The Prancing Stag offers an unlikely magic in the heart of Glasgow's Jordanhill, managing to balance both a fine dining menu with the atmosphere, attitude and appeal of a neighbourhood local. For those who don't know Glasgow well, Jordanhill isn't in the centre, so might not be the best place for tourists but the good news is it's only a quick 10-minute taxi ride to this chi-chi neighbourhood which has lots to offer.
Let's get stuck straight into the menus on offer, of which there are many. The Market Menu heros the best seasonal produce, taking the ingredients directly from the local farmer's market and therefore depending on what's best this week, month or season. Right now, the springtime offering includes beetroot and goat’s cheese arancini with tomato chutney to start, followed by sea bass with crushed new potatoes, sautéed greens and a saffron and mussel sauce, finished with a classic creme brûlée with raspberry shortbread.
If you want to try the best of The Prancing Stag, opt for the tasting menu which spans canapes, homemade breads and then five courses. Highlights include Denhead Farm asparagus with chestnut purée, puffed spelt and smoked egg yolk, as well as saddle of roe deer and mini venison pie with redcurrants, as well as a seasonal dessert of rhubarb and mascarpone tart. Of course, there's always the a la carte menu, across which you'll find plenty of these dishes, too.
Drinks are also an important part of the concept at The Prancing Stag - particularly the cocktails. They do a good selection of all the classics from a Cosmopolitan to a French 75, with a few twists, too, such as the Flat White Martini which is a playful take on the original. Non-alcoholic cocktails include the Cosnopolitan with Seedlip Grove 42, cranberry and lime, as well as the Espresso Martino with Seedlip Spice 94, espresso and sugar syrup.