This week, I find time for more Italian at Osteria Del Tempo Perso, clock up a watch party at ROX and spend an hour with Karen Dunbar at Aye Write!

Osteria Del Tempo Perso

Another week, another Italian. But not just any Italian, an Italian Italian. Osteria Del Tempo Perso isn't a straight spaghetti-you-like. Mamma Mia, no! It's the third restaurant for the Iacobelli brothers, Marco and Matteo, who opened their first in Lazio (Italy) 12 years ago before expanding into Edinburgh last year. They've won numerous awards and are known for creating authentic Mediterranean dishes, without (almost) a pizza in sight!

The name itself, unless my Italian fails me*, Osteria Del Tempo Perso means 'The Tavern of Spare Time' and, according to the brothers, partly explains the lack of pizza. They want Glasgow diners to experience a genuine osteria - simple food and wine in relaxed surroundings. The difference between their Italian and Scottish restaurants, they say, is the time spent over dinner; we're in and out in, whilst their countryfolk linger for four, five or six hours. They'd like to encourage us to be more Italian.

They asked me along this week to sample their home cooking and extensive wine list (Matteo is the chef, Marco the wine man). I had to stick to water, of course, but was com-pletely happy to, it gave me more room for seconds! Each course went over and above my expectations, from their huge antipasti platters to their freshly-made pasta (they have a commitment to making meals fresh to order) and the perfectly-flavoured rack of Scottish lamb: a delicious marriage between the two countries. This is really good Italian Italian.

The restaurant itself is in the old Tony Macaroni building on John Street, as the brothers have received backing from the pasta-heavyweight. I hope history doesn't over-shadow the fact that this is a brand new Italian, though, and one that's definitely worth losing a bit of time in.

*Truth disclaimer: I looked it up!

Summer Party @ ROX

The ROX jewellery store in the Argyll Arcade  likes to see the sparklier side of life and, more than anything, loves to throw a party - a great way to get folk talking about you.

 

So, this week, to launch their partnership with Audemars Piguet - the world’s oldest watch brand in family ownership - they decided to throw a summer party, well the sun was out!  As well as the watches, there was a set from Scottish BAFTA-nominated blues band, Black Diamond Express (of course) and the magnificent bar upstairs served Black Wolf beers and Bruichladdich cocktails.

Perhaps because the watches do have the kind of price tag that makes you want to sit down and have a stiff drink. However, they are beautifully made and, given their history, have proven over time to be a watch worth wearing. Just not if you're planning on going for dinner at the Osteria!

I'd not heard of the brand before, but it turns out they are the wrist candy of choice for high-profile celebs like Leo Messi, Serena Williams and several music stars. So, with the 'official' Scottish launch in the ROX store in October, around the time of the MOBOs, I wouldn't be surprised to see some big stars rocking up to the Argyll Arcade!

Aye Write!

What's this? Smells like Karen Dunbar at Aye Write! Last week, Glasgow's book festival opened with one of it's most successful opening weekends to date, with more than 5,000 folk coming to the Mitchell Library to see both well-kent faces and well-read authors. The biggest draws to the festival were, perhaps, the least bookish; with tickets to Irvine Welsh selling out like teacakes.

I didn't get the chance to see Irvine share his thoughts on A Decent Ride (his new book) but I did pop in to see Karen Dunbar tell all about the books that made her (and grab a selfie!) Her taste in books is almost as wide as those nostrils, from the Beano Annual 1977 to Dosdoyevsky, Jackie Collins' Lucky to Samuel Beckett's Happy Days (sadly, not the one with The Fonz), which she is performing in at the Tron next month.

So, a lassie of extremes, both in terms of her reading habits and career; switching from light-hearted comedienne to theatre heavyweight. But don't worry, she's not stepping away from the funny's for too long and hopes one day she might write a book of her own. Personally, though, I hope it's more Jackie Collins than Dosdoyevsky! Aye Write! continues at the Mitchell Library until Saturday, April 25.

Wee Bird Recommends

Talking of time, what about a wee bit of history this weekend? The country's biggest vin-tage fair is back in town this Saturday. Glasgow's Affordable Vintage Fair at WASPS Stu-dio will see traders selling off sixty years of stock at knock down prices. Wee love a bar-gain! Tickets are £2 and the event will run from 11 till 4pm.