Situated in the courtyard of Princes Square shopping mall on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street, the laid-back elegance of The Delphine makes it the perfect spot to meet up with friends on a Friday night after work.
The latest venue from the Superlative Collection, which includes other Glasgow favourites like Glaschu, Maison by Glaschu, Gōst and The Duke’s Umbrella, the caffé and wine bar is open from morning coffee to late night margaritas, serving brunch, lunch and relaxed small plates in the evening.
I am never quite sure about dining in Princes Square. Undoubtedly it’s a far cry from your usual shopping centre food court, but it can still feel a bit odd enjoying an elegant meal while people whizz past you to the escalator, arms filled with shopping bags.
But The Delphine might have finally changed my mind on the concept.
The 130-cover venue has a large bar area, terrace, and courtyard, with a private dining room for events of up to 100 people. The pistachio green interiors feature hints of warm timber, claybrook tiles and custom striped fabrics. It’s art deco, calming and very snazzy. And there is even a little book swap corner which is a friendly and inviting touch.
I am here for dinner on a Friday night after work, but I have heard the brunch menu is pretty epic – caramelised dulce de leche french toast with condensed milk caramel, need I say more.
It’s hard to define the menu which clearly draws influence from different cuisines across the world, from Thai prawn and cod fishcakes to Italian pasta dishes and British classics like fish and chips, it’s fair to say if you are dining in a group there is something for everyone.
We start with the sharing charcuterie board which comes with baked camembert, hot mango chutney, cured meats, olives, and a mixture of warm focaccia and ciabatta bread.
We skip the small plates and opt for a couple of main meals, chicken milanese and The Delphine Balmorla burger.
The fried chicken cutlet is perfectly crispy on the outside and tender in the middle, with a lovely spaghetti cooked in a rich butter and chicken sauce.
The burger is enormous – two thick, slightly charred, beef patties served on a toasted milk bun with spicy haggis, peppercorn sauce, runny cheddar cheese and skinny fries, it’s packed with flavour a hit with my dining companion.
Having gone in with pretty mild mannered expectations and an aversion to dinner in a mall, I left pleasantly surprised with the meal. The food is punchy and flavourful, and the extensive menu means it’s easy to please a multitude of palates.
As we left it was beginning to get busy, with couples sharing a quiet Friday night dinner and friends enjoying cocktails at the bar. It’s safe to say The Delphine has changed my opinion of being able to enjoy a nice dinner in Princes Square and I will definitely be back.
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