Bo & Birdy occupies a breathtaking space within the revered Blythswood Square Hotel, adorned with marble, leather and gleaming tiles. We take a couple of the house cocktails to peruse the menu with, a sherbety gin-based number served with a peacock feather which tickles our faces as we drink. The menu focuses on Scottish produce, prepared in bistro fashion.
For starters we had the pork pie, which is carved from a glistening ‘loaf’ and plated up table-side from a marble trolley of deliciousness, alongside various mustards, chutneys and pickled purple carrot. The seared scallops were served with a crisp and summery variety of greens, although the scallops themselves could have arrived to the table a bit hotter.
For main course, the cheddar macaroni cheese with braised brisket was a cauldron of perfectly gooey and delightfully moreish morsels, perfect for a dark Glasgow evening. The other main of plaice with butter sauce was a bit of a mystery however, as the fish and butter combined to make something that was altogether too savoury to enjoy, and the accompanying courgette ribbons were unable to offer any respite.
It was full marks for both desserts. The strawberry mousse resembled an art deco masterpiece encased in a pastel pink yoghurt ganache, which gave way to a molten strawberry centre. The salted caramel pudding was the perfect contrast of sweet and savoury, with a healthy dollop of Scottish fudge ice cream.
A visit to Bo & Birdy is an exquisite experience, and with a few tweaks to the menu it could be one to enjoy again and again.
boandbirdy.com
11 Blythswood Square, Glasgow G2 4AD
Gary McIntyre
