Plumb in the centre of the city area of Glasgow is the City Merchant Restaurant, founded by the Matteo family in 1988 and now one of the most popular and well-known eating houses of the area, particularly popular with family groups. Seafood is the prime attraction and, combined with a strong sense of Scottishness adds greatly to the reputation of this excellent restaurant. Prices are reasonable, service is cheerful and efficient and the place hums with enjoyment.

The à la carte might bring such dishes as cullen skink, Loch Etive mussels, juicy langoustines from the West Coast, freshly poached asparagus with red and yellow pepper syrups, oysters served as oysters should be and accompanied by a flute of The Merchant's Black Velvet. The Scottish Seafood Platter is of a size and nature which only exists in most peoples' dreams, steaks are sent from Ayrshire with T-bones weighing in at 16 oz, or fillet combined with half a lobster, if that's your line. The very Scottish clootie dumpling drizzled with light custard makes an excellent dessert.