Restaurant Review: revamped hotel has plenty of pizzazz

With £2.5 million and a lot of work poured into its refurbishment, the once tired-looking hotel is now all plush carpets, opulent fittings and the odd touch of bling — perhaps aimed at East Renfrewshire’s ladies who lunch, as well as families out for an occasion.

It was a bit late for lunch when this lady visited with a friend (another Gillian) for a catch-up over a glass of rosé.

Still, we settled into a warm, cosy booth hidden away from the bustle of the central bar and perused a packed menu.

I opted for squid and tiger prawns first; succulent pieces of seafood served up with garlic mayo and lemon. It was a great start; cooked perfectly, and just the right amount of it so that this deep fried delight felt like a light option.

Across the table, the other Gillian chose the soup — onion and thyme — and said it was lovely; smooth, delicate and full of earthy onion flavour.

On then to the mains, and my roast pork belly was oh-so-succulent with a layer of crisp crackling on top, the potato fondant perfectly soft and buttery, but the sauce — garlic, rosemary and chilli — lacked the punch it promised.

Her baked sea bass — served with potatoes and green beans dressed with olive and garlic — was, again, perfectly crisp, but there was little sign of the white wine sauce listed on the menu, and the result was a little dry.

The excellent torta della nonna — lemon custard tart — made up for it, while an incredibly creamy vanilla cheesecake would hit the right notes with anyone boasting a sweet tooth.

After a glass of wine and excellent service, it was hard to resist the offer of a tour — specifically of the honeymoon suite, complete with waterfall shower, standalone tub and jacuzzi deck.

It’s a room which sums up The Busby Hotel; plenty of pizzazz and the kind of place to send Instagram into overload — in short, the ladies who lunch are bound to love it.

Rating: 8/10

Carters at The Busby Hotel

1 Field Road

Busby G76 8RX

Tel: 0141 644 2661