Sunday:
11am: I was able to sleep in a little late this morning, but hit the road running before noon to catch up with some of my fellow writers for lunch at Cafe Zique. En route from the hotel to the restaurant we encountered a little travel issue as one of our writers forgot their metro pass for the train. Without blinking an eye the transit worker gave her a free pass and said to enjoy her day. That truly was a pretty nice moment that I just do not see happening if I forgot my Metro Card in New York.
12:10pm: Cafe Zique was a great place to kick off my Sunday in Glasgow. The tiny corner cafe was jam packed with happy locals dining out with family and friends. Definitely had a great vibe and was great for people watching. I ordered the eggs Benedict and some much needed coffee after a long Saturday night. The food was outstanding and the coffee was damn good. Really loved this meal which gave me the fuel I would need for a long day of scouring the city.
1:08pm: If you are in Glasgow for a short time or an extended stay, I highly suggest you take a stroll down Byres Road. There were just so many great vintage stores, music shops and happy Scots wandering down the sidewalk with their family and friends. Also each street that intersected through Byres Road was lined with a few dozen or so beautiful brownstone apartment buildings. Kind of reminded me of Brooklyn.
1:39pm: If you had tweeted with me while I was in Glasgow then you knew I was on the hunt for a baby kilt for my little nomad that is due to arrive this April. Unfortunately I never was able to procure a baby kilt, but I did get to purchase some some great souvenirs for the wee one at these stores set up to raise cash for children charities.
2:30pm: Like whisky? How about brandy? Maybe even a little vodka? Then you will definitely want to make your way to a great place called Demijohn, which calls itself “the world’s first liquid deli.” I sampled a few adult beverages before picking up some apricot brandy for my sister.
3:11pm: Continuing with the theme of boozing it up, I stumbled down Byre Road to a great little place called Oran Mor. Actually this former church turn entertainment spot includes two bars, two restaurants, a nightclub and a private event space. I was here to check out the whisky bar, which was brilliant and cozy. I enjoyed a glass of whisky on the rocks and a good conversation with a friend for an hour or so before continuing on my way.
4:07pm: As a traveler I love to just wander aimlessly sometimes through a new city. Over the last few hours that was just what I did and I came across so many amazing shops that I look forward to seeing again someday. Just as I was on my way back to my hotel to get ready for dinner, I came across this monstrosity of a building. Not familiar with it, I asked a woman walking by. She informed me that it was the University of Glasgow. After hearing my accent, she asked me where I was from, telling her New York her eyes lit up as she exclaimed, “I will be in New York for the first time this June!” Love meeting new people while on the road.
4:20pm: I took a walk around the campus of the University of Glasgow and was in awe with the beauty of the architecture of the structure that dates back to 1451, making it the fourth oldest university in the United Kingdom.
7:30pm: After catching a cab from our hotel, it was the last meal of the trip together for the group of writers. Fortunately it was also a delicious one as we had dinner at Stravaigin. Meaning “to wander”, this restaurant, which opened in 1994, offers a great menu full of both classical and experimental dishes. The wait staff was informative, funny and very cool to all of us all night. The wine was flowing, the stories of our previous travels were shared and dessert was ordered.
10:10pm: On the advice of one the writers that has been to Glasgow before, we had a nightcap at Blue Dog. This was truly a great way to end my weekend in Glasgow. The laid back atmosphere of this wine bar/jazz club was perfect as a musician played popular tunes over piano. Of course being a music nut, I requested some Van Morrison. I didn’t want the night to end as it doesn’t get any better than drinking whisky over great live music and good conversation, ah what a night.
12:45am: But all good things must come to an end. Most of the writers had an early flight (fortunately I was not one of them), so we called it a night.
Monday:
10:03am: Feeling a little groggy but very happy to get home to my wife, I hopped into the car waiting to pick me up outside my hotel. As I drove down the street, memories of my whirlwind Glasgow trip kicked in. I really could have used another night in this city – especially at Blue Dog.
12:45pm: Up, up and away and back to New York I go. See you again someday Glasgow.
