The light of my life was full of early festive cheer.

We'd tried to get close to see the Xmas lights switch on, but with no tickets we opted for scran instead.

With the merchant city on our doorstep we decided to take a wander along Candleriggs and Albion street where we spied an old haunt.

Anything to get The Moll away from the temptation of early Christmas shopping. That woman could shop for Scotland.

"I'm whisking you off to a fancy restaurant tonight, Toots," I cooed. "No need for you to break a red talon on a microwave meal." That all too familiar ping when Toots is in the kitchen doesn't send tastebuds tingling.

With so many people in town I wondered if we would be in luck with a table.

The Italian Caffe was always a firm favourite over the years with their style of small Enoteca dining. It's like an Italian-style tapas.

I'd heard there was a new team running the joint and the menu had had a revamp.

Toots was happy to find somewhere fast on a cold winter's night. She was even feeling the cold despite her faux fur jacket so we opted for a table at the Italian joint as soon as we neared it.

We were in luck and bagged a table for two.

Our server was quickly over with the menu and we ordered up a glass or two of Italian vino. Pinot Grigio for the lady and a full bodied red for me which went down a treat.

Supping on the vino, it was time for a scran scan. A huge range of dishes from tapas style Italian through to mains, we had a hard job choosing.

"Let's go for three each, Tec" piped up her ladyship. "And we can always have a nibble of each other's." That was never a deal that worked out for me.

Toots opted for a cannelloni style pancake, I thought I'd pass on that as I wasn't too keen on the sound of it, scallops and pancetta and bruschetta.

For me it had to be the seabass, asparagus and the crab risotto.

We were told everything would come at the same time, and as far as I was concerned the sooner the better. You see Toots had made an attempt at Sunday brunch, hence I could eat scabby horse.

Service was sharp and spot on, but a bit too sharp.

A little bit more relaxed charm, would have added to the ambience and what diner doesn't like a bit of the special treatment.

Our order soon arrived and plate after plate of little delights filled our table.

We had no idea where to start and we just decided to get stuck in.

Toots scallops looked awesome.

"These are to die for and with the pancetta it's a taste sensation," said The Moll.

There was even more goodies to come, she declared the ricotta and tomato sauce pancake a triumph. Seems I was a bit quick to dismiss it as the morsel I got was delicious. Smooth, creamy ricotta and a delicious sauce, what was not to like.

She was one happy Toots having made a good choice. The bright cherry red tomatoes on her garlic infused crusty bread were even packed with flavour.

My seabass was delicate and well cooked while the crab risotto was piping hit and a winning dish. It tasted simply divine.

There was no room for desert even though the tiramisu was jumping out at me, but toots has got me on a pre Xmas diet, but with the way she'll be swanning down Buchanan street it won't just be my wasteline that gets trimmer, but my wallet too.

The Italian Caffe

92 Albion Street

Glasgow

G1 1NY

Tel 0141 552 3186

Food

Scallops £7.95

Sea bream £7.95

Crab risotto £5.95

Spinach crepes £5.95

Tomato crostino £3.95

Asparagus £5.95

Drinks

Garganega £5.40

Montepulciano £5.80

Cappuccino £2.50

Mocha £2.95

Total £54.35

Atmosphere 3

Food 3

Service 3