The Butterfly and the Pig @ the Corona

1039 Pollokshaws Road

Glasgow

G41 3YF

0141 632 6230

www.thebutterflyandthepig.com/south/

THE Corona was one of the south side’s busiest gin joints until it closed late last year.

Toots had heard that the venue had a new lease of life now that Butterfly and Pig had taken over so we decided to check it out.

Owner Michele Paglioacca had already established himself in Shawlands by buying up the nightclub next door.

But no one expected him to shut Butterfly and the Pig in the city’s west end to reopen in the south side.

Locals welcomed the move and are helping pay back the 200,000 bucks Paglioacca spent sprucing up The Corona by packing the place out most nights.

The restaurant’s ever changing menu is billed as “quirky” on the Butterfly and Pig website and it took Toots a few minutes to interpret.

Dishes on offer that night included 'steak sannerwedge’ and ‘Frittttttttttattta’.

At the very top is a challenge to diners: “If you read the menu all the way through and still find you are alive, and if there is nothing you like then let the kitchen know and we’ll call you a taxi or we’ll phone in a pizza for you or make you something you want.”

The statement sums up the style of the restaurant - relaxed, friendly and happy to be ever more creative when the customer calls for it.

The waiting staff are also very attentive, without being overbearing.

Toots was tired after a long day of having her hair and nails done so she ordered a cocktail as a starter before the starters.

“I need something to perk me up” she said, flashing those pearly whites.

The Buick was parked outside so it was soft drinks for ‘Tec.

I looked on enviously as the waiter carefully placed a brimming Butterfly Martini with Bacardi, Limoncello, pineapple juice and fresh lemon juice in front of Toots.

As The Moll gleefully sipped the cocktail I went back to the menu which I was determined wouldn’t beat me.

To start I ordered the breaded brie wedges and Toots the beer battered king prawns.

When they arrived we thought for a moment we had been served the starters as a main.

Portion sizes are huge at the Butterfly and Pig so diners be warned to prepare for a meal there by skipping lunch.

After I took on the oversized brie wedges it was time to tuck in to three giant lamb koftas, a mountain of potato salad and several salty flatbreads, as well as a generous portion of hummus.

Toots had ordered a vat of macaroni cheese and her eyes were like saucers as it was put down in front of her.

“I haven’t had this much food since I was in New York City,” she laughed.

We get to work on our delicious main courses and after twenty minutes it was with some regret we decided that we couldn’t finish.

It was another fifteen minutes after the cheery waiting staff took away our plates before we could consider the desert menu.

We had been told about the giant doughnut and Nutella dip and it was one of the reasons that Toots insisted on the Butterfly and Pig that night.

We couldn’t see it on the menu and the waiter explained that it was a special which had ended some weeks ago.

But nothing is too much trouble for the Butterfly and Pig and the chef insisted on making it for us from scratch.

The live band started expertly playing Johnny Cash covers as we settled down to enjoy the indulgent desert, which I dare say may even have cheered up the man in black.

Starters

Breaded brie wedges served with a side of spiced apple and tomato chutney for dipping £5

A classic our way beer battered king prawns on a bed of crunchy lettuce with a hot Marie (not me tho) Rose sauce, a delightful cocktail indeed £5.95

Mains

Let’s help out the Greeks, spicy lamb koftas served with tzatziki potato salad, homemade flat bread hummus and a side salad £13

Maestro Howman’s award winning macaroni cheese served with garlic bread £8.95

Desert

Giant doughnut with fresh strawberries and Nutella dip £3

Drinks

Diet Coke £2

Diet Coke £2

Coke £2

Butterfly Martini cocktail with Bacardi, Limoncello, pineapple juice and fresh lemon juice £7

Cappuccino £2.60

Earl Grey tea £2.60

Total £54.10

Food: Excellent

Atmosphere: Excellent

Service: Excellent