The Grumpy Goat, a new family-run gastropub in Glasgow’s Old Dumbarton Road, has opened on the site of the former Stirling Castle. The venture is owned by Tony and Carolyn Matteo, and features traditional Scottish food and classic cocktails. The launch of The Grumpy Goat has signalled a return to the family trade for Tony; his father, also named Tony, owned a number of Glasgow restaurants before retiring, including The Duke of Touraine and the City Merchant. Speaking to DRAM, Tony Jr said, “Carolyn and I visited The Stirling Castle for a drink to suss it out before we took over, and we realised then that it would require a major refit. It took seven weeks for the refit, which took in the kitchen, interior, flooring and exterior. Carolyn came up with the name, it’s a term of endearment at home, and in the 17th and 18th centuries the Yorkhill area was known as The Goat, as it served as a grazing land. The name’s a talking point, and the customers seem to appreciate the humour. “We hummed and hawed over maybe going with the Italian theme, but there’s plenty of them about and we eventually settled on a home-to-home Glaswegian feel. We’ve decorated the venue with black and white photos of Glasgow, as well as bric a brac from my parents’ loft., and the end product is a nostalgic, eclectic and homely environment.”
Grumpy Goat opens in Yorkhill
