Ingram Wynd 58 Ingram Street Glasgow Tel:

0141 553 2470

THE light of my life was whirling around me like a Catherine wheel and I could have sworn she was humming jingle bells around Tec Towers.

"It's less than seven weeks to Christmas. Tec you're taking me into town for pressie shopping," cried The Moll.

She knew my golf had been cancelled with the pouring rain and I was looking forward to putting my feet up and watching football all day.

That plan was well and truly out of the window now that the little lady had spoken.

As always her wish was my command and it was time to rev up the Buick and head into town.

Seems some other elves had the same idea as the city car parks were pretty full. Eventually I got a spot for my vintage pride and joy.

Before we could hit the stores and get this chore over with, Toots decided she was hungry and it was time for scran.

We found ourselves in the Merchant City and there was no shortage of places to try to give us a bit of respite from the rain.

We quickly dived into Ingram Wynd.

When I stepped in I had a feeling of deja vu. I think I had brought a contact here many moons ago. Considering I can't even remember what I had for breakfast, this second visit would probably feel like a whole new experience to me.

It was warm and inviting and just the right kind of joint for a wintry afternoon.

The place was full of chatter and it was difficult to spot a table, but our host quickly found us a pew.

We were handed giant menus which would take some reading and ordered up a couple of drinks.

With the new drink drive laws on the horizon, it was a fresh orange and lemonade for me and a glass of rouge for sweetlips.

My peepers honed in on more than a few favourites and I could have ordered up the lot, but my tummy was rumbling for the lamb shank - let's hope it would be as good as my dear departed ma's.

Toots was almost salivating when she read of the sea bream dish.

Our drinks took a wee while to arrive, but it was no big deal as it was a relaxing place.

We put our orders in which included rustic bread to share and sat back to write our Santa lists.

A few ladies were celebrating a birthday near us - I think it might have been a case of 21 again - and their dishes certainly looked delicious.

Our sharing starter arrived - Rustic bread toast, olives and olive oil with balsamic. The vinegar was a bit too sweet for me, so I took the bread option while Toots stabbed olive after olive with her cocktail stick.

I WAS now Hank Marvin and could see our mains winding their way over.

The slow braised lamb shank took up half my plate. It came with creamy mash. Just a shame I forgot to say hold the green beans as I'm not a fan.

It was a top dish even my ma would have been proud of and I devoured every last bit of meat off the bone.

Across the table, The Moll was oohing and aahing at every bit. Her sea bream fillets were cooked to perfection and came with herb crushed potatoes and roast beets.

Topped with a caper chili sauce - she could not have been happier.

We passed on dessert, but took the coffee option to help us whizz up Buchanan Street.

I couldn't put off the shopping any longer and reluctantly got the bill.

To my surprise it came in at around £46.

Knowing Toots at the tills, it was the bargain of the day.

STARTERS

Bread and olives £3

MAINS

Lamb Shank £13.50

Sea Bream £15

DRINKS

Cabernet Sauvignon £5.50

Fresh orange and lemonade x 2 £4.60

Black coffee £2.50; Cappuccino £2.50

TOTAL £46.60