THE Moll was trying to sweeten me up. My shirts were pressed, my shoes were shining and she was wearing THAT red dress.

The question was, why? I had a hunch. She's been biting my ear to get a Bichon Frise.

What the Moll wants the Moll usually gets but I'm more of a cool cats kind of a guy so she won't win me over this time.

I decided to treat her to a meal to take her mind off cute pooches. And the restaurant of choice just happens to be dog friendly.

The Drake has been around for a while, tucked away below the mean streets of Lyndoch Street of but it's one of those places you might just walk past on Woodlands Road if you don't know it's there.

My sources were telling me good things about the food so hopes were high.

I slam on the gas and it's just a short drive away from Tech Towers. I know, I know, we should leave the Buick at home and save the planet but Blondie was wearing her highest red stilettos.

It's jam packed because it's a sunny evening and there are no tables available outside in the garden area to the front of the restaurant so we head inside.

It's got a very relaxed, cool vibe with original bare brick work, coal fires and a private dining space upstairs. The menu has a wide variety of food on offer and the prices seem very reasonable for the gourmet standard.

We settle on a table tucked away in the corner behind a large table full of office workers chewin' the fat about colleagues. I'm hoping it won't take too long to attract the waiting staff as Toots and I are both Hank Marvin.

Thankfully, it's not too long before a friendly gal comes round to take our orders.

We order up some marinated olives with balsamic vinegar and crusty bread to tide us over before the rest of our food arrives.

However, I think the waitress has got her wires crossed.

The main courses arrive before we've seen the starter. They are promptly taken away and replaced by the starter we intend to share.

We've plumped for the cheese fritters. It's a good sized portion and they are delicious. Crisp and flavoursome with a lovely tangy dip. Toots is fighting me for the last morsel before our mains arrive.

She has ordered the Arnold Bennett omelette. I make a mental note to investigate who this Bennett flyguy is who has turned the Moll's head.

Turns out, it's a classic recipe and a tribute to an English writer. For those not in the know an omelette with smoked haddock and this one comes accompanied by skinny fries and dressed rocket. Not quite your standard egg and chips. It gets a huge thumbs up from Blondie and I can confirm it's absolutely delicious. Light and filling and packed full of flavour, it's a match made in heaven.

I've ordered the wild mushroom & white truffle risotto with parmesan and rocket.

I'm a huge fan of risotto but this one just doesn't hit the mark. It's drowning in oil and after a few mouthfuls I give up. There are also small chunks of lemon in the dish which seems a bit strange. A bit of lemon zest would be sufficient. I eat one and it does nothing to improve the experience.

When the waitress asks me if everything is alright as she's clearing our table I explain why my plate is still more than half full but she just nods politely and doesn't offer any explanation or offer to look into it.

The desserts on the menu sound very tempting with options including Sticky Toffee Pudding served with butterscotch sauce and pouring cream and warm pecan pie but after the disappointing main, we decide to cut and run.

Food ***

Service ***

Atmosphere ****

starters

Olives and crust bread £4.50

Cheese Fritters £6.00

Mains

Arnold Bennett Omelette - £9.00

Mushroom Risotto - £10.00

Drinks

1 bottle Sauvignon Blanc - £17.00

The Drake, 1 Lynedoch St, Kelvingrove, 0141 332 7363

www.thedrakebar.co.uk