Hamburg's Wandrahm restaurant derives its name from the historic 'wandrahmen' or wooden frames upon which cloth manufacturers dried their products on the waterfront, between the 14th and 17th centuries. While the name has no bearing on the restaurant fare, it could make a good icebreaker, and adds to the interest of diners who flock there for the delicious food.

Wandrahm looks out over the water and is located near the Kaiserkai. Two levels with delightful views serve to fuel your enthusiasm even further. Fragrant coffee and a hearty breakfast are the way to begin your day on a special note or you can drop by for a tasty lunch later. The atmosphere is rich and opulent in an understated manner, with twinkling crystal chandeliers and dim lights exuding the effect of subtle luxury.

The menu is largely international and brings a host of starters that could include favourites such as grilled calamari with melon salad and yoghurt dressing or veal and lobster carpaccio with artichokes and Noilly Prat vinaigrette. If soups are your mainstay, you might be tempted to try the bouillabaisse, clear game and fish broth with saffron and vegetable pearls.

Main meals might encompass a lobster ravioli with green asparagus and sepia espuma or a marinated and fried spring chicken on a sugar pea and baby tomato risotto. Fish lovers will rejoice in the barb fish poached in Riesling stock with stuffed zucchini flowers and crushed lime, but for meatier dishes opt for the fillet of beef with spinach leaves and shallots. The more adventurous will enjoy the ostrich medallions with sautéed potatoes, leeks and rosemary sauce whilst the veal ossobuco is a trusted choice for many.

Finally, coming to the desserts, the list is befitting of any grand pâtisserie with delectable selections such as crème brûlée with orange salad and Grand Marnier, ravioli filled with cacao-pomegranate cream in a passion fruit sauce or the apple tart with tonka beans and port wine sabayon. If you find delights of more savoury nature appealing, explore the cheese board, which is accompanied by fig mustard and aged balsamico.

The comprehensive wine list is excellent and features some well known choices that span the entire gamut of wine producing countries.

Sturehof is the kind of place that you would like to go anytime of the day or night; initially the sheer size of the place overwhelms you, and then you observe people from all walks of life streaming in, adding to the general bonhomie. It’s almost always bustling and busy and, if the prospect of an al fresco meal seems tempting, just step outside where the outdoor air and could perhaps build an appetite. Some may agree that pausing between mouthfuls to people-watch is welcome to the digestion.

Sturehof has come a long way from when it first started as a beer hall more than 100 years ago. Things have changed greatly for the better and the impressive glass wall that separates the downstairs bar from the main eating space is the only thing that remains from the now-extinct 1930s interior. The dining area is a more formal affair with crisp white table cloths, wooden panels and distinctive light fixtures.

Seafood is certainly the main draw here and starters of cured salmon with a sweet dill and mustard sauce, shellfish cocktail with tomato vinaigrette and vendace roe from Vänern with butter-fried toast, red onion and Smetana – soured heavy cream - grace the daily changing menu. Meaty main courses are a subtle explosion of flavours with boiled fresh brisket of beef drowned in a horseradish sauce, grilled entrecôte with béarnaise and tenderized beef with bean salad, bacon and red wine butter, all smacking of bovine goodness.

Extending the maritime emphasis fish is one dish that cannot be sidelined at Sturehof, especially when it includes such delights as poached lightly salted cod with prawns, fried Baltic herring, broiled cured pollack and lemon sole on the bone with mushrooms, charlotte onion and browned butter. Shellfish also takes its place under the sun and consider choices like the oyster platter or the shellfish platter of ½ Maine lobster, prawns, Dublin Bay prawns, crab and Fine de Claire.

For a meal such as this desserts should be nothing but remarkable, and the taste of almond parfait with berries and sour cream pannacotta with rhubarb soup could linger long after this highly satisfying and beautifully prepared meal. With over 600 wines, the drinks list certainly commands respect and is sure to hold something to delight every palate.

After dinner party-hoppers will definitely be attracted to the pulsating vibe at the O-bar upstairs keeping in tune with Stockholm’s vibrant nightlife. They also feature a couple of live performances every week from some famous and not-yet-famous artists.

