As far as the 5pm team are concerned, summer sounds like The Beach Boys and feels like warm grass beneath your legs. But what does summer taste like?

Don't ask us, ask Glasgow's Chez Mal, which is celebrating the season with a brand new menu. Excitingly, we were invited along to try it...

Posh up my lollipop

After kicking things off with a refreshing sunny weather cocktail (obviously), the meal commenced.

We started with Sticky Thai Chicken Lollipops with Chilli & Coriander Dipping Sauce — which is basically what Chupa Chups want to be when they grow up.

Pep my pasta and zing my prawns

Our first main was a Tiger Prawn Penang Curry with just the right amount of kick (think joyous can-can dancer kick rather than painful kick in the face)....

And was followed by a sojourn to Italy with this Buffalo Mozzarella Linguini Arrabiata.

(Now, if you think of arrabiata as that uninspiring dish so often foisted upon unsuspecting vegetarians by the restaurant industry, then put all prejudices aside at once — this was bursting with flavour and gorgeously creamy).

Make my spoon swoon

For dessert we had a warm and gooey Valrhona Chocolate & Hazelnut Brownie with Caramelised Banana & Salted Caramel Ice Cream...

Aaaand this classic strawberry sundae, which took us on a sunny day trip to Largs via a detour to a rustic French farmhouse.

Because, while it conjured up soft-focused childhood memories of knickerbocker glories, the Chantilly cream and Vacherin cheese added a distinctly continental twist (oo-er missus).

Finally,  we sampled Le Fromage Tray, a selection of summer artisan cheeses with chutney, quince and crackers. As you can see, there were sooo many choices...be still our foodie hearts.

Then it was time to wave farewell to Chez Mal for the evening. And after our fizzy cocktails, tiger prawn curries and strawberry sundaes, we were definitely full of the straw hatted joys of the sunny season.

Try out Chez Mal's yummy new summer menu with our latest 5pm dining offer.