Butchershop Bar and Grill

These crisp, dry Autumnal days attract tourists to Scotland in their droves. Due to its cultural standing and lack of giant, hilltop castle Glasgow tends to attract a slightly higher class of tourist than the capital – the kind more interested in world-beating live music, dining, shopping, architecture, art and esteemed seats of learning. The tour-bus sheep always visit Edinburgh; Glasgow represents the Thinking Tourist’s City.

In much the same way, American-style dining can often be divided into these two subcategories – the kitsch, brash and generally embarrassing theme restaurant, or the understated, achingly cool steak house. The Butchershop Bar & Grill most definitely slips into the latter bracket.

On entering with the good lady, a rough-and-ready looking American waiter had obviously been studying the dictionary definition of 'assertive', barking “RESERVASHUN?” in our general direction. Should a weedy, sullen-looking Glaswegian have done this, I would have been appalled, but he carried his American attitude well and his gruff nature seemed to suit the Manhattan theme.

The restaurant itself is gorgeous to look at: the butcher’s shop theme is only suggested, with no bloodied chopping boards or hanging rabbits in sight. Big, bold white tiles are softly lit with 1950s-style, overhead drop bulbs, and classic looking recycled-junk scales add authenticity. If you can, book a window seat and look out at the incredible views of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Glasgow University’s Gilmorehill Building.

We visited on a Tuesday, and were surprised at how packed the tables were. On surveying the menu, we realised that The Butchershop offers a £30 meal deal every Tuesday night – rump steak and fries with a bottle of house wine for two. I remained slightly apprehensive – often with such mid-week deals, the cuts are of poorer quality and the wine a barely-drinkable plonk. I also noticed that a guest at an adjoining table was warming up his steak on the table’s gas lamp. In retrospect, however, he was probably just slightly odd, rather than the food being cold.

The wine was a dry and refreshing Spanish white Cariñena, light and definitely quaffable. When the steaks arrived, I was amazed at the large portion sizes on offer for £15 a head. A bucket of skinny fries joins a generous, fist-sized cut of Scottish rump steak. I ordered mine medium-rare, and I must admit it was leaning slightly towards rare. However, the meat itself was sweet and rich, and accompanied well by the garlic butter, which comes as standard with the £30 offer.

Personally, I am something of a garlic fiend, but my partner said she found the dressing a little overpowering. I suggested adding the garlic sautéed mushrooms (£2.75) on the side may have contributed to the garlic overdose, although they were plump, moist and delicious - a much needed extra to the steak-frites combo. We also plumped for the huge, crispy home-made onion rings (also £2.75).

After enjoying our steaks, I opted for a Bowmore 12-year single malt for dessert – the Butchershop has a fairly good whisky selection – while my companion chose the sticky toffee pudding. She seemed to enjoy it, although it was almost impossible to get an opinion out of her. The official judgement will have to remain as “Mmmmmm!”

As an American dining experience, the Butchershop Bar & Grill is authentic, affordable and thoroughly enjoyable. There is a distinct lack of Americana-crap stuck to the walls and no candy-striped waiters singing Happy Birthday with sparklers: the Butchershop proves you can enjoy classy, American-style steaks without suffering the humiliating surroundings and prices of TGI Fridays or the Filling Station. Vegetarians (or garlic-fearing vampires) should steer well clear, and remember to make an early reservation for Tuesday nights – or else the waiter will be after you.