THE Moll was engaging with her eyelashes over the breakfast table before we’d even had a bite.

I took a deep breath and quietly reminded myself motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.

“Right, doll,” I said stepping up. “Now’s the time to treat ourselves. No cooking, no stretching, let’s head offski.”

“Whereski?” she responded in that infinitely fine Glasgwegian patter that I’d embraced before.

“Southsideski.” I winced a little. Time to move away from the Sovietski, fire up the Buick and make for Kilmurry in Shawlands. A fine place, I’m told. And I recalled I once held some useful papers there on a case way back.

It was the Post Office back in the day.

“Oh, Tec,” twittered the tall, droll Moll. “Izzat no’ a lovely touch? A pillar boax outside the restaurant. Do you think it’s real?”

I confided in her that indeed it is real and you could even send letters and cards by using it.

She seemed gripped by the notion and whispered she hoped to see Postman Pat in the place. Not close, not at all. Not even a black and white cat.

Mine hostess charmed us with an excellent choice of brunch menu.

Toots was on excellent form.

“I’d like a Mimosa cocktail to start. It’ll help me choose well,” she told our friendly server. “Make mine a Negroni. I’m feeling a bit Italian today,” I added.

Set in the heart of Shawlands, Kilmurry is a welcoming, warm, informal and very friendly local that opens its doors to all. This seems like a nice neighbourhood to have bad habits in.

Our brunchtime saw a couple of mother's meeting with kids happily in their high chairs; two grannies nearby but unconnected; and several of what we used to call Yuppies, but are probably now known as Hipsters.

The menu is very inviting.

Toots lowered her lashes until they almost cuddled her cheeks and slowly raised them again, like a theatre curtain. I know that trick.

“It’s eggs Benedict for me,” she fluttered. “Scrambled with smoked salmon, for me,” I requested.

“Do you ever feel alone, Tec?”

“You’re never alone with a Strand,” I replied, pulling out a battered, vintage packet of cigarettes, trapped in the lining of my trenchcoat since 1955.

“But, hell, no, I don’t. Not when you’re around.”

Our cocktails led to long-stem glasses of vodka to add such a taste of silk to our meal.

“Stoli’s the new Bolly,” tittered Toots. “It’s always been a mainstay in the office,” I recalled as I looked out across the bustle of Kilmarnock Road.

“What you thinking of?” said Toots as she tucked into her perfectly presented eggs Benedict with its excellent sauce and perfect poach.

“Why, you, of course,” I responded as I enjoyed the rich, smokey salmon with organic scrambled eggs to treasure.

Truth is, I was thinking about Kilmurry.

With its exposed brick walls, rustic dark woods and reclaimed fixtures and fitting, we were really being transported to the streets of New York’s hippest district.

We were downtown Manhattan and I was recalling our brunch there in a place called Boxer’s.

This place is pretty special.

By day guests there are hearty brunch and lunch options from eggs nine ways to fluffy buttermilk pancakes with fresh pressed juices and cold brew coffee.

And if you surface in Shawlands at dusk, expect a vast array freshly caught seafood from Kilmurry’s “Raw” bar as well as a selection of grill options from succulent steak tacos to Korean pulled pork Bao Buns.

“Will be come back at night, Tec?”

“Of course we will my dear.

“We’ve not seen the last of this place.”

BILL

FOOD

Eggs Benedict - £6.90

Scrambled eggs and smoked salmon - £7.50

DRINKS

Mimosa - £6.50

Negroni - £7.50

Stolichnya £6.40 x 2

Tonic water £2.50 x 2

TOTAL £46.20

VERDICT

Food - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Atmosphere - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Service - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Value - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kilmurry & Co, 210 Kilmarnock Road, Glasgow G43 1TY
Tel: 0141 632 5606