TOOTS was making demands to spice up our lifestyle.

She had been hitting the shops for her autumn revamp with new hair and nails to match.

"Tec we are always going to places you like, I need somewhere with a touch of the exotic," cried the Moll.

Life at Tec Towers was clearly on the dull side for Toots and I thought I had better up the game in the dinning stakes.

If this little spice girl was looking for something hot, that is exactly what she'll get.

A quick call to one of my top contacts, and I was reliably informed that Thai favourite Chaopraya had relaunched its menu.

I booked us a table, revved up the Buick and told Toots to be ready for 7pm on the dot.

A few minutes later and well worth the wait, a vision of leopard skin appeared.

I dumped the Buick in the parking spot I could find, and escorted Posh Spice to the restaurant.

As surroundings go, it is impressive. Now established in the city dining scene, Chaopraya, in Nelson Mandela Square, it is situated in theTownhouse building. Built in 1909 to house the Glasgow Liberal Club, then the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

We were welcomed by a host in the grand pillared entrance, and shown upstairs to our table.

Toots and I were shown to a cosy little table for two. This place was right up her ladyship's street. Classy, bright and airy, with loads of atmosphere, I knew Toots would like it.

Our severer Aomie was delightful. She explained a few of the new dishes and asked if we would like to try a glass of Thai wine.

"I'll try anything once, my dear, let's have two glasses," I replied.

There was so much to choose from, we didn't know where to start. I fixed the peepers to scran scan and red the menu cover to cover. I think I'll need a return visit just to get to the end of the menu.

Toots opted for Thai Chicken Tacos to start followed by yellow fish curry. I decided to go down the route of the sweetcorn cakes and then the highly recommended lamb curry.

Our wines were swiftly brought. Looking nicely chilled, this Monsoon River Colombard Chenin Blanc was certainly on the sweet side.

Server Aomie soon delivered our starters. I think Toots lucked out. This delicate little dish was pretty as a picture. Tiny little tacos were filled with red Thai chicken, but the Moll drew me a look that suggested paws off.

She oohed and ahhed with every biteful.

"This is delicious, I just wish there was more," Toots piped up.

My sweet corn fritters were tasty and fulfilling and came was a lovely little dip on the side.

And the strange thing was, the sweet wine was really growing on us. It seemed to get better with food and complimented the dishes well.

By now the place was pretty busy and there was great atmosphere in the old music school.

Staff was rushing about bringing in plateful of delightful fare and my stomach was going into overdrive with the thought of the lamb curry.

Aomie was heading our way with our mains.

My massaman curry, was flavoured with coconut milk, carrots, potatoes and baby onions, topped with

cashew nuts.

The dish apparently dated back to the 16th Century and was one of the favourite dishes of the Thai Royal

Family.

The lamb was succulent and the flavour was divine. Accompanied with coconut rice it was a winning treat.

Across the table Toots was in her element. Tucking into the fish curry like there was no tomorrow, she declared: "This is my kind of heaven - fish and spice together it doesn't get any better.

The whole sea bass was baked with creamy yellow curry, potatoes, baby onion and Thai aubergines and certainly got the thumbs up.

We didn't have much room for a dessert so went for a light peach and prosecco sorbet, which was light and refreshing.

It was a perfect way to round off the night.

Chaophraya

The Townhouse, Nelson Mandela Place, Glasgow G1 2LL

T: 0141 332 0041

glasgow@chaophraya.co.uk

Atmosphere 3

Service 4

Food 4

Starters

Thai Chicken Tacos £7.50

Sweetcorn cakes £7

Mains

Seabass yellow curry £18

Massaman Lamb Curry £14

Desserts

Peach and Prosecco sorbet £5.95

Drinks

Monsoon Valley

Colombard, Chenin Blanc

Thailand £5.70 x 2

Total £63.85