“I've had enough!” Toots wailed, as she sauntered into the kitchen wearing one of her newest fur coats.

“I'm sick of the same old, same old. I want to go somewhere new, somewhere exciting. Oh, take me out, won't you?” she whined.

She flashed me a strange sort of look – half smiling, half threatening, one that I'd surprisingly never seen before. It made me uneasy.

I looked at my watch. It was 7 o'clock, and a Friday night. I scanned my memory, trying to think of anywhere new, or exciting, or both, that I had passed on my many long nights wandering the city streets that week. It had been a tiring week, and it wasn't letting up. For the next few days I was heading out of the city to work on a new case and seeing as I was leaving the Moll behind, I thought maybe it would be worth my while taking her some place fancy to make up for it.

“How's about Italian grub?” I said, slowly gauging her reaction.

She didn't look too pleased with the idea, but I could tell it wasn't a complete dead end because she wasn't bawling in my hear within seconds.

“C'mon doll.” I coaxed.

“The place is swish, I think you'd like it. It's just opened in Finnieston, and anybody whose anybody is going there.”

After 15 minutes of careful persuasion, Toots and I were off in the Buik heading straight for Mora. I'd spied it earlier in the week; the bright blue front catching my eye as I walked past.

A straight-talking but friendly waitress met us at the door, and brought us to our seats. We'd scored a more private spot round the corner from the main bar; secluded but slightly chilly.

Countless lightbulbs dangled down from the ceiling, and everything looked cosy.

By this time I'd worked up quite an appetite, and a thirst from all of the Moll's constant chatter.

I ordered us two beers, and we had a look around at the other tables packed with hungry diners.

“Oh, this place is wonderful.” Toots squealed.

I settled on a started of tempura prawns, which came in an instant – juicy and crispy, with a delightful garlic dip. The Moll chose the goats cheese and pear salad, devouring every single leaf, nut, pear and crumb of cheese in a matter of minutes.

“That's the quietest you've been since I got home!” I laughed, but she was too busy munching to reply.

Just as Toots was about to launch in to another lengthy tale about her day, our waitress plonked a huge bowl of pasta in front of her, covered in a mouth-watering pork, beef and veal ragu. Before the steam from the bowl could even reach her nose, the Moll had set to work in silence, occasionally glancing up to see how I was getting on with my own meal – a nice-enough parma ham pizza with pecorino cheese. I'd been looking forward to grub like this all week, and I was finally satisfied. It wasn't over the top, or over-priced and we were both impressed by the flavour packed into both our courses.

“Room for dessert?” our smiling waitress asked, but to my surprise the Moll shook her head and we hit the road. “You've got bags to pack.” she said, as we walked out into the cold night.

Mora Bar and Kitchen, 1170 Argyle St, Glasgow, G3 8TE

0141 560 2070

Starters: Tempura Prawns with garic aioli - £6.50

Goats cheese, pear and walnut salad - £5.00

Main course: Prosciutto and pecorino pizza - £10

Pappardelle with beef, pork and veal ragu - £12

Drinks: Bearface lager x2 - £10

Sailor Jerry and coke x 2 - £9.40

Total - £52.90

Atmosphere: 4 stars

Food – 4 stars

Service – 4 stars