The Mad Platter - Reviewed by Dinertec, Jun 11, 2015

Rating: 4/5

  • 360 Great Western Road
  • Glasgow

Some cats were saying the food was as good as a Michelin starred restaurant so I knew this was the job for Glasgow's toughest restaurant tec.

As soon as we walked into the joint, I could tell that the contents of my wallet were going to shrink as much as Alice after she downs that potion. The smell of home cooked food filled our nostrils as we were shown to a table by a friendly gal.

Sniffing out the cosy little cafe diner, my attention was grabbed by the quirky decor, themed around the Lewis Carroll classic. It's a paradise for the ankle biters and the young at heart.

Launched towards the end of 2014, it's decked out with a quirky mix of top hats, bowlers, an old school post box and a chandelier made with vintage crockery and decanters, I was just hoping there wouldn't be anything make-believe about the menu. At least if the chat started to wane with Toots she could try on one of the top hats.

The menu wasn't overflowing with choices, which was a welcome relief from some menus that take an hour of detective work to make a decision. I ordered up the smoked mackerel pate with crusty bread to share and side salad, which leaves the Moll grinning like a Cheshire cat. Fresh and zesty with a hint of cream, we soon ran out of bread. Without prompting the owner appeared at our table with a little bowl of breadsticks to soak up the rest.

The first course was as filling as a Thanksgiving dinner at Blondie's grandmom's in the Bronx but I was eager to sample some more of what this joint had to offer. Our plates were whisked away and the mains arrived, quicker than a rabbit down a hole who is running late.

The Moll plumped for the chicken stuffed with haggis and wrapped in bacon, which came with potatoes, turnip and carrots and gravy and she was in fat city. I'd ordered the fish pie, which was crammed with salmon and cod and came with a lobster sauce. It was hearty and scrumptious and proved difficult to finish.

The food was hotter than the Moll's Sunday Best. Too many restaurants dish out lukewarm food that's been left sitting for too long before it's delivered to your table.

The cafe is fully licensed for guests wishing to nip in for a few drinks, but also has tempting non-alcoholic drinks such as the house hot chocolate and its own make lemonade.

We'd just enough room left to share the seasonal fruit crumble which was outta sight good. Filled with sweet pear and apple and a delicious vanilla custard, it was delicious and moreish although I'd have liked just a tiny bit more crumble through the pudding.

With courses averaging £8 the food was exceptional quality for the cost.

The cafe also does a range of sharing platters and we vow to return for the breakfast special which dresses up Eggs Benedict with Scotland's national dish.