The sleek, surreal and bordering on provocative Supperclub has been one of Amsterdam's hottest nightspots with a wild and exciting menu, and owner Bert van der Leden's latest brainchild, Envy, promises to be an equally enticing venue, particularly with regards to gourmet food.

The sparkling stainless steel open kitchen is striking and grabs your attention right away, where you could watch the chefs as they prepare your meal. In a play of contrasts, the dining area is all wood, with low lit lamps and has a warm and cosy atmosphere while long tables with elevated bar stools provide an intimate and friendly ambience. And how can anyone miss the sight of twenty six refrigerators lining the walls behind the counter where chrome handles and oak panelling elevate the ordinary ice box into a stunning showcase for the wonderful desserts, oysters, cheeses and wines on their menu?

Designed to look like an Italian delicatessen, the focus is on fresh and unassuming flavours, and with a Michelin Bib Gourmand to back it up, Envy comes up with some magnificent creations to seduce the senses. Sample the tomato sorbet with lobster and foam of mozzarella for a vivid and decidedly different experience.

The absence of a traditional menu makes way for experimentation and you could start with the smoky salami tinged with truffle or an Italian soft sausage with a hint of pistachio. Other noteworthy dishes include the crispy pata negra with farm egg and hollandaise; open ravioli with a celeriac ragout; slowly baked quail egg with a sauce of red port and skin baked codfish with aubergine, arganol, clams and foam of lemon and kefir. The portions are a tad small, but nevertheless satisfying on a sensual level.

Luscious crème brûlée, sinfully smooth ice creams and sorbets with an assortment of sauces comprise the desserts, while cheeses flown in from France, Switzerland and Italy complete the list. An excellent selection of wines complements the meal, while the helpful and knowledgeable staff put you at ease with anecdotes and interesting trivia about the food on your table.

The chef's menu offers value for money and most diners can be seen tucking into a variety of deli meats, warm and cold dishes and a number of miniature desserts, triggering a reaction of 'I want whatever they're having' from you. Envying thy neighbour is no longer just one of those seven deadly sins, and is probably a commonplace occurrence there, if the buzz in this chic and trendy place is anything to go by.

Nestling quietly alongside some of the world's most chic clothing retailers, it's hardly surprising to see guests visiting Pravda appearing weighed down with shopping bags. So step inside to explore a world of attractive people and walls embellished with fashionable photographs, then delve into their unique styled menu with a wealth of choices and you might soon realise that this place is more than just a hang out for the über trendy.

During the warm months of the year Pravda opens its marina facing terrace for dining and weary customers can enjoy the vibrant environment, the exciting views of the bustling port and get a second wind before heading home. Inside it is all crisp and bright, with black chairs, creamy white sofas and big mirrors, creating a plausibly elegant yet comfortable setting.

A palpable sense of uncomplicated cooking with a global theme defines the regularly amended bill of fare. Although several new dishes make their presence felt, their famous signature dishes remain and evokes nostalgia amongst their regular patrons. It's probably this kind of flexibility and attention to detail that makes this place so appealing.

Lobster cocktail with diced mango and honey truffle dressing; fresh oysters on ice, and spicy coconut soup with lemongrass can awaken the most jaded taste buds. Main courses of beef entrecôte with French fries and mushroom pepper sauce; glazed rack of lamb with arocalapa mashed potato, and seared tuna with shiitake fried rolls and salad with ginger dressing exemplify some robust cooking.

Choose between the vodka marinated raspberry with vanilla ice cream and almond crème brûlée with custard, topped with caramelised sugar before saying 'adios'. The drinks list is home to some full bodied wines such as Miguel Merino Unnum, Bikandi reserve and Mirto in addition to some fine champagne.

Eclectic is an often used expression to define global cuisine but at Pravda it is truly merited as a description of their food as you could select a country for each course and relish their culinary delights. Puerto Banus is home to some prestigious luxury yachts and cruisers, and Pravda has added a further touch of glamour.

