To Eastwoodmains Road in Glasgow’s Southside where Ian Brown, previously head chef at The Ubiquitous Chip for 21 years, has set up his own place.
Called the Ian Brown Restaurant, it’s been open for about eight weeks and, according to the blog’s network of well-fed sources, it has been deservedly busy pretty much since the day it opened.
Chef Brown says he wants his place to be a friendly neighbourhood joint which is affordable and where people feel as comfortable having a plate of venison meatball linguine as they do booking in for a four course meal.
Previously a Greek restaurant, the Browns had stripped the building pretty much back to the brick work before refitting it with tasty Paul Hodgkiss wooden fixtures and Ash tables.
The kitchen is using many of the suppliers that Brown worked with during his epic stint at The Chip and, while much of the produce used is Scottish, the chef is not restricting himself to calling his restaurant Scottish. There are plenty of modern Med influences in there along with more Caledonian ideas.
And the food? Well, it changes all the time but it might range from risotto with confit chicken to three different cuts of mutton done three different ways and served with minted pea mash and char grilled veg.
As well as an a la carte menu, the restaurant runs set two and three course menus at £11 and £14.50 respectively. House wine is £13.50.
Apparently, the Sunday Herald’s Joanna Blythman has been in so watch out for her view in the paper imminently.