I never used to like seafood, but a holiday to California some 15 years ago put paid to that. Treated to lunch at Spago in Beverly Hills, I went straight in and ordered lobster (no idea why, maybe a when in Rome situation?), much to the surprise of my husband. He was no doubt worried that I started at the more expensive end of the seafood scale, though I still can’t get my head round oysters though.

Despite Spago, for years you wouldn’t have found me in a seafood restaurant as it wasn’t a natural ‘go to’ for me. That has changed in recent years with so many great seafood places popping up, particularly those like the Crabshakk in Finneston, Glasgow.

The Crabshakk is a small but welcoming restaurant which has become a firm favourite and I often try to find an excuse to visit. My preferred spot is sitting at the counter – it feels more social. you can see your food being cooked, and of course have a bit of craic with the staff.

On our latest visit, it was for my birthday (well post birthday lunch – told you any excuse!). So, naturally we started off with a couple of great celebratory cocktails (an Old Fashioned for me, a Martini for him), followed by a tasty bottle of Cremant, to go with the seafood.

For starter I had the Tempura Squid with a Soy Dip, the batter was light, squid cooked perfectly with a tasty sauce to dip in. As usual, my husband went for a couple of Oysters to enjoy with his Martini, followed by a starter of Cockles with Pancetta and Samphire, a dish which he said was flavoursome and delicious.

Moving on to mains, I had been eyeing up the Langostines being cooked while sipping on my cocktail at the counter, so I knew that was exactly what I was going to have. Meaty, juicy Langostine covered in a Garlic Butter, what’s not to like? Especially with a side of chips to dip in the buttery goodness! The other main was a Lemon Sole with Brown Shrimp Butter and Samphire, melt in the mouth fish, with a delicous buttery sauce, definitely not a health food!

And to finish, because you always need a wee something sweet to end a meal, we had the Affogato and the days special of a Chocolate Cremeux, with Raspberry Mousse and Honeycomb. All tasty and just the right size to fulfil any sweet cravings.

As always, a thoroughly enjoyable meal at the Crabshakk. It’s a great for a lazy lunch or dinner, I’m already making plans for my next excuse to be in the area! So make sure you book your visit there, or their new restaurant by the Botanics, in the West End.