Cookie @ 72 Nithsdale Road, Strathbungo

Last night we ventured along to Strathbungo, to Cookie the new eatery at number 72 Nithsdale Road. Cookie is hard to define it’s a restaurant, a deli, a cookery shop, a gallery and a cookery school. Their food is seasonal and sourced locally where possible and they have a selection of hearty daily specials.

We were greeted by Dominico one of the founders of Cookie, who showed us to our table and who suggested an aperitif of Scottish Hendricks Gin with soda water, tamarind and a slice of lime. Followed by Freshly baked breads and organic olive oil, which Dominico explained was only three weeks old.

We ordered locally grown green beans and almond salad, along with Chorizo and Bean Soup for starters. Ayrshire Beetroot Risotto and Pork Crackling casserole, Roast potatoes with rosemary for mains and a sliver of apple tarte and plum tarte for dessert. Accompanied with a bottle of the house red, sourced from Dominico’s home town in Italy.

As a vegetarian I often resent my meat eating company not because of their carnivore instincts but for the choice and quality on offer to them, which is rarely offered to non meat eaters. This was certainly not the case at Cookie, as my meal was absolutely delicious, fresh seasonal ingredients and interesting dishes. I’ll forgive them for not having a vegetarian main course on the menu, as it's part of their open kitchen philosophy, allowing a dialogue about the origins of the food, how it'll be cooked and then observing the cooking process.

Dominico is a charming attentive host, who’s enthusiasm for good food is infectious, he grew up in the Southside, his father being Italian and mother Scottish, and has spent many years living in Italy. He has founded Cookie with his wife Dr Melanie McCallum, their focus is on seasonal food and local produce made available at an accessible price.

Dominico's architecture back ground is visible in the tactile quality of Cookie, Everything from the Ryan Frank Furniture, to the cutlery, to the beautiful simplicity of the lights has been especially chosen to create this unique establishment. Multiple materials create an impressive layering, which encompasses the existing narrative of the building. A large black iron mechanism remains on the ceiling, a memory of the old butchers which once occupied the shop. The external signage of the H.C Niven & Co garage remains, left as a reminder of what once was there, all this has been carefully thought about to create this unique place, which although beautifully created is a relaxed and enjoyable place to hang out with friends and family.

As mentioned earlier Cookie is not just a restaurant, There is the cooking club, which you can join through Cookies website. If you're interested in cooking, art and design, Cookie offers itself as a resource to its members and will be organising regular events though out the year, with guest speakers, cooks and other people of interest.

The shop sells local produce, ingredients and wine. They also showcase young designers and artists work, so many of the pots, pans and other culinary utensils used in the kitchen to prepare your meal, are available for sale, as are most of the cutlery, dishes, tableware, chairs, sofas and tables in Cookie.

It's not just about the food in Cookie it's the story of the food. I would recommend you get along to Nithsdale Road to try it out, have dinner, join the cooking club, have a coffee and browse the shelves. Those from the other side of the river – your going to have to venture south but it will be worth it...

cookie Scotland ltd. - 72 Nithsdale Road, Glasgow 0141 423 1411