It’s been a crazy old time in the city these past days. It just feels so close. We need a storm to clear the clam away.

Case work is challenging and that’s good, but one in particular is preying on me, trying to sort out some dude’s difficulties in Dennistoun.

I need a distraction from all this. And dinner.

What could be better than the comfort of a kitchen I’ve come to appreciate down the years; and the charming company of a certain drawl moll?

“Hallo, my dear,” I said as I smiled and slipped my arm round her waist.

“Oh, Tec. I’ll give you half an hour to stop doing that!” she tittered. “I might give myself an hour, my flower,” I replied. “But first, let’s eat!”

The New City Palace is a charming Chinese restaurant in the very heart of Glasgow, opposite BHS on Sauchiehall Street.

“Oh, Tec, in all the years I don’t recall us coming here,” said the doll as her stilettos clattered on the ceramic tiled floor of the entry.

“It’s a place I like to call my own,” I mused. “They know how to cook and give great service. And it’s friendly and welcoming. You know, my dear, I believe you will like it.”

There’s a large tank with a rainbow of tropical fish by the main entrance upstairs and the staff appear as if by magic to open the double doors and welcome us in.

“Great to see you again,” I’m told by one of the team, beaming.

“Usual window seat, sir?”

“Why, thank you. That would be just grand,” I said as the fair one followed me towards our charming corner.

“Oh, I do like this, Tec,” she said. “The whole atmosphere, the place just feels amazing …”

“And comfortable,” I offered. “Very much so, Tec. Oh ta for this!”

There’s a rather dashing spicy soup on the menu I recommended to my partner while I chose to relax and enjoy a traditional prawn cocktail.

“Oh, here, you’ll be ordering Black Forest Gateau next,” said the moll, guffawing at her own repartee. I managed a withering smile, but it was to no avail. She was off.

“Oh!” she cried out, “And that’s before the wine!”

The wine arrived bang on that line. No need to taste, we simply had it poured and prepared to toast to another fine evening together.

“Slainthe! My sainted one,” I proposed.

The wine, just like this lovely relaxed evening, was most convivial. And a little like myself, it was also crisp and stylish. It had just enough of a chill to captivate your taste buds and perform a little dance on your tongue. Very nice. Very nice indeed.

Outside, the city was slipping slowly towards the night as the bright lights on the corner and into Renfield Street glowed.

“It’s glowing, my dear,” I offered across the table as I then handed out a compliment: “A little like you.”

It was sadly mistimed and she almost choked as she spluttered her wine, seemingly taken aback by the cosiness.

Her soup had warmed the cockles and my prawn cocktail had cheered me with its texture and delicious sauce.

Now to the main. My chicken chow mein. There is something wonderful about ordering a meal you just know is going to be fresh and tasty and thoroughly enjoyable.

The noodles were soft and nestled happily with bean sprouts, onions and lovely moist chicken caressed by ginger and oyster sauce.

“I can tell you’re lovin’ that!” the moll observed, correctly, as she most happily continued on her chicken curry, which was tender and warm. Comforting food.

“I couldnae make this like this at home,” she said in a delighted, although perhaps disturbing way.

As I looked out of the window I rather fancied a belief that she’d never cook at home anyway and that breakfast comes closest to making a meal. And that’s usually tea and toast....

“Tec! If you do that to me one more time, I swear I’ll have you,” she said.

“I’m simply thinking, my dear. And don’t you have me now?”

I passed her my napkin for she suddenly started to dribble in what seemed to be a pleased kind of way.

It made for an interesting picture.

I looked more closely. Her weapons were her crystal eyes, making every man mad. They’re black as the dark night she was. Got what no-one else had.

“Aye, Tec. That’ll be you! I got you!”

Uh oh. Is that the rain? No, it’s the start of a perfect storm.

New City Palace restaurant

84 Sauchiehall Street

Glasgow G2 3DE

Tel: 0141 332 6265

Starters

Spicy soup £4.50

Prawn cocktail £4.50

Mains

Chicken curry £11.90

Chicken chow mein £10.90

Drinks

Bottle of Chardonnay £15.90

Total: £47.70

Atmosphere – 4 stars

Food – 4 stars

Service – 4 stars