Situated close to Notre Dame, Boulevard Saint-Germain and plenty of other postcard pretty attractions, La Marée Verte is a delightful little, family-run restaurant attracting a discerning clientele, which includes tourists and locals alike. The dining area's maritime theme is inescapable with a collection of ancient liners framed on the walls and strategically placed deco lighting creating a cosy feel. The restaurant's neutral shaded hues interspersed with warm wood furniture make this a delightful refuge for those looking for some serious French cooking.

If the nautical themed décor is any indication, one might guess that seafood surely deserves a special mention; yes it does, and on further thought it seems natural with the River Seine flowing nearby. But the menu is also well tailored to include a choice of eleven starters, entrées and desserts each, and the avid meat eaters will seldom be disappointed.

Once the menu scouting exercise is complete, settle down with a whiff of the sea by choosing a bowl of steamed mussels in cream of curry sauce, or goats' cheese in a crisp pastry shell with fresh vegetables and tarragon. Here's something for those with an adventurous streak; how about oven baked tomatoes stuffed with snails and basil or fired gambas flambéed with celeriac chips?

To follow there's peppered fillet of beef with potatoes au gratin, thinly sliced veal escalope in a cream of morel sauce, and duck fillet in cherry sauce with apples and potatoes. The tender rabbit for a main course may seem like an enticing choice and it gets better as it comes bathed in rosemary honey with sautéed mushrooms; or perhaps the dorade royale, which is big on taste as it arrives cooked in a tin foil, with all the juices intact, and accompanied by fresh vegetables and thyme. At dessert time embark on a journey, with floating island heading the list, closely challenged by prunes in Armagnac, coffee parfait and caramelised custard.

The wine list is unabashedly French and covers all regions from Bordeaux and Beaujolais to Bourgogne and Côtes du Rhone, supplemented by an extensive list of aperitifs and champagnes. Winding through the little streets of this lovely city could help work up an appetite, and tourists may vouch for the fact that a meal at La Marée Verte could prove to be a fitting end to the Paris sojourn; for others it could be a quick mental note on when to return.

Parisians in Stockholm may be overwhelmed with a sense of déjà vu when they step in to Riche, which literally breathes character akin to Café Riche on Boulevard des Italiens in Paris. Although it began life way back in 1896, it was only until the 1930s that it took on a more practical design and the grill was opened to the right of the building's entrance.

Designed on the lines of its French counterpart, the elegant gold framed mirrors and crystal chandeliers speak opulence and the atmosphere is one that makes both bourgeoisie and the officer class feel at home. Large windows and high ceilings bring in a spacious feel and the furniture is functional and minimalist in style.

The cooking remains open to foreign influences, and sways the French brasserie way at times, yet it is heartening to find many old school Swedish dishes, take the pata negra de Salamanca for instance; this Iberian cured ham from Spain, is touchingly referred to as finger food, and there is also chorizo bruschetta with tomato marmalade.

Lovers of seafood may find it hard to tame their cravings as they mull over the starters section - half dozen snails Provençal, assorted marinated herrings, garlic seared baby squid, vendace roe and smoked eel with scrambled eggs - all waiting to be enjoyed. For others it could be Danish open sandwiches or lukewarm beetroots and vegetables with chévre terrine.

The main dishes could get you humming with excitement as the sight of sautéed cubed fillet of beef, olive and pistachio stuffed spring chicken with asparagus, and fried soured pork with parsley creamed potatoes all beckon. Again those with a penchant for anything related to the sea would probably love the grilled halibut with lobster wrapped clams, white sand asparagus and chive aioli, and pike-perch in paper with lemon verbena and nettle risotto.

The not-so-chocolatey dessert menu features a boozy lemon crème brûlée with licorice stirred raspberries and chocolate cheesecake with marinated nectarines. The well traversed wine list includes bins from Austria, Hungary, Canada and US while Old World wines are not entirely forgotten.

Riche is very often described as a place to see and be seen in Stockholm and combined with watching the chefs wowing the crowds with their cooking and the buzzing atmosphere every evening and on weekends this surely has to warrant a visit to such a lively place.

