Strada

By Marianne Taylor

Details Strada  26 Cadzow Street  Hamilton  Lanarkshire  ML3 6DG      01698 282789 For those of us who spend quite a bit of time in Hamilton, it can be a frustrating affair. Don't get me wrong, the Lanarkshire town has plenty going for it, including a racecourse, a fantastic country park and some tasty restaurants, plus, most importantly, the folk are a pretty colourful bunch, as anyone who's ever been to an Accies match will testify. But up until recently, even the locals would admit that Hamilton lacked a sophisticated nightlife. Like most big-but-not-big-enough towns, come the weekend, it relies on cheesy fun pubs and nite spots, as well as a plethora of acceptable but hardly what you'd call sophisticated old men's bars that have existed since the year dot. Okay if you fancy a game of darts and a plate of steak pie, but not exactly where you'd want to take that dream date. Obviously, because of its close proximity to the city, loads of people just head into town, but that can make for an expensive and hassle-filled night when it comes to getting home at 3am. There was clearly a vacuum in the town for a cool, laid-back bar with good sounds going on to cater for the increasingly discerning twenty and thirtysomethings and that's exactly where Strada fits in. Opened last June, it's a hidden gem just off Cadzow Street, entered through a dark '70s passageway that makes you wonder exactly what you're letting yourself in for. But once you step through the door, it's like entering another world. Light and airy, minimal without being in the least bit pretentious, Strada is the type of place you could head to straight from work and happily spend the entire night in. The leafy plants at the entrance give off a slightly colonial vibe, while the full-length glass doors to the left just make you pine for summer evenings supping long vodkas. Inside, the vibe was sophisticated enough to keep us glued to our booth and by mid-evening, the place was filling up nicely with a mixture of couples and groups of friends. The huge bar takes centre stage on the back wall, crammed with every tipple you could imagine. We decided to have a bite to eat first and were mightily impressed by the beautifully-presented, fresh pasta. And, unlike in some city-style bars, the staff are a friendly bunch, happy to help with none of the we're-too-cool-for-school attitude that can put you off a place for life. To mark the end of dinner, the music cranked up just a bit, a mix of soulful r'n'b that doesn't drown out the conversation and from here on in, Strada provides the ideal location for an evening of Girltalk. A complete dish: The chef puts the finishing touches to another masterpiece. Open: Monday-Thursday noon- midnight, Friday noon-1am, Saturday noon-midnight, Sunday 6pm-midnight Drinks: Pint of lager £2.20, spirit and mixer, £1.80, cocktails £2.75 from 5pm until 7pm every night Rating: Four out of five

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