The Berlin Plaza's recent face lift has transformed it into a posh and swanky hotel, and needless to say, the Restaurant Knese that is right next door, belonging to the same owners, has also changed in tandem. Located in the well known Kurfürstendamm, a haven of fashion and glamour, this restaurant serves a fascinating selection of renowned German specialities along with some local dishes which give their menu its much talked of twist.

The refurbishment performed on Restaurant Knese has created a marvellous and luxurious space where you could sit down and enjoy some great food. The décor is somewhat reminiscent of whisky enrobed chocolate, all dark woods and mellow lights while the service is as you would expect, friendly and helpful.

Typically expect to find dishes such as beef consommé with semolina dumplings; potato soup with sausages and baked black pudding ravioli on a ruccola salad amongst the starters. Other favourites in this section include loin of pork with wholemeal toast, buttered mushrooms with herbs, and pickled Scottish salmon with whisked horseradish and fried mashed potatoes.

If you're looking for a dish that is distinctive to Berlin, then you might wish to try the Koenigsberg meatballs with buttered potatoes and seasonal salad; knuckle of pork with sauerkraut or lamb stew with onions and green beans. An eclectic international section includes delicacies such as fried breast stripes of duck with sweet and sour root vegetables and ribbon vermicelli; pork and rump steak with roasted rosemary potatoes and mushrooms or veal schnitzel with warm chive and potato salad.

A meal at Restaurant Knese would be incomplete if you did not try some of their desserts such as baked camembert with cranberry-pepper pear and buttered toast, apple strudel, or summer pudding, both with fresh fruits, ice cream and whipped cream. A stein of cold beer to go along with any of the dishes seems the perfect accompaniment and you could choose from some of those on tap or a draught  beer, while a selection of fine wines, fruit juices and other beverages are also present if you so prefer.

Meetings, business events or celebrations can be held in the restaurant and it seems to be an ideal spot, whatever the occasion.

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.

Hotel East in Hamburg might be described with a lot of adjectives, but 'subtle' isn't one of them, and yet, it is not what you would call 'loud' either. There is a certain nebulous aspect to this former iron foundry that has been converted into a very chic and trendy hotel, which only serves to add to its appeal. Designed by renowned Chicago based architect Jordan Mozer, East is a wilful and intricate blending of Western forms with Eastern flowing contours, and the result is a simply stunning and splendid amalgamation.

Extravagant and opulent, the décor with its curving plaster columns, futuristic and kitschy colours and light, bright tones and exposed brick walls at odd junctures, is one of the many reasons why this has become such a happening place. Apart from the intriguingly furnished bedrooms - Mozer once again - the Asian inspired restaurant is another draw. A leafy courtyard, quixotically named Dedon Island is an al fresco dining area during summer months while inside the atmosphere is both intimate and funky, a seemingly hard feat which Mozer pulls off with aplomb.

The seasonal menu starts off with Asian beef salad with balsamic dressing and macadamia nuts, tuna tartare with avocado and fly fish caviar, lobster ragout au gratin with crustacean foam or pink fried lamb filet with Thai curry. Further down, there are exclusive fish dishes such as herb braised monkfish with coconut asparagus and wasabi mashed potatoes, grilled Australian sand lobster on choi sum salad with lime cilantro butter or a whole fried loup de mer with Mediterranean wok vegetables and lemon thyme potatoes.

Meat lovers will be delighted with the amazing range of dishes they offer, such as grilled saddle of lamb on glazed chard, thyme flavoured mashed potatoes and melted cherry tomatoes, tender beef fillet on a cilantro potato cake with green asparagus and a Japanese butter sauce or crispy duck with mango, saffron rice and roasted almonds.

If you equate Asian with sushi, do not despair because there is a wide variety of sashimi, nigiri, unagi along with crab, salmon, duck and tempura. The vast options on offer are bound to satisfy your craving for Oriental food but with this virtual cornucopia of delights, do leave space for some dessert - caramelised macadamia nut parfait with apricot ragout and lemongrass cloud or delectable homemade ice creams such as peach coconut and yoghurt cherry. Take time to choose your tipple because the options are many, ranging from champagnes and spirits to inventive cocktails and beers, not to forget an impressive and eclectic wine list.

