Restaurant review: The Alchemist, George Square, Glasgow

Location

The Alchemist is in Glasgow’s George Square, so ideally placed for public transport or heading elsewhere in town.

First impressions

We enter through glass double doors and ascend into a super stylish venue with a huge shining copper bar. The Alchemist prides itself on a theatrical cocktail and dining experience, so this is where much of the magic happens. Our table overlooks George Square and I love the celestial décor.

Service

Our servers are all very friendly and laidback yet attentive. They all do well performing the theatrical elements of our meals, like handling smoking cocktails and blow-torching rosemary springs at the table.

Menu

Mostly Asian fusion and Americana-style cuisine. The cocktail menu also has low or no-alcohol drinks, all made by “molecular mixologists”.

Taste

I enjoy crispy and moreish chicken gyoza to start and try my first French-dipped steak sandwich served with a white truffle infused gravy and spicy fries. The steak piece are beautifully soft and it really is delicious dipped in the gravy. The Korean chicken burger is crispy, tender and very spicy with crunchy slaw. The Alchemist’s cocktails are a treat for all senses. The Lightbulb Moment is a gingery, fruity gin and Pimms concoction that comes smoking in a bulb-shaped beaker, while the Zombie is a potent blend of rums and red juice that fizzes and writhes inside the glass, served with a syringe of absinthe. Far from style over substance, they are both delicious.

Atmosphere

The more theatrical elements of the service, food and drinks makes it fun and memorable.

Price

Bit pricey but worth a visit for the theatrics.

P.S. An eye symbol on the menu means the cocktail is served with a theatrical twist, like billowing dry ice, a foam bubble or colour changing.