A BRAND new Scottish restaurant, famed for its small plates and relaxed atmosphere, has scooped a top award just months after opening.
Margo, located on Glasgow‘s Miller Street, has been in business for less than six months.
The Margo team picked up the top award last week[/caption]
Their food was inspired by seasonal Scottish produce – such as rhubarb and custard panna cotta[/caption]
However, it has already attracted the attention of top foodie judges.
Created by Scoop, the team behind Ox and Finch and Ka Pow in Finnieston, the visionary venue is the brainchild of head chef Robin Aitken.
Earlier this week, Margo was named Scotland‘s Eatery Newcomer of the Year at the prestigious Scottish Excellence Awards at the Hilton in Glasgow.
The awards – which took place on Thursday – celebrate excellence in Scotland’s food and drink scene, including restaurants, bars, cafes, and food producers.
Margo triumphed over strong competition, including the highly commended 1635 at the Knipoch Hotel near Oban, Cafe Cuil on the Isle of Skye, and the Spanish-inspired Cafe Buena Vida on Glasgow’s Victoria Road.
Founder Jonathan MacDonald promises that Margo is “relaxed, accessible and fun, alongside a focus on quality”.
Although the restaurant’s menu evolves regularly, Margo maintains a flavour-led approach, with a focus on Scottish seafood, meat butchered in-house, and bread and pasta made from scratch.
Signature small plate dishes include cold roast lamb with black garlic and saag, cured rainbow trout, and hand-dived Uist scallops.
To follow, a selection of larger dishes range from cod, squid ink rice, and tempura sea vegetables, skate wing, kumquat kosho, trout roe and green peppercorns and bavette steak with chimichurri to feasting-style plates including Dry-aged sirloin on the bone with sauce Margo and Half Creedy Carver duck with liver parfait, marmalade and toast.
With its vast industrial-style interior featuring high ceilings, the 138-seater restaurant has been transformed from an old gallery space into a modern dining venue, with covers spread across two floors.
The open kitchen with counter seating allows guests to watch Margo’s chefs at work, while banquettes and booths provide a more intimate dining experience for groups.
This is not the restaurant’s first accolade. It earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand just four months after opening in October last year, following in the footsteps of its sister restaurants.
Elsewhere we told how a little-known restaurant that serves up Indian food alongside traditional Scots fare has been named the best in the country.
Guests can watch Margo’s chefs hard at work as they dine[/caption]
The food was recognised as the best newcomer[/caption]
The restaurant opened in October – and is a sister to Ox and Finch[/caption]
The People’s Choice Awards took place in Glasgow last month to honour the best business, from hotels to home improvements.
The event launched last year and this second edition saw the public nominate their favourites before a vote on selected finalists decided the big winners and highly recommended on the night.
And the The Malletsheugh in Newton Mearns scooped the best Restaurant gong.
