BEAN SCENE

Diner Tec visits Nanika

NANIKA

72 Victoria Road, Glasgow, G42 7AA Tel: 07383 716676 IT was a Thursday, the worst night of the week. A bitterly cold December night and I had just cracked a case that had blighted me since January.

Just as I sat down, about to pour myself a Scotch, Toots walked through the door. She was full of energy, riding high and looking for a night on the town.

It had been a hard week, and there was still one long day left, but not one to disappoint, I headed outside to thaw the Buick and ready myself for a midweek knees-up.

The Moll hopped into the passengers seat and we headed to the southside, stopping off on Victoria Road outside a small and brightly lit room on the end of a block. So cold it was outside that the heat inside rendered it impossible to see into the steamy windows. A good sign, if I have ever seen one. As we approached, my date pulled a bottle of wine from her bag. This really was to be a big night out after all.

Walking inside we were surrounded by young, hip-looking types. Typically, Toots and I stood out, all dolled up, in a sea of denim, moustaches and woollen hats.

Quickly we took our seats. of which there are only a dozen or so, near the door and read the menu. We decided to order some soy-glazed peanuts while we made our decision. Thankfully, these small flavourful pellets drove us on and showed us that whatever we ordered would be top notch.

After a period of dithering, and some advice from the exceptionally friendly staff, we opted to share a few dishes. The Edamame arrived first, cooked simply in salt but whetting our appetite for what was to follow.

Next was the salt and chilli tofu, perfect for everyone, including those new-age vegetarians and vegans. It did pack some serious spice, but Toots can handle the heat and knocked it all back without breaking a sweat. The chilli did not overpower the taste but instead enhanced it, making for the highlight of the meal.

Last came the two buns, one each for the Moll and I.

While I opted for the Asian delicacy filled with pork belly, Toots enthusiastically dug into a prawn bun.

Both were exquisite, using only a few ingredients but perfectly blended with spice and savoury at the fore. Each mouthful provided something different and left you wanting more at the end.

The trendy types around us also seemed to be enjoying the food, and were blabbing away with the staff like regulars as those picking up orders came and went. The friendly atmosphere and ambience in the place was balanced perfectly with music which complemented the mood perfectly.

And while the food was spectacular, the service provided by the pair in the kitchen, who effortlessly floated around the diner, was even better, talking us through the menu as newcomers and inviting us back.

That is an invitation that Toots and I will be accepting.