24 Mill Street, Rutherglen, Glasgow. G73 2NA. Tel: 01416472866.
New Orlean’s. 1991.
Now called the Millcroft. 2007.
The Millcroft. 2009.
Thanks to Norrie McNamee for this image.
——————————————————————————–
In the News 1974…
That ‘Ol’ deep south’ luxury comes to Rutherglen…
Two well-known Glaswegians have got together in an effort to enliven our night life. And their venture looks like being a tremendous success. Tony Queen, a stalwart of the bookmaking business and Pat Harkins, who was a seafaring man until he went into the restaurant business, joined forces to open, last May, the Virginian, a restaurant and bars complex in the centre of Glasgow.
Their second joint venture has just opened its doors for business. It is the New Orleans, in Rutherglen, which has a top class restaurant, function suite and bars.
It has impressive decor. Mr Queen told me that the “Deep South” image which had gone down so well in the Virginian was well researched to ensure its authenticity. Mr. Harkins and he wrote to the University of Louisiana for literature and ended up buying more than £100 worth of books on the area. Their research hasn’t been in vain. For the New Orleans, with an overall red colour theme, has a real “Gone With The Wind” atmosphere.
When Mr. Queen proudly showed me the function suite which can take up to 140 people for a wedding, private party, or staff dance, he pointed out a magnificent wall decoration made entirely in leather, by an Edinburgh artist. It depicts a group of Negro minstrels.
Booming
Although the New Orleans has just opened, business is booming. A luncheon club has been formed for local business men and this has some 60 members already. Bookings are pouring in for the function suite and, while I was talking to Mr. Queen, a wedding party was arranged for next August. “We can take over all the arrangements for a wedding.” Mr Queen explained.
I asked Mr. Harkins why the “Deep South” theme had been chosen and he explained, “It fulfils an ambition for me. When I was at sea, years ago. I visited this part of the world and was very impressed.”
Messrs Harkins and Queen are proud of their chef Sardinian Guiseppe Figus, who has worked in top Continental restaurants, hand.
In their attractive restaurant, with its leather seats and subdued lighting many of the dishes on the menu have evocative “Deep South” names and I was assured that they’re genuine, some of the books from Louisiana contained traditional recipes.
The New Orleans restaurant, which offers an a la carte menu at lunch-time as well as in the evening, can seat 72. And it looks like becoming the “in” place for an evening out in Rutherglen. And well as offering a first class meal, the restaurant has a two piece band so that patrons can dance if they wish.
Included in the attractive building which houses the restaurant and function suite is a lounge bar, very chic with leather seating, a gorgeous multi-coloured carpet, and plants dotted round the place. There’s also a public bar and off-sales and Balmoral Turf Accountants have a betting office on the premises.
———————————————————————
In the NEWS 1976…
A Taste of Dixie.
It’s 18 months since Glasgow businessman Tony Queen, opened the New Orleans restaurant and lounge bar in Mill Street, Rutherglen.
And in that 18 months the complex has built up a regular clientele, of businessmen looking for an a la carte lunch, the office workers hankering after a bar snack, even the housewives seeking a night away from the chores.
In fact, one of the main attractions of the New Orleans is that it caters for everyone. Four weeks ago, the New Orleans underwent a change of management with the arrival of Mr Ian Henderson, a 25 years old East Kilbride man who has had six years experience in the hotel trade.
Mr Henderson trained in hotel management in Eire and has arrived at the New Orleans, ready to put some new ideas into action. The New Orleans has always been a lively place. The management have made sure that there is something different on nearly every night.
Bookmaker
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are ladies nights and anyone who has been at one of these knows just how lively they can be. It’s then that the “Jackson Two” play not forgetting the sing-song too.
On Fridays and Saturdays there are dinner dances, and Saturday mornings are strictly for the Jazz types. A six-piece Dixieland band plays that good old-time jazz music, and according to Mr Henderson it’s very popular, particularly with shoppers.
The New Orleans itself is a large complex which includes a public bar, lounge bar, restaurant with cocktail bar and a function room with its own private bar. There is even an adjoining bookmaker, Balmoral Turf Accountants.
Bar snacks are available in the public and lounge bar while upstairs in the restaurant there are full a la carte and table d’hôte menus available. I’ve sampled the New Orleans fare and can thoroughly recommend it.
The New Orleans function suite is idea for a wedding or business conference.
Talent Hunt…
In the near future the New Orleans is holding the New Orleans Showboat Talent Competition, and Mr Henderson anyone who would like to take part.
The competition is open to anyone from dancers to comedians. So if you think you are a budding Gene Kelly or Les Dawson contact the New Orleans. You may win a share of the £100 that’s to be divided between the winners.
The New Orleans advert 1976.