Merry Christmas!

I Carry Your Heart With Me!

EE Cummings

Read by my very good friend Mark Coleman

So now we’re nearly at the end

A year has almost gone

The MondayMadness starts to fade

Until another dawn!

We’ve travelled up and down this town

Been stuffed with tums distended

But never have we not enjoyed

The friendliness extended!

So let the holidays commence

We bid you all Yuletide

And with our memories off we go

On another Jolly Ride!

I ask you all this holiday

To rest, 

Be thankful..

Be...

Don’t be a Human Doing

Relax and find the...

ME!

We’re all so busy doing STUFF

To be careful with our hearts

Remember, 

We are fragile souls!

Look people in the eye…

Share what's in your Heart!

See you all in the New Year!

The Mary

Mx 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our favourites!

The Mary and I will be running our own awards next year so….

Watch This Space

To Book Click on Links Below!

The Italian Awards    

La Lanterna   Best Wine List-Best Restaurant   

Eusebi’s  Best Deli/Café 

Celino’s  Best Trattoria  

Il Capo   Best Pasta  

Nakodar Grill

The Anchor Line 

Butterfly and the Pig  

Kastriots 

Grill on the Corner  

Mx

Kastriot's

Kastriot's 

If I could choose between a hope or a dream then I would always choose to dream! 

Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen but expectation is the surest way to set ourselves up for disappointment because, realistically, everything is not going to be perfect.  I am in no way a pessimist but I have, in the past suffered severe bouts of optimism that didn’t live up to my very, positive expectations. 

I now class myself as a dreamy realist!    

Because realistically a dream is tangible and can create powerful emotions within us; in our dreams we feel, we do.  I know because I once ate a Mars Bar in a dream.  Well it wasn’t actually a chocolate bar.  In my sleep I was under the covers looking for a treat, then, in my dream, I started to chew on something.  

Unfortunately the object of my desire belonged to someone else and we nearly ended up in A & E. 

In her book “The Danger of Optimism,” Susan Kranz suggests that optimism can be dangerous.  The idea that everything will have a good and happy outcome is naive and she states,  

“It is important to recognize the reality of life—which is that it sometimes sucks.”  

Case in point here being my discord with the imaginary Mars Bar.  That incident had a bad outcome because, firstly I didn't get chocolate and there was no Happy Ending for the other party because…

This wee chick’s enthusiastic pecking spoiled the surprise for the unsuspecting victim! 

My point here is, instead of expecting things to come along and bite you in the bollocks; go out there and realise your dreams.  

Make them come true!  

That’s exactly what Jen and Kastriot Gjini did.

Meeting 14 years ago in Greece they fell in love and like most young couples shared their hopes and dreams based on their shared passion for great service and authentic dishes.  They had a vision of one day opening their own Restaurant based on their favourite Mediterranean cuisine.  So for years they struggled and juggled different jobs as they scrimped and scrapped towards their ultimate goal; owning their own place.  

They now have two beautiful daughters called Abbi and Emma who visit Greece with them every year to visit family and are continually inspired by both their girls and that beautiful country.

Now they have a new baby appropriately named Kastriots Mediterranean Bar and Grill in Bailleston! 

Although it’s only been opened for a couple of months it’s definitely been claimed by the locals as their own.  There’s a lovely, warm sense of homeliness and family that the community, the staff and The Mary and I love.  

Tonight when we arrived Steven and other staff were so welcoming and greeted us on a first name basis giving me and The Mary a sense of belonging and relaxation.   I actually knew what I was going to order before I left the house because it had been so good the last time!  After a pleasant chat with the very charming Kastriot we were presented with, what The Mary described as, the best focaccia she has ever tasted ‘until now’!

Now, every time she says this I need to taste it, because, although it’s not my thing, she is teaching me the difference between crisp and firm, which she likes and flaccid droopy, which I'm used to!

  

This time, I have to say, neither of us are disappointed and it is light, crisp and seasoned to perfection.  

I ordered the Lamb Stifado with pasta and I'll say again it was the best I have tasted since my last plate of orecchiette con sugo al pomodoro që nëna ime në ligj ka bërë mua në vitin 1998!  The Mary had the chicken skewers with salad and pitta bread.  All of it was faultlessly delicious!

The Mary spent ages talking to Kastriot about Greek stuff and rattled on about when she was in Greece and yacking about dancing and plate smashing.  I felt right left out!  

