The Gardener - Ashton Lane
The
votes are in.
The niche has been carved
and The Gardener is a Hit!
Get
prepared for the probing by a tough audience Ramsay although I’m sure you’ll
savour the challenge!
When
I saw the header ‘Coffee and Cocktails’
I was immediately drawn to the idea because I don’t drink but most of my
friends do and The Gardeners’ premise intrigued me. I had no hesitation in accepting
the invitation from Donal Hurrell to go along for the VIP event and that’s
exactly how I was made to feel. Although
I did see the photographer Daniel McAvoy taking lots of photos of the more photogenic guests. I think he mistakenly left me out and it had
nothing to do with me not being they ‘Girl’ they were expecting!
Seedlip is the base of the Non-alcoholic cocktails and after my first one I was dizzy
with excitement because, at last, someone had created a cocktail for me that
didn’t make me feel like a 4 year old child being patronised with a grown up
drink. I would not even refer to these
mocktails because it would be insulting to the product. There is nothing disingenuous about what was
on offer in the alcohol free menu. There
was honest passion created by the wizard who is Ramsay Morris.
I’d
never heard of Seedlip before and was fascinated by the history and science of
its distillery. Founded by Ben Branson
it’s the world’s first non-alcoholic spirit. Now, I’ve always said I would rather have
water or coffee than pretend to be drinking but this is an exception because it
really did lift my mood. We can
sometimes forget the origin of alcohol was medicinal and used in many
‘holistic’ remedies. Like many modern
day, mood altering medicines, it very quickly shifted mainstream and was used
for pleasure.
I
suppose it was the cocaine of its day and as early as 1863 an Italian/Corsican
created Vin Mariani; a mixture of wine and cocaine which was sold as an
appetite suppressant. Eventually,
directed by changes in US laws and due to pressure from the Klu Klux Klan, it
was diluted and basterdised by John Pemberton in 1885 transforming it into the
osmosis we now know as Coca Cola. Cocaine
is still endemic in our society and there’s even such a thing as “Crack-lip”
caused by the heat of the pipe. Fabulous
marketing tagline there for Blistex.
The
only sensation my lips got in The Gardener were from Lipseed and eating the
fabulous food. I devoured the small
plates of deliciousness so quickly I bit my tongue and lip at the same
time. The food was outstanding, service
informative and pleasant, without being intrusive and the atmosphere was
sophisticated and chilled. Our servers
Jack and Amy were twin-like in their polite, smiling, efficient, polished but informal
delivery when supporting my addiction to coffee. Jordan (Pronounced Jor-Dan) thanked us for
coming and was a very glamorous and professional Host!
The
Gardener use their very own artisan roasted coffee, blended for them by MatthewAlgie. It is a unique blend of beans from growers in Columbia and Vietnam. Like most companies in our current, caring
climate they hold the highest respect for human rights and you can read their
Annual Statement regarding modern slavery by clicking this link! Based in
Glasgow they employ over 200 people most of whom are based in the city.
So,
get along to The Gardener and savour their delights set almost like a rural
haven in the most atmospheric lane in the city.
The foliage and tasteful music will get you in the mood for a proper,
adult evening which will be healthy for your mind and intellect. I did feel very informed about lots of things
when I left and, should I say this?
Of
course I will…
I
don’t usually ‘big up’ G1 venues because I feel they don’t care what the punter
or local munter has to say. However, I
do feel this venue is a new direction for them and I wish The Gardener all the best
and I see it as a shining star, beaming down on a sea of corporate monotony!
See you the next time!
#glasgowgirlg1
#tableforone
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