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It’s been a long year, but amazing takeaways have seen us through

It’s a year since the first lockdown, but my memories of the last couple of restaurants I reviewed are still vivid.

Glasgow’s Gloriosa was beautiful.

I remember their burnt caramel panna cotta, the fish tank in the corner, and feeling tipsy after a strong negroni.

Then there were the amazing sandwiches at Alby’s and a visit to The Colonnades at the Signet Library.

It was taken for granted. Now I can hardly imagine being in such a beautiful space, instead of sweatshirt-clad in my dusty flat.

If we’d known what was coming, I’d have ordered a magnum of Champagne, and hung around until dusk. I would have clung onto the table leg, as the maitre d’ dragged me out onto Parliament Square.

After lockdown was announced, we decided I’d continue reviewing, but takeaways.

Since then, with a few dozen under my belt, I’ve been amazed by hospitality’s speedy adaptability. It’s never been difficult to find somewhere to review.

Instagram has become an ordering tool, restaurants are thinking about eco-friendly packaging, independent delivery services like Farr Out have launched, hatches have opened, socially distanced queues have lengthened, and chefs have expertly gauged how much of the cooking customers are willing to do at home. (In my case, not very much).

Now, more of them are offering nationwide delivery, takeaways for every occasion, and have refined their offerings.

Our top takeaways after a year of reviewing in lockdown