Movie is a high end concept based restaurant in Barcelona, a chic and very trendy destination for those who are fond of good food, music and movies, not necessarily in the same order. The décor is plush and extravagant and yet the atmosphere strives successfully to be informal and friendly, and you are likely to spot many guests lingering over a glass of wine and a bowl of tasty snacks as they sit back and relax.

All eyes are drawn intently towards the huge screen where movies and clips are played by resident VJs who occupy a separate platform. But it is unlike any cinema hall you may have been to, because the entire experience is quite like a home theatre at the house of a friend. A very well to do friend, of course! On top of all this, Movie is a fantastic restaurant if you want to impress business associates or even simply if you want to indulge in your love of films.

So when it comes to food, you will find that, like some of the films, the menu is fairly international, featuring dishes such as focaccia with duck ham, black olives and mozzarella, sausage and bacon skewers and hot Mexican taco with chicken, vegetables and cheese, served with a sweet and sour sauce. Mixed salad leaves atop a pea puree and seafood cocktail is highly appealing for salad lovers, while the black pasta with calamari and romesco sauce is perfect if pastas are your thing.

More elaborate main courses follow, with the likes of wok fried beef with sun dried tomatoes, potato and yucca or chicken nuggets coated with peanuts and mayonnaise mousse. For those who favour unusualness in their dishes, the chicken filled with pureed mango and flavoured with black beer, shitake mushrooms and carrots could appeal.

While some might be satisfied with snacks and other finger food, there are others who feel that a full course meal is more to their taste,  requiring a look at the dessert menu where your sweet tooth will be gratified to learn of the tiramisu with exploding chocolate and caramel pop rocks. Profiteroles and a warm chocolate fondant ice cream complete the list and gain full marks for hitting the right spots with ease.

The wine list is a compilation befitting to this modern restaurant, with international choices playing alongside traditional selections that are closer to home. Come evening and the lounge beckons with the numerous exciting cocktails on offer along with delicious bar food. From 7 pm until late, the avid party goers are likely to be sipping on mojitos and enjoying an interesting movie, to the point where few would wish to resist the comforts of Movie Restaurant and head out to greener pastures.

A luxurious setting offering breathtaking views of St. Isaac's Cathedral, Caviar Bar at the Angleterre Hotel offers an exquisite selection of seafood. Guests can indulge in a delectable range of caviar and shellfish, along with a fine selection of champagne, wines and Russian vodkas.
 
The Caviar Bar menu includes a varied selection of luxurious caviars, including the renowned Beluga variety. Using stunning craftsmanship, elegant accompaniments include traditional blinis, a variety of smoked fish, and handmade sushi. Guests can follow these dainty delicacies with a meal at the Angleterre Hotel's Italian restaurant, Borsalino Restaurant. Delicious dishes include aubergine gnocchi with lamb ragoût, Amalfi-style seafood risotto, and succulent beef medallions.

Set on Malaya Morskaya Ulitsa in the historic city centre, Caviar Bar St. Petersburg is a short drive from many popular attractions, including Palace Square, the Hermitage Museum, Marinsky Theatre and the Peter and Paul Fortress. The landmark Nevsky Avenue is just a few minutes' walk away.

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.

Featuring an exquisite interior filled with rich woods, a glass waterfall and mosaic-tiled floor, Borsalino Restaurant serves elegant Italian cuisine. Relax and unwind to soulful jazz whilst admiring stunning views of the historic St. Isaac's Cathedral.

Seasonally changing, the Borsalino menu sparkles with authentic regional specialties, made using fresh fish and seafood, fine herbs, and decadent white truffles. Enjoy dishes like ricotta cheese soufflé on asparagus cream, tagliatelle with rabbit, and sea bass on sautéed leeks with thyme and orange. Breakfast and business lunch menus are also served at Borsalino St Petersburg.

Tempting desserts of tiramisu, smooth pannacotta or chocolate soufflé bring the meal to an indulgent close. The wine list at Borsalino features carefully selected Italian bottles, as well as bins from some of the world's finest wine regions.

