Helen (Birmingham, UK) wrote on 26 June 2009

Food = great. Service = lousy. But not quite as lousy as The 78.

Having had to leave The 78 because we were completely ignored by the staff, a few days later we decided to go to Mono, which is run by the same people. We thought we'd take the risk because we wanted to have a decent veggie meal. We had to wait a while to be given menus, and no one came to take our order. It's only on reading the reviews here that it becomes clear that you're supposed to place your order at the bar. Which leads me to my first criticism - the menu is really confusing! There's so much small print on it that I had to put on my glasses to be able to read it properly, and I still missed the point that I was supposed to go to the bar to order.

Anyway, I did go to the bar to order, as I had got fed up waiting to be served. The bloke at the bar looked down his nose at me like I'd stepped in something and I wished I'd gone somewhere else because clearly Mono is as pretentious as The 78. The interview process for employing staff must be interesting. "Ok, now do your 'surly' face. Excellent! You really did look like you wanted to tell me to get lost. You've got the job!"

The food was very nice (although there was very little in the way of 'banger' in my bangers & mash) and the price was good, but I don't think I'll go back.

I'm vegetarian for moral reasons, not because it's "the latest cool thing" and being ignored or looked down on by surly waiting staff is just... mind-boggling, frankly. Fortunately for Mono and The 78 there are quite enough pretentious posers frequenting both places that the rude staff haven't yet lost them much business.

Perhaps it's because both places have live jazz? I do actually like jazz (heck, I work in a music library!), but I avoid it being played live whenever possible because of the stuffed shirt posers it attracts.

natalie (Birmingham, UK) wrote on 9 February 2009

Went here for lunch on 6 Feb and the food was excellent. The whole menu is vegan. We ordered tapas (3 dishes for £7) and a 'bacon' roll with added mushrooms and onions (and came with side salad). Others in the restaurant ordered larger mains and these looked very substantial. Desserts were excellent - cheesecake with choice of toppings (fruit, maple syrup or choc sauce) and apple and raisin crumble with custard, cream or icecream (Swedish Glaze is on offer, in three flavours which was great as our supermarket only stocks vanilla!). Nice to see that Moby appreciated the cheesecake too! The restaurant should make more of that as I only found out reading these reviews today! Get better at advertising!! Good service and a great place to hang out for hours. I thought the price was very good, came to about £22 for two courses plus a drink each - about the same as we'd pay for lunch anywhere else but far more choice here! The breakfasts looked good and we also popped back the next day for a drink and sampled their organic, home brewed juices (1% alcohol). Very nice, lots of posters showing what's on there (live jazz every Wednesday, for example). Make sure you visit the toilets too just to read the fab grafitti on all the walls! Wish we lived in Glasgow just to go there each week!

Janeycat (West End, Glasgow) wrote on 24 January 2009

Very much recommended for breakfast, lunch and informal dinners, although possibly not quite smart enough for a special Valentine's meal or the like (go to The 78 for that). The food is creative, the atmosphere always relaxed, and the staff occasionally a little timid (one or two do appear to have been employed more on the basis of their veganism than on the weight of their (ahem) shiningly confident and boundlessly outgoing social skills...!) but invariably pleasant and helpful

Delightfully student-friendly (they're good at getting special offers into all the usual student vouchery outlets) - they're really not too expensive, but then again this is students we're talking about i.e those of who occasionally have to eat wallpaper and things they find under hedges when the loan runs out.

My only criticism is the place isn't always too clean - I worked a few doors down from them and they were the worst culprits for chefs wandering about outside in grubby whites and not keeping the bins tidy. HOWEVER, the interior has been acceptably clean 90% of the time, I've never heard anything bad about kitchen health issues, and the rest of the place is so lovely that it really shouldn't put anyone off.

Recommended edibles: The 'Kelpie' seaweed ale, their delightfully fluffy soycchinos, the chocolate cake was literally the loveliest I've ever had in my life (vegan or otherwise), the curry seems to be a different flavour every time but always substantial, and pray to the gods they put those amazing burritos back on the menu...

