Me and The Mary hit three in a row on Monday when we turned up at Anchorline without booking a table. We love to see the reactions in some places when it’s busy and you say,
Some places are a tad pretentious and act horrified. You’d think we’d shat in the pasta pot but at Anchorline they take a moment, readjust, smile and then make a space for us somewhere. Never fails. Or maybe by this point they know what we’re doing and keep a table anyway.
We both had the burgers which were deliciously meaty and juicy with skinny fries and ‘nippy’, tasty ‘slaw’. Daniele who served us was charming and very tidily packed into a lovely, wee, cheery Christmas bundle of polite efficiency.
Tonight, Wednesday, I’m not with The Mary but only because she’s busy so I’m off out with some other friends and going to Mediterraneo, owned by my friend of more than 25 years Nunzio and his brother Mario. (Mariano) They hail from Naples, came to Glasgow in the 1960s and initially worked for the Romano family who, at one point, owned 36 venues in the city. Working for such an important and inspirational ‘mob’ prompted the brothers to aim high and start up their own business.
Having gone back and studied at catering college in Naples they opened their fist, very successful restaurant, La Fiorentina, in the Angel building on Paisley Road West. The brothers then took over Mediterraneo not long after Mr Romano died in 2011. This has always been a favourite of mine and my daughter worked for both the Romano family and the Nunzio brothers so I’ve been a long-time patron.
This year has been a big year for them and they won Best Pasta at The Scottish Italian Awards. I’m going to be the judge of questo piatto di pasta sta sera. I get very excited at the thought of going to Mediterraneo because Nunzio is incredibly vibrant and very funny but totally unaware of how charmingly sharp he is. I often pop in for a quick coffee but end up leaving tardi with a sore face from laughing.
This place is much more than a restaurant and last Saturday night I dropped in and it was pure buzzing with live music in the Champagne Bar. The atmosphere was electric but unfortunately for me I couldn’t get a seat. So, if you plan on going, get there early or definitely book a table. They have the whole package; pizzeria, bar and restaurant with simply prepared fish and seafood from Scottish waters or locally produced meat and poultry.
Your every wish will be granted in this magical place!
On the ground floor of a beautiful, Victorian building on Ingram Street it has both a traditional and contemporary feel to it, giving customers the best of everything Italy and Scotland has to offer. You can experience a private dining area with an intimate setting, a less formal dinner or snack and pizza at the bar. What more could you ask for.
Oh, and then there’s that award winning pasta!
Unfortunately I can’t have THE pasta because it’s Christmas and things have been mise en placed for the festive menu which has more than enough to choose from. At £14.95 it is great value for money and as always the quality is exemplary. I had the chilli prawns which are my favourite and every time I go I intend to try something else but can’t resist these little, hot juicy morsels of goodness.
They remind me so much of Nunzio whom I can’t resist either. I usually ask someone who is really bad a taking picture to take one of me and my wee pal. That way we have to stand together for ages while he holds on to me. It’s the nearest I’m getting to a bit of action just now so I make it last as long as possible.
My friend Mrs Singapore ordered the same as me because she’s so indecisive, we had already been seated for 40 mins and still hadn’t ordered but that is the beauty of Mediterraneo. You are never rushed, the staff are very friendly; Olga who is gorgeous remembered me from the last time I was in and I’d only met her for the first time on that occasion. Then there’s all the gossip to catch up with my dear pal The Nunz.
His brother Mariano, who is the genius in the kitchen, was very busy and I never got the chance to thank him properly but did distract him a few times with my manic waving and kiss blowing!
My other friend, Helen, better known now as Mrs QVC had pasta and she was so quiet while eating it could only mean on thing. The pasta must have been magnificent as she usually has quite a lot to say for herself, and others, for that matter. The only thing missing from the evening was my Dear Friend the Mary but I’ll tell her all about it over a coffee and she can live the experience vicariously through me.
My biggest disappointment was it was too late for me to have coffee and they have my very favourite Italian Aroma. Recently, if I have coffee after a certain time of night I have nightmares that I’m back in a toilet in the Gorbals being followed by the burds of ex’s past but I’ll let you know more about that in my next blog ‘Toilet Terrors’!
So till the next time, which will be soon, Merry Christmas and a very Prosperous New Year to The Russo Brothers and all the staff at Mediterraneo.
Click the image below to buy my favourite coffee!
