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If the name Gargantua reminds you of a giant character and his comical adventures of eating and drinking in François Rabelais's novel, then you may share the same love for food as Klaus Trebes, the owner and chef of Gargantua. Taking a leaf out of Rabelais's book, Trebes and his wife Monika continue to keep up the same spirit with the opening of this restaurant in 1983. Over the years a lot of hard work and fun have transformed this place onto one of Westend's chic dining addresses.

What greets you first is an abundance of ivy in the garden area complete with French furnishings and marble tables for that balmy summer meal. Step inside to find an elegantly dressed country house styled room in mellow tints of apricot and ochre. A Provençal chandelier and bowl lighting add to the warm feel and the L-shaped guest room with its Biedermeier styled furniture may prove to be a cosy spot to enjoy a glass of wine.

The seasonally changing menu demonstrates some classic German and French dishes with contemporary interpretations, all created by the man himself. So don't be surprised to see a blackened tuna 'Gargantua' and a small tuna tartar with Japanese ginger, radish and wasabi. For starters there is terrine of bouillabaisse with aioli and a Greek style vegetable salad, and wild boar sausages with roasted black pudding and foie gras on onion-apple salad.

Mains of braised beef cheeks in Sangiovese red wine come with calf's head 'praline', vegetable flan and polenta, while a tagine of poulard with fig and vinegar onions is served Oriental style with pilaf, fruits, nuts and salted lemon. Fish lovers will be happy to see the fillet of turbot on cream kohlrabi and red wine sauce with spring onions and hot smoked Scottish salmon a la minute with warm vegetable vinaigrette.

Desserts are set to delight with a ricotta parfait served with a strawberry Margarita sorbet and minestrone of summer fruits with a lime-basil sorbet. From the cheese section try Gargantua's version of 'pizza', blue cheese and pears glazed with Beerenauslese dessert wine. With wines from France, Italy, Austria and Germany on the list, you could expect anything from the classic Bordeaux 1998 Château Lynch Bages to a plain Pinot Blanc.

Berlin's Kurfürstendamm is home to a number of boutiques by leading designers, drawing fashionistas by the hordes, while the hotels and restaurants in this upscale boulevard are equally popular with locals and visitors alike. In the midst of all these trendsetting shops is the Austeria Brasserie, an elegant and very chic French-inspired restaurant, where you could indulge in some of the best oysters, lobster, fish and other delicacies.

As you enter Austeria Brasserie, the serene atmosphere sets to work, lulling your senses, helping you to fully relax and enjoy the fabulous food on offer. The plush furnishings, warm lighting fixtures, and eclectic murals on the walls create an ambience that is quietly refined. You could choose to sit in the restaurant over an elaborate meal with coffee and cocktails later in the stylish lounge or if you just want a snack, say a homemade pie, then the bistro will suffice, providing you with a number of options for some light enjoyment.

For oyster lovers, there are well known names in the menu that will trigger a keen sense of anticipation whilst those who prefer lobster could try it grilled, with tarragon mayonnaise, cream and chervil vinaigrette. The boiled version, served cold, with garlic and cocktail sauce also makes a handsome dish, while butter poached langoustines with noodles and Newburg sauce is a veritable treat indeed.

Amongst the appetizers, the choices are numerous, and you could try out the pot roast goose liver with pear and Mesclin lettuce salad; spaghetti with cherry tomatoes, basil, parmesan, garlic and chilli, or pumpkin cream soup with saffron and crayfish. Moving on to the more substantial dishes, the sea bass in salt crust with spinach and parsley potatoes; a large sole meunière with glazed vegetables or the oven roasted dorade filled with Provençal herbs and served sautéed with fennel, all deserve special mention.

Austeria Brasserie also has some specials lined up, and you could treat yourself to Russian caviar, served with crème fraiche and foil potato or different variations of smoked salmon with red horseradish and sour cream. Desserts are not left behind in this quest for culinary excellence and a mere sampling will prove that they have hit it spot on. Whether it is the crème brûlée, delicately sprinkled with brown sugar, or the mousse au chocolat with Valrhona chocolate, kumquat compote and vanilla cognac foam, or the sorbets and homemade tarts, these confections are almost bound to afflict you with calorific amnesia of a high order.

