Eating Out: The Saint

Dec 16 2010

190 Bath Street, Tel: 352 8800, Web: www.thesaintonbathstreet.com

I love the 1930s, sipping cocktails dressed in a long shimmering satin gown, like Keira Knightley in the film Atonement or blonde bombshell Jean Harlow.

And although it's not practical to be floating around Glasgow on a chilly winter night in a thin satin sheath of a dress, I did get to pretend at The Saint on Glasgow's Bath Street.

Set in the basement of St Jude's Boutique Hotel, formerly called Mama San, it is now refurbished and bringing good food and 1930's glamour to Glasgow.

My friend Pauline and I were shown to a quiet little booth by friendly waiting staff.

The decor was gorgeous, deep leather quilted walls, decadent and glamorous lightshades that illuminated a soft ambient glow, old fashioned lightbulbs on the ceiling and crisp white table linen.

A delightful red wine recommended by the waitress slipped down a treat and I was ready for the gastro delights from the restaurant's award-winning chef Paul O'Malley, who has worked under Gordon Ramsay and Brian Maule at Chardon D'or.

A packed menu included traditional food including steak and kidney pie, scallops and fish and chips, with a modern twist. You'll also find things like lamb and lorne stovies (£8.90), slow-cooked beef cheek (£15.20) and a Mac and cheese "burger"(£7.50).

For starters I had hot smoked organic Shetland salmon (£6.70) with celeriac and apple salad and a shellfish hollandaise.

The main event was pan fried cod (£14.30) served with a sweetcorn, spring onion and razor clam risotto.

My guest loved the ribeye of Scotch beef (£18.50), with triple cooked chips, slow roasted cherry vine tomatoes and a Portobello mushroom and Bearnaise sauce.

The tempting desserts included apple crumble, sticky toffee pudding and orange polenta cake.

Coffees followed with mini treats which included a tasty peanut butter spread in a teaspoon.

There's lots to enjoy at The Saint, which includes afternoon tea for two (£12) served from 2pm to 5pm.

Elle Hain