This gastropub is a firm-favourite with Glaswegians in the know. And for good reason. Left Bank serves up excellent food at reasonable prices. After one visit, you're guaranteed to be a regular.

The Venue
Left Bank is a dreamy space that takes its inspiration from the great outdoors. A butterfly print covers the upholstery and the walls are either covered with floral wallpaper or are exposed brickwork or wood. It's furnished with couches, wall benches and there's a metal staircase. Despite the detail, the decor is discrete and Left Bank has interior design down to a fine art.

The People
A mature, refined bunch head here, usually with their family in tow. This gastropub has had lots of compliments from the national press, not just for offering up good food, but for doing so at a reasonable price (which explains the family appeal).

It has a chilled-out atmosphere, and it's the sort of place where you're happy to waste an afternoon. But it can get busy, even on lazy Sundays. Any hubbub is smoothed over by their soft background music, and you'll linger here for longer than you intended.

The Food
To sample all the delights the kitchen has to offer your best bet is to opt for the menu prix fixe. It's available from Monday to Friday, noon to 7pm, and two courses cost £11 and three are £13, including a soft drink.

The weekend brunch (10am to 5pm) is also a good way to sample their food. You can order ciabatta with Gillespie sausage or Ayreshire bacon (£3.35), classic breakfast with haggis (£6.75 to £7.35 with a vegetarian option available) or the spicy Bombay breakfast with dhal, Bombay masala potatoes, cauliflowers and peas, yogurt and warm naan bread (£5.50).

Chances are that after a few tasters you'll want to have a full meal. Start with small plates, sides and starters (£3 to £5.75), which include wasabi potato cakes with peas, halloumi and beetroot chutney; Tokyo salad with carrots, spinach, mung beans and peppers in mirin and ginger dressing; sticky pork-ribs and many other pan-Asian options.

The mains (£7.25 to £17) are just as mouthwatering. A healthy option is the super-salad (quinoa, cannelini, sweet potatoes, asparagus, peas, pumpkin seeds, beetroot and rocket sprouts with tahini and lemon), then there’s the tantalising garlic masala fried fish on Goan seafood curry with Malabar garlic pickle and pilao rice. There are also evening specials (£11 to £22).

For the ultimate indulgence try the pumpkin-seed crusted lamb, the gingered monkfish and tiger-prawn kebabs with shredded spinach or the coconut laksa with baby aubergine and broccoli.

A great point about the Left Bank is that while all the food they serve pleases those who value top-notch nosh, the fact is that a good percentage of their dishes are vegan. Finally there’s a place where the veggie and the meat eater can both have exceptional food.

The Drink
The speciality at The Left Bank may be the food but the drinks aren't bad either. They offer a few innovative cocktails which you can order as either short (£4.50 to £5) or long (£3.75 to £5.50). Concoctions include merry jerry (Sailor Jerry, fresh lime and Amaretto), honey caipirinha, wasabi bloody Mary, berry mule, mint tonic and kentucky cup (four roses, apple juice, cucumber and fruit).

Draught beers (£3 to £3.90) include Kronenberg, Kronenberg Blanc, San Miguel, Baltika and McEwan70, while bottles include (£2.80 to £3.80) Corona, Peroni, Stella Artois, Cobra, Budvar, Grolsch and the unusual Fraoch.

For wine, there are a dozen and a half bottles to choose from, priced at £14 to £22, and they’re all available by small (£3.75 to £5.50) and large glass (£4.75 to £7.40). There’s a couple of bottles, which are less heard of, but there's nothing particularly strange or exotic.

The Last Word
You'd be hard pushed to find a better gastropub in Glasgow, or one that's more highly recommended. One visit here and you'll join its chorus of fans.

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