Not content with just a selection, Austeria Brasserie has an entire walk in wine cabinet with over 140 choices from across the world. Two different temperatures are maintained, ensuring that the optimum level is retained consistently. 

While this idyllic restaurant is well suited for a meal with friends or family, their business lunch menu has some delicious options and is just the thing over which to spend some quality time with your associates.

Hamburg, also known as the green port on the river, is often referred to as one of the most charming cities of Germany. With an abundance of beautiful art, culture, music, theatre and dining, it's not surprising that even the normally reluctant Hanseatic inhabitants take pride in what their city offers to the world.

Da Mingo, situated at the corner of David and Fredrick Street in the heart of St Pauli has made its mark as an appealing destination to spend an evening of relaxation and enjoyment. Customers are provided with excellent food and great entertainment at prices that never fail to surprise. The ambience is always  cheerful and very welcoming with red and gold interiors and dark wood furniture. There are many options for those with time to linger at lunch or after dinner.

You could watch the Bundesliga, Formula One or English football over pitchers of beer at the lounge at weekends or even take a two hour historical 'hurentour' into the closed world of prostitution. A tempting three-course meal called the red light is offered there on Saturday.

Customers get to sample some of the finest meat, fish and vegetarian dishes from a menu that changes everyday. Mingo stays open from noon till four in the morning at weekends, so no one there is in a hurry. Pizzas and pastas vie with steaks and salads, introducing diners to many flavours of the Mediterranean.

Meats start with pork tenderloin that appears with mushroom cream, tender Argentinean steaks, roast leg of deer and Barbary duck breast straight from the grill accompanied by onions, baked potato, sour cream and fresh garlic baguette and chicken breast fillet stuffed with bacon that comes to  table with cheese, rice and olives.

The pizzas are more straightforward with choices such as the vegan with seasonal vegetables, lucci with ham, salami and mushrooms and the popular Mediterrano with tomatoes, mozzarella, rocket, Parma ham and Parmesan. An array of fish and seafood from salmon to plaice and shrimps to crabs is served with bacon and a mixed salad or spinach in penne.

The desserts head off with homemade tiramisu, lemon mascarpone with fresh fruits or ice cream with fruit of the season. An extensive range of cocktails and beers that are served on tap and by the bottle complement the food.

St Pauli is a melting pot of diverse influences, trends and styles - there is much more to it than strip shows and sex shops - and Da Mingo is surely one of the most exciting destinations around.

Take a breath of authentic Frankfurt life at Berger Street and enjoy the small town atmosphere which coexists peacefully with the buoyant night life. As many people live in the four-storey townhouses there, the shops are small corner shops run by immigrants rather than big department stores. You will, however, also find some book shops - including many dealing in second hand books.

After shopping, you could step into Markou, a popular three storey bar and restaurant with a beer garden. The venue has a rustic atmosphere with an innovative cuisine and well-stocked wine cellar.  A wide variety of cocktails and drinks add to the refreshing gastronomic experience.

As you settle down into the comfortable seating you could order your drinks and select from the range of finger food which include mini spring rolls, fried mozzarella sticks, red hot jalapenos, taco chips, barbeque chicken wings, and potato wedges, all served with dip and salad garnish.

Soups are represented by tomato soup made with mozzarella cheese and whipped cream, Indonesian curry soup with shrimp, chilli con carne, and soup made from fresh vegetables. Starters and tapas call out for your attention and the irresistible olive kalamon, pepperonis grilled with garlic, shell fish pan in white-cheese sauce, and grilled, marinated eggplant, zucchini slices with cream cheese will have you lusting for more.

If you like salads then you will be happy to see that the menu lists various types such as olives, pepperoni and cheese, mozzarella and roasted turkey breast strips, Italian salad with cheese and eggs, and baked mushrooms. Guests can choose Balsamic vinegar or yoghurt dressing to accompany. Side dishes such as slide potatoes with cream cheese, croquettes, fries, homemade coleslaw and potato corners with rice serve to provide you with company in between the courses.

