafe, and I have to say it really had a very nice and cool feel and look to it.

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Everything was perfect, from the atmosphere to the lighting and also the music.

At this event, there were the guys from Makar Gin, one of them I had met before at a few other Gin events so it was nice to see them again….plus I heard they do a rum now which I will HAVE TO TRY!!!!! I love rum.

The other brand that was here was Naked Grouse a whisky company, one, to be honest, I didn’t know much about (but then again am not really a whisky fan).

The first round of cocktails came out, and they looked really good.

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This cocktail was called Strawberries and Dreams, and it was sweet, with lots of flavours and a subtle hint of whiskey in the background/aftertaste.

There were two more cocktails, unfortunately, my photos for these didn’t turn out great but…

The second one was called Courgetti Junction, which had a big thin slice of Courgette in the glass. This was probably my favourite out of all three, I really don’t know why as the first was sweeter and I have a sweet tooth.

The third one I can’t remember its name, well this was defo my least favourite as, to be honest, it tasted like salty water…. not good so I left this one.

Throughout the night we were treated to some really good tunes, by DJ Aisha. Aisha if you are reading this, thanks for the music tonight.

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The event was presented by the whiskey company Naked Grouse so there were some of their products in all of tonight’s cocktails.

Part of the event we got to sit and have a smell and taste season with one of the reps from Naked Grouse.

This was a very fun and interesting part of the night, you got blindfolded to mask what you were smelling or eating and had to describe how it tasted/smelt e.g caramel or rough

Its amazing the flavours and smells that come over, when your not using your eyes to give you clues.

There was an afterparty, but I didn’t stay that long as I had a busy day at work that day and was shattered.

Overall

Tonight was a very very enjoyable night and I enjoyed every moment and the cocktails…well apart from the last one 🙂

A big thank you to Kelvingrove Cafe, the guys at Naked Grouse and DJ Aisha again….it was a great event and a great start to the up and coming Glasgow Cocktail Weekend.

I am not really a whisky fan, but with these cocktails tonight (1st two only) I actually liked the taste of them.

Thank you guys and please do check out the amazing weekend ahead filled with many cocktails am sure.

Cheers

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Gin Fall 2018 Event (Pollokshields Burgh Hall) : Review

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Pollokshields Burgh Hall
70 Glencairn Drive
GLASGOW, G41 4LL

V: 3rd March 2018      T:  0141 423 8858  W: www.pollokshieldsburghhall.com

If you have been following my blog posts you know I am a rum fan, and last year and part of this year I have been trying to get in to the Gin scene.

I went to the Blythswood Gin Event last year, and more recently the Brockmans Gin event so when I got an invite to Gin Fall 2018 I couldn’t turn it down.

Today’s event was held at PollockShields Burgh Hall, I had been to this location many years ago as I performed (played the keyboard) at a friends wedding so it was nice to go back and see the place.

I was lucky to be invited by the company Social and Cocktail, I have been to one of their events before so a BIG!!!!! thanks to them again for another invite!

If you haven’t heard of Social and Cocktail you book them and they come to your Events and offer an all-inclusive cocktail party package, helping you host fantastic cocktail parties at home (Mobile bar hire included).

There were loads of brands at this event, so if you are a Gin lover you cant miss out on the next one!!!! as this will be Gin paradise for you.

The Event :

The Gin brand were split in to two sections inside, one part was in a side room and the other in the main hall.

I started with the side room…

Obviously before I continue due to the amount of brands I won’t cover them all, but I will  cover some that stood out more for me tonight.

There were a few brands I have heard of and drank before those being Brockmans, Makar and Caorunn.

To be honest all the brands that were here tonight, I really liked and I am not just saying that.

The one that I probably wouldn’t get again, was a marmalade infused Gin. I have a sweet tooth but this for me the flavour was just so so, but I  did hear a lot of people comment on how they liked it….so again its all down to the individuals taste

I did have a budget for spending tonight which I regret as I would have purchased A LOT of Gins.

So here are the ones that stood out for me….

