Market menu special in the West End

My assignment took me away but I was still on the clock so there was no down time.

I decided to take The Moll to one of the city's top rated restaurants for a relaxing night of fine dining.

When I told Toots we were headed for Cail Bruich in the west end she perked up straight away.

It seems chef patron Chris Charalambous' reputation preceded him.

"I've heard the food is sensational," said The Moll as she carefully applied her makeup.

With smoky eyes done she tottered out to the Buick in her six inch high heels.

We drove along Great Western Road to the restaurant and there was a parking space right outside.

Toots was in a better mood now that she knew she wouldn't have to walk far for her nosh.

The Moll's appetite was as keen as ever so she was even cheerier when the waitress brought salt and vinegar cashew nuts and green olives along with the menus.

Cail Bruich's 'Market Menu' has set courses which change regularly, along with the seasons.

The most you'll pay for a starter, main and desert is £25 bucks.

After we ordered the waitress was back with the second appetiser: sour dough bread with butter and pork dripping.

As we nibbled away the restaurant began filling up and by the time our starters arrived there was a pleasant buzz of conversation.

The low hanging wall mounted lights made the venue an intimate space for at least a dozen couples who were in that night.

To start, Toots chose a wild garlic veloute with crispy ham hough which was a glorious bright green colour.

She was clearly enjoying the dish which was disappearing fast.

I was able to nip in for a spoonful of the light veloute and taste the deliciously flavoursome ham hough before it was polished off.

I had decided to start with marinated sea bream, avocado, blood orange, and fennel.

The combination was a winner with the citrus kick offering an enjoyable after taste.

As Toots tucked in to her main course of pork belly, smoked potato, grilled leeks and sauce charcuterie I get started on the chicken leg with truffle macaroni, grilled lettuce, cepe and lemon thyme.

I was expecting the meat to be on a bone but it had been pleasingly carved and placed on the macaroni.

The dish was delicious and The Moll gave her seal of approval to her main course by completely clearing her plate.

It was time for the 'desert dance' where Toots pretends she's too full for a pudding before gingerly ordering.

It's a regular ritual at restaurants and tonight was no different.

"I just don't know if I can manage another course," said Toots.

I played my part in the charade by urging her to order a desert.

I coaxed her further by ordering rhubarb and custard tart which prompted her to quickly pick the passion fruit fool before the menu was whisked away.

When the deserts arrived Toots must have been hungry again because she was able to try a spoonful or two of my tart as well as tucking in to her final course.

When I tasted my choice I could see why Toots was keen to try it.

Fresh rhubarb and light custard tart with crème fraiche ice cream was a perfect way to end a superb meal.

Two lattes later and we were back at the Buick with Toots declaring that Cail Bruich was one of the best restaurants we had been to.

I was back in the good books, at least until the next time I take off for a few days.

Market Menu

Dinner: two courses for £19 or three courses for £25

Starters

Marinated sea bream, avocado, blood orange, fennel.

Wild garlic veloute, crispy ham hough, buttermilk royale.

Mains

Chicken leg, truffle macaroni, grilled lettuce, cepe, lemon thyme.

Pork belly, smoked potato, grilled leeks, sauce charcuterie.

Deserts

Rhubarb and custard tart, crème fraiche ice cream.

Passion fruit fool, mango and passion fruit sorbet.

Drinks

Glass of house white wine (Catarratto) £3.50

Soda water and lime £2.25

Two lattes £6

Total: £61.75

Food: Excellent

Atmosphere: Good

Service: Good

Cail Bruich

725 Great Western Rd

Glasgow G12 8QX

Telephone: 0141 334 6265

Email: info@cailbruich.co.uk