Mercado

A damp Sauchiehall Street on a cold January day is seldom confused with balmy Seville in sunny May.

Happily, today’s Big Deal on tapas and wine for two at Mercado can take the chill off the Scottish winter and allow a little Spanish culinary sunshine to shine through.

With purchases valid from early January to the end of February 2017, this offer is a perfect antidote to winter.

Authentic Spanish ingredients

A vibrant bar and restaurant in the buzzy Merchant Square, Mercado specialises in authentic Spanish tapas.

Along with freshly sourced, local fish, seafood and meat, the kitchen uses Spanish ingredients to create a genuine taste of Spain.

Mercado also enjoys an atmospheric setting beneath the glass roof of the Merchant Square and tables on the cobbled terrace provide a great vantage spot for observing the Merchant City nightlife.

Enjoy it all with today’s Big Deal.

Spanish sharing platter

Available Sunday to Friday, noon to 9pm, today’s Big Deal is for two people to share bread and olives, five tapas and a bottle of house wine.

There is plenty to choose from.

We like the chicken strips in a lemon and coriander batter with garlic mayonnaise but could be tempted by that popular Scottish-Spanish crossover tapa: the haggis bon bons with a whisky and mustard dipping sauce.

 Of course, we’ll have the calamares and maybe the Scottish mussels in a choice of garlic, white wine and cream.

From the veggie selection, we have a soft spot for spicy patatas bravas and the Spanish omelette.

Or maybe the bruschetta. Decisions, decisions.

Happy diners

Mercado has lots of very happy customers, as these reviews from its 5pm page show:

‘Date night. We had tapas menu. Food was good. Good atmosphere as it was salsa night.’

‘Excellent meal and service. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Waiting staff were engaging and attentive. The food was good as were the portion sizes and the wine was wonderful. We lingered over our meal and drinks and at no time did we feel pressured to leave.’

‘Mercado tapas delight. Great service, tapas choice and portions. Excellent all round, very good.’

Enjoy with friends

A taste of Spain is just the ticket to bring a little Mediterranean warmth to your winter.

Available Sunday to Friday from noon to 9pm, this Big Deal from Mercado is very versatile.

You could use it for an after work drink and snacks; a lovely lunch or as a pre-theatre supper before catching a Celtic Connections show.