Main course follows with rump steak, onions and herb butter or turkey steak in olive oil-lemon-oregano marinade, and Roman's spit - a medium sized, faintly ridged cooking apple - with beef, pork, fiery vegetables and turkey cutlets. Those who prefer seafood could order calamari, fried squid rings with salad and tzatziki, and chopped salmon in lemon pepper sauce.

You could also try the Markou special mixed grill for two people which is popular among regulars. This brings to your table two aperitifs, appetizer plates, pieces of pork and beef, and turkey and lamb fries served with rice.

The menu also highlights a few Italian dishes such as spaghetti with shrimp in olive oil, garlic and tomatoes and penne with feta and cream sauce. Viennese apple strudel with vanilla sauce and original cream yogurt with honey and walnuts fill in the chinks, to complete a wholesome and delightful dining experience.

Berlin is a city of contrasts - on one hand it reminds people of art, culture, theatre, parks and museums, each with a fascinating history of its own - and on the other, it makes you think of the amazing nightlife, the shopping destinations, cafés and live music concerts. The success of Sagrantino, a welcoming wine bar and Italian restaurant, is proof of the fact that the people of Berlin love good food and wine as much as music, fine art and shopping.

If you're in Behrenstrasse and wishing to relax in quiet surroundings, at candlelit tables and over some of the best Sagrantino wine in the German capital, this stylish destination could prove to be just what you're looking for. Some of Italy's most flavoursome and popular dishes are served at prices that seldom fail to infuse a frisson of pleasure.

Owner Daniele travels back and forth between Berlin and Umbria to bring back fine Sagrantino - the most famous red wine of Umbria - rich, tannic, powerful and age-worthy with attractive soft bramble and savoury fruit notes. Diners enjoy sampling glasses of this Old World wine and small snacks of grilled meat, pasta, aged cheeses and truffles that are served from lunchtime onwards.

You could start your day with the breakfast that is served from 7:30am, and could include fresh croissants, fruit salad, cheese, salami, muesli, buttered toast, eggs, and cups of tea or coffee. At lunchtime, there are vegetable, fish, lentil, potato and barley soups, fresh salads and the day's pasta, all for 5.90 euros.

In the evening specials of tagliolini with tomato, basil and Parmesan, lasagne, and crêpes with salmon make pleasing appearances on tables. Starters encompass plates of cheese and salami; mozzarella and anchovies on toast; salted beef that appears with lemon oil and Parmesan, and veal pâté with Tabasco.

The classic Italian starter of carpaccio comes to you drizzled with olive oil or lemon juice and served with capers, red onions, rocket or mayonnaise. Fresh and colourful salads with ingredients such as pears, pine nuts, ham, walnuts, tomato and fresh basil are popular as healthy mains.

Desserts have a retro feel with favourites like crème brûlée, tiramisu and lemon mousse.

Sagrantino gladly makes arrangements for guests who wish to tour Umbria's fruitful vineyards.

"In Winterhude there's a place entirely in white. We must visit!" is what draws guests to this location initially. Once inside, they are exposed to something completely new - a meeting of creative design with urban industry culture. The interior is swathed in white and dotted with elements of maroon. The fare is presented with élan while the service is friendly and unobtrusive giving it an aura of sophistication.

Situated in the border area of Barmbe and Uhlenhorst is the White Lounge, a lounge, bar and restaurant serving sushi. Idyllically located on the banks of Osterbekkanal where every now and then a light breeze kisses the surface of the blue water, it has captured the fantasy of the residents of Hamburg, making it a hotspot. The sublime white during day takes on various hues after sunset as lighting effects co-ordinate with sound. Guests who make reservations are made to feel special when the system highlights their table as they enter. A conveyor system brings the short-eats to the table as they settle down to browse through the short but unique bill of fare.

The four hundred square metre area is divided into five zones: the berthing area, treadmill area, event area and twos and fours group places. Visitors are filmed by cameras and the images projected on flat screens adding another element to the uniqueness.

The 'sushi for friends' product line has been extended to include tapas and Thai cuisine,  all under the same 'small plates' concept, providing more exciting options. Technology has been well implemented by providing call buttons for service, managers and to acknowledge a good meal.

Start with finger food variations to accompany your drink. Skewered mini tomatoes or mozzarella and a feta-olive paprika could set the pace. If you are in a mood for more, try the melon-parma-chips, cocktail tomatoes, and mini-wraps.

