_Christmas is a time for both maintaining and celebrating traditions. But have you ever fancied stepping away from the most well worn pathway? Have you ever considered going beyond the mince pie? Here are five restaurants that offer an alternative to tinsel and turkey over the festive period.
Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore…_
Shebeen
South African restaurant by Lothian Road
Named after township drinking dens, Shebeen is a traditionally styled South African restaurant just off Lothian Road on Morrison Street. There are further branches in Dalry and Dalkeith.
The cosy, rustic decor is populated with carved African art. The wine list and selection of beers also reflect the restaurant’s South African heritage.
Beef sourced from local farms and hung for five weeks is at the heart of the Shebeen menus. As well as rib-eyes and T-bones, there are rump and sirloin cuts available in lion portions or the smaller cheetah size. All steaks are seasoned with Shebeen’s signature steak rub. The same well-hung steak is used in Shebeen’s range of burgers.
Typical south African dishes such as biltong, Boerewors sausage, South African samosas and bunny chow – hollowed-out loaves filled with Durban curry – are all popular here.
Carve yourself a slice of Shebeen via 5pm Dining.
Boteco Do Brasil
Lively Brazilian restaurant in Merchant City
Boteco Do Brasil is a vibrant restaurant and bar that brings a taste of Brazil to Glasgow. There is a second branch in Edinburgh. Located on Trongate in Merchant City, Glasgow’s Boteco Do Brasil provides guests with traditional, Brazilian dishes and exotic cocktails. Evening visitors are promised a memorable experience when the Brazilian music begins to play and the carnival atmosphere kicks off.
The restaurant’s menu features popular Brazilian mains like feijoada (a Brazilian stew with black beans, pork ribs, smoked bacon, salt beef and smoked sausage), and the traditional Sunday lunch of Brazilians, the churrasquinho variado (a Brazilian mix grill BBQ with salad) – a hit with meat lovers.
Some of Boteco Do Brasil’s tapas dishes include the bolinho de peixe (cod fish cakes), pão de queijo (cheese bread balls), coxinha de frango (soft potato dough filled with chicken), and the typical Brazilian beach snack risoli de camaro (small pastry parcels filled with prawns and served with Marie Rose dip).
Book Boteco Do Brasil with 5pm Dining.
Bar Soba
Pan-Asian bar and kitchen in Merchant City
The latest addition to the Bar Soba family is on Albion Street in Glasgow’s vibrant Merchant City. There are further branches on Mitchell Lane, Byres Road and in Edinburgh.
The Bar Soba brand is built on pan-Asian street food, cool cocktails, DJs and a hip manga/graffiti decor. This new branch is popular for lunch, after work drinks and, of course, weekend parties and pre-club drinks.
The Bar Soba chefs produce a tempting variety of dishes which have their roots in Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam and Malaysia. There are sharing/starter plates of Thai fishcakes, Vietnamese chicken wings and steamed prawn dumplings.
The selection of main courses includes a range of curries and wok-fried dishes such as chilli pork ramen. There is a also a choice of dishes cooked on the robata charcoal grill. These include lemongrass chicken, Singapore chilli tiger prawns and the ever popular Dirty Bangkok Burger – a 6oz beef burger infused with chilli, lemongrass, coriander and garlic, all served in a brioche bun with cheese, chilli mayo, apple slaw and chilli fries.
You can book into Bar Soba via 5pm Dining.
Cadiz
Seafood restaurant in Edinburgh city centre
Opened in the summer of 2016, Cadiz is a cosmopolitan seafood restaurant on George Street in Edinburgh city centre. The menu takes much inspiration from the Mediterranean and the decor wouldn’t look out of place in a smart harbour restaurant in the South of France. Stripped stone and beach hut wooden walls mix comfortably with seafood-themed art and fashionably recycled storm lights. Both the cocktail and wine list reflect the menu’s emphasis on seafood.
With menus which feature Shetland mussels, West Coast langoustines, Mull scallops and prime Scottish beef steaks, Scotland’s natural larder is well represented at Cadiz. The restaurant aims to offer flavours from the Med and further afield but, as the name suggests, there is a definite lean towards Spanish flavours.
From shellfish bisque to the whole lemon sole, seafood takes centre stage but the steaks, Iberico de Bellota ham and Spanish tortilla offer alternatives.
Want to hook a table at Cadiz? Use 5pm Dining.
Pickled Ginger
Contemporary Japanese restaurant in Finnieston
Featuring a DJ at the weekends, Pickled Ginger is a modern Japanese restaurant on St Vincent Street. Fitting neatly into the fashionable Finnieston restaurant scene, it is a stylish space with a buzzy but relaxed atmosphere. Cocktails, sake, Asian beers and an interesting range of Japanese whiskies are as much of an attraction as the food.
A master sushi chef prepares the fresh sushi and sashimi to order at the counter of Pickled Ginger. For those who are less keen on fish, there are lots of other options. As well as Korean bulgoki, a beef dish, there are fried ramen noodles; spicy beef broths, chicken teriyaki and tofu dishes.
Pick up your chopsticks and reserve a table at Pickled Ginger with 5pm Dining.