There’s something about reaching the end of the year that makes you think about your loved ones. Maybe you have lost someone close to you this year. Maybe a year filled up with work and appointments has flown past with you barely seeing your dearest friends. Whatever the reason, the festive season feels like the time to clear space in your evenings and organise that catch up before 2017 begins.

Here, a few of us on the 5pm team share the people they are looking forward to catching up with over Christmas time.

Old glamour at Rogano

Lucy Sinclair, Business Development Executive

“This Christmas I am looking forward to spending time with my life long friend Justine.  She lives in Wales so we don’t see each other as much as we’d like to.” 

“Her dad recently passed away so this being her first Christmas without him, I invited her to stay with me over the festive period.  We love cooking together so Christmas dinner will be a joint venture!”

“While she is up, we will most definitely be visiting Rogano.  This is our favourite restaurant in Glasgow as we both love seafood and fish.  Rogano is one of Glasgow’s oldest restaurants and an institution.  The original art deco design inside the restaurant provides a ‘old glamour’ feel that ensures that your visit makes you feel super special.  A real treat!”

£30 for 3 courses on festive menu at Rogano on 5pm Dining.

Christmas ambience at Princes Square

Jason Bean, Admin Assistant

“This Christmas I am really looking forward to seeing my good friends Frances. I’ve known Frances for six years and every time we get together we have a great laugh and good talks about life. Frances travels for her job a lot so trying to arrange time to hang out is sometimes quite difficult. My friend Defne from Turkey is also coming over at Christmas time. We try to enjoy a different cuisine every time we are together so Obu Pan Asian will be next on our list as it serves Korean food. Plus, it’s a great setting in Princes Square with the tree and Christmas decorations. Makes a wonderful ambience as we settle to catch up.”

£21.95 for 3 courses on Christmas dinner menu + glass of fizz at Obu Pan Asian on 5pm Dining.

Edinburgh Christmas day out

Jen Berg, Head Creative

“I usually spend a couple of weeks with my family at Christmas, but I can’t this year so my brother and I were thinking it would be fun to have a pre Christmas day in Edinburgh.  My family live in Fife and I’m in Glasgow so it’s handy for meeting half way.  Edinburgh always feels extra festive.”

“We’ll hit the Christmas market and maybe try and get our mum on the ice rink (she was a competitive skater when she was young).  My dad loves gin so we’ll check out Gin71 or 56 North and then we’ll head along George Street to Cafe Andaluz which is my mum’s favourite restaurant.  We always order way too much and then goad each other to finish everything even when we’re all stuffed.”

£8.45 for 3 dishes on the bar menu at Gin71, 20% a la carte discount at 56 North, £15.95 for 3 tapas and dessert at Cafe Andaluz Edinburgh on 5pm Dining.

Twinkling lights in Merchant Square

Nikki Andrew, Senior Business Development Manager

“One of my best friends Rachael moved to Dubai to work for Emirates this summer and this will be first time in over 10 years we haven’t seen each other over the festive period. Thankfully she managed to get leave for the first week in December so we will have lots to catch up on and a months worth of festivities to squeeze in to just one one week.”

“During her week back home we will be indulging in festive afternoon tea at Blythswood Square Restaurant. We are also planning dinner and drinks in Merchant Square. I love the fact you feel you’re outside under twinkle lights whilst being inside away from the cold.”

£28 for afternoon tea at Blythswood Square Restaurant on 5pm Dining. We have three restaurants in Merchant Square on 5pm Dining: Arisaig, Mercado and Metropolitan.

Glasgow at Christmas

Maureen McKendry, Marketing Executive

“My friend Jun Young from South Korea is visiting Glasgow in December with his new wife as part of his honeymoon! He has visited Glasgow once before and he loved it but it was in July. I can’t wait to show him and his wife Glasgow at Christmas; I think the city feels particularly special then.”

“I’d like to take them somewhere that will feel really cosy and Christmassy so I’m thinking of Hutchesons in the Merchant City as it is a stunning restaurant that will look even more beautiful with Christmas decorations. The food is excellent too and shows off the best Scottish ingredients. I have lots of happy memories associated with Jun Young and we are so far apart we don’t see each other often. It will be lovely to spent time with him and his wife over the festive season.”

£15.95 for 2 courses on set menu at Hutchesons on 5pm Dining.

For festive dining offers in Glasgow and Edinburgh check 5pm Dining.