Michelin Stars in the Glasgow Sky: UNALOME
What is a Michelin-star restaurant? How are they different than other impressive establishments?
Michelin star inspectors evaluate certain restaurants based on five criteria: quality of ingredients, harmony of flavors, mastery of techniques, personality of the chef expressed by their cuisine, and consistency over time (more information courtesy of What is a Michelin Star by the Michelin Guide, posted Oct 1, 2022). The restaurants that receive their star(s) must be reevaluated annually. I’m so intrigued by this process and, moreover, restaurants that stand the test of time and put in the effort to constantly improve. That is the food I want to taste.
UNALOME by known Chef Patron Graeme Cheveers, was something I found online while doing my very common destination research for my honeymoon trip. My husband and I are foodies, as well as Scotch and wine enthusiasts, respectively. We traveled in November, so it was definitely a chilly night - but once you’re inside, the restaurant is intimate, warm, and cozy.
UNALOME Dining Area
Immediately when walking in, you’re greeted by the manager and sat in a comfortable booth or table under warm lights.
The menu immediately looked appetizing, and I love that Michelin restaurants change their menus through the seasons to keep the dishes fresh and show off the chef’s evolving creativity. I decided to add on the wine pairing, as I’m a novice in the process of getting WSET certification (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) and I wanted a different kind of wine for each dish.
I love that the house sommelier - dressed in a very classy suit I might add - not only explained where each wine came from but also answered any clarifying questions I had at the moment. That to me means that he has not only rehearsed the repetitive backstories, but he is actively training himself in preparation for questions on the spot.
Their Scotch selection was perfect, especially local brand names such as Laphroaig, Lagavulin (my husband and I would later go to the island to tour the distillery), and Ardbeg. If you’re a Scotch person, this was a great way to sample Scotch if you don’t get a chance to visit the Scottish regions they come from.
The pricing was fair and gave us a lot of value for a Michelin-star restaurant. Every single thing we sipped and tasted was to perfection. The 8-course tasting menu is £125 (GPB) per person including appetizers and desserts. Wine pairing is an extra £80 (GBP). When you are going to a Michelin-star restaurant, be prepared to drop between $400 - 500. If it’s in your budget, I recommend getting the wine pairing as you learn so much about the flavors you like and dislike. If you don’t drink alcohol - you’ve saved some money!
I had already made the reservation about a month in advance, so I knew what the prices were. Make sure you prepare yourself financially if this is not a regular activity for you.
Please be sure to check out their gallery for more mouthwatering examples of their menu past and present.