As per a previous post, Halloumi is to expand from its original city centre location on Hope Street with a second branch on Pollokshaws Road.

Halloumi South (main pic) opens today and if you like modern Greek/Mediterranean food then they have more tzatziki than you can shake a halloumi chip at.

Not a million miles away, at 778 Pollokshaws Road, the long-running Mulberry Street Bistro has become the Stag and Thistle.

With branches already serving in Kilmaurs and Stewarton, the new venture is open from noon to late, seven days a week.

As well as a lunch and dinner menu, Stag and Thistle offer a kids' menu, a roast menu and a gluten-free menu.

Typical dishes might be the peppercorn chicken, the classic fish supper or the beef chilli.

And if you like macaroni then you are in the right place. The current menu lists five different variations including bacon and spring onion, Cajun chicken and chorizo and red onion.

Michelin mention for Julies Kopitiam

While down this neck of the woods, it's a hearty congratulations to Julie's Kopitiam as the cosy Malaysian restaurant has just been notified that it is to appear in the next edition of the Michelin Guide.

Sticking with the Southside, we are looking forward to the launch of Mr Wu's Disco Kitchen in the former Hickory premises on Kilmarnock Road.

As well as a pan-Asian menu, the mysterious Mr Wu promises arcade games, table tennis and pool.

Who wouldn't want to work off their wok-fuelled excesses with a game or two of whiff whaff?

Bao buns on Hutcheson Street

Scooting back into the city centre, we have just noticed that The Court Bar on Hutcheson Street has become Pavement, a bar and kitchen.

The Court Bar had operated as a pub since 1881 which, given the speed of change in the licensed trade, is not far off miraculous.

We confess to not knowing if The Court Bar did food or not but Pavement certainly do.

As well as pub grub classic such as fish 'n' chips, burgers, mac 'n' cheese and smoked ham hough pot, their new menu features bao buns, gochujang chicken wings and beetroot hummus.

A recent post advises that their 'fried broccoli marinated in a sweet chilli and char sui sauce goes great with Beavertown Gamma Ray beer'.

We're guessing that wasn't a pairing recommendation that was made too often during The Court's long history.

As always, the 5pm Dining blog wishes all the new places the very best of luck.

Keep checking back for the latest restaurant and bar news in the Central Belt.