The traditional American meaning of ‘diner’ is a place that’s friendly, open from morning till late at night, has quick service, and traditional, simple dishes served in a bright – albeit basic – environment.
Gabe’s Diner, located on Forthside Way next to Vue, does indeed have the friendly welcoming atmosphere of a diner, but surpasses all of the other parameters mentioned above.
The ambience you encounter upon entering is not one that’s expected of a modest ‘diner’. Gabe’s is cosy, intimate and colourful, and tastefully minimalist but warm, courtesy of the log fire.
The dishes are also far from simple, with even the most traditional items having unique flavour twists. Fruit and citrus additions are often incorporated into dishes you’d think they would be incompatible with, such as risotto or Caesar salad. Their mango salsa is another tangy refreshing twist you can add to jazz up any traditional dish.
I personally recommend the fillet steak sandwich, which is served with a creamy mushroom and tarragon sauce.
All the dishes are multi-nationally inspired, making the flavours extremely vibrant. The other dishes we tried, the Pollo pizza, lamb burger and homemade mac’n’cheese, were equally good examples of that. Additionally, there are also numerous vegetarian and gluten free options, including fantastic desserts (make sure to try the rich dark chocolate brownie).
Gabe’s is also open for early-ish daily breakfast, as per the diner tradition, with diverse options ranging from french toast to poached eggs Bearnaise, or the more creative Breakfast Tortillas.
We also found the prices reasonable – our party of three spent just under £50, including starters and mains. By the way, Gabe’s is BYOB.
There is a picturesque little outside area as well, where one can enjoy a coffee or homemade milkshake on those rare sunny days. During the predominantly bleak ones, though, I suggest sitting close to the fire with a hot drink, and experimenting with the varied cuisine.
So, Gabe’s Diner is definitely more bistro than diner: the staff are friendly and courteous, the atmosphere is inviting and the food is fresh and varied. Make sure to check it out, then, for a drink or a cosy, creative meal, either before or after a cinema outing, or as a treat on its own.
Opening times: Mon,Tues 9am-9pm, Wed-Sat 9am-10.30pm, Sun 10am-9pm
Featured Image credit: Pexels.com
Hi there. I'm Irina, a student/staff member at University of Stirling, studying English and Journalism.