I might find a new pal for Mondays.  She better be careful. 

So, that’s about it for now but remind me to tell you about the time I woke up naked, on an exercise bike, in the middle of my living room.  I was so disappointed to see my ex playing cards with a bunch of his pals because…

In my dream I had been cycling along a beach on the sparkling shoreline of Eoligarry on Barra like something out of a painting by Hope Blamire!  

This Summer I'm going to make sure that dream comes true just like Jen and Kastriot did! 

 No matter what happens next I will always be an eternal dreamer with a realistic streak!

Mx

The Mini Grill!

The Mini Grill

When I scrolled through the list looking for The Mini Grill I initially only noticed part of the image which said ‘Roast in in The City’ and I was unsure whether to click on it, or not, as it reminded me of the early eighties in Glasgow; up that Victoria’s!  No girl was safe if she left her drink down then went back to it!  There were many tales of Roastings in the City and, although I was never directly involved, I was, a times intrigued!

I used to think it was a compliment when I overheard someone calling me ‘a pure roaster’; thought it meant I was a hottie. I suppose it did really but not in the traditional sense!

The website states The Mini Grill is all about the shared experience, bit like the activity mentioned earlier! 

Situated in the heart of Glasgow The Mini Grill's setting is deemed to be comfortable and convivial.  Me and The Mary will be the judge of that. Just in case there is any misunderstanding about our carnal preferences we are taking along The Mary’s sister, who is a cop but undercover for the evening.

It would be a dead giveaway if we walked in with her in uniform and we don’t want to alert them in case there is any suggestion of underhand activity because, although I wouldn’t want to take part, I am a bit of a voyeur when it comes to prohibited eroticisms!

As expected, this venue is beneath street level on Glasgow’s Lively Bath Street. I’m beginning to think I really did hit the wrong tab when I notice the suggestion of a quickie at lunchtime, or a more leisurely feast in the evening on the menu!  

It is also very comforting to see that they only use premium, ethical and locally sourced supplies so no fear of not understanding exactly when we say NO means NO!

This was spot on because when we arrived Captain Kirk, who greeted us at the door, was refreshingly, handsomely Scottish and immediately there was a sense of comfort without fear of misunderstanding or a language barrier as to exactly what me, Suzie Broon and The Mary were after. 

Me and The Mary ordered the Haggis Trio and then she fancied The Celebration of Swine made up of Swine cheek which she said reminded her of me.  The pork belly also made her think of me in 1989 just before I became obsessed with Jane Fonda and Aerobics.  FFS…I was like a rubber ball; bouncing off walls for about three years.  

It was mental but I was right fit! 

Then she sparks up with the fact that the black pudding reminded her of a sailor she hooked up with in 1979.  She met him at the Broomielaw and he was just off a ship from the Caribbean for a couple of days.

Never ceases to amaze does The Mary. 

Subo Cop had some Duck Breasts which made me think of the Corinthian on a Friday night; Duck lips and Silicon Breasts.  Some roasters in there by the way! Officer Suzie and I chose the Fish and Chips and I don’t know why, but it made me think of a band from the 80’s.  What were they called again... Slimey Fisher?  

Or was that the guy from Plenty Fish The Mary told me about who left her feeling a wee bit Tinder in her nethers?

Taste in food, like taste in men, is subjective and depends on time, mood and situation.  Just ask The Mary.  I thought I knew everything about that lassie and yet every week I’m left openmouthed by her breadth of experience and knowledge of carnal affairs.  

However, when I broached the subject on her experience of 'Roasting' she gave me a look that said it all!  OMG …

I cannae even repeat the story she told me on the way home in the car when Sergeant Suzie was out of the way!  Jesus Christ I can’t get the image out of my head.  Scarred for life and today I’ve been suffering dreadful *PTRS*

So, if you want to know more about the food at The Mini Grill; go and try it for yourself.  Could you say hello to Captain Kirk and the very Beautiful Charlotte for me when you're there!

Also, if you're brave enough ask The Mary about the night she went back to Slimey Fisher’s hotel with him and the band, go for it.  Just don't do it when I'm there.

I can’t even look at her now!

Well at least not until next Monday!

See ya!

Mx

*PTRS* Post Traumatic Roasters Syndrome

Stravaigin!

