Where to Brunch in Glasgow's Southside

I love to treat myself to brunch in a wee café. I used to work from home pre-Covid, and would take myself out once a week with my laptop for a nice coffee and a bite to eat. That all stopped obviously during the pandemic, and I'm slowing getting back out there again! It's been a while since I've worked from a coffee shop, but I've been enjoying brunch with the kids every so often. 

This weekend we visited The Brunch Club in Giffnock for the first time (used to be BRGR), along with Dawn and her daughter. They don't take bookings, and so we did have a little bit of a wait (understandable as we needed a table for 5). I wasn't blown away by my choice of smashed avo (avocado, red onion, garlic, fresh cherry tomatoes, balsamic glaze, poached egg & sourdough toast; £9) although I did enjoy the halloumi that I added (£2.50). My son felt his waffles were a bit dry (waffles with Nutella and fruit; £9.50) but Dawn loved her plate (Alba which was veggie haggis, poached eggs, truffle hollandaise, crispy kale and sourdough toast; £9.50) and the girls enjoyed their pancakes and Nutella. I'll try something else next time... tacos perhaps! Dawn had a virgin Bloody Mary, and it looked ace (I sadly didn't photograph it!). 

It's been a while since I've written a review of a restaurant or café... when the kids were little they tended to love most things and a lot of the restaurants got 5 stars when they were asked to rate them!! Whereas now, my son at nearly 13 years old and my daughter at 11 have opinions! Their favourite meal is steak & chips (we had a fab dinner in York at the start of the summer holidays at Cut & Craft, I'd recommend it if you're in the area... as would they!!), and when we're brunching they're all about pancakes and Nutella.

Anyway, back to brunch...

Our hands down favourite is Bramble, opposite Queens Park at 924 Pollokshaws Road. Similar to The Brunch Club, they are walk in only. So if we're headed here of a weekend I try and go for them opening (Sat 9am, Sun 9.30am). When Bramble was in Giffnock we queued for an hour once to get a table, and that wasn't fun with two hungry kids in tow! Most items on the menu I love, the vegan flatbread (sweetcorn fritters, salsa, pineapple chutney and mayo on a soft flatbread; £9.50) is a favourite as well as the pulled pork tacos (which isn't on the menu anymore *sad face*). The kids tend to order pancakes with Nutella and strawberries (£9.50, or £6.50 for a small portion).

Last on my list, for now, is Café Strange Brew. Again, as with the others, this café is walk in only. I was here with Evie (they're dog friendly) for breakfast a few months ago and didn't have to wait too long for a table. I love the presentation of the dishes here, my yoghurt and granola came with little edible flowers... so pretty! 

If it's just coffee that I'm headed out for, then I do love Grain & Grind. (My son is obsessed with their sausage rolls and brownies!) I love their coffee, and even have a bag in Verity for my Moka Pot.

What's your favourite spot for brunch?

Food - Shrove Tuesday

I just logged into Pinterest on my computer to find that I've got over 5K pins... wow!!

Anyway, I thought I'd share with you a few ideas for pancakes seeing as it's Shrove Tuesday tomorrow (Pancake Day).

I'm getting better and better at Scotch Pancakes the more I make them. My son even said that my pancakes were better than TriBeCa...now that's saying something! (For those of you not in Glasgow, TriBeCa is an American diner that serves up amazing pancakes and waffles amongst other things!). When I was growing up, Pancake Day was all about crepes with sugar and lemon, but when I tried making crepes the kids weren't impressed. They prefer the smaller, fatter pancakes.

The recipe I've been using is Nigella's American Breakfast Pancakes and we serve ours warm with butter, jam and sometimes Nutella if I have any.

But do take a look at all these lovely ideas I've pinned...it's making me so hungry!!

{Strawberry Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes}

{Banana Bread Pancakes}

{Glazed Doughnut Pancakes}

{Blueberries and syrup}

Will you be making pancakes tomorrow?

{Pancakes}

Tuesday 4th March is Shrove Tuesday, and if you haven't already decided what kind of pancakes to make... then look no further!

We love a pancake in the Glasgow Mummy household... normally either chocolate chip or covered in butter and jam! Yummy!!

Don't these just look amazing!!

Or a stack of Swedish pancakes with cream and raspberries. Mmmmm!

One recipe that has caught my eye is for Black Cherry Chocolate Pancakes. How good does that sound!!

Here are the details:

Ingredients (serves 4)

125 g self-raising flour

10 g cocoa powder, plus extra for dusting

2 tsp caster sugar

1 egg

150 mL milk

Few drops vegetable oil

150 mL double cream

1 x 410 g can Princes Black Cherry Fruit Filling

Method

Sift the flour and cocoa powder into a large bowl and stir in the caster sugar.

Add the egg and milk and then use a hand whisk to beat the mixture together to make a smooth batter.

HEat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Use the batter to make 8 small pancakes. To cook, add small ladlefuls of batter to the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbles appear on the surface. Turn over and cook for 1-2 more minutes until set. Set aside on kitchen paper until they are all cooked.

Whip the cream until it holds its shape. Sandwich two pancakes together per person using half the cream and the Princes Black Cherry Fruit Filling. Top with the rest of the cream and cherries. 

Serve, sprinkled with a little cocoa powder.

Seems to be really straightforward, yet looks really impressive I think. Let me know if you try it :)

{#JanuaryJoy - bake some bread}

Today's prompt from Florence Finds #JanuaryJoy ('bake some bread') didn't make me a happy bunny... I'm trying to stay clear of bread and pasta and if I was to bake bread I'd be sure to eat it!

Instead, I'm thinking I'll attempt some yummy* paleo pancakes, like these cinnamon and coconut pancakes by nom nom paleo.

Or maybe these lemon raspberry pancakes by paleOMG. I have to say - these look amazing!

{image source}

Watch this space to see how I get on!

* I'm not convinced, but we shall see!!