Why, as soon as Christmas is over, are we so keen for poor winter to be gone? Why do we always treat it as if it has overstayed its welcome?

Maybe if winter could speak, it would tell us that it has lots more to offer beyond the festive season. Such as lovely snowy days, cosy evenings cocooned indoors and, best of all, a rich range of seasonal flavours. 

Chez Mal at Malmaison in Glasgow is only to keen to celebrate the latter with its new winter menu. 5pm were invited along to a special tasting of a hearty yet artful range of dishes...

Winter delights

After being welcomed into the plush restaurant, we began with Asian-influenced starters of sweet & sticky Korean tiger prawns with toasted sesame seeds, spring onion & coriander salad... 

And Thai pumpkin & coconut soup (if soups could hug, then this one would). 

Warming flavours

Next up was a satisfying range of mains, including lamb shank bhuna with pilaf rice, grilled Indian bread & yoghurt...

Braised shin of beef & mushroom pie with smoked mash and 'homemade' gravy...

Crab & sea scallop risotto with white crab meat, crab bisque, pan-seared scallops, samphire and carnaroli rice...

Aaand pan-fried sea bass with winter ratatouille and chive butter sauce (we were told that Chez Mal's Executive Chef enjoyed the challenge of creating a winter vegetable ratatouille, as it is so often seen as a summer dish). 

Cold weather decadence

Then onto the desserts, which all had a definite comfort food feel but with the added style and panache that you can expect from this dining spot.

Spoons a ready, we tucked into the delicately spiced mulled wine poached fruits & vanilla panna cotta with toasted almonds...

And warm apple pie with Yorkshire rhubard compote and custard (move over, granny, looks like Mal has stolen your thunder)... 

And last but most assuredly not least, a super decadent Valrhona dark chocolate mouse with honeycomb, cocoa nib tuile and crème fraîche. All we can say is that we were dreaming of this dessert for days afterwards... 

So there you have it — spicy soups, warming risottos, smoked mash, Indian curry and luxury chocolate whipped up into a heavenly mousse...if those treats aren't a reason to celebrate the rest of winter, then we don't know what is. 

Hats off to you, Chez Mal (or maybe hats on, cos it's still a bit chilly out there). 

Fancy trying out Chez Mal's new, gorgeously warming winter menu? Take a look at this Big Deal on a two course meal for two with a cocktail or prosecco each.