Curtain goes up on a cracker
TOOTS had gone all misty-eyed reminiscing about the day she landed the lead role in a high school production of Guys and Dolls.
“If I hadn’t got together with you, my name could have been up in lights on Broadway,” she pouted before launching into a glassshattering rendition of Luck Be a Lady.
Secretly I know her music teacher only gave her the role because he liked the way she looked in her hot pink spandex pants, but I wasn’t gonna break the spell.
To take her mind off her missed opportunity, I promised to take her out for some top nosh and I knew she’d feel right at home at the Tron Theatre, which has launched a brand new menu for luvvies.
One holler to Blondie later and we headed upstate to the Trongate area of the city, near the Tollbooth Steeple where witches, thieves and murderers were hanged.
A shiver ran down my spine as I parked the Buick in a secret parking lot nearby.
We were led into the back area of the theatre venue, which is set up for a restaurant but also hosts live gigs for up-andcoming artists including the Moll’s sister, Agnes – a red-headed broad with a big heart and the lungs to match.
The atmosphere was cosy and inviting with warm, muted tones of orange and green and candlelight tables filled with pre-theatre diners.
We weren’t rushing for that night’s performance so had plenty of time to savour the choices.
The waiting staff were quick to deliver two menus to our table, crammed full of dishes and I could tell it was going to be a tough call.
The staff were cheerful and attentive but not pushy and happy to recommend their own favourites.
After a bit of detective work, I managed to narrow it down.
I was taken by the curried cauliflower and sweet potato fritters, which came with mango and coriander mayonnaise and spinach and generously agreed to share my starter with the Moll.
The fritters were light and moreish and Blondie declared the dip delightful.
Moving on to our main, I couldn’t decide between the chickpea, spinach and coconut curry or the cullen skink gratin so I ordered both.
The curry was served with cauliflower and raisin cous cous and a flatbread, and it was the business – warming, healthy and very tasty.
I am a huge fan of the smoked fish soup cullen skink so I knew my other choice was going to be a winner – and it was. It was rich, creamy and comforting with a delicious parmesan herb crust.
I was so lost in thoughts I’d forgotten about the Moll, who was making light work of the home-made haloumi burger served with pesto mayonnaise, beetroot chutney and hand cooked, chunky chips, which got a big thumbs up from the good lady.
She was wisely left a bit of space for a dessert and chose the chocolate, maple and pecan brownie with fresh banana ice-cream and salted caramel.
I’ve given all the good stuff up for Lent and could only watch as she devoured every mouthful.
She said it was light and fluffy and delicious and didn’t feel the least bit decadent even though it was packed with naughty stuff.
Just then, the restaurant cleared as the curtain went up and I dragged Toots away before she gatecrashed the play.