Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 31 on 16/02/2007.

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Two fat ladies

Rob Allanson checks out a Glasgow restaurant renowned for its fish cuisine

One thing Glasgow does best is small, intimate restaurant settings.

When you scratch the surface of the city there are a myriad to choose from, offering great food and relaxing surroundings. Two Fat Ladies, named after the bingo call (being at number 88 Dumbarton Road) not the television programme, is no exception.

The first restaurant opened in the heart of the West End and soon developed a reputation for its mouth watering fish and shellfish cooked with simplicity and care by head chef Gillian McKendrick (pictured).

However the Dumbarton Road restaurant, being a little on the small side, soon could not cope with the amount of people clamouring for the exquisite cuisine, and a second eponymous restaurant opened its doors.

The sister restaurant can be found at 118a Blythswood Street – no bingo call for 118a, and there was no name change.

The new Two Fat Ladies is right in the centre of the city, not far from Sauchiehall Street, one of the principle shopping areas in a city second only to London as a Mecca for shopaholics. In the evening, it is in the heart of the many clubs, theatres and cinemas, and caters for them with a pre and post-theatre menu.

The Two Fat Ladies, now there are two of them, in appearance are like step sisters with the Dumbarton Road branch looking from the outside more like a café than a top class restaurant, with the cooking area at the front window, beside the entrance. Do not let the exterior fool you.

Meanwhile across town the sister in Blyths.....

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By Rob Allanson

Section : Best of Scotland

Page number : 30