This article appears as part of the Food Matters newsletter.

Despite having walked down Miller Street in Glasgow city centre many times before, I pause for a second while trying to pinpoint where this morning’s interview is taking place.

I think I’ve reached number 68, home to what will soon be one of the city’s most talked about new restaurants, but with the signage for Margo yet to be installed, I err on the side of caution and resolve to give Jonathan Macdonald a ring first.

I’m here today on the juicy promise of an exclusive for The Herald, concerning the announcement of a new cocktail bar which is to open downstairs.

It’s a fantastic story to share, but truth be told, the nosy side of me is just as excited to have a sneak peek around the space given that little of its interiors have been posted on social media so far.

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Right on cue, side-stepping the construction workers making their way in and out of the building pops Macdonald, the founder of the Scoop Restaurant Group which is also responsible for the Ox and Finch and Ka Pao.

The team at Margo (Image: Supplied) There’s a quick hello, and then we’re off on a tour of this impressive, ‘two-for-one’ situation.

It’s Margo first, a split-level restaurant due to open late next month which even without soft furnishings is already looking pretty seductive.

There are distinct seating areas to cater to all party sizes and occasions, with booths to be installed up the back, a mezzanine space overlooking the action below and two separate bars to execute a sophisticated cocktail offering.

If you’ve yet checked out the preview menu online – I suggest you do so now – if only to drool over the prospect of smoked haddock and Manchego churros with saffron or sirloin served on the bone with café de Paris butter.  

Downstairs at Sebb’s, accessed from a neighbouring entrance at street level, enjoys its own identity while sharing the same attention to detail and design.

Pass a window giving a glimpse into the heart of the mixologist’s lair where cocktail creations will be developed and just like that, you’re into a chic, underground bar and restaurant with low, curved ceilings reminiscent of the iconic Arches club.

(Image: Rowan King) There’s a DJ booth up the back which will be integral to creating a laid-back party atmosphere that ensures visitors will be able to enjoy their drinks and a menu of flame-grilled food without shouting over the tunes.

Over at the bar, there will be low-intervention European wines on draught, as well as a selection of beers to complement the cocktail offering.

 “We want to be at the end of the restaurant industry where we’re inspiring creativity and growing people’s careers rather than doing something formulaic,” Macdonald says while leading the way through another huge kitchen space.

“Too many global chains can make a city centre feel a little homogenised, but we’ve got some great neighbours here on Miller Street like Paesano, Thundercat and The Spanish Butcher.

“There’s this idea that there will always be more of an independent scene in the Southside or West End, but there’s no reason why the city centre can’t have that too.”

With the opening date for both venues now looming, I have no doubt Scoop will offer an extra jolt of energy that the city centre is crying out for.

The countdown is on.

For further updates, find the venues on social media @sebbs_official and @margo.restaurant.