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July 24, 2014

You may know Glasgow’s Arches as a nightclub, theatre or eclectic arts venue.

What you may not be as familiar with is The Arches Cafe Bar which serves up freshly cooked, seasonally inspired dishes from its regularly changing menus.

Arches Cafe Bar

Located downstairs in The Arches under an array of funky flying saucer lights, The Arches Cafe Bar may just be one of Glasgow’s best kept dining secrets.

“I think a lot of people are surprised by the food and drink when they come in,” Danny Byrne, chef at The Arches Cafe Bar said. “They do know about the Arches but they don’t know about the standard of the food and service.”

“Our customers tend to be events lead. Before the theatre we will get the arty crowd in, depending on what gig is on we might get metal heads or film buffs. At the weekends we will couples and families in. It is really mixed.”

French, Scottish and Vegetarian

As well as lunch and dinner menus which feature a range of burgers, fajitas, curries and a few Scottish dishes thrown in, The Arches serves a market menu which changes every day.

Danny described the food as “classic French with a Scottish twist” as well as a strong focus on vegetarian.

“A lot of the clients are vegetarian so we try to cater to that as much as we can,” he said. “We are currently serving a “vegetarian fish and chips” of beer battered halloumi, which is flying out the door.”

“The dishes are seasonal and everything is locally sourced. All our meat is from Cairnhill Farm.”

Creativity

Creating a new menu on a daily basis certainly is a challenge but one Danny, and the other chefs at The Arches, thrives on.

“When I’m creating a dish I think of the colours on the plate, the flavours, the balance, what has been selling and what hasn’t.”

“Changing the market menu every day is a challenge but I enjoy the creativity.”

“It gives the customers diversity. And for the price they pay, it is amazing value.”

Watch Danny cook pain fried scallops and chicken supreme in the video below.

[//www.youtube.com/embed/g8-bndRok-I]

20% a la carte discount OR £10.95 for 2 courses on pre-theatre menu + glass of wine OR £15 2 person offer – 1 course each on the chef’s burger and pasta menu + drink OR £5 for lunch offer at Arches Cafe Bar when booking on 5pm.