Stravaigin

It’s freezing tonight and we’ve not decided where to go so the Big Guy suggested we go to Finneston and peruse until we discover a worthy hostelry.  When I picked up The Mary she looked like a truffle, sniffing poodle wrapped in faux fur.  She was barking and singing because she’d been watching James Cordon on that car pool Karaoke!  

I hadn’t said to her that Rosaria was in the back of the car and when she started singing The Mary nearly jumped out of her pelt!

We might start our very own Motor Tug Sing Alang and invite along, as our very first guest, Glasgow’s very own, fabulous, BarbaraBryceland!

After parking the car The Mary got her nose to the ground and started sniffing which led us toward The Ox and Finch whom, we presumed, she was already acquainted with, being that she was all animal like and shit.  The Mary though, unlike those truffle hunting dugs, doesn’t get enough exercise but certainly gets plenty of love and stimulation from her four grandchildren. 

Those weans are very good at learning things on their own and also work well as a wee team so, The Mary rewards them for positive behavior; just like Pavlov’s dogs but she, unlike him,  tries to make the training fun and they hardly ever get stuffed in a cage. 

On arrival at The Ox and Finch we were me at the door by the lovely Rowan with whom Rosaria I were already familiar with; well Rosaria probably more than me actually but that’s another story. 

This delightful and very beautiful Lassie informed us, in the most charming way that we were idiots and the place was so popular that we should be ashamed of ourselves for turning up not having booked a table.  We accepted this pleasant affront with the grace it deserved and thanked her for offering us a table sometime in January. 

We will go back…nae doot!

                                                                                                                   

We were really happy to get back in the car for another wee sing-alang, so The Mary bestowed us with the most, awful rendition of Roll a Silver Dollar and we were consequently dumbstruck to the point where Rosaria suggested that I chant a wee number…

Not even kidding, that’s how bad she actually was that my daughter wanted me to sing! 

Arriving on Gibson Street, or is it in the street, (I’m never quite sure of the in, on, at thing) we were faced with the fact you have to pay for parking until 10pm.  FFS, I’m never, even out till that time and The Mary’s eyes usually start glazing over about 9.15pm.  

Get a grip Glasgow City Council there were three machines out of order and I was wabbit oot by the time I got to Stravagin.

Stavaig means to wander and I could relate to that tonight and with all the meandering for food and difficulty parking I needed a lie down.  

The fact that Stravaigan's motto is ‘Think Global, Eat Local’ was more than relevant because I feel as if I’ve travelled too far from my beloved East End already in my quest for new scran to be disappointed!

Stravaigan has three, separate, dining areas; we were on the top level and The Mary thought it was fabulous to be looking down on the locals.  She was funny and we revisited a conversation about the differences between East and West. She decided it was mainly due to their innate snobbery and our moderate humility towards them that made us superior.  She also stated they were luck we gave them a visit every now and then and it was commendably charitable on our part.  Unlike them, she said, we don’t stay tethered to our roots and liked to spread ourselves about a bit.

We eventually decided on two small dishes each.  The food was exactly as promised in the menu (or is it in the menu?) and made all the more tasty, particularly for me, because of the warm, cosy atmosphere and the lighting.  Things always taste better when I’m surrounded by twinkly lights…a bit like men…I can cope with them in a dim light also!

 Aren't they pretty?

The food was great and, as expected, the girls who served us were very pretty.  Nothing worse than being served food by a fat, unfortunate looking server.  It puts me right off my grub that. 

Because of all the stavaigin’ we’d done the evening went by very quickly and it seemed like no time at all untill we were paying the bill, or had they hurried us up. 

Not sure!

All in all it was a decent experience and The Mary thought it was a great idea that they’d served her soup after she had finished the Haggis Neeps and Totties.  She’’d never experienced that before and said she might do that on Christmas day.  She might even dish out the soup last instead of a sweet. 

The weans would love that!

So, with their ‘fingers firmly on the foodie pulse and their weird and wonderful wine and food’ the tables fill up quickly.  Stravaigan think customers should also be ‘willing to become gourmet guinea pigs’.  We're no really up for that to tell you the truth.  I'm not very experimental about my food and would hope that when I'm paying good money for it that it's been tried and tested on the locals!  

They deserve it more than us!

Have to say though, The Mary hit the boak with the suggestion of grey squirrel and sea urchins quaffed down with wine.  She said she “‘could’nae even barf that doon wi’ beer.” 

Got to love that The Mary.

See you the next time!

Mx