Ask EADith: How do I break the seal on Dry January?
It’s time for another probing of EADith, our Eat & Drink team’s ever helpful agony aunt. This month, EADith advises a reader on how to eat healthily while firmly closing the door on denial
Dear EADith
I’ll be coming out of my booze-free January soon and I’m sure to be desperate for a glass of vino somewhere in Glasgow, preferably with natural, low-intervention wines available. I’ve also resolved to cut down on the meat this year, so a veggie-focused place would be handy, too.
VinoVal
Dear VinoVal,
Firstly, congrats on getting through January without wine. That’s not something I’ve ever quite managed, despite my best intentions (and I once tried to get Mr EADith to reduce his meat intake only to find his pockets full of beef jerky). Glasgow has some great options for natural wining and dining, including Made From Grapes on Nithsdale Road, Brett and sister venue The Caravan Shop at Kelvinbridge, or Gloriosa near Kelvingrove. But for sheer wine choice with a wholly meat-free experience, Sylvan on Woodlands Road gets my nod.
Owners Colin Campbell and chef Jake Martell set up shop in the old Grassroots store after working together at The Hug And Pint and at a residency in the Southside’s Glad Café, so they know a thing or two about wine and veggie dining (they’ve also just opened a sister wine and beer shop in Battlefield). Sylvan is a lovely spot in which to hang out: Scandi-esque with a warm, stripped-back and nicely worn-in feel. You’ll find plenty of fascination on the wine front, with nearly 100 bottles of low-intervention, organic and biodynamic European wines. There’s plenty by the glass too; give one of their orange wines a whirl.
Food is an enticing menu of clever, globally inspired vegetarian small/medium plates, with most suitable for vegans. Dishes feel simple yet are beautifully balanced, attractively put together and pack in the flavours. There are wine-side snacks such as padron peppers, or olives with dill and garlic, plus bigger offerings including stunning smoked tomatoes with yoghurt and chilli butter or a delicious chunk of fried goat’s cheese elevated by an earthy beetroot chutney. Delicious dining and drinking with no denial, indeed.
Sylvan, 20 Woodlands Road, Glasgow; average price £32 for two courses; main picture: Harrison Reid.