Many generations have come and gone and seen Barcelona blossom into the city it now is - particularly friendly, enchanting and fashionable - with a plethora of attractions such as museums, festivals and delicious food that you cannot ignore. The lovely 7 Portes restaurant opened its doors in the year 1836 and with over a hundred and seventy years of excellence, it is unmistakably one of the city's most classic dining destinations.

Pòrtics d'en Xifré, the national monument in which 7 Portes is situated, was the first to receive running water when connections were installed in Barcelona, and was the backdrop for the first photograph ever taken in Spain! The restaurant was originally called 'Café de les 7 Portes', and became the property of Paco Parellada, founder of one of the foremost dynasties of restaurateurs in all of Catalonia, in 1942.

Customers get an opportunity to sample some of the finest Catalan dishes, accompanied by Spain's best wines and cavas, and served by attentive staff smartly dressed in white aprons. The good part is 7 Portes is open from one in the afternoon to one in the morning every day of the year. Guests can take advantage of four dining areas of different capacities, decorated in traditional style with tiled floors, dark wooden beams and walls adorned with posters from the years gone by.

Cold starters of grilled sweet peppers with salted cod and bean salad with fresh mint vie with hot monkfish soup and Catalan style spinach with sultanas and pine nuts, to provide a firm foundation. A range of cannelloni stuffed with delights such as fish, shellfish, artichokes and spinach never fail to please.

A wide array of expertly deboned and fresh fish such as sole, monkfish and hake come before you poached and served with aromatic rice, and squid is deep-fried in a flavoursome batter. 7 Portes special zarzuela fish stew with half a lobster or Señor Cortina's oven baked langoustines are other popular choices that make the restaurant well worth the visit.

Meats appear with the roast suckling pig, veal fricassee with wild mushrooms, meatballs stewed with peas, and black or white sausages with haricot beans. Of course, being Spanish they offer an excellent selection of rice dishes - fish paella with hot peppers, Barcelona rice with ham and cheese, black rice Emporda style with cuttlefish and its ink, and fideua, a noodle like dish from Valencia accompanied by prawns.

The desserts head off with sponge fingers and raisins in rum, mouth-watering truffles, crème caramel with cream and biscuit glace in hot chocolate sauce. 7 Portes is waiting to count you in its list of guests, and don't be surprised to come across names like Alexander Fleming, the King and Queen of Spain, Charlton Heston and Catherine Deneuve. Their name means 'seven doors' and it really does have seven doors under some charming porticoes that are typical to this portside pocket of Barcelona.

Step into the medieval Troubadours in Boulevard de Ménilmontant and you'll be forgiven for feeling that you've entered a time warp. The place is full of charm and authenticity where culinary finesse marries cultural wealth. The books, paintings and scrolls on display trigger curiosity and diners feel they are being transported to a different realm altogether.

The dining area is rich in antiquity and illustrates the different cultures of the world while the nostalgic décor plunges into the heart of the centuries that have marked the history of civilization. The stone walls, mirrors, couches and piano replicate the picture of a medieval home. Talented musicians sit under a small canopy and it appears that they are tuning up before a feast. The terrace area is for those who would like to soak up the sun while sipping a cup of tea in the evening.

In the kitchen, Chef Patrick is on a mission to restore forgotten flavours and revive the intricacies in fresh and authentic ingredients. Gleaning his recipes from ancient poetry, he discloses that many of them are a blend of the classic with a modern touch. Everything is chosen with precision and he is delighted to explain the dishes. Every guest receives a personalized welcome from the man himself and he would be happy to recommend some delicacies as well.

The menu, with its ornamental motifs and detailed descriptions, make an interesting read. The soupe a l'ancienne au poulet fermier includes chives from Thailand, which were painstakingly unearthed by Patrick. Meats are marinated for forty-eight hours, and pies and bread are all made in-house. Their specialty dishes include chicken T'Kanawa, confit of lamb with fresh spinach and 'jumped the gumbos' veal dish while scallops served on subtly flavoured rice and fish soup with barley, lemon and capers are amongst other delights.

