SOMETHING fishy is going on in Glasgow...and even Masterchef winners want a piece of it.

The Fish Plaice - the latest 'pop-up' to hit Glasgow - surpassed all expectations after selling half a tonne of monkfish and almost 1000 lobsters in just 10 days.

Now the owners behind the fish shop in the Saltmarket want to continue the pop- up revolution.

They have extended the restaurant's licence until August 14 and are looking into future plans.

The seafood kitchen was launched when the Commonwealth Games started after the owners teamed up with Sub Club.

David Scott has owned the Fish Plaice with wife Roma, for just over a year after taking over from John Gilmour, who was at the helm for 40 years.

David, 48, said he was "absolutely amazed" at the popularity of the pop-up, which saw top Brit designer Vivienne Westwood turned away because it was so busy.

He said: "Most nights we were refusing people at 7pm.

"We had to turn away Vivienne Westwood because there was just no way we could fit her in.

"The funny thing was people were waiting for a table. People were enjoying the atmosphere and listening to the music in the lane as they waited for a table."

When the idea came up to turn the fish market into a restaurant, David said he was unsure about it.

"I wasn't sure how it would work," he said.

"But from there it just snowballed.

"It's all about fresh fish, we had the lobsters landing down the coast just at Largs at 7 or 8pm and they were coming straight up to us."

One of the most complimentary diners was Masterchef winner Ping Coombes who visited four times during her stay in Glasgow for the Games.

She tweeted: "The food at Fish Plaice Pop Up is just immense! So full!"

David said: "The food, she said, was just out of this world. She said it was the best restaurant in Glasgow.

"We were overwhelmed."

There is one mega star who did not visit the pop up...but she's received a personal invitation from staff.

"Unfortunately Kylie didn't come when she was in Glasgow," David said.

"But she's more than welcome now we've extended it."

Former decathlete Daley Thompson even got behind the bar to help the waiting staff when things got too hectic.

The team think the success of pop-ups - from restaurants to festivals and shops - is down to offering customers something new.

David said: "It's not a chain, it's not something you're getting all the time.

"People will put themselves out there to try something."

Scottish Style Awards founder Mary McGowne agreed and added that collaboration work was a big part of it. She said: "I think pop-ups really revitalise a district or street or city. It gives cities an edge and makes them stand out.

"Consumers are spoilt for choice and these pop-ups give them something different."

Mary, who has helped organise KILTR Street Feastival pop-ups in Glasgow, said: "At the Street Feastivals, the Fish Plaice, or the Rioja pop-up in Finnieston, they're all about reaching new consumers that they might not have seen otherwise.

"We are very fortunate that we have astute commercial and creative people at the marketing bureau and the licencing board who see the benefits in these types of events."

Meanwhile, the Fish Plaice could return at a later date, even after it closes next Thursday.

David said: "We are going to keep it going in some shape or form and are looking at ideas as to what we can do.

"We are telling everyone to watch this space."

rachel.loxton @eveningtimes.co.uk