Tag: review

Topolabamba (Glasgow) : Review

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Topolabamba (Glasgow)
89 St Vincent Street
Glasgow
G2 5TF
Phone: 0141 248 9359
Website : www.topolabamba.com
I have been to Topolabamba once before this visit, and I enjoyed the food, drinks and atmosphere but one thing really put me off…..the background music was too loud so loud I was shouting over the table to my friend.
I recently decided its time to go back for a second try and see what I think, as I like to give a place at least to visits before I decide I will 100% return or never again.
Visit Date : Sunday 19th February 2017
On entering we were shown to our table and sat down.
The first thing I did notice was the music was at a good level, I could hear my girlfriend across the table and she could hear me (don’t know if that was a good thing)
The second thing I noticed was the restaurant looked a lot better, it was missing a few things from the walls that were there last time. So all the little changes were noticed and an improvement.

Starter :

QUESADILLAS : (Except Chorizo) (Not GF) (Large soft tortilla stuffed with a filling of your choice & toasted)

Crab, Shrimp & Sweetcorn : £5.95

Unfortunately, when I imported my photo it went corrupt, don’t know why as never happened before so I will try and get another one when I have this again.

This was a nice-sized starter, you get two finger-sized portions.

The flavour was very nice, the crab came over more than the shrimp and sweetcorn for me. The tortilla was just crispy, so it was good as sometimes they can be very crispy at other restaurants and flake everywhere.

Main :

BURRITO : (Not GF) AVAILABLE AS NAKED BURRITO (Flour tortilla stuffed with green rice, black beans, pico de gallo, queso fresco cheese & your choice of filling)

Shredded Beef : £6.95

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The last time I had a burrito was at Poco Havana, so I had that to use as a comparison.

This was a really good size, and I could see it was packed.

I really wanted to say I enjoyed one more than the other, but here and Poco Havana were very good. This also was full of flavour, cooked very well and was very filling.

Sweet :

Mexican Chocolate Cup : £4.95

Topolabamba Glasgow : Mexican Chocolate Cup

There is always room for something with chocolate….

This was like a chocolate mousse, very sweet and a good texture…..this was bliss.

This was really nicely presented, and the cream on the top just added that little extra to the presentation and flavour.

I would have this again!!! mmmmm

Cocktail :

Jalisco Blue £7.00
El Jimador Reposado, Blue Curacao, Lemon, agave Syrup, fanta orange

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This was a very refreshing and very very tasty cocktail, I really want this again when I return.

Overall :

Overall my second visit was a lot better than my first.

I have this big issue that if I have to shout to the people or person I am with over the music, you won’t really enjoy the time at the restaurant or the atmosphere. Tonight the music level was good, so I really had a nice time and enjoyed the atmosphere.

The food was nice, I enjoyed it and will try something different when I return.

  • Child Friendly : Yes (only if they are well behaved)
  • Cash/Credit Card : Both
  • Service : 5
  • The portion sizes & taste : 5
  • Atmosphere : 4
  • Value for money : 5
  • Overall : 4.5

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Valentines Dinner at Piccolo Mondo (Glasgow) : Review

344 Argyle Street
Glasgow G2 8LY
UK
T: 0141 248 2481

Website : piccolomondo.co.uk

Visit Date : 14th February 2017

I have been to the Piccolo Mondo many years ago, but it was the restaurant in Renfrew. I always remember how nice it was, the service was good and the salted bread WOW amazing.

I have always passed here and never given this branch a second thought, but it was Valentines and my no ex-girlfriend wanted to go back as she had a works night out and enjoyed it.

First Impressions :

On entering it has a very Italian and welcoming feel, and the staff that night was very pleasant and helpful.

The restaurant looked very clean, tidy and the staff looked very busy as they were walking about very fast.

Our coats were taken from us and we were shown to the table.

