Number 16 — Restaurant in Scotland

We dined at 6.30 pm on Saturday evening.

I'm slowly working my way through Glasgow's most talked about restaurants & pubs (so we can recommend them to our clients) and No.16 is a Byers Road haunt that's been recieving quite a bit of pressure coverage lately.

It's also mentioned in the Michelin guide so it should be right up there as a dining experience.

I booked in person a couple of days ago. Then I received a text confirming the reservation. Then I got another call to check we were still coming.

I get restaurants get no-shows (I've worked in hospitality for 30+ years) and guarantting bookings is important.

Personally, I'd rather book online and leave a deposit than being made to feel like I'm going to be a potential no-show.

Upon arrival, we were seated immediately and service was efficient & attentive. It was busy as expected.

The server offered us drinks and upsold their wine specials. We soon received a jug of the chosen wine and table water.

We ordered olives, parmesan shortbread and sourdough bread to start. That was followed by the duck breast, carrot puree and parsnips.

For dessert we ordered the chocolate fondant and Ice cream.

The bill came to £117.00, before we added a 15% gratuity.

The service was quick and efficient but something was lacking.

Upon reflection and after some thought, I didn't feel particularly welcome.

At no point was there any extra chat or conversation. The was no attempt to particularly engage with us, maybe they were just too busy.

After requesting and paying the bill, there was no encouragement to return.

For me (on this occasion) hospitality came up short.

I've concluded its just not especially friendly. When I walked in a few days before to make the reservation, it was exactly the same.

As diners, we didn't feel special or like we were valued.

Overall, the experience wasn't bad but it seemed to come up a bit short compared to other places we've dined recently.

The food was well executed and enjoyable. So if you're just going for the food, you'll be fine. Will I return... probably not.

I've felt much more welcome at Skillet, Ubiquitous Chip or Stravaigin all nearby.

These places make you feel valued and like a local. At No.16 (one of my local restaurants) that wasn't the case this evening.

Overall, 4 stars and that's mainly...

In the thriving urban milieu of Glasgow, Number 16 serves as an intimate gastronomic sanctuary, promising a delightful respite from the relentless city whirl. The moment you step inside, the cosiness of the interiors envelops you, an endearing warmth that feels soothingly distant from the clamour outside.

The culinary journey at Number 16 is nothing short of sublime. A shared starter and main each with my wife unveiled a palate-pleasing tableau of robust flavours and contrasting textures, the dishes thoughtfully composed to highlight every ingredient's unique character. Each bite was a testament to the culinary alchemy at play, blending harmoniously to create a memorable symphony of taste.

A meal at Number 16 is incomplete without delving into their commendable wine list. The Ondarre Rioja we chose was a revelation, its rich nuances an ideal companion to our meal. It added an extra dimension to our dining experience, painting broad strokes of flavoursome elegance.

The secret weapon in Number 16's arsenal is its produce. Fresh, full of flavour, and evidently chosen with discerning care, the ingredients transform the meal into a showcase of quality and authenticity. Combined with the agreeable tally on the bill, this was an affirmation of the exceptional value that the restaurant offers.

Service at Number 16 is a study in understated efficiency. The staff's discreet, attentive presence strikes a fine balance, ensuring your needs are met without intruding upon the dining experience. The professionalism shines through, creating an atmosphere of comfort and confidence.

In conclusion, Number 16 falls tantalisingly close to perfection, marred only by the stern reality that there is always room for even the best to strive for more. However, the four-star rating belies the deeply satisfying experience it offers, firmly establishing it as one of Glasgow's premier dining destinations. It's not just a restaurant; it's an encounter with the city's...

Yesterday I had a professional dinner at this restaurant with one of my colleagues and a guest we had from Netherlands. The food was “EXCEPTIONAL”. Wonderful tasty dishes! Honestly, one of the most tasty food I have tried at Glasgow. Unfortunately, the service that we enjoyed was below our expectations! The persons who work there were smiley and very friendly but three times made us feel uncomfortable. First, even though we went there early at 5.30 and the restaurant had no other customers besides us, one of the three main dishes they brought us was wrong. It was the order of our guest from Netherlands. The food was very tasty as mentioned before and we didn’t really complain about that. Second, when we ordered our deserts the waitress brought us the bill at the same time without having asked about the bill (maybe the waitress was thinking that we will not like to have an espresso). We also didn’t pay so much attention about that, mainly because we were so happy with the food. Finally, when we had almost finished our deserts and paid, and while we were discussing with our guest, the waitress without asking she brought us our jackets!!! This last one made all of us feel very weird. It was like “you ate, you paid, go out to continue your discussion”. Again to be honest, this broke our good feelings from the wonderful food we enjoyed. So, very good food, associated with not very professional behavior from the persons who work there. Sometimes the small details play very important role on the satisfaction level that a customer receives from...