A brand new seafood restaurant is set to open in Bearsden this spring, with The Scallop's Tale coming to town.
After investing over £350,000 in the family seafood spot, owners hope the venue will become a go-to dining destination for local and visiting foodies.
Set to open at Bearsden Cross in April, the two-level restaurant and takeaway aims to offer a ‘refined family dining experience’ unlike anything in the surrounding area.
The Scallop's Tale will boast an extensive dine in and take away menu, featuring locally-sourced fresh signature seafood dishes.
Top of the must-try menu items are ‘The Scallops High Tea for two’, which includes two ‘Posh Fish and Chips’, Sourdough Bread, and Tea with Cakes and Scones perfect for sharing and socialising.
Meanwhile there will also be an array of non-seafood dishes, as well as vegetarian and vegan options, and smaller portions for children.
Furthermore, The Scallop’s Tale Fish & Chip takeaway menu features all the classic dishes customers expect, each prepared with the same, fresh, locally sourced produce and cooked to the same high standard as the dine-in offering.
Both menus have been devised by executive chef Stephen Pohler, who has built an impressive CV including spells at the Lisini Dalziel Park Hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, Crowne Plaza and the Radisson Red, in Glasgow.
Owner Dr Usman Qureshi, who lives in Bearsden with his young family, is excited at the prospect of adding something new to the area’s culinary offering, and has spared no expense in ensuring the Scallop’s Tale becomes a welcome part of the community even before it opens its doors.
The businessman, a doctor by profession, has spent upwards of £25,000 on a state-of-the-art air filtration system normally used in listed buildings to ensure noise and odours from the restaurant are minimised.
He has also installed a cutting-edge air conditioning system to keep the restaurant comfortable whatever the time of year, as well as a ‘scent diffusion’ system which aims to give The Scallop’s Tale a unique and alluring fragrance designed to make each visit more memorable.
And in further good news for the Bearsden area, the opening of The Scallop’s Tale will create 14 new part-time and full-time jobs.
Usman said: “I have a lifelong love of seafood which stems from enjoying dishes in Scotland and overseas in places like Turkey, Thailand and Malaysia. I’ve always dreamed of having my own seafood restaurant, and I can’t wait to open one in Bearsden. It’s a fantastic community with a strong restaurant and takeaway offering, but there is nothing quite like the Scallop’s Tale.
“We wanted to create a refined restaurant and takeaway built on a reputation for fresh, locally sourced seafood where there is no distinction in quality whether dining in, delivered or take away. We will offer a stunning array of seafood dishes, as well as alternative options, all in a refined dining environment that elevates the experience above others offering this type of cuisine.
“We’ve designed the full offering, from the decor to Stephen’s magnificent menu, to encourage diners – from couples, to groups, to families and large parties – to come back again and again. We want people in Bearsden to love us as their favourite local, and diners from Glasgow and farther afield to see us as their special treat.”
One of the most intriguing aspects of the new restaurant is the name – The Scallop’s Tale – which Usman says was borne out of a desire to build a story about the scallop’s journey from the sea to the plate. And to find out what that story is?
Usman added: “You’ll have to visit to find out.”
Other highlights from the Scallop’s Tale menu include Pan Fried King Scallops with Parmesan Mash, Sunblush Tomato and Spinach Sauce; Moules Mariniere with Shallot, Garlic and Cream Sauce with Charred Sourdough and Fries; and ‘Posh Fish And Chips – Breaded Lemon Sole with a Minted Pea Puree, Fries and Hot Tartar Sauce.
And on the takeaway menu, diners will have a choice of classic menu items like Battered Haddock and Pizza Crunch suppers, alongside Sea Salt and Cajun Spiced Calamari Rings; Thai Fishcakes with Lime Mayonnaise and Pea Shoot Salad; and a range of gourmet burgers and artisan pizzas.
The Scallop’s Tale opens at 7 Roman Road, Bearsden Cross, Bearsden, G61 2SR in early April, 2022.
