The Mad Platter

An old ad slogan advised that if ‘you want to get ahead, get a hat’.

It is a piece of advice that the owner of The Mad Platter has taken to heart.

Kirsty Watson’s quirky café on the Great Western Road features a fine collection of bowlers and top hats which customers are welcome to try.

A million miles from corporate coffee chains, this unique café diner quickly found its feet in the West End community after launching in 2014.

Cosy, welcoming and with a definite Alice in Wonderland vibe, it also does fantastic food which has been highly praised on 5pm Dining, TripAdvisor and the venue’s own Facebook page.

Today’s Big Deal with The Mad Platter is a great way to tumble down the rabbit hole and experience it for yourself.

Perfect platters

Available noon to 4pm on Wednesday and noon to 7pm on Thursday and Friday, option one is for two people to share a deli platter – fish, meat or cheese – plus a carafe of house wine.

The platters are tremendous. The cheese platter features a selection of local cheeses with artisan crackers, sourdough bread, crudités and the house chilli jam.

The fish platter comprises succulent prawns in Marie Rose sauce with buttered brown bread; a smoked salmon open sandwich; mackerel pâté with a selection of bread and crackers plus rollmop herring and poached salmon with Hollandaise sauce.

The meat platter features Parma ham, chorizo, salami, Italian sausage, roast beef and chicken liver parfait with chilli jam, olives breads and dips.

Breakfast of champions

Available 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Friday, option two is for two people to each have one of the following Mad Platter breakfasts:

The Mad Platter Big Breakfast – bacon, sausage, potato scone, choice of cooked eggs, beans, mushrooms, black pudding, tomato and toast

The Large Mad Stornoway Benedict – puff pastry topped with Stornoway black pudding, poached egg, bacon and Hollandaise sauce. One of the best sellers at The Mad Platter

French toast with bacon and maple syrup

Happy diners

The Mad Platter has plenty of friends on its 5pm Dining page where it is rated a mighty fine 4.5/5. This is what a couple of visitors had to say:

‘Fantastic find. Go, you will not be disappointed!’ Rating 5/5

‘Quirky and fun. This wee place is cosy and friendly. There is not an extensive menu but the food is excellent and freshly cooked. The atmosphere is fun and certainly quirky. A great addition to the area and perfect for concerts in St Mary’s next door. Would definitely go back.’ Rating 4.4/5

TripAdvisor reviews have been just as cheerful:

‘Gorgeous food. I was here on a 5pm deal. Four of us had a starter and a main and it was delicious. It is a small and quirky place, with a cosy atmosphere, good music playing and great service. Food was delicious!!!! I could have sat there for hours and hours!’ Rating 5/5

Today’s Big Deal would be lovely after a little spin around the nearby Kelvingrove Park or Botanic Garden.

Alternatively, just buy today’s Big Deal, book your table, collar a chum and watch the West End street life while The Mad Platter staff bring you some delicious food.