Troubadours were composers and performers of Occitan lyric poetry during the high middle ages. The texts of their songs dealt mainly with themes of chivalry and courtly love. Star singers Aviva Timonier, Susan Miller and Elisa Doughty keep up the Troubadour spirit with their feisty sopranos from Strauss, Mozart, Puccini, Vivaldi and Rossini operas between courses. They frequently organise cultural events such as lyrical concerts and reading of poetry in seven languages. This restaurant appeals to all senses and is a unique meeting place for culinary art, love of music and a visual treat.

As you approach L'Estragon, you will be taken in by the beauty of the white building surrounded by green bushes. The yard, with its access to sunlight, will certainly not go unnoticed as it provides a pleasant spot for a summer meal. Once inside, the compact setting, the warm colours, and the friendly staff welcome you to begin your gastronomic journey.

This charming, small restaurant is located in the heart of Frankfurt. The interior is inspired by the south and the chef is rooted in classical cuisine and Mediterranean flavours. The fixed carte du jour presents three categories for guests to choose from - international, lightweight and classical.

If you opt for international you could start with leek soup with shrimp, terrine of lobster, graved salmon, tuna and marinated squids, and Jacob fried scallops, noodles and black shallot-butter sauce.  Mains might follow with fillet steak with burgundy sauce and a crème brûlée for dessert is ideal for a sweet ending.

In the lightweight category wild garlic soup and marinated goat cheese with red pesto could provide the start. Main course? How about king prawns Mediterranean style and roast quail with truffle pasta. A selection of French cheese for dessert is all that's needed to complete the experience.

The classical list brings to the fore dishes such as foie gras terrine with caramelised apple, Riesling and brioche, dorade royal on lobster sauce, and saddle of lamb in garlic-olive sauce.

Special orders are catered for larger groups and you are likely to find popular dishes such as cream soup of wild garlic leaves, duck terrine, variation of fish with bouillabaise sauce, and roasted oxtail in red wine. 

Guests who arrive for dinner can order salads such as roasted goose liver with chicory, fried fillet tips and hand made noodles with truffles and truffle sauce. Main course options include pepper steak and slashes of beef fillet with a sauce of Dijon mustard. A mango parfait for dessert ends the meal on a sweet note.

When you think about it, Gamvik is rather an unusual name and despite the refreshing Catalan cuisine they offer in their Carrer Balmes restaurant in Barcelona, it does not have Spanish or Mediterranean origins. On enquiring of the polite staff, we discovered that it is the namesake of an exotic little fishing village in Norway where owner Robert Serna spent many of his childhood holidays. However, there is nothing Norwegian about the menu, as you will discover, at this charming establishment whose ever increasing popularity has propelled it into the realms of the must visit restaurants in the city.

The colour scheme, a simple combination of greys and reds, creates a soothing and calm ambience and a general feeling of comfort and the plush dining area is a welcome respite from the crowded streets. They also have two separate rooms that are more suitable for private parties and other intimate occasions.

Sample the duck liver with mandarins for an unusual experience where the tart citrusy sweetness evens out the gamey flavour while the carpaccio of cod with tomato coulis, or artichoke hearts with foie and ceps, are some of the other delicious fare that will surely entice you. Pig's trotters with wild mushrooms, or the prawns from Costa Brava are regional Catalan fare with a light Mediterranean touch.

Do save room for the desserts, and try light, airy soufflés and coulants, a kind of fudge cake, with hot molten chocolate oozing out of them. The house specialty, Gamvik eggs with chocolate and rum infused foam are spectacular treats and warrant a repeat visit for those with a sweet tooth.

The extensive wine list is inclined towards Spain although there are quite a few classical and good quality wines from other countries, as well as a wide range of cava and champagne to choose from. Gamvik's proximity to shopping areas adds to its allure and helps round off a most satisfying culinary experience.

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.