In Glasgow’s West End, VinYard 28 is bedding in at the former Booly Mardy’s site on Vinicombe Street.

Billed as a bar and kitchen, it joins the Byres Road Old Salty’s, Epicures of Hyndland and Nick’s which are all owned by Lawrence McManus.

Stripped back

The interior has been cleverly stripped back to reveal the original brickwork and a new log fire has been installed.

At the moment, the outside seating is a popular spot for a drink in the sunshine. Come the bleak and Baltic winter months, the real fire is likely to be just as much of an attraction.

If the old Booly Mardy’s was best known for its cocktails, VinYard 28 takes a different approach.

There is still an inventive cocktail list – the Chamomile Daisy comes decorated with flowers and looks very summery – but there is also more of an emphasis on the food available.

Typical dishes on the lunch/pre-theatre menu, available noon-7pm, are king prawn and chilli linguine, steak frites and double choc cheesecake.

Two courses are a tenner; three are £12.95.

Yotam Ottolenghi chef in Glasgow?

Incidentally, we can’t wait to see what is happening at the former Old Salty’s site in Finnieston.

It has been bought by Fergus McVicar (Chinaski’s and Tabac) who promises that the new site will be radically different from his previous ventures.

According to the well informed Dram magazine – new edition just out – Mr McVicar has recruited the head chef from one of Yotam Ottolenghi’s restaurants to head up the kitchen.