Just under a fortnight ago, the blog picked up on the forthcoming launch of Zinfandel in Glasgow's Southside.

The Nithsdale Road gastrobar is having its preview night this evening (19th Feb) from 5pm and, according to their Facebook, everyone is welcome.

As well as a live acoustic set from Jono, guests can avail themselves of the full bar and menu tasters on the buffet.

The launch menu has become available for perusal and, to use a technical culinary phrase, it's a doozy.

The chefs - Mate Jankovic and Frane Badrov - have developed 'amazing Croatian dishes' using 'fresh Scottish seafood and (the) finest Scottish beef'.

We read a lot of menus and a lot of them are very similar. Nothing particularly wrong with that. Chefs tend to know what dishes sell and if keeping them on the menu means bums on seats then everyone is a winner.

Adriatic specialities

Zinfandel's stands out on account of ingredients and combinations which are unusual. At least they are to this blogger - apologies to our many Croatian readers.

We do know about black risotto - coloured and flavoured with squid ink - as we had some while on holiday in Croatia last year. However, we're pretty sure that the ones we ate didn't include bee pollen as one of the ingredients.

Similarly, prawn pâté with pancetta plus rosemary and garlic toasted bread is a new combo to us.

On more familiar ground, we would also be delighted to sink our gnashers into the spicy venison pie; the chicken stew with paprika and sour cream or the buzara - a type of fish stew with mussels, prosciutto, tomatoes and garlic.

The different variations on carpaccio venison, veg and octopus are tempting as is the charcuterie platter which includes three-year, dry aged Dalmatian prosciutto.

The veggie and vegan dishes have had some thought put into them. Try the beetroot and goat cheese risotto or the veggie polpette with the house salsa.

Zinfandel opens fully for bookings on Friday 21st February.

Sounds sweet at Vinyl Bar

The blog is also going to mention Vinyl Bar on Glasgow's London Road.

It opened last October so we are playing catch-up. However, we wandered in last week en route to a gig at the Barrowlands and thought we should spread the word a little.

As the name suggests, it is a music-themed pub with pics of assorted rock 'n' characters lining the walls and a selection of vintage and contemporary tunes being spun on the real live record player - younger readers may care to ask their grandparents.

It's pleasingly ramshackle rather than slick but the beers are cold and the staff are warm and friendly.

The simple food menu runs from chilli, burgers and nachos to mac 'n' cheese, fish finger sarnies and a wild mushroom salad.

You may want to swing by if going to see a gig. Main pic is from their Facebook.