Valentia Gin : 
Premium gin from Sierra Nevada mountains of Granada.

Twitter : @ValentiaGin

This was the first Gin I tried tonight, the gentleman behind the stall was very pleasant and let me try some samples.

This is a Spanish Gin, and I am very happy I tried it it was a very nice light and refreshing Gin.

This Gin I could have easily had more off, so next time I will try and purchase a bottle.

GILT Gin
Gilt Single Malt Scottish Gin was launched in 2012, has the same single malt base that would be used for Scotch Whiskey, and is distilled 5 times from malted barley and water from the River Spey.

Website : www.strathlevendistillers.com

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The gentleman and lady behind the stall today, they told me a little history about the brand and also the bottle so it was very nice to learn a little more about the GIN.

GILT has a very unique bottle, and also due to it using barley the taste and aftertaste is very smooth and creamy and I LOVED THIS!!!!! so much so I got a small bottle (really wanted the big one but my budget didn’t stretch)

Next time guys 🙂

BOE Gin

Website : boegin.com

This was another brand of Gin I had never heard off (not that I know loads), so I was glad to be able to try some samples.

I sampled only two of these to start with, as the 3rd one said Violet Gin which I was very very hesitant about trying but I was talked in to it. I am so glad I did this was really good!!

The violet one more so than the others, was very easy to drink and had a fantastic taste. This would be good on its own to sip, or used as a mixer.

If I had some extra cash the Violet one is what I would have purchased.

Next time guys!

KI NO BI GIN
KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin is created with Japanese botanicals such as yellow yuzu from the north of Kyoto Prefecture, hinoki wood chips (Japanese cypress), bamboo, gyokuro tea from the Uji region and green sanshō (Japanese peppercorn) berries.

Website : kyotodistillery.jp

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At this stall there were 3 Gins, this one really grabbed my attention as I was told by the guy at the stall it used Japanese botanicals……time for a sip….

WOW I never expected this to be as nice as it was!

This is one brand I will keep my eye on and aim to sample again, and maybe get a bottle at some point.

Riverside Spirits

Website : riversidespirit.com

The guys at this stall were really friendly and we had a good chat about the product.

I tried the Passion Fruit Gin Liqueur as they said this was the best seller, this was very nice and too easy to drink (not that I am complaining).

Next I tried the Cherry Gin Liqueur, for me this was much nicer as it was more sweet.

A bottle was purchased tonight and I am sure if I see these guys again, another one will get purchased.

Isle of Jura

Website : www.lussagin.com

This is a fairly new Gin on the scene (like most tonight a few months to a year old).

The lady behind this Gin was at tonight’s event, and I was lucky to have a little chat with her. She is very passionate about this Gin, and I can see why or should I say taste why…

This Gin was smooth and very fresh, and one that I could see myself drinking.

See you soon guys!!

Granite North Gin

A juniper-forward gin, its fresh, citrus taste is smooth enough to drink on its own or with a light tonic to release even more of its zesty flavour and is robust enough to stand up and stand out in cocktails.

Website : granitenorthgin.com

Another new Gin on the scene!

I got chatting the guys at this stall and just like everyone else, they were very passionate about the brand and also really really nice to chat to.

I tried a sample of this and it was very nice, so nice I got a little bottle tonight (still to be opened at the time of doing this post), but I am sure it will be finished very soon.

This is another brand I will be keeping my eye on.

Overall

Firstly again I would like to say a big thank you to , I really had a great time and loved learning about new gins and sampling them.

I am not Mr Gin so I didn’t comment on notes etc but Gin like any other drink needs you to try it to get the taste and flavours so guys keep watching for the next event and come and try some of these Gins!!! I promise you that you will not disappointed.

If you haven’t tried any of the Gins I have mentioned, please do most are new but just because they are new doesn’t mean they are not good these ones tonight were all very good!!

