Glasgow’s Merchant City is the ideal hub for a glamorous weekend, writes Andrew Youngson
Did you hear Nicki Minaj and Justin Bieber are staying at the hotel up the road?” a dolled-up lady said to her friend conspiratorially as I walked past their table.
The domed ceiling of The Corinthian Club’s Tellers Bar & Brasserie towered high above my head as I wound my way back to my seat.
“Ah, of course,” I smiled to myself, “the MTV awards are in Glasgow this weekend.”
Ever the daydreamer, I imagined the glitzy ladies behind me concocting a plan then and there: they would infiltrate pop music’s upper echelons by expertly blagging their way
into a star-studded VIP function that night. “Don’t you know who we are?” they would tut while brushing past the bouncer, before triumphantly quaffing Bollinger all night with Nicki, Justin and all the pop stars who had descended on the city for the Europe Music Awards.
Okay, I have an overactive imagination. But Glasgow had that kind of energy about it the whole weekend I was there. The city buzzed with a lovely thrum, from the shoppers on the streets of Merchant City, to our fellow diners in the Corinthian and Arisaig restaurants, to the nighttime revellers – all done up for a great night out with their friends in the city centre’s many bars. Glasgow does glitz well, I nodded.
My accommodation for the weekend suited the bill perfectly. The Fraser Suites on Albion Street is in the heart of the Merchant City – just a five-minute walk from Queen Street train station, but slightly apart from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
Belonging to an international collection of unique properties, the renovated 1850s building comprises 98 one and two-bedroom apartments which play home to a varied client-base, from professionals in town for business, to groups of friends looking to explore the city from a base which offers more space to call your own than a simple hotel room.
My suite was the Templeton – a spacious one-bedroom apartment with large master bedroom, living room with kitchenette and a luxurious bathroom. The decor was handsomely executive in style, from the pin-striped carpets, to the black and green colour palette, to the rectangular angles of the tables, wardrobe and units.
After a restful slumber in the king-sized bed, breakfast each morning was a continental affair served in the first-floor dining area. The cereals, croissants, meats and cheeses, while lovely, were the mere tip of the dining iceberg during my stay.
For example, my first evening’s meal was at The Corinthian Club – the aforementioned five-floor Victorian building on Ingram Street, which houses an array of elegant spaces for dining, entertaining and partying in. My other half, Alex, and I, ate in Tellers Bar & Brasserie, an opulent space with vaulted ceiling, golden cornices, ornate chandeliers, and a selection of plush booths to sit in while taking in the grandeur.
Taken to a cosy side booth by an attentive staff member, Alex and I were soon tucking into our starters – grilled goats cheese for him, a traditional prawn cocktail for me – while a song sampling the James Bond theme tune briefly played out. A fitting song for a very Bond-like venue.
Our mains were similarly delicious, in particular (though I’m biased of course) my dish of pork chop, Stornoway black pudding, seasonal vegetables and mustard sauce – its flavours blending beautifully, and punctuated with the occasional burst of coriander. We stayed longer than initially planned at the restaurant, too comfortable to contemplate changing venue. Instead, we drank in the surroundings and our La Doutelle Sauvignon Blanc with equal relish.
The next day, I took a wander around the immediate vicinity of the hotel. A large district to the south east of the city centre, Merchant City is something of a melting pot of retail, dining and cultural outlets. I wandered past the district’s many independent stores, fashion boutiques, galleries and coffee houses – eventually plumping for a pit stop in Mono, a vegan bar/coffee shop/live music venue.
After a glorious afternoon snooze back at the apartment – because, well, why not – I got changed and ready for our second dining experience: the Arisaig restaurant. Practically next door to the Fraser Suites, the Arisaig is nestled within Merchant Square, a high-end indoor marketplace with fancy eateries and bars connected by a cobbled courtyard. The restaurant offers Scottish traditional meals with refreshing twists, though never veering far from what makes the dishes great in the first place. For example, my pickled mackerel starter – complete with brilliant blue tiger-striped skin – was gloriously zingy, tempered nicely with potato salad and dill mayonnaise. A complex and delicious iteration of a fishy classic.
For main, it was richness all the way, with my trio of Highland venison steaks offering up a deep base note for its accompaniments of celeriac puree, red current jus and fondant potato. While Arisaig’s menu is built on the provenance of Scotland’s larder – from the sea to the land – Alex was delighted to see that careful thought has been put into vegetarian options too. His starter of beetroot risotto, and main of homemade vegetarian sausages, were every bit the equal of my meaty dishes.
I alone went for dessert, a bold creme brulee, accompanied by sweet shortbread biscuits. It rounded off a lovely meal – and weekend, for that matter – as the chatter of Merchant Square’s inner courtyard pleasantly enveloped us.
It had been a great Glasgow weekend, mixing quiet reprieves with glitzy moments; a combination which the city offers up very well. And of course, there’s far more to tell than I have room for here. For example, the story about how I genuinely managed to sneak myself into a VIP party at Nicki Minaj’s hotel. One for another time maybe…
Travel Facts
Andrew Youngson stayed in the Templeton Suite at Fraser Suites Glasgow, 1-19 Albion Street, Glasgow. Apartments start from £72 per night. Price per night is subject to availability and all rates vary according to season. (
glasgow.frasershospitality.com/Tel
: 0141 553 4288)
The Corinthian Club’s Tellers Bar & Brasserie offers the freshest, locally sourced produce that is cooked to order no matter the time of day, whether it’s breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner – or even a late-night supper. Average price for two courses £18-£24, plus great value market menu available mid-week from £12 for two courses
The Arisaig Bar & Restaurant’s menus are created by a kitchen team who are passionate about working with the best ingredients that Scotland’s stunning larder can provide. Average price for three courses with wine is £30 per person.