Sushi could follow with a selection of nigiris and inside out rolls and rolls rocket. Tapas fans have plenty to choose from. There is chorizo, sweet dates in bacon, mushrooms, pickled zucchini, and ham rolls filled with cream cheese. The Thai kitchen brings to the fore specialities such as noodles and Thai red curry.

This trendy and happening place in Frankfurt's Ostend district is well known in the restaurant scene amongst those who love some great Italian food and wines to match. With its dimly lit bar and seating area, the Devina Lounge exudes cosiness and intimacy, a perfect blend if you want to consider eating out there with friends or with someone special.

To start with, there's shrimp cocktail or beef carpaccio, but you could sideline both of these and simply go for the appetizer platter with salami, Parma ham, and mortadella salad. Seafood lovers will find the frutti di mare plate well up to expectations while the ruccola with armesan slivers and cocktail tomatoes will whet your appetite for more.

An Italian restaurant without pizza? Unheard of, and well, at Devina Lounge, it is not even a faint possibility because they prepare pizzas the authentic way, by firing them in a wood oven. There are a number of variations with mushrooms and salami; tuna, garlic and artichokes; anchovies and capers and even for vegetarians, with cheese, black olives and peppers.

If you feel that Italian food is synonymous with pasta,  you're sure to feel justified once you have sampled some of the dishes at the Devina Lounge. Patrons are given the choice of selecting the type of pasta they prefer, penne, tagliatelle, rigatoni, spaghetti or tortellini and then choose how they  want it prepared. Carbonara, a creamy combination of ham, egg and cheese never fails to please while al arabiata with tomato sauce, olives and peppers strikes the right note if spicy is your favourite taste. They also have specialities with each type of pasta, and maybe you could try tagliatelle with chanterelle cream or tortellini with peas and mushrooms.

If you'd rather dig in to something more substantial, the meat and fish dishes should do sufficient justice to your needs, and you could try the pork or chicken cutlet in cream; rump steak with fried onions; grilled beef tenderloin with herb butter; lamb in red wine, or maybe sole with pepper.

The atmosphere there is positively buzzing and everyone seems to be having a great time; Devina Lounge could be a fabulous place to host a party for friends and family.

Berlin’s very own little piece of Italy can be found at the Pestalozzistr in the Ristorante Biscotti, a delightful restaurant where the atmosphere is soothing, relaxing and well, positively humming with serenity. If you’ve always loved Italian food, then you can throw caution to the winds and continue your love affair there, amid the mellow and warmly lit interior, or outside if you prefer a more casual ambience with the wooden chairs, trellises and overflowing potted plants.

Ristorante Biscotti opened in 1993 and since then they have accumulated many admirers, some of them celebrities from the media and television, who have become regulars and keep coming back again and again to sample the delicacies prepared by the chef. The cuisine represents a cross section of the culinary specialities from across various Italian provinces, particularly the South.

Simple and concise, the menu begins with starters of carpaccio of beef, or tuna and squid and an unusual combination of beets and scampi. You could supplement this with a rocket or spinach salad, or maybe try the renowned caponata Siciliana, made with aubergines and celery.

The main course is another compilation of some delectable dishes such as potato gnocchi in pink sauce; spaghetti with garlic oil; linguine with scampi and rocket or tagliatelle with spicy sausages. Fresh ingredients are the key, lending an undoubtedly distinctive appeal to make it into a most marvellous meal.

Further down there are some luscious desserts that will make you forget your calorie counting resolutions. Tiramisu, pannacotta and sorbets make their presence felt alongside zabaglione with raspberries, ice cream in an espresso-Cointreau sauce and an assortment of cheeses.

The wine cellar is cosy and stylishly designed and you can hold small and intimate events there, or just relax while sipping on the fine wines and beers on offer. The selection is made up from a huge number of carefully chosen bottles from all regions of Italy and includes newcomers as well as classics.

Ristorante Biscotti represents everything that is well loved about Italian restaurants and food, from its easy going atmosphere, to its classy look, and of course the beautifully prepared cuisine. This is one place that notches top points for the simple but perfect execution of everything that you want.

