This week, why have burgers when you can have steak? The Electric Gardens light up The Botanics and the curse of the Scottish Play at the Citizens Theatre.

Honours @ Malmaison

Last week burgers, this week a shindig at one of the city's poshest new restaurants. Things are looking up; I was invited along to The Honours, the Glasgow branch of celebrity chef Martin Wishart's Edinburgh brasserie of the same name, recently opened in the Malmaison Hotel.

The 'Honours' is named after Sir Walter Scott's Crown Jewels. Not those ones, you naughty folk! The ones he (re)discovered in 1818: the Crown, Sword of State and Sceptre, which are all now proudly on display in Edinburgh Castle. The idea being, I guess, that The Honours restaurant could be one of the dining jewels in Scotland's crown. So, is it?

The restaurant is beautiful and extravagant but not fussy: the right amount of chandeliers and plush fabrics to make you feel special. As a brasserie, the style is less formal, the idea being that good, fancy food can be cooked well, quickly and that the portions don't need to be fine dinning-ly small. A method that generally proves more popular in Glasgow. More food, less pretension. A fact, already proven; The Honours west sells significantly more steaks than it's Edinburgh sibling.

But, how was the food? I chose the Hand-rolled Tagliatelle with truffles and sautéed scallops to start. It was rich, flavoursome and I inhaled it. One of my companions said she would eat it every night of the week and could even be tempted to marry the dish. Following the truffle-delight, I opted for Chateaubriand. One of the dishes The Honours is known for; basically, a bells and whistles steak dinner: the very best Scottish grass fed tenderloin, duck fat chips, onion rings, salad and béarnaise sauce. Despite all the delicious extras, all you really need is one fork-full of the melt-in-the-mouth beef, which was succulent, buttery perfection. Finally, for pudding, I had The Honours Sundae, a toffee and caramel ice-cream randan with honeycomb, caramelised banana and pecans nuts. Oh my.

Rightfully, given the quality of the cheffing, the produce, the glamorous setting, it's not cheap. But then, why have hamburgers when you can (save up) and have steak? I, hereby, crown The Honours, one of my new favourite Glasgow restaurants.

Electric Gardens @ The Botanic Gardens

Back in the day, The Electric Gardens was the nightclub, formerly known as Shuffles, The Mayfair and is, currently, The Garage. A place, which has seen some action over the years! It bears absolutely no relationship to the event going on over the next three and a half weeks in The Botanics, I just thought it was a nice wee bit of Glesgae history.

In fact, The Electric Gardens is an experience put on by the same folk who run the West End Festival in June. A winter warmer to brighten up the dark days. The event is a 45-minute tour of the scenic Botanic gardens, with installations, lights and sound effects at every turn. In many ways it's like going to an art gallery or a museum (albeit outside and at night) with the natural exhibits exaggerated by rainbow floods.

I went on a cool, crisp evening and the slowly melting icing of snow added to the eerie loveliness as I wandered round the gardens with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Strangely, the darkness made me notice things about the Botanics I had never seen before, such as the tangle of monkey puzzle trees at the back. However, it wasn't just the flora and fauna to be seen in all its glory, there's dancing dresses, interactive art and a shiny disco ball (which could be a nod to the bygone nightclub of the same name).

The Electric Gardens might not be quite as much fun on a soggier night but then, that's what waterproofs and umbrellas are made for! The Electric Gardens runs until Feb 15th.

Macbeth @ The Citizens Theatre

The last three things I have been to see at the theatre have been Panto. So, it was a wee bit of a gear change when I headed to the Citizens Theatre with my Mum to see Filters production of Macbeth. Although, perhaps, there is something in the three witches being the 'ugly sisters'. Macbeth: The Pantomime, now there's an idea!

The Citizens Theatre is a surreal place. On the outside, it looks like a school or a library. However, as you walk through the doors, you are met by Victorian architecture and curios from His Majesty's Theatre, the original theatre which stood on the site back in the 1870's. My Mum mentioned she'd been to see a few productions (at what was then known by then as the Citizens) a century later, and that they were quite risqué. Being the swinging 60's and 70's, my mind boggled!

The Citizens remains a place that pushes boundaries, and it's definitely doing that with the current run of the Filters-Tobacco Factory production of the 'Scottish Play'. It's so minimalist there were only the actors and a few odd, synthy musical instruments on stage. No set. No costumes. No real story, as it's lost as the cast faff around with the unwieldy gadgets on stage. Watching the production felt a bit like stumbling into a rehearsal. I played Lady Macbeth in a university production (the reason I still rub my hands when I am nervous!) but without such a good understanding of the play, I don't think I'd have had a scooby what was going on!

Unfortunately, I can't recommend this current production of Macbeth. However, I think the Citizens Theatre itself and the quirky and innovative productions they put on are important to the fabric of theatre in Glasgow. Thankfully, it can't all be a pantomime!

Wee Bird Recommends

Wee think Burns Night is one of the most important nights of the year. But where to get your haggis on this weekend? One of the best Burns afternoons (seeing as it's on a Sunday this year) Wee think is at Stravaigan, as well as a special menu there'll be performances from Johnny Gauld, the Caledonian Cowboy and plenty of the pudding chieftain to go around. Starts 2pm, tickets, £17.95.