Glasgow’s Ad Lib Merchant City has reopened following a one month closure with a brand new menu and look.
Inspired by Ad Lib’s third restaurant in Malawi, the restaurant’s new menu features a smokehouse section showcasing their wood smoked meats.
The menu also includes Caribbean and Mediterranean dishes reflecting the heritage of their chefs.
A five figure renovation has resulted in stylish new decor referencing the building’s previous life as a fire station, with vintage photos of Glasgow firefighters on the walls and a burnt wood motif throughout.
Malawi influence
Executive chef Mark Balarsky said Ad Lib’s new menu was inspired by his time in Malawi, as well as the heritage and experience of the other chefs working at the restaurant.
He old us: “When we opened our third Ad Lib last year in Lilongwe in Malawi, I was lucky enough to be sent to open the bar and restaurant.
“In the morning I would buy charcoal from ladies selling it at the roadside to fire our chargrill and the wood smoke was sweet and flavoured the meats beautifully.”
“I decided to bring these flavours to our restaurants in Glasgow and invested in maple wood smokers to slow cook our brisket, pulled pork and chicken.”
“Other dishes on the menu are inspired by our chefs and their history and experience. Ben’s family come from Jamaica and his families Jerk chicken recipe come directly from his great grandmother, Linda’s Mediterranean heritage inspires dishes on our menu and specials board and Charlene our newest chef worked with Mexican food in London.”
Famous burgers
However, Ad Lib have kept many of their popular dishes on the menu such as their four cheese mac‘n’cheese with salad and fries, their homemade cheesecake of the day, and their famous burgers.
Mark said: “The burgers we make are the same classic recipe our chefs have used for 20 years. Our butcher sources his beef from Hugh Holmes in Inchinnan in Renfrewshire and we create a burger that stands out against the many newer burger bars in Glasgow.”
“With the stylish refurbishment of our Merchant City Bar and Restaurant, expect to see more bar snacks filtering on to our menu as it’s a great place to meet friends for a cold beer, a classic cocktail and some nibbles.”
Grand reopening
The 5pm Blog was invited to Ad Lib Merchant City’s grand reopening on Thursday to see the new look for ourselves and sample some bites from the menu.
And we can confirm, they were as tasty as you would expect from one of Glasgow’s best known American food joints.
Book the following offers at Ad Lib Merchant City on 5pm Dining:
£10 for burger + drink
£13.95 for 2 courses on American classics menu
£30 2 Person Offer – 2 rump steaks + bottle of wine