This charming, cozy tavern situated in a half-timbered house with white walls welcomes you with Mediterranean and regional dishes. The stylish inn serves cold beer and a good selection of wines to accompany the daily changing bill of fare which is prepared from the best of local produce. The service is cordial and attentive making it a popular among the locals. The lovely summer terrace offers a beautiful surrounding to enjoy lunch.

The menu trawls through the fare of choice providing a large canvas on which gastronomes can try various combinations to achieve a different experience each time.

The house specialty of prawns in olive oil with fresh herbs and chili peppers and French onion soup with cheese could be the beginning for some, while diced tomatoes with basil vinaigrette grilled on white bread slices and beef Carpaccio with parmesan cheese and basil cream could appeal to others.

Hot appetizers such as baked camembert salad with cranberries and bouquet, and fried goat's cheese on tomato slices with basil-honey vinaigrette are also on the carte de jour.

Those who prefer salads can order mixed salad bowl with roasted turkey breast strips and balsamic dressing, market-fresh salad greens, Angus beef with fried fillet strips balsamic dressing and the special colourful salad with roasted peppers, mushrooms, onions and roasted turkey breast strips.

Steaks are represented by Angus rump steak grilled, with foil potato, crème fraîche, herb butter and mixed salad and grilled turkey steak. The favorite dish among the regulars is the grill plate, barbecued pork, with herb butter, aioli, crispy fried potatoes and mixed salad.

Mains could also include roasted fillet of zander in a spicy white wine sauce, basmati rice and vegetables or Scottish salmon fillet, pan-fried with lemon butter sauce. For a taste of Italian food you could try grilled tenderloin tips with beef and mushroom and spaghetti with grilled scampi in tomato sauce.

The needs of vegetarians are attended to with spaghetti in cream sauce, truffle oil and parmesan cheese, and tagliatelle with spinach in cream sauce and parmesan cheese.

Desserts are a gala affair with exotic gems such as caramel apple slices with almond-brandy-splitter and vanilla sauce, vanilla ice cream with hot sour cherries and cream and small cheese platter consisting of spicy gorgonzola, French brie, parmesan and goat's cheese with homemade bread and butter.

The wine list contains a good selection and sommeliers are at hand to advise you in choosing wine matching your food.

The Rathenauplatz is one of the prettiest spots in Cologne, a beautiful square with a park in the centre, almost like an oasis in this teeming city. Surrounded by a number of well maintained houses on one side, there are a few beer gardens as well as restaurants nearby, and among them, Restaurant Amabile is noteworthy for its excellent cuisine and serene atmosphere, providing a backdrop of relaxation and laidback enjoyment of life's pleasures.

The décor is quietly elegant with warm, wood furniture and interesting photographs along with some eclectic art on the walls. The ambience is just right for a romantic evening, and outside the dining options take on a very contemporary and carefree feel.

The mingled influences of French and Mediterranean cuisine make their presence felt in the menu, where fresh and seasonal produce are used widely to effectively create some of the most delicious fare you have ever had. For starters, Restaurant Amabile presents some delectable fried prawns and Jacob's mussels with white foam, tomatoes and marinated cucumber spaghetti. The snails in mushroom with Gorgonzola gratin sauce and herbs have the right elements that bind it together into a most appetizing dish.

Moving on to the main courses, the geschmorte lamb shoulder with needle beans and rosemary potato crepe; the monkfish with mozzarella and basil on bresaola filled risotto or the fillets of royal sea bream with polenta and red and orange cumin sauce all stand an equal chance of becoming well loved favourites.

If you're uncertain about what to choose, the three or four course surprise menu may be just the thing to opt for, and for a fixed amount per person, you can let the chef decide your meal. For dessert, apple tart with tonka beans ice cream or the luscious crème brûlée ring all the right notes and you are left with a feeling of pure bliss, a natural reaction towards the end of a fine meal.

When in Cologne, drink only Kölsch beer, maybe the diktat that many follow although at Restaurant Amabile you could indulge in some of their excellent wines as well. An eclectic selection, the wines there seem to have found the perfect balance with the food.

For an evening out at a delightful restaurant that promises to make an epicure out of you, a visit to Amabile becomes a foregone conclusion.