Caroline Snow (Inverness) wrote on 25 October 2008

The best ever cheesecake (Moby liked it so much that he got some to takeaway too & then called & offered to do a gig!). I can't sing, but I can appreciate great food. From veggie burger to stir fry, all day breakfast, curry , fab. sausage & mash & lots more that should be checked out soon - all is good value & great quality.
Despite the American guy's comments, don't be put off by the area, it's fine if it's not the most scenic part of the city. I'd also add that the staff are friendly & attentive - they were not so hot a year ago, but it's as it should be now!
It's a big enough place for a party, but I feel comfortable enough to eat there on my own sometimes.

Del Duff (Glasgow) wrote on 29 July 2008

Mono is my favourite restaurant! is a very relaxed atmosphere and both the food and the staff are great. The portions are very generous and the prices are reasonable. I eat in Mono whenever I am in town and could not think of a bad thing to say about it. I would highly recommend the cheesecake for those who haven't tried it.

Brian (Myersville, Maryland) wrote on 7 September 2007

Whilst on a business trip to Glasgow from the US I took the opportunity to sample some of the local vegeterian restaurants. This was my first stop.

As I told the taxi where I was going he cautiously advised "not to walk the area after dark" as it was not safe. I nearly asked him to turn back but decided rather to give it a go.

I am quite glad for my decision. The food was spectacular (artichoke salad, roasted pepper lasagne, and a local ale I couldn't pronounce) and the service great.

It was clear that I was somewhat out of my element, though. I arrived in business attire. I though it was somewhat modest, Jos A Bank slacks, press shirt, top coat, etc., but nonetheless quite apart from the regular clientelle.

The King's Court area looked a little worse for wear, and Mono not much better. But the atmosphere was friendly despite the akward stare now and again.

After waiting at the door a second to be seated I realized that there was no hostess so proceeded to the bar advertising that I'd like a bite to eat ... the bar keep took a look at me and directed me to a table ... from that point forward the service was impeccable. I had a lovely waitress who ensured I was comfortable and my food was well liked. I realized partway into my meal that my service was not typical ... noting that the menu instructs to order at the bar and that the other guests approached the bar directly for drink refills.

At one point I began to approach the bar for a drink but my waitress insisted that I be served at my table ... I suppose I was a bit of a novelty for her.

Several pints and a delicious meal later, I left my waitress a hearty tip and, naturally, walked the 2 miles back to my hotel with a spring to my step and not a trouble in sight.

For the young and adventurous (neither of which am I, by the way) I can heartily recommend Mono.

Paul Randall (Chichester) wrote on 31 July 2006

Perhaps being a vegan restaurant means consideration towards animals; however this did not extend to these two human animals from below the border who were treated to an overpriced very poor meal.  On ordering, the food emerged instantly from the kitchen - hardly surprising as it appeared to have been ready waiting for several hours or perhaps days. Insulting.

Mary Douglas (Edinburgh) wrote on 1 May 2005

I was really pleased to find a veggie/vegan restaurant with the relaxed atmosphere and attitude to eating I prefer (sharing a plate of mezze that was a single sized portion). The mezze - we were lucky in that our visit coincided with this new addition to the menu, since it was not only delicious, but visually a mouth-watering experience! Accompanied by a very good organic red wine we lingered over the cruditees and hummus until all that remained on the plate was some dressing from the fresh salad leaves. If we hadn't scoffed all the pita bread, this would've been mopped up! All very delicious!!  Only criticism is that the staff didn't appear to be in a hurry to clear tables after diners had left which is a pity.  This mezze was just £6 and the wine @ £9 was excellent value! Clientele mixed -   students, families, and even some oldies like ourselves.

John Hilary (London) wrote on 21 April 2004

Mono is Scotland's only fully vegan restaurant, and it's fantastic! Situated close to Glasgow city centre, the restaurant also has a bar area and small wholefood shop attached, and sometimes hosts live music. The food is excellent and the atmosphere very relaxed, in spacious surroundings. Serves bistro-type food as well as more elaborate restaurant dishes, the latter costing a bit more than the former, but still not more than £7 or so. Warmly recommended.