For more events keep checking here : Social and Cocktail

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Mezze Pre Launch Blogger Night (Glasgow) : Review

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28A Tunnel Street
Finnieston, Glasgow
G3 8HL

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Website : glasgowrotunda.com/mezze-glasgow/
Twitter : @MezzeGlasgow

Event Date : 16th March 2017

I was very lucky recently to be invited to the pre launch night at Mezze, this was held on the 16th March and the official opening was on the 17th.

Mezze is a relaxed Mediterranean rooftop restaurant and bar set on the top floor of the iconic Rotunda complex with the most spectacular views of the River Clyde and Glasgow.

Open from 12 noon until late expect casual dining with exciting mezze-style small plates cooked on our chargrill.

Mezze is situated on the top floor of the Glasgow Rotunda, I have only ever walked passed this building ash this was my first time going inside.

First Impressions :

On entering you see the centre which has been set up with seats, and above this is a beautiful starry centre area.

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To the left of this is the reception, followed by the bar and eating area.

I was a little early so I saw it without anyone, and it had a very relaxing and welcoming feel and look.

The Event :

Once we were in we were shown to the table, we were seated and it was time to look around and take some photos.

After a few minutes we were invited to go back to the centre and get a welcome Gin.

To my surprise it was Makar Gin, I was introduced to this gin at the recent Blythswood Hotel Gin Festival.

The girl that was here was Clair, who was also doing the main presentation at the Gin Festival so it was nice to see her again and have a chat.

My Gin and tonic used the Makar Gin “Old Tom” as I liked this at the previous event.

We then moved to the next table, this one had a selection of jars filled with dips and to learn about them. The jars were in two groups of three and consisted of the following :

Greek Sampler

  • tzatziki
  • tarama
  • melanzana

Turkish Sampler

  • houmous
  • muhhamara
  • pancar ezmesi

I tried a few but not all as I didn’t want to come over as a pig, but the Greek dips were more my favourite. From the Turkish dips I really loved the muhhamara, this was a really good.

Next we had to choose a sampler that was sent back to our table, the Greek was selected.

After enjoying the samples we headed back to our seats, to enjoy the dips at the table. After a short time the food started to come out.

The Food :

Chicken Souvlaki
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This was like a greek chicken kabab, the chicken was cooked perfectly and had a lot of nice flavours.

Seafood Saganaki
Seafood Stew, Tomato and feta

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WOW!!!! this was my favourite dish of the night, this was packed with flavours and the sauce with feta was amazing. A solid 10/10 for me.

Greek Potato Salad

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I am not that much of a fan of potatoes, but its was nice for what it was.

Orzo Pilaf
A rice shaped pasta

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Not much flavour for me for this dish, but it was very pleasant and very light.

Overall I was very impressed with the food tonight, my favourites were the dips and the Seafood Saganaki.

On my return I would like to try the seafood dish again, but I would like to also try a few different dished.

Drinks

After the meal we were asked to go and try some beer and wines, so we moved to the drinking area and started the next part of the event.

The Beer : 

I only tried the one beer tonight, the Volkan beer. This was a light beer with a nice caramel after taste.

I would like to try the others on my next visit.

The Wine : 

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I am not much of a wine drinker, if I do I tend to go for Rose.

I tried two wines tonight, Paranga and Akakies one was white and the other Rose.

Both wines were very nice, the Paranga was a nice light and easy to drink wine. The Akakies was my favourite of the night, as it was very light and sweet which I really like.

Overall :

This was a bloggers event and the food and drinks were free, so I can’t comment on cost but I will do on my next visit.

I have to say that I have been to a few blogger events, but this one I felt the most relaxed and the staff were very friendly which helped me really enjoy the evening.

I will definitely be coming back here, everything tonight was really good. I loved the food, and felt very relaxed it was a perfect evening for me.

A big thanks to Mezze for tonight, and the food and drinks.

At the time of posting this Mezze are now open, so do check them out.

  • Child Friendly : Yes (only if they are well behaved)
  • Cash/Credit Card : Both
  • Service : 5
  • The portion sizes & taste : 4
  • Atmosphere : 5
  • Overall : 4
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