The Menu :

Tonights menu was a special Valentines menu

£70 for two
Choice of Aperitif on arrival
Three course dinner
Tea or Coffee

The cost was ok for what you were getting, yes there were cheaper places in Glasgow and also more expensive places but yeah this was ok value for money.

Starter :

Terrine of Pâté
Made with chicken and duck liver and served on toast, red currant jelly and seasonal leaves.

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The pate was really nice, very smooth. There was just enough Pate to spread on the toast, so this was a good sized starter.

Main :

Risotto (Country Style)
Made with chicken breast, Italian Sausage, rice and wild mushrooms, cooked in a sauce made with shallots, extra virgin olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs.

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I am a big fan or Risotto so I was looking forward to trying it here.

This was again perfectly cooked, and its flavour was very nice. Maybe just a little too much garlic as that was coming back as an after taste but apart from that it was really nice.

Desserts :

Home Made Panna Cotta
Classic Piedmont’s dessert laced with liquor.

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This was a good amount to finish up with, as the Risotto was very filling.

I can’t really fault this as it was tasty, and a good portion size.

Overall :

Overall my first experience of Piccolo Mondo was an ok one, I can’t complain about the service, or the food but I did find its atmosphere was lacking a little. It could have just been tonight as it was Valentine’s Day, and yes most tables didn’t really look that happy to be out.

The food was very nice, and portion sizes were just about right.

Would I go back yes, but there are other Italian restaurants in Glasgow that are my favourite right now.

  • Child Friendly : Yes (only if they are well behaved)
  • Cash/Credit Card : Both
  • Service : 4
  • The portion sizes & taste : 4
  • Atmosphere : 2.5
  • Value for money : 5
  • Overall : 4
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Paradise Persian Restaurant (West End, Glasgow) : Review

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411-413 Great Western Road
Glasgow G4 9JA

0141 357 5730
0141 339 2170

Website : persianparadise.co.uk

Persian Paradise offers a feast reminiscent of a ‘Darvish’ fairy tale.
Genuine antiques, old Persian copper lamps, contains and warm wood columns create reflection of Iran’s romanticism when it was know as Persia.
Persian Paradise restaurant, in keeping with tradition, is hand-painted in rich red-maroon turquoise blue and sun gold. Greeted by an impressive waiting room, guests enter the main dining area of the restaurant, filled with the Iranian antiques and rugs and carpets.

Visit Date : Sunday 5th February 2017

I have recently started to spend more time in the West End of Glasgow, and this weekend I met my girlfriend and we decided to go for a walk. This was a very nice day, and I got to look about here for potential places to visit and add to my ever growing list.

We came across this restaurant and started to look at the menu.

Paradise Persian Restaurant : Inside 3
Paradise Persian Restaurant : Inside 2
Paradise Persian Restaurant : Inside

I have never had any Persian food before, or really heard much about it from my circle of friends.

Main Course :

Kebab Koubideh £9.50
“Two skewers of minced Lamb”

I don’t normally order Lamb, but I wanted to try it here. Normally I would play safe and order chicken but tonight I opted for the Lamb.

This dish comes with either rice or fries, and to play safe I opted for the Fries tonight just in case the Lamb wasn’t that good.

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Presentation wise it was just ok, I am sure it could have been put out a little nicer.

Taste wise the Lamb was very good, it was nice and soft and melted in my mouth. It wasn’t the strongest of flavours, it just had enough to be nice. The table did have a few sauces, which did help boost the flavour.

Overall :

I did want to order a chocolate cake after my main meal, but most of the items that day were finished. The remaining items that were still available I couldn’t have, as they contained nuts which I can’t do.

Overall my first experience of a Persian restaurant was good, the food was nice and also the value for money was perfect.

  • Child Friendly : Yes (only if they are well behaved as it’s a small area)
  • Cash/Credit Card : Cash Only
  • Service : 4
  • The portion sizes & taste : 4
  • Atmosphere : 3
  • Value for money : 5
  • Overall : 4