Martha's, Healthy Food in Glasgow City Centre

To celebrate the launch of Lassies who Lunch we decided to head out for our first official lunch date. It would be rude not too!

Us lassies are all on a bit of a 'health kick' so wanted something delicious and nutritious. Where can you get such treats in the city centre? Scottish Restaurant Awards' Takeaway of Restaurant of the Year Martha's of course! It is only two blocks from our office so we didn't need an excuse to try out their new autumn/winter menu.

Stephie opted for the soup of the day, which was Carrot and Cumin and must have been delicious as we never got much chat out of her until it had been completely devoured. It did smell amazing. Along with the soup you get a slice of freshly baked bread which goes perfectly. 

Blondie and I opted for the flat bread wraps. Blondie chose the new autumn menu Pagado Chicken with veg, Indonesian coconut, peanut and ginger dressing. Whereas i chose the Chipotle Chicken with a smoked jalapeno dressing and avocado salsa. I was in absolute heaven some of my favourite things all contained in the same wrap...GET IN!! The chicken also had a right good kick, which is always a winner in my books. (Blondie would disagree with me here - not so much a fan of the spice.)

What I also love about Martha's is the fact they put all their nutritional values next to all items, which makes deciding what to have for lunch somewhat easier at times. My wrap was 485 calories however, if you are looking for something a bit lighter you could skip they wrap and have a main box or go for a noodle crunch salad which is only 111 calories. :-)

As you can probably tell I'm a massive Martha's fan and can't wait til my next visit. Since we went Stephie & Blondie have both been back for soup, too. Next time I'll be indulging in a smoothie; can't believe I haven't had one yet. How amazing do they look??

My new favourite lunchtime hangout....see you there!!

_________________

Martha's

142A St Vincent Street

Glasgow, G2 5LQ

0141 248 9771 

Open 7:30am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday, 11.00am to 4:00pm Saturday

@mymarthas

facebook.com/mymarthas

TGIFriday's Glasgow Cocktail Menu

I've been obsessed with TGIFriday's for a long time. I can't remember when the first time I went was but I have so many fond memories from going before a Sweetheart's dance in high school to going to the TGIFriday's on my university campus after monthly sorority meetings. My first waitressing job ever was at TGIFriday's as soon as I turned 19 and it makes me smile now that one of my son's favourite places to it is none other than my striped favourite.

So it will come as no surprise that when we were invited to TGIFriday's new menu launch we jumped at the chance. To celebrate the menu launch, 100 bespoke artworks are being created from the inspiration of the 100 cocktails on offer, inspired by the colours, flavours and origins included in the menu---everything from manicures by Boom Nails to amazing paper cutting by illustrator Cat Ingall.

My favourite cocktails were the Bubblegum Daiquiri with popping candy rim and the Red Velvet with Friday's foam but TGI Friday's bartenders will mix you up anything your heart desires. Of course we had to tuck into the new tapas too. I know what you're thinking---Fridays? Tapas? These smaller bites aren't your traditional tapas offerings but instead sharing plates including Jack Daniels Cajun Battered Shrimp, Meatball Sliders and my personal favourite Sam Adams Chili Cheese Dip & Pretzels.

We know cocktails and tapas aren't your normal lunch fare but the lassies are allowed to blow off some steam after work too, right? TGIFriday's will always hold a special place in my heart but with their new cocktails and tapas menu I don't think I'll need to do much convincing to get people to join me there. If you still aren't sure just how fun a night at TGIFriday's can be take a look at this video we made and see for yourself!
  

_________________

TGI Friday's

multiple UK locations including 3 in Glasgow

Glasgow Fort Shopping Park 50 Provan Walk Glasgow G34 9DL

113 Buchanan Street Glasgow G1 3HF

Xscape Braehead Kings Inch Road Braehead Glasgow PA4 8XU

11:30am-11:00pm (closing time varies with location)

@tgifridaysuk

facebook.com/tgifridaysuk

Instagram: TGIFridaysUK

Lola and Livvys, Glasgow Cafe and Deli

Under Glasgow Central Station bridge is not the first place that springs to mind when you think of eating out for lunch. Which is why it came as a bit of a surprise to find the hidden gem that is Lola and Livvy's in exactly that spot. With a cute, vintage bike sitting outside it's a wonder how I'd never noticed the cafe before or picked up the lovely smell of Italian coffee coming through its open door (especially in comparison to some other odours that lurk around there).

                              

The cafe is run by the very friendly and ever present Edwardo who chats to his customers without it being over the top. Even though there is a menu he explained in a bit more detail about what was on offer and had me sold on the homemade spicy tomato soup with the freshly baked mozzarella, chorizo and pesto focaccia. It was an absolute delight and something I think is missing from Glasgow's lunch time menu - homemade food. 

                               

Other things on offer include baked potatoes, paninis and sandwiches with a variety of fillings. There are also three freshly made hot dishes, including one vegetarian option, and these tend to change daily ranging from chicken ragu to courgette pasta.

As you can tell I cannot rate Lola and Livvy's highly enough so much so I may have accidentally ate part of a brown paper bag trying to tuck into a takeaway focaccia... just a tiny bit! However the only thing I would say is the cakes tend to be the same (carrot cake is never my first option no matter how good it looks) and I also think they are missing out on a trick by not updating their Facebook page or Twitter account. I'm sure Blondie will back me up on this! 

But check it out, it's a lovely, little cafe and finally gives all of us Glaswegians a reason to venture under the bridge. 

_________________

Lola and Livvy's

254 Argyle Street Glasgow G2 8D

0141 258 0161

Open Weekdays 7.30am-7pm, Saturdays 9am-5pm

@lolaandlivvys 

facebook.com/lolaandlivvys

Meet the Lassies

We are three Scottish (well one Scomerican) lassies who work in new media in the public sector & love to lunch. Whether we're making the most of our one hour lunch eating out around Glasgow, baking treats for the office or creating the inaugural salad club we never skip lunch. So who are we?

Wee Lorz:

The smallest member of the team, with the biggest food obsession. She likes to talk a lot about what she's been eating, is about to eat or what she wants to make to eat. In her absolute element when she gets to spend a day in the kitchen cooking up a storm, with a glass of wine of course. Loves Middle Eastern, Mexican and Italian, finished off with a double espresso!

Blondie:

Even though she's lived in the UK for over 9 years she still cooks and bakes using American measurements. Her favourite foods include Cincinnati style chili, square sausage and anything watermelon flavoured. She hates oranges and coriander  but the latter only because she's allergic. She also blogs over as Transatlantic Blonde. While these twisted chips with cheese and ranch were amazing she's now trying to eat healthier.

Stephie:

She has an unhealthy obsession with corn on the corb, cereal without milk and breakfast tea but not at all once. Although she is trying to eat healthily her least favourite lunch is soup... or salad and she has a sweet tooth that can't be ignored.  Stay posted for some baking recipes as she started to bake recently, her biggest success being orange and white chocolate cake (the 4th attempt).

We will always be honest, always accept free cocktails and always share not just our successes but our fails as well. After all that amazing recipe on Pinterest isn't so amazing if it doesn't work in real life!