Coal Grill & Bar

This fairly new entrant in Basingstoke's dining scene began life as Ma Potter's chain before transforming into a stylish haunt for the fashion-conscious, über trendy crowd at the Festival Place. The chic interior interwoven with strains of Latin and jazz music and quality food make for a great night out.

Nibble on olives or hummus and tzatziki as you peruse the menu and maybe choose starters of prawntini, tiger prawns and crayfish tails on baby gem lettuce and tomato spiced mayonnaise, or tempura calamari with a shaved fennel salad and sweet mango chilli. The intensely flavoured flame-grilled skewers of rump steak, swordfish or lamb cooked over charcoal threaded with sweet peppers, onion, mushrooms, courgettes and tomato are not to be missed. For the others it could be a Coal combo of slow roast baby back ribs and oven roasted chicken in Smokey Hickory barbecue sauce with coleslaw and chips.