John the Geologist

Third time in as many months to one of our local Italians, the Battlefield Rest just opposite the Vicky in Glasgow’s Southside.

Starters: I had a Schiacciata al Prosciutto starter (bit like very thin pizza bread with parma and cheese on top), J had bruschetta. Both yum.

Mains: I had a traditional lasagne – chunky pieces of mince, tomatoey sauce and good bechamel. J had an asparagus and ricotta ravioli with a duck ragu.

Dessert: J passed while I had a Battlefield Rest, basically ice cream, chantilly and Blue Curacao. Very eighties, but a nice nostalgia trip.

Again, we went for the house Merlot. Drinkable and recommended.

We are regulars at the Partick Farmers’ Market, but today, ‘cos it’s on the same side of town, we visited the new one in Queen’s Park.

This is not quite as big as the Partick one (but it’s only been going a few weeks, so give it time), and we can’t just nip up the road to Delizique, but its good to see it on the Southside.

Just for the record, we bought some partridge, savoy cabbage and parsnips. We couldn’t buy any more sausages as a) Puddledub and the Wild Boar people weren’t there and b) we already have a freezer full.

We’ve just had a cracking weekend in the Trossachs, staying at Monachyle Mhor Hotel. This is a rather special hideaway a long way down the glen at Balquhidder.

Best things about the hotel:

• 4-course dinner:
• appetiser: oyster
• starter: John Dory (John), partridge with bacon, cabbage and oatmeal(Jacqueline)
• main: loin of venison on a bed of pak choi with a fig tarte tatin
• pud: apple tarte tatin (John), chocolate baby cake (Jacqueline)
• Breakfast – a Full Scottish with bacon, haggis (yes, indeed!), mushrooms, tomato, fried egg and toast,
• The room – large, comfortable, with a gas stove in one corner, a walk-in shower anda bath (with multi-coloured lights) in the bathroom, and the most enormous bed. Next time we come, we must remember some CDs and DVDs for the DVD player.

Good walks too – up Beinn an t’Sithean on Sat, up Inverlochlarig Glen on Sun.