Taking a vacation is all about experience, and there are so many ways to truly experience a destination. One of my favorite ways to dive into a culture is to sample their traditional cuisine. The local ingredients, styles of preparation, passed-down recipes, and unique flavor combinations can tell you so much about a city, region or country.
When traveling to Scotland, one of my exploration goals was to break through the haggis craze and try dishes like venison, fresh seafood, local produce and herbs, and other non-haggis Scottish specialties. Before I get any pushback on that comment: yes, I was equally excited to try haggis, but I wanted to make sure I tried more than that one dish. And yes, haggis is delicious.
With a mind for trying delicious Scottish cuisine, I went on the hunt for great restaurants that offered high-quality and interesting ingredients. When I found 'The Gannet' in Glasgow and discovered their six-course tasting menu, I knew it would check all of the boxes for me. For those of you who haven't tried a tasting menu, here's the deal:
A tasting menu is a multi-course meal with each dish hand-crafted by a chef. Each dish is a highlight of the menu's theme. The theme can be local cuisine, international samplings, types of preparation, specific flavors, flavors that represent a region, or anything else that a chef may desire to present to you. The courses, at the finale of the experience, have told you a story. Each dish is small in portion and meant to be enjoyed in its entirety, as the flavors have been hand-picked to compliment each other. That means that alterations and substitutions should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, so this type of experience is not ideal for picky eaters, and any allergies and dietary restrictions should be brought to the restaurant's attention in advance to ensure everyone's comfort and safety.
'The Gannet' did a flawless job from the moment we entered the restaurant until the moment we left. Everyone was kind and professional, very accommodating to allergies, dietary restrictions, and personal preferences, and the cocktails and food were phenomenal. So, what story did the chef tell with this menu? Scotland has a great variety of high-quality food from its distinct regions, an impressive ecosystem, and a diverse range of cooking styles stemming from a culture that joins tradition, innovation and inclusivity.
Now, let me get to the part you've all been waiting for: the food!
When I booked my experience for two, I booked the six-course tasting menu, however, they do offer the option to include a wine-pairing for each course as well. While I did not exercise that option, their wine menu boasted a lovely selection and I would highly recommend that any wine fans take advantage of the pairing. Personally, I enjoyed sampling a couple of their mindfully crafted signature cocktails. The unique drink selection complimented the artisanal vibe of the evening very well.
Our dining experience began with a small snack selection to warm up our palates for the meal ahead. Presented beautifully on a nest were lovely ham hough beignets combining elements of savory and sweet. Presented next to the beignets were samples of Loch Etive sea trout on a squid ink croustade welcoming us to the fresh and briny flavors of Scottish seafood. Our final snack was a Gigha oyster with a Vietnamese dressing. As someone who is not necessarily a fan of oysters, this dish was an exception. The tart and robust flavor of the dressing softened the taste of the oyster, and the fresh, springy taste was unmatched.
Following our introductory snacks, a lovely bread selection was delivered to our table, offering slices of malted sourdough and wheaten bread. With the simple yet flavorful bread, we were given a creamy and delicious softened butter.
Our next course was simple in ingredients, yet bold in flavor. We were given a fresh grilled asparagus with a smoked emulsion, topped with a quails egg and fresh herbs. The course was light, fresh and vibrant. The quails egg was cooked perfectly, and the asparagus was fresh and crisp. Seasonal produce was the main character in this dish.
Moving on in the menu, we were served an Asian-inspired filet of cured sea trout. The fish was prepared with a bright ponzu dressing, kohlrabi and seaweed. The dish was well-balanced and the texture of the fish was lovely.
The following course offered a taste of the Scottish highlands and was comprised of a highland red deer tartare with hazelnut, black garlic and bitter leaves. The bitter leaves balanced the incredibly rich taste of the venison, and the crunchy hazelnut brought out the flavor of the high-quality meat and contrasted its beautiful texture.
Moving back toward the briny aromas of Scotland's coasts, the chef cultivated the ultimate taste of Scotland's seafood with the next course. Served to us was a perfectly cooked fillet of North Sea cod, surrounded by tender smoked Shetland Island mussels and locally foraged Maryhill mushrooms all nestled in a bed of mussel butter sauce and a 'sea foam' created with mushroom. A beautiful ode to the incredible seafood that Scotland has to offer.
With such a tough act to follow, the chef truly delivered with the next course: a beautifully cooked taste of aged beef, oxtail ravioli and celeriac. Once served, the plate was topped with a pour of rich madeira-based sauce for an explosion of flavor. The meat was perfectly tender, and the madeira sauce was positively unmatched. A rich and beautiful course to end the savory portion of the tasting menu.
Before the finale course, we opted to add a supplementary course to our meal, which was a selection of cheeses and artisanal baked crackers. We were provided with a creamy and mature cheddar, a bright and tangy bleu cheese, and a flavorful brie to transition our palates toward dessert.
Post-cheese we were given a small palate cleanser comprised of a fruit jelly topped with a sweet crumble and freshly whipped cream.
Our finale dish certainly did not disappoint. Our final taste consisted of a rich chocolate souffle tart paired with a scoop of malted barley ice cream. The fresh souffle had a perfect bittersweet taste to pair with the softly flavored ice cream creating a dish with a complex sweet flavors without an overpoweringly sweet finish.
From beginning to end, the courses were phenomenal. Each bite was spectacular and interesting. The dishes were all presented with an explanation by the lovely servers who were more than happy to share not only what we were about to eat, but details on from where in Scotland our ingredients were sourced.
I took additional delight in the ethics of this restaurant. Like much of Scotland, 'The Gannet' is conscious of sustainability and run their restaurant in a way that emphasizes the minimization of food waste. Their "nose to tail" method of maximizing the usage of their ingredients helps to prevent the unnecessary discarding of food. This establishment also believes in giving back. The restaurant pairs with two chosen charities - Drumchapel Food Bank and Young Peoples Futures - by using their dining platform as a way to help those in need. Very impressive ethics in my humble opinion.
To summarize, 'The Gannet' was a truly incredible experience. The ambiance was simple and upscale and provided an air of unpretentious fine dining. We encountered a few staff members while we dined, and each person was lovelier than the next. Everyone was kind and accommodating, well-versed in their presentation of the dishes, and beyond attentive. The drink menu was thoughtful and interesting, and the bar staff are very talented at their craft. The ethics of the restaurant's ownership are notable and focused on both sustainability and community, and those values should be at the core of every business worldwide. Finally, the chef is a truly masterful artist, creating fresh, seasonal dishes that represent the very best of Scotland with a contemporary approach. My absolute compliments to the ownership and the chef of this restaurant.
I absolutely encourage everyone visiting Glasgow to enjoy a taste of Scotland with a tasting experience at 'The Gannet' because you are guaranteed to enjoy fresh and sustainable cuisine mindfully prepared with high-quality ingredients.
