A bit of taste of Scotland at One Ten Bar and Grill @ Marks Hotel in Glasgow

Why your cat always insists sitting on your lap when you try to use laptop?  One book I read says cats are trying to get your attention by doing that.  I am now holding her with one hand whilst typing this with the other hand, otherwise she would completely perch herself on the keyboard.  She is purring really loud so she must be happy and is feeling content.  Wow, she is getting heavy already and I am only into few sentences yet!  Well, if you see any spelling mistakes in this blog, it's because of her (or the glass of prosecco I am drinking....hahaha).

Anyway, my husband and I have just come back from a dinner at One Ten Bar and Grill at Marks Hotel in Glasgow (http://www.markshotels.com/glasgow-restaurants/one-ten-bar-and-grill.html). It was another one of those Groupon deals, £19.10 for Catch of the Day with sides for two and a glass of Prosecco each.

We pass by this restaurant when we go to Sarti's on Wellington Street (which is located almost across the road but diagonally) but never actually tried this place, so I thought we shall try using Groupon deal to see what they are like. Well, we had a very lovely evening. We thought the food was very good and service was friendly and attentive.

I made a booking on-line but when we arrived they did not have our booking, but it was not a problem at all. The restaurant manager lead us to a nice oyster shell shape seat with big round table. The catch of the day was salmon with sautéed potatoes and brocolli and we chose creamed spinach and mixed vegetables for sides. We also added starter and both chose grilled asparagus with poached eggs.  Two glasses of Prosecco arrived right away.

Unfortunately I was a designated driver tonight so I only had a wee sip and gave the rest to my husband. (That's why I am having a bubbly just now at home, doing this blog.....)

Back to the starter.  We were hoping that egg york would ooze out when we put a knife into the poached eggs and it did! Well done, chef.

As we were finishing the starter, a big group just arrived for company Christmas dinner and occupied the most of the empty tables in the middle. They were really merrily, having moved from the bar area in the front to the restaurant and clearly having a good time already.  Suddenly the restaurant got a bit noisier but that's ok, it's Christmas. And next thing, our main course had just arrived. Good timing.

Salmon was well seasoned and grilled perfectly. It was really tasty.

Well, by the time we finished our main course, we were debating if we should have dessert or not.
I have seen this item on the menu that has been really intriguing me ... the menu says 'Wee Taste of Scotland: Deep Fried Mars Bar with Toffee Sauce and Raspberry Sorbet'. I find Mars Bars are too sweet to eat but if you are in Scotland, you got to try Deep Fried Mars Bar, which was allegedly originated in a fish chippy in Scotland in mid 1990s, so we ordered one to share and see how this goes. (Apparently the big confectioner Mars never endorsed this...)

Well, it was kinda interesting.... it was not as bad as it sounds and looks but certainly sweet, even with an attempt of presentation effect with a mint leaf. Raspberry sorbet was really nice though.  Let's just not think about calories ... it's sheer heart attack but you got a try this if you are in Scotland.

Deep Fried Mars Bar with Toffee Sauce and Raspberry Sorbet

A couple of waiting staff asked us how it was as they were passing by our table. 'Interesting experience' we replied.  I know Anthony Bourdain tried this when he came to Glasgow although he did go to a real chippy for that. This one is not as authentic as what he had however here is our wee taste of Scotland!

We then finished off our meal with coffee that came with home made, I think, short bread which was nice too.

They gave us discount for starters and dessert, which was added bonus as we did not expect that so including Groupon deal, it came to around £35 for two which was not bad at all.

The menu looks nice so we may go back again for lunch sometime as I know they do some lunch set menu.

We came home with happy stomach, feeling contented. If we were cats, we would be purring by now, just like our cat is doing just now.  She would have loved that salmon too as she loves fish and seafood...

Incidentally our cat loves Sheba's cat food, which is actually owned by Mars, Inc that makes Mars Bar!  Interesting.

That's all forks!