The Shandon Belles

One of the Two Fat Ladies’ babies, this cute eatery will be changing in 2020, though you can still expect the Ladies’ stamp of quality.

The 2019/20 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

Tucked away in a little pocket of Finnieston that has no concern for being part of the ‘strip’, Shandon Belles is a quiet delight of a place, where simplicity and deftness of touch are the defining traits. Lighting is low, tables are spaciously set apart. There’s only one, small menu, and as such, each dish feels like it’s made with love and affection. Think starters like hot flaked salmon risotto, elegantly portioned, and balanced by herbaceous green leaves and some citrus. Or roll mops, drizzled with a orangey dressing that hints of chilli and South East Asia. The restaurant is owned by the Two Fat Ladies group, so any fish dish is worth checking out. Onto the land, where pigeon (a Glaswegian bistro favourite) is ably paired with its bedfellows Savoy cabbage and a sweet redcurrant sauce. The combination of richness and sweetness is nicely achieved, while the presentation in a little basket of filo pastry is indicative of the extra wee touches that set the Shandon Belles apart. Everything is concise: that menu, the wine list, the number of covers, and when dining here, one really appreciates the extra attention it all seems to afford.