WHILE restaurants are reopening on a restricted basis to excited customers, not everybody is ready to return to indoor dining. Despite some of us being anxious to get back to a more normal life, this major change can be intimidating for all kinds of reasons. It is therefore welcome that a number of popular Glasgow eateries are still offering takeaway and delivery services.

Celino’s, located on Alexandra Parade in Glasgow’s Dennistoun area, is a mainstay in the east end. The Italian restaurant and deli has recently undergone a bit of a facelift, with a fresh lick of paint and new décor in time for the city’s reopening. It maintains its authentic charm and retro appeal, with ceilings and walls adorned with extravagantly packaged Italian sweets and treats.

With restrictions in place Celino’s set up a brand new online ordering system, making it simple to order food. As the service is accessible via the restaurant’s own website, the extra benefit is knowing the big beasts of the delivery world won’t be taking a cut of the cash. Supporting your local hospitality businesses and not funding gig-economy apps? Sign me up.

My partner and I ordered two of our favourite dishes to eat at home. The dinner was ready to collect within about 20 minutes, and I walked home clinging on to the warm paper bag and inhaling the delicious scent of rosemary from our side of focaccia.

I ate a portion of salsiccia aurora with penne – a creamy, spicy tomato pasta dish crammed with Italian sausage. My partner enjoyed the prosciutto cotto calzone, filled with rocket, Italian ham, mozzarella and sweet red pepper. Both were mouth-wateringly good. Celino’s boasts of its high-standards when it comes to ingredients, and the quality is clear. Fresh vegetables, meats straight from its jam-packed deli counter, and crispy, salty dough make for a delicious eating experience.

Yet another perk of ordering Celino’s for at-home eating is that the prices are a little lower than going for a sit-down meal. This seems fair given you miss out on the typical experience of sitting in an atmospheric, cosy Italian restaurant. But if you pour yourself a big glass of wine and put some Italian Spotify playlists on, you can just about replicate it without the anxiety that accompanies going to busy places. Plus you can eat in your pyjamas. Again, sign me up.

My mum has long told me that eating a restaurant meal at home just isn’t the same – I’m not sure that’s always true (sorry mum), but it if is Celino’s bucks the trend.  

Five stars. Cost: £18.10 (two mains and a side). Collection within 20 minutes.