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August 14, 2009

As is often the case with new bar and restaurant openings, The Two Figs has suffered a number of delays in the run up to opening on Byres Road. However, barring further mishap, the new venture from the owners of The Left Bank on Gibson Street should welcome its first customers this weekend.

The site at the bottom of Byres Road has had a chequered history with Arisaig and Cabbages and Kings both opening and closing there in recent years. It is an unusual space with two rooms divided in the middle by a close leading to flats. While the layout of the space might pose a few operational problems, it has also provided the inspiration for its name. Apparently, figs usually grow in pairs and, like the fruit, the two rooms which make up the new business will be similar but different.

The Left Bank is known for its eye-catching design and the Two Figs follows the same path. Concrete bars, sandblasted walls that look like ripe figs, antique glass tiles and some rather funky radiators are among the design features.

The bar area will feature ten draught beers including a couple from Glasgow’s West Brewery along with a thoughtful cocktail list. The owners are aiming to provide the best bar food in Glasgow by laying on the sort of dishes that people love but doing them as well as they possibly can.

One example is the chicken wings. Chicken wings aren’t necessarily all that exciting but the Two Figs’ version features just the chunkiest part of the wing and comes flavoured with Szechuan pepper and salt. The same goes for their burgers. Almost every bar offers a burger but at Two Figs they have planned every detail from the bun through the burger to the relish they make themselves. I’m not exaggerating when I write that they have been running in-depth experiments on the effects that changing the gauge of their potato chipper has on their fries.

At this stage, I have fewer details on the menu in the restaurant space but the owners say it will be a continuation on the local, seasonal food that has been such a hit in The Left Bank.

That area of town is well served with restaurants. Ad Lib West End, Two Fat Ladies and No 16 are all 5pm members located within a stone’s throw of the Two Figs.