Suspend your disbelief. There was once a time when dining outdoors was a fun and bold thing to do, not just a COVID necessity but a proper adventure.
Of course we’re not just talking about sitting taps aff with a chippy in Kelvingrove - because who hasn’t done that?- no, we’re casting our mind back to the arch provocateurs of the restaurant world who raised eyebrows when they served Glasgow’s finest cuisine at a 100-metre-high table in the sky.
Back in 2017 the gravity-defying restaurant was hung mid-air, suspended above George Square and fastened on by just two ‘measly cables’ from a crane.
The hanging restaurant soared above George Square four years ago today, with daily flights for breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea and cocktails taking off between June 15-20 in the city centre.
Customers were encouraged to use the bathroom (and possibly breathe into a paper bag) before climbing aboard a 16-metre long steel pod and being raised into the air to experience the Glasgow skyline like never before.
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There were 22 spots at the table and far from fine dining furniture, punters were strapped into a bizarre hybrid seat - half rollercoaster, half racecar - legs left dangling.
They were joined by a head chef, sommelier and even a waiting team just in case they needed an extra large top up of wine to calm their nerves.
The “flying” table may have been missing a tablecloth and candles but everything else was there - and diners reported holding their cutlery, plates, phone and drinks in a white-knuckled grip for fear of it dropping down below.
In the middle of the table there was a dug out space for chefs in paper hats to serve up their specials, ranging from Isle of Mull scallops with asparagus mimosa, braised shoulder of lamb and even pigeon paired with a shallot tarte - which we can only assume was a slight dig at the feathered inhabitants of George Square below.
The event partnered with Glasgow’s best chefs and restaurants and those lucky (and brave enough) to bag a £150 quid dinner ticket were served up meals from the likes of Hutchesons, The Spanish Butcher, The Finnieston and Nardini’s .
Always first to report from the scene of breaking news, two of the Glasgow Live team even braved it - and you can watch their live video (shaky hands and all) above.
International flights may be on hold for the foreseeable - so what do you reckon? Maybe it is time to bring back the crane and give us all a taste of adventure again.