Enjoy your favourite cocktail at the Borsalino bar, with regular happy hours staged. Set in exclusive surroundings, Borsalino at the Angleterre Hotel offers Wi-Fi, 2 private dining rooms and is just a short drive from popular Nevsky Avenue.

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.

The words classy and chic seem synonymous with most top end restaurants in Paris but this one comes courtesy of the design maestro Philippe Starck himself. One visit to Restaurant Bon is probably insufficient to admire the four different and original settings created by Philippe and the stylish interior is worth the trip alone.

Elegant lamp shades and sleek furniture adorn The Vinotheque accentuated by strategic lighting, which add a warm glow to the place. The Fireplace Room with its ornate chandelier and glossy table tops create a unique sense of style and the little nook for private dining appears to be fiercely guarded by a rhino! Well, actually a rhino head. The Library needs no introduction and it's no surprise to see bookworms crawling their way through the numerous stacks, and then there's the Boudoir with exquisite tableware for large parties.

The menu's Asian touches are palpable and the cooking, which takes in influences from across the globe, is certainly enticing. Think coconut milk, crabmeat and green asparagus Wonton soup and dim sum of shrimp, basil and hot pepper, crabmeat and artichokes served with spinach and shiitakes, and five flavours duck. From among other delights that await look out for the spicy crab spring rolls with soya mayonnaise, new style tuna carpaccio, lobster rolls, and papaya and shrimp, and beef and lemongrass salad.

Fruits of the sea include sole prepared as a tempura with toffee and lemongrass sauce, grilled scallops with tom yum sauce, tuna tartar with ginger and gilthead breams in a banana leaf. For meatier main courses you are bound to be moved by the tiger's tears, a marinated filet of beef, grilled and thinly sliced, or perhaps the crispy sweet and sour chicken and five flavour spare ribs. If you thought an Asian inspired menu does not have too much to look forward to in the dessert section, then think again; there's rum baba with coconut and pineapple, fresh strawberries and raspberries with peppermint syrup, and spicy 'crème brûlée'.

Those who find solace at the lunch hour know full well that they need to refuel to take on the second half of the day, so how about some chicken and curry rolls, thinly sliced veal with ginger and shiitake and choco Bon. The wine list keeps the French flag flying high and there are notable contributions from Chile, Africa, China, Australia and California amongst others.

With its myriad dining options, Restaurant Bon certainly makes an ideal place to celebrate those special occasions.

It doesn't take too much effort to guess what the mainstay of The Lobster House would be, so if you're passionate about seafood, lobsters in particular, this Barcelona restaurant gives you your money's worth. Located close to the Diagonal metro, and situated in the heart of the Eixample district, this airy restaurant follows a Mediterranean theme in the food as well as décor.

Diners are pleasantly surprised with the ambience which is cool and elegant with white napery, large windows, dark furniture and potted plants, while the warmth exuded by the service enhances the dining experience. The bar is also a cosy spot for pre-dinner drinks and The Lobster House is a perfect place if you want to host an ebullient party for friends, with the private room offering space and atmosphere.

Five different fixed price menus ease the dilemma regarding choices, and these include an aperitif with first and second courses, wine and dessert. While this could prove to be of great value, there's also the à la carte if you prefer to do the choosing on your own.

Fresh salads topped with tuna fish and olives or tomato and mozzarella with avocado are just right for a light and tasty beginning. Other starters that rouse the appetite could include the Andalusian style cuttlefish, king prawns with Maldon salt or fisherman's paella.

While lobster is a huge favourite, grilled or steamed, there are other dishes for fish lovers too, such as the sliced grilled hake, baked loin of cod with cream of escalivada or fillets of sea bass cooked in the Santurce fashion. More hearty dishes follow, with meats cooked over holm oak charcoal, and you could try the imperial lamb ribs or the stewed shoulder of lamb with the steaks and burgers as excellent alternatives.

The best way to end such a leisurely meal would be with something sweet, so do save some space for the Catalan custard with burnt brown sugar or the warm chocolate coulant. Fruity desserts such as the frozen mandarin mousse with citric coulis should do the trick if you're not overly fond of rich sweets.

The wine selection is as befits a restaurant of their scale, extensive and indulgent and yet reasonably priced.