Clockwork Beer Company, Glasgow

For a change of pace from the city centre, or for Southsiders like me who don't live near Shawlands, the Clockwork Beer Company, near Mount Florida, is the only local to be seen in.

With its own micro brewery, the Clockwork is something of a Southside legend; popular with both locals and visitors to the area. Close to Hampden Park, the spacious venue is home to a number of flat screen televisions and large screens, making it the perfect spot to soak up a match-day atmosphere, along with a wide range of choice ales. In fact, Tennents drinkers recently voted it the best place to watch football in the whole of West Scotland.

The open layout and friendly atmosphere makes it a great family pub too, with lunchtime deals and a special kids menu, so you can eat out without breaking the bank. The pub also boasts a reasonably sized beer garden for the warmer months, which is a bit of a rarity in the Southside.

The Clockwork has recently re-launched its menu, which is full of hearty meals, as well as lighter choices for the more health-conscious among us. Personally for me, if I'm not cooking it, the calories don't count, so I tend to go for my favourites on the menu, but it is good to know that baked potatoes and hot filled wraps are on offer if I want them. There is also a good mix of starters which can double up as lighter meals, such as loaded potato skins or nachos.

The steak pie and beef chilli are my husband's favourites, whereas I almost always read the whole menu and then end up ordering the beef lasagne - it is just too good to miss. When we do want to be a little more adventurous, the bowl of locally caught mussels is always tempting, as is the braised lamb gigot, which is served with delicious mash and mint gravy.

As for the desserts - they are exactly the sort of nostalgic, comforting offerings you would expect from a good local - sticky toffee pudding, chocolate fudge cake and apple pie. If you are eating in a group, I recommend getting one of each and mixing and matching! And if you do throw caution to the wind and indulge in dessert, you can always walk it off in nearby Queen's Park.