ESCA & Chisholm 27

Sound the all clear, February has disappeared over the horizon and it’s time to end that stay-at-home spell of enforced austerity that descended after the New Year credit card bills arrived.

Instead, it’s time to hit the town, meet up with friends. Maybe at a friendly and genuine little Italian place we happen to know.

Today’s Big Deal says benvenuti to ESCA, that established Merchant City favourite, for a spot of excellent cuisine.

Authentic Italian

The cosy, candle-lit ESCA has been serving up superb rustic and regional Italian dishes to discerning Glaswegians since the turn of the century and goes from strength to strength.

Freshly-prepared fare, served with a hearty welcome and no pretensions are the keystones of ESCA‘s enduring popularity.

Available seven days a week from noon until 9.30pm, today’s Big Deal option one is for two people to each enjoy their choice of a pizza, pasta or risotto dish from the a la carte menu.

Finding it tricky deciding who to take? Option two enlarges the party, offering pizza, pasta or risotto for four.

Menu highlights

Pasta dishes include familiar favourites such as carbonara and Bolognese but also regional specials such as Penne Salsiccia, with Italian sausage, peppers, onion and chilli in tomato sauce, or the vegetarian Campagnola, with courgette, mushrooms, peppers, chickpeas and cherry tomatoes.

Pizza toppings also combine the established favourites with variations such as Ortolana, with sausage, spinach and olives, or the fashionable Porketta, with slow-cooked pulled pork, roast onions and barbecue sauce.

Risotti feature three vegetarian options, including one with wild mushrooms, peas, spinach and truffle oil, along with chicken and king prawn dishes.

Happy diners

ESCA is a firm favourite with 5pm users, gaining a high rating of 4.3/5 and glowing reviews, including these recent contributions:

‘ESCA never fails to deliver. The food was delicious and the staff were very friendly and efficient. Will be back soon.’

‘I have never been disappointed with the food. Excellent as always!’

‘Had a fantastic meal for three at ESCA. I’ve been several times to this restaurant and I’ve never been disappointed.’

Italian treat

Available seven days a week from noon, this offer would be ideal for a relaxed lunch with friends or family or a pre-theatre meal (the Tron is right opposite).

Snap up today’s Big Deal with ESCA and enjoy getting back out there this spring.