Not a gig as such, but quite an experience (and at fifty quid a skull, I suppose it should be). To celebrate their fortieth anniverary, ‘The Chip’ commissioned Alasdair Gray to create a 3D painting. Elsewhere in the restaurant other visual goodies were going on e.g a virtual sea scene on the flooor (projected from above) that rippled as waiters and diners walked through it. I was quite taken with this and you can see the virtual fish swim from Rhurschach’s feet to my own. Mr Gray was in attendance and did a Q&A with a bloke from The Herald. He, Gray, suggested that his efforts perhaps required further effort(s) and I would agree.
It looked like leftover scenery from Noggin The Nog!
Later, while sitting at a table next to us, AG commandeered a malt from the bar that was so large, fish could have navigated around in it. We wore 3D glasses for the duration and Shields whooped with delight, as we seemingly travelled through a giant floating salmon and could almost play heidies with columns of spinning scallops. It was reminiscent, at times, of some of the animations from Yellow Submarine but happening in mid-air right in front of you
For those foodies who want to know the menu it was;
Seafood trinity which was Queen scallop dulce & mirin cheviche; Black Bottle and beetroot organic cured salmon; Crab, pear and celeraic choucroute
Followed by
Pressed Perthshire game bird terrine: warm puy lentil and shiitake salad, sherry and walnut pickled enoki mushroom.
After that we had ’Rioja glazed shin of beef, marrow beignet, shallot essence, potato and sage gnocci’. This was a tad disappointing and I made this known to the waiting/kitchen staff but was rubber-eared.
Caledonian oatmeal ice cream, caramelised banana, Angostura rum fattened golden raisins
Black Bottle black bun
Alasdair relates another tall tale.
Lighthouse Beacon Straight Ahead 