The Place to Eat

With such a vibrant breakfast culture in Glasgow, fuelled by caring and inventive independents, it’s a shame that John Lewis’s ‘The Place To Eat’ doesn’t earn a place in that firmament of fresh food with which to start your day. Their full Scottish is in fact a half-​hearted, tired line-​up of previously cooked usual suspects sunning themselves under the hotplate lamps. It’s strictly a one item of each only, and that includes the hard bacon. Everywhere else seems to recognise that a portion of bacon is two rashers. Cheerful staff who have no doubt heard it all before agree that it’s stingy, but remain smilingly resolute about the rules. Would have expected a lot more from a company that prides itself on value and quality.

I will be back here for sure owing to the fact that it is inhabited mostly by mums and older ladies and so feels like a safe place to bring and feed kangaroo babe. (Not to mention the fairly decent baby change facilities, room for prams and rather good view down Buchanan Street.)
I will, however, be sticking to scones and drinks from now on. The food, for the price, is terrible! I’ve had a tasteless egg sandwich and paid 7 quid for a blob of macaroni cheese. If I’m paying 7 pounds I expect a side salad or at least, you know, for the food to be nice. It was like being transported back to hospital food but without the good old NHS footing the bill. This is somehow more disappointing coming from John Lewis which, to my mind, is all about being a place you can trust to provide good quality.
So, come with your granny for a cuppa or bring your kids for a little drink but don’t eat at the ‘place to eat’.