City gastropub will aim for the top

THE team behind a new Glasgow venue hopes to establish it as one of the world’s top gastropubs.

The Duke’s Umbrella is due to open its doors on Argyle Street on 17th May. Owned by the team behind Glaschu restaurant in the city’s Royal Exchange Square, the new gastropub will be headed up by general manager Craig McKay and development chef John Molloy.

The Duke’s Umbrella will offer a range of “comfort food”, including seasonal pies, slow-braised smoked ox cheek and what the owners described as the “best fish and chips in Scotland” as well as a selection of real ales, wines and cocktails.

“We’ll be open from 10am every day, seven days a week, whether that’s for brunch, lunch, dinner, Sunday roast, bar snacks, a glass of Champagne or a Scottish cask ale,” said McKay. “We also have exclusive and private dining options available, and we’ll be using this space to host lots of tasting events such as food and wine pairings which will be a huge part of what we’re about.”

Molloy said he has “always wanted to cook gastropub food”.

“We will be giving our food the attention it deserves and treating the ingredients in the same way fine dining restaurants do,” said Molloy.

“All while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere and delivering the sort of food you’ve always wanted from your local.”