QUA, 68 INGRAM ST, GLASGOW

LOCATION

In the bustling Merchant City area of Glasgow, where there is a huge choice of eateries, with an Italian restaurant on almost every corner.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

There’s an unpretentious feel to the place and it’s clearly family-friendly, as the huge collection of kids’ drawings pinned up along the wall show.

SERVICE

Exemplary, from start to finish. The friendly manager chatted away but not to the point where it was intrusive, and he was only too happy to come up with various suggestions for our party’s dietary requirements.

MENU

There’s an extensive choice that includes favourites, traditional dishes from regions of Italy, and more. There is also a light bite value menu offering slightly smaller portion sizes and a kids’ menu.

TASTE

The tomato focaccia was a tasty and crisp starter, with lovely fresh tomatoes, which only whetted our appetites for the main courses. The pasta, laced with an abundance of fresh veg and a tangy tomato sauce, was lovely, as was the homemade apple pie dessert.

PRICE

Reasonably priced and cheaper than some Italian city centre establishments. The majority of the pizzas and pasta dishes are under £10, while the meat dishes won’t break the bank, either.

AMBIENCE

We visited on an early evening in the middle of the week, but it was still fairly bustling and the staff created a friendly atmosphere by taking the time to chat with each of the tables.

SOMETHING SPECIAL

Qua was included in the 2017 version of the prestigious Good Food Awards, surely a clear sign it’s one of the city’s leading restaurants.

TOILETS

Upstairs, where there is also a private dining area. Perfectly clean and bright.

VERDICT

A relaxed, welcoming restaurant serving genuine Italian food, presented with a smile and a few friendly words. 17/20