PIATTO: Serving up Something Special
Glasgow Food - Southside
Owners and general badass dudes, Jonny & Kieran - Piatto
So for those of you wondering “What the hell is a Piatto anyway?” Well, it’s the Italian word for plate; like “Put more pasta on my plate please!” It’s also the name of a little Italian street food joint in the heart of the South side of Glasgow.
I’d first like to point out that there is not one plate in sight (gotta love the irony) and secondly, you won’t need to ask for more pasta because you are served more than enough grub.
VIBE CHECK
When we arrived we were met with this unusually friendly, hospitable welcome that I can only relate to what American’s call “Southern hospitality.” I guess that extends to the South of Glasgow too. Feeling like a family member from the second we stepped foot in the door was something so special and unique. It wasn’t just the way we were treated but also the other customers, and even more than that, the way the staff treated one another! Refreshing to see a healthy working environment and how that can spread and impact the whole vibe of what’s going on in a space.
Piatto is situated in a neighbourhood that has a number of other iconic Glasgow eateries such as Cafe Strange Brew & Julie’s Kopitiam that are just a stones throw away. To say this area is up and coming is to say that a few years too late. It’s already here! You’ve still got that “I’m in a city” feel mixed with a bit of park-style living, what with it being so close to Queens Park. You can see the diversity in the culture just by looking at something like the range of food that’s on offer here. Glasgow has developed and continues to develop a booming food scene, and Piatto is proving that they are very much a part of that.
SCRAN
When it came to food, we opted for a Milanese chicken pasta dish and threw some chillies in the mix to kick it up a notch. The Chef, Angelo, is the Italian connection and clearly knows what he’s doing in the kitchen to see Piatto sell over 100 kilos of chicken a week. A WEEK!! You can’t do that by accident and the success this place is experiencing right now is no accident either. These guys stand by fresh food and if it’s not fresh, they don’t do it. I’ve got a feeling this has something to do with it.
WHERE’S THE LOVE? HERE IT IS!
I didn’t want to mention this pandemic because honestly, we’re all tired of talking about it. However, the things these guys did for the NHS by providing free meals and delivering to hospitals was something to marvel at. Their kindness and generosity was seen far and wide, not to mention the help from their customers, which was staggering.
There is a thriving community at 44 Skirving Street, full of genuine people who serve and eat good food, enjoying a healthy dose of “the Glasgow banter,” and making connections with others that will undoubtedly remain long after their last visit. I know I’m already planning my next trip.
A massive congratulations to Kieran, Jonny and their whole team, not just on the success of Piatto but also on their new endeavour: Sotto, which is situated on Hope St. next to Central Station. If you need a caffeine injection, get down there and get an espresso!
Plenty to more to see from these guys so keep an eye out.