WE were stony broke at Tec Towers. I'd blown a couple of hundred big ones at last Friday's card night at Crafty Sam's.

And the Moll wasn't pulling any poker faces about our financial predicament.

"I can't remember the last time you took me out," she wailed.

There had to be an answer. Then I remembered. I'd been given a tip off that that pub chain Yates had released a new menu, inspired by South American street food.

It might not be fine dining but I was keen to find out if it could sweeten the Moll's mood for less than 50 bucks.

And if the food didn't measure up to Blondies' expectations, I was certain their range of 11 new cocktails would put a smile on her kisser.

We were quickly shown to a table outside the Sauchiehall Street bar and a very friendly waiter dropped off the menus while we cooled off in two English Gardens - Hendrick's Gin and St Germain elderlflower Liquer, topped with apple juice, soda and cucumber. It was the perfect Summer drink.

There was plenty to choose from, with street-food additions including chicken topped gourmet fries sitting alongside traditional classics like Cumberland sausage and mash and I breathed a sigh of relief at the wallet-friendly prices.

If you are feeling ravenous there is also a selection of big plates including the Giant Mixed Grill, the Clucking ‘Ell for the chicken lover, the classic Big Fish Combo or the Double Rump Steak.

For a lighter, healthier option there are also delicious new Something Saintly dishes available, including the Cheese and Courgette Bake and Chicken and Red Pepper Couscous.

The Moll plumped for breaded mushrooms, which she declared "perfectly nice and a good size portion." I chose the mini Halloumi wraps, which came with a sweet chilli dip. They were light and very tasty and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food at just over £3 a starter.

For main, I was in the mood for the pub standard of fish and chips. The chain chooses the more sustainable - and cheaper - pollock for its suppers and you would be hard pushed to notice the difference. It was delicious and fresh and well worth £6.25.

Blondie chose the veggie lasagne and while the bechamel sauce wasn't quite up to the Italian restaurant standard she still managed to polish off every morsel.

However, the best was yet to come. We were tickled pink by the range of desserts on offer and in no time at all Toots was tucking into the apple cobbler and ice cream which was given a big thumbs up.

The waiter recommended the salted caramel chocolate slice and it turned out he was on the money.

Layers of chocolate truffle and salted caramel on a chocolately biscuit base, service with salted caramel sauce and ice-cream. At £2.25 a slice I still had enough change left to hail us a black cab back to Towers.

Service - ***

Food - ***

Atmostphere - **

Starters

Breaded mushrooms - £3.35

Halloumi wraps - £3.35

Mains

Vegetarian lasagne - £5.95

Fish and Chips - £6.25

Desserts

Apple Cobbler - £2.25

Salted caramel slice - £2.25

Drinks

Two cocktails - £5.95 x 2 - £11.90

Total - £35.30

Yates, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow, 0141 332 5457