Ross ‘Teddy’ Craig was a successful stand-up comedian in Glasgow before he gave it all up for a career as a content marketing specialist with an Edinburgh agency.
He lived in Anniesland for seven years. You may have heckled him in The Stand.
He’s an occasional visitor to BBC Scotland at Pacific Quay, writing for shows including The Fame Game and Breaking The News.
Teddy sent us a picture of him in a greenhouse. We’re not sure why (did he think we were GlasGrowist?)
Here’s his favourite things about the city.
What do you like best about Glasgow?
I like the West End’s mix of culture, food and drink, plus handy subway access to Ibrox. All blended in with just enough general Glasgow madness to avoid becoming too pretentious. My mate lived in Partick and one day the tenement next to his had a handwritten sign stuck on the door.
“To the woman in that top flat, please stop all your screaming and shouting – I’ve got two kids trying to get to sleep. If you can’t do that then get some self-respect and leave him!”
Best outdoors space?
I liked sitting around the Botanic Gardens on a sunny day, but Kelvingrove Park is probably better for a wander. However, what I really liked doing was hopping on the train to head out to either Bowling or Balloch and going for a wander around there. Bowling’s an underappreciated wee gem of a place.
When I lived in Anniesland I’d walk along the canal-side but never quite made it the 8 miles or so to Bowling! I did get overcome with a feeling of countryside excitement one year though, picked a load of rosehips from the canal-side and tried to make rosehip jelly. My tenement flat kitchen was ravaged and I couldn’t get the jelly to set. Still, rosehip syrup on some pancakes from Morrisons did the job.
Best restaurant right now?
I’m a big fan of Rumours Malaysian restaurant in the city centre and I’ve recommended it to quite a few people. It’s maybe not somewhere for a special occasion but it’s great food at a reasonable price. My wife was also a big fan of another Malaysian place, Banana Leaf (not to be confused with the Indian restaurants of the same name) in Cowcaddens.
I should also mention that my wife and I loved going to Balbir’s in Partick so much that I proposed to her there! I first visited when I was reviewing for The List. After I’d revealed myself as a reviewer, the great man himself took 30 minutes to sit with my wife and I and take us through his philosophy and passion for food. It really came through in the cooking too.
Hanoi Bike Shop on Ruthven Lane is another favourite.
Best pub?
I really like Curler’s Rest on Byres Road. A good selection of beers, a nice place to relax in… and it also has the Italian hazelnut liqueur Frangelico on the menu. It’s like drinking a wafer!
Shout outs should also go to Inn Deep on Great Western Road, which is owned by my favourite brewers, Williams Brothers, and to Oran Mor; for the amount of times I ended up staggering out of there at 2am, straight into the loving arms of The Maggie – the food van outside the Botanics.
Oh! And I almost forgot to mention the perfect pub! The Doublet on Park Road, near The Stand. I spent many a happy post-gig evening there. Good beers and a great unpretentious place. I was once in with a young lady who attempted to order first a Bacardi Breezer and then a Malibu. The barman calmly remarked to her, “You do realise this is an old man’s pub?”
Where do you like to pick up ingredients for cooking?
Roots and Fruits on Great Western Road is where I go to pick up more healthy and intriguing fare if I feel inspired.
Where would you meet us for a coffee?
I’m hoping you might go for tea instead, in which case I’d suggest Tchai-Ovna on Otago Lane. An amazing selection of teas!
If it is coffee then Artisan Roast on Gibson Street is always a good shout.
Where do you shop for clothes?
I’d love to give you a proper hipster answer and start listing Glasgow’s funkiest charity shops or vintage shops… but let’s be honest. Primark or H&M. Slater’s for a suit, natch.
Glasgow needs more?
Better links between the West End and Southside would have been a blessing. I like the Southside but it always felt like an incredible trek to get between there and Anniesland.
Glasgow needs less?
You know that taxi queue outside Central Station after midnight on a weekend? Less of everything you could possibly see, hear or be hit by there.
Favourite Glasgow building?
There’s only one building in Glasgow where I’ve watched Brian Laudrup score from almost the byline, shaken hands with Sasa Papac and interviewed Andy Cameron…
Your Glasgow music?
I really liked Sons & Daughters and saw them live at the ABC. Also, the Jazz on Thursday nights at the Beer Café in the Merchant City is a good evening out. I always mean to make it along to a Sunday night at Cossachok Russian restaurant for their music but never do.
Favourite Glasgow neighbourhood?
I know that Finnieston’s booming these days but I’m going to be very predictable and say Hillhead.
Your Glasgow hero?
I grew up watching the great Glasgow-based sitcom City Lights as a kid and years later I was lucky enough to work with its star, Gerard Kelly, as his sidekick on Radio Scotland. He was an absolute gentleman and a real pro.
When you are with friends in Glasgow, what do you like to do?
The dream scenario would be lunch at Hanoi Bike Shop, a browse in Relics on Dowanside Lane, a stroll around the Botanics, nip into town to catch something at the GFT, back to the West End for dinner at Balbir’s, then post-dinner drinks in Curler’s Rest, ending in the early hours in Oran Mor… then a square sausage and egg or chicken burger with cheese from The Maggie.
Ross ‘Teddy’ Craig writes at Scottish Comedy FC and NewsHandle.
Find him @RossTeddyCraig