Taproom, Hamilton

Being based in Hamilton, I could not not review the Taproom.

This local pub is one minute walk from Hamilton West station, and has been my journalist classmates and I's lunch headquarters all year. And we're a tough crowd (I am going to pass that time when Gary took to us to alla Turca, worse meal ever!).

So, as I enter the place for what might be the last time, I decide to share the experience with you , and maybe pass the torch to the next year's bunch.

What is always surprising about the Taproom for lunch, is that it's always dead empty, while it's packed for dinner.

I seriously don't know why. I can honestly say, from the bottom of my food obsessed heart, that it is the best lunch in Hamilton, possibly in Glasgow.

The menu offers a wide range of choices for around 5 pounds. How do I judge when a menu is awesome? When there are at least five dishes I'm dying to have. And here, ten of them!

Today, I opted for the Mexican chicken wrap and dips, while LaSavio was boring as ever and chose the same bloody meal he's had all year: wrap and soup of the day. Can't really count on him to give me writing material.

The food came quick as usual, and it was lovely. The soup of the day was cream of broccoli: yummy! (yes, I did try it, and I'm not ashamed)

There's not much to say about this place really, apart that's it's good value and nice.

The service is not the best though, given the place is always empty.

I remember this time they just "forgot" a chicken burger, so LaSavio had to watch us eat for like 20 minutes. See, as a French person who has worked in many restaurants , I was expecting them to take it off the bill, but when nothing was done and I growled, my classmates just went: nah you're in Scotland Ces, that doesn't happen over here.

Shameful.

Don't mess with the waitresses either, I remember this time when she nearly ate Gordon's head off when he asked if we could pay separately. She shouted that we "were doing this every time", and as we were coming every week we should "know better". I valued my life too much to hit back: "well because we do come here every week, shut your trap and be professional woman!"

But putting that incidents aside, I would still highly recommend the place if you are passing through Hamilton. Good address

above: Cream of Broccoli soup, mozzarella and pesto wrap

Right: Mexican chicken wrap with cheese, salsa, guacamole and sour cream.

Both £4.95

We were tempted by desert, but Equis is right next door, and nothing can compete with Equis ice cream I'm afraid.

The Drum and Monkey

Another night with Del wandering around central Glasgow, desperately searching for food.

One day (if I can be bothered), I will come up with an "I'm starving" app (sponsored by "ImFatAndLazy.com") which will just point out what's the best place to eat in a 2 min walking distance.

But let's go back to tonight.

So we were about to give in for a take away when we passed the Drum and Monkey. I have to say I had always been intrigued by the name, I mean, surely they must have been quite steaming to come up with that, and that kind of crazy thinking, to me, deserves a shot at their menu.

I actually remember going in not too long ago, but because I was just out of LaTasca (and just had two jugs of Sangria), I must admit my attention to details was quite weak (wow is that fresh flowers or plastic flowers??).

So let's just say it was as good as a first time.

My first impression was :amazing furnishing and decoration, huge ceilings and oh my god check out that bar!

That's probably me still being all traditional Scotland maniac, but when I enter special places like this pub, I suddenly remember why I moved here on the first place. Wood, fireplace, tartan carpet; a subtle cliche that will please any Scotland lover.

We were sat on a tiny table (had to squeeze in to get to my chair, which reminds me bikini season is round the corner). The menu was quite big, which is a nightmare to me because I can never bloody decide, and hell for whoever agrees to follow me on my food trail.

After 20 minutes of intense patience, Del finally came up with an elaborated menu plan which only took it down to two mains, and I finally ordered a cheese and bacon burger (yes, twice this week,which reminds me bikini season is not really round the corner as I am staying in Scotland this summer. Way!)

The waitress was good, and did not show how much she wanted to rip my head off for taking ages to decide.

The starters came quite fast, which distracted me from that loud table of French people chatting about politics.
Hey, I can be patriotic too, I ordered breaded "brie" for starters, uh!

It was lovely, small portion but you don't need more really, with a side of caramelized onion chutney.

My heart filled with joy and hope when my burger arrived and the bun was hot (hurray!). But I have to say, even if the first bite was good, the rest was not. The patty was overcooked and almost cold. The chips were not nearly as good as those I had in the Universal two days ago.
Of course it is unfair to compare, but it's my blog and I set the rules.

Now here is a question for Alex Salmond: Dear Prime Minister, is Scotland suffering from a cheese shortage? Did you swap the Giant Pandas for the entire Arran stock? Where the hell did my cheese go?

A cheeseburger without cheese is... well... you know... a burger. Double frown.

I would not judge the place over that burger though, the dishes that came on the next table looked pretty amazing. I think I will just stick to my theory that when in a Scottish pub, have Scottish food.

More deep thinking to come this week...

The Universal

Tonight is the end of my work placement in Radio Clyde (Subtle name drop) so I thought I would take my partner in crime Steph for a dinner in the city.

I used to have a passionate love affair with Groupon, until I found out they were leading me on and weren't ready to commit.

So tonight is the last voucher I got from them ages ago, for the Universal in Glasgow.

The voucher, which entitled us to two burgers and two cocktails was a very good deal. I know so because I arrived half an hour before Steph, which gave me time to read the menu six times, than translate it to French, read it upside down, make a hat out of it and sleep on it.

When Steph made a panicky appearance : "Quick! do you have change for the cab, that taxi driver is an arse!"we finally ordered an appletini and a strawberry daiquiri which made life worthwhile again.

The burger menu was nice, you had a choice of beef, lamb and mint, a vegetarian mushroom chickpea and red pepper, or 5 different spiced chicken. I was starting to feel adventurous and was going for the "Thai style chicken" but when Steph ordered the 10 oz beef burger with cheese, I knew what I had to do: "Yeah, I'll have the same".

The wait was reasonable as the place was packed.

The burgers looked magic. I was disappointed when I realized the bun was cold, that's a big no no to me.
But that was really the only frown, as the rest of my plate was perfect, home made chips, little side salad, perfectly portioned.

So on overall I would recommend the place, the food and drinks were lovely, service was good, and the room was nice: wood, bricks, leather couches, and massive windows. a+

The music wasn't my cup of tea, but it wasn't a big deal because when two female journalists meet up for drinks, there's rarely a moment of silence.

The prices to me were a bit too much, I was pleased with my voucher but I am not sure I would be happy to pay 6 pounds for a classic, no big deal cocktail.
But the place does have some offers worth looking into.