Alchemilla Opens it’s Doors in Glasgow’s Finnieston

Alchemilla

Fergus McVicar and Rosie Healy have opened Alchemilla at Finnieston. The new restaurant, which has a quirky Scandinavian feel, can seat around 60 people.

Says Fergus, “Rosie is an old friend of mine. She was living in London and working at Ottolenghi, and she wanted to come back to Glasgow. This was an ideal opportunity to do something together. We are business partners and she obviously is looking after the food side, and has brought some other London chefs with her, while I am concentrating on the bar side and of course the music.”

He continues, “The whole design is actually anti-design. I think it is fresh and different. It’s not just a bar, but it’s not a posh restaurant either. Just good food, with fresh, simply prepared produce. We also do great cocktails and nice wines.”

The design has a very 1960’s Danish feel – from its birch stools, which are bespoke,to its bright orange formica bar top which stretches the length of the room to its gold lights sourced from an old aviation school and the Paul Bert Serpette market in Paris. There’s also a stand out piece of artwork – a giant 3m x 2.5m Thomas Ruff photograph, one of only four in existence.

The restaurant also boasts a mezzanine level and a private dining room downstairs. Says Fergus, “The private dining room seats 14, and has its own record player with 40 classic albums to play. There’s also a bar down there, which has it’s own fish tank. It’s a great space to entertain in.”

Fergus concludes, “I’m not in this for the money, I’ve got four bars and a nightclub. It just felt right to do a restaurant. I couldn’t and wouldn’t have done it unless I had hooked up with Rosie, she’s just so charismatic, fun to work with and passionate about food. I love music and booze so we make a good team. I’m in this business for the long haul , it’s my career, it’s what I do for a living and I’m not fannying about ,but I need to keep being creative, do different things ,or I’d just get bored and bore everyone else.”

Category: Restaurant
Tags: Danish, Fergus McVicar, finnieston, Glasgow, Rosie Healy, Scandinavian