Rogano

11 Exchange Place, Glasgow, G1 3AN

Telephone 0141 248 4055
Opening times Mon–Sat 11am–11.45pm; Sun 12.30–11.45pm.
Bar open Mon–Sat 11am–11.45pm; Sun 12.30–11.45pm.
Food served Mon–Sun noon–2.30pm, 6–10.30pm. (Café: Mon–Sun noon–11pm)
Pre-theatre times Sun–Fri 6–7pm
Average price £16.95 (set lunch); £32 (evening meal)
Pre-theatre price £21.95 (3 courses)
Email
Website www.roganoglasgow.com

The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.

Entering Rogano – one of Glasgow’s best-known restaurants – is like stepping onto a Cunard liner circa 1930. This 80-year-old institution and its Art Deco stylings are well documented but there’s nowhere else in the city remotely like it. The experience is a big part of what one pays for. Dishes pair quality ingredients with classic touches: filo pastry surrounding remarkably sweet langoustines that taste like they were swimming in Dublin Bay that morning, or better still, a lemon sole served on the bone and cooked meunière: swathes of clarified butter, skilfully browned and nutty without detracting from the delicacy of the fish. Not cheap, but not easily done either, and that know-how’s another thing you pay for. So, too, service, from staff that are charming and at ease with Rogano’s history, its repute. They add to the occasion also. It’s unashamedly old-fashioned and maybe a tad safe, but its credentials as a ‘destination’ restaurant remain strong. And alongside the lobster and oysters, there are dishes of rabbit, venison, steak – allowing those who don’t appreciate the oceans’ produce to enjoy everything else Rogano brings to the table.

High point: Design and one-of-a-kind experience
Low point: Uninspiring vegetable sides

Number of wines sold by the glass: 15
Private dining: Up to 16 covers
Provides: Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu, Outdoor tables
Music on stereo: Jazz of the Ella Fitgerald, Duke Ellington era
Capacity: 80
Largest group: 80
Open since: 1935
House wine: £20 per bottle

Comments & ratings

2. Hilary – 29 Dec 2010, 4:06pm Rogano Report

Hi there,

I'm writing to say how disappointed myself and my partner were with our experience in Café Rogano on Monday 27th December. The service was awful and the food desperately mediocre. We were so looking forward to this visit as we don't earn very much and can't afford to eat out very often and the restaurant is too expensive. Rogano is meant to be the best restaurant in Glasgow and so we thought we would be guaranteed a nice meal. In fact, we were so disappointed that we didn't leave a tip! Whilst I don't like complaining or getting anyone into trouble, myself and my partner have worked in high end retail and customer service for around 15 years and we deliver excellent customer service, so when we don't get that respect back, we get very upset by it. The waitress clearly didn't want to be there, we waited 15 minutes before anyone asked us if we wanted a drink and then had to request our glasses be topped up as the bottle was in an ice bucket too far away from the table for it to be polite to get up and fill it ourselves. She barely spoke and was stand-offish to the point of rudeness. We felt uncomfortable whenever she did come near. She stood on my partner's foot without a glance or an appology, poked my arm out of the way on the table without an excuse me, picked up my boyfriend's dirty knife he used for his starter and put it back on the table to be used for his mains. Every time we said please and thank you, she responded with silence. Several of the mussels still had their beards on and closed ones were served. Both of our mains were unseasoned and totally flavourless. I've made better myself and I'm not a great cook. Food was totally, and at best, mediocre. Thoroughly disappointed as we had been looking forward to it so much. I can safely say that until we can afford to go to the main restaurant, we won't be back as we will never return to the café. Maybe the waitress and chefs had an off day? Or was it that because we ate in the café that service and food are not to the same standard? I feel that it shouldn't matter whether we were eating in the café or the restaurant, to be honest.

1. John Smih – 15 Apr 2010, 5:43am Rogano Report: Im glad you enjoyed your meal as the food is high quailty due to a top class kitchen brigade lead by the best head chef i have had the pleasure of working with. Pity i cant say the same about the lazy management as that is the only week link in the place. Please dont feel the need to pay the 12.5% service charge as waiters only see 0.5% as a wage top up.

Average rating 3/5 from 2 reviews of Rogano.

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Rogano

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