Spring chicken alert on Glasgow’s Southside with Birds, a new fried chicken menu from burger outfit El Perro Negro to be found at Phillies Shawlands. Also hatched out is Teglia on Cathcart Road in Govanhill, from the guys behind Baked and Rafa’s Diner, serving pizza al taglio (that’s ‘by the slice’, as the Romans like to serve it).   

No shortage of new Italian flavours in Edinburgh either, as Gio’s opens in Slateford, where large street-side windows might allow a glimpse of chef Gio Pia making the pasta that has picked up national awards. Up the road in Bruntsfield, Toscano brings big Italian sandwiches to the table, while Sora Diana has opened on Causewayside in Newington. Sister restaurant to Sora Lella at Tollcross, the new venue offers a bigger space and a broader but still all-vegan Italian menu.

There’s more plant-based inspiration at the annual Scottish Vegan Festival at Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms on 6 April. Other events this month include the food-and-drink-focused Springfest at Loch Lomond Shores on 5 & 6 April and Paisley’s Food & Drink Festival over the weekend of 25 & 26 April with its array of top street food, local traders, live music and food workshops. The Biscuit Factory Beverage Festival in Edinburgh on 18 & 19 April focuses on small breweries, boutique spirits and fine wines, while beverages of a different hue are on show at Glasgow Coffee Festival at The Briggait on 26 & 27 April.