LYCHEE ORIENTAL, 59 MITCHELL ST, GLASGOW

1 LOCATION

Located in Glasgow city centre, tucked away down the cobbled Mitchell St.

2 FIRST IMPRESSIONS

This modern Asian eatery boasts Singaporean wooden blinds, mahogany-coloured floors and ivory leather chairs. Very tasteful, without being over the top.

3 SERVICE

Ask for Jimmy, owner, chef and host of STV’s Julie And Jimmy’s Hot Woks. He’s a charming, affable host who made us feel like old family friends.

4 MENU

Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong and beyond – Lychee Oriental is an Asian tour de force, offering the best of the continent. There’s sweet and sour chicken if you’ re a bit shy, or adventurous sounding chicken clay pot with Chinese sausage and cloud fungus in red beancurd.

5 TASTE

The best reasonably priced Asian restaurant in Glasgow we’ve tried. When you leave you’ll have dreams about the braised monkfish with enoki mushrooms in oyster sauce.

6 PRICE

A couple of dishes and soft drinks was under £30, and there’s also a lunchtime two-course menu. More than reasonable.

7 AMBIENCE

Even on a Sunday afternoon it was busy without being crowded. There are a few booths providing nooks for those who prefer something quieter.

8 SOMETHING SPECIAL

It feels wrong to go to a lovely restaurant like the Lychee Oriental and order a banana fritter, but that’s just what we did. A sprinkling of sesame seeds takes a classic takeaway treat into the 21st Century. There’s also the owner Jimmy, who may be the nicest restaurant owner we’ve met.

9 TOILETS

Spick and span. There’s a bathroom on the ground floor but, if that’s occupied, you can take a lift to the other bathroom, which is great fun.

10 VERDICT

One of those places you could visit every week, instead of just for an occasional treat. A jewel in the heart of Glasgow. 19/20