CHRISTMAS and Hogmanay had drained my bank account but lined my stomach and I was feeling more bloated than ever this month.

Toots wasn’t far behind me but as usual was looking for an exciting new eatery to get her chops round.

I’d all but given up looking for somewhere healthy to take her when I spotted the Drug Store Social, promising fresh, healthy, seasonal food and cocktails called ‘prescriptions’ on the menu. If they were being prescribed to us, they surely must be good for you, I thought.

“We’re going out, Toots,” I yelled, one Friday night.

The Moll poked her head out from her cupboard, surrounded in fur and sequins. She had been putting away all of her festive glamour for another year, while I enjoyed a dram in front of the living room fire.

We headed to Yorkhill and walked in to the Drug Store Social on the corner of Yorkhill Street. It’s large, inviting windows were lined with diners and couples sipping colourful drinks. Inside, stands holding beakers and glass tubes with fresh herbs sprouting from the top were dotted across the bar and an old-fashioned cash desk caught my eye.

A friendly waiter greeted us and suggested a booth near the back of the restaurant. Although it was a bit cramped, it was a nice private spot without much of a view. We faced on to the bar, with wooden panels either side obstructing the view of the rest of the restaurant.

The wooden panels seemed to amplify Toots’ dulcet tones even more so than usual and after a while I had a distinct headache.

Regardless, the menu looked mouth-watering with a mixture of healthy light bites and more filling mains – steamed leaf rolls, paper-baked fish and salads to name a few.

My eyes scanned the extensive list of cocktails, almost all of which contained herbs, flowers and fruits as well as booze.

After waiting about 20 minutes in our secluded booth, with waiters passing back and forth to other tables but somehow missing ours, The Moll had had enough. She clumped up to the bar and said in her usual drawl “Any chance of an order around here, sweet cheeks?”

The startled-looking bar man mumbled something under his breath before swiftly coming over to take our drinks – a bloody Mary for me, and, unusually, a coffee for Toots.

For starters, we chose a healthy option – a blueberry and fennel salad, to share. It was time to get back into the swing of things and stop eating garbage,or so I thought until my main course arrived.

I ordered a celeriac and potato gratin to accompany a slow-cooked beef short rib. The meat was succulent and melted off the bone, while the gratin was buttery, crisp and golden.

It was to die for.

The Moll was, for once, restraining herself and chose the paper-baked cod, with vegetables. The delicate fish and gently cooked courgettes however, didn’t quite satisfy her when she glanced at my meal, and ended up tucking in to the short rib and gratin too.

We decided enough was enough and skipped dessert despite it looking tempting. I was salivating as I read their offerings – rhubarb and lemon tart, chocolate brownie, and my favourite bread and butter pudding.

Unfortunately over Christmas, we’d managed to get through at least three boxes of shortbread, two chocolate logs and a few dozen mince pies and our waistlines were definitely still feeling the strain. There will be no dessert for a while, I think.

Drugstore Social,

67 Old Dumbarton Rd, Glasgow G3 8RF

Food - 4

Atmosphere - 3

Service - 2

Starters:

Blueberry and Fennel salad - £2.50

Mains:

Braised short rib - £9.45

Potato Gratin - £2.50

Paper-baked fish - £9.95

Drinks

Bloody Mary - £7.50

Coffee - £2.50

Total - £34.40