][1]The 5pm Restaurant site has welcomed a number of new venues over the last couple of weeks. The two Ad Lib restaurants on Hope Street and Ingram Street need no introduction as the Ad Lib brand has been well known in Glasgow for years. Gourmet burgers, steaks and a hefty hint of Americana are the mainstays of the menu.
Merchant City seafood
Way back in August, the 5pm blog also mentioned that Rock Lobster on Virginia Court in Glasgow was flexing its claws and getting ready to open. Run by Stephen Bonomi, formerly of Arisaig, the Merchant City venture is now trading and is a 5pm member.
Seafood, steak and fantastic pasta are the driving forces. You can browse their mouth-watering a la carte menu here.
A former member of post punk band the Berlin Blondes, Mr Bonomi is still plugged into Glasgow’s music scene and is developing the space downstairs from the restaurant as a burlesque cabaret bar. Dram magazine has a good interview here detailing the Bonomi family history which inspired Rock Lobster.
Late night on Bath Street
Staying in Glasgow, the blog liked the sound of The Buff Low Cafe, the latest addition to the Butterfly and Pig/Tea Rooms/Buff Club complex on Bath Street.
Open from 5pm until late seven nights a week, it’s a Prohibition-era themed speakeasy. Live music (often blues or jazz), DJs and snack foods are the draws.
From January, they promise to launch a menu of Cajun dishes.
Again, Dram magazine has an interview with owner Michele Paggliocca here. STV have a great gallery of launch night pics here.