glo at Reading has brought an added air of sophistication to eating out in this popular university town. Whatever the purpose of your call at glo, winding down with colleagues after a brusque day or just enjoying the company of friends, you can enjoy some expertly constructed cocktails in a chic and romantic environment to set your evening in motion before dining in the restaurant.

The signature cocktails are the perfect way to go, perhaps starting with one of the six listed martinis, before going on to classic longs, sparklers or shooters. Driving? Then select one of the four non alcoholic varieties.

An international menu offers many interesting choices, and they recommend sharing food for maximum pleasure, although many do not wish to do this. Dim sum is a speciality so look out for pork and prawn siu mai, hoi sin duck, and scallop and shiitake mushroom dumplings amongst the steamed.

That old favourite duck spring roll leads off the crispy dim sum, cashew and prawn dumplings represent the new wave and vegetarian spring rolls are pure melt in the mouth. Starters include mushrooms with gorgonzola and coriander, Thai crab cakes and hoisin duck pancakes.

They also have an interesting selection of noodles, and pesto and coriander, Thai green and kung po are amongst them. Nowadays you seem to be never less than ten metres from a pizza, and glo is on the mark once again giving a new dimension to this much loved Italian invention, all served with a unique house tomato base and lightly sprinkled with Asian spices, the hoi sin duck or Thai spicy pepperoni are highly recommended.

The grills are equally spectacular with Thai BBQ ribs and poussin chicken, manuka rump steak, and pesto lemongrass chicken skewers. Whilst exploring your way through the dessert menu you might encounter a chocolate box, or ice cream money bags, hot and crisp on the outside with creamy Asian ice cream on the inside, topped with warm manuka honey.

The taste in wines is eclectic and not so large as to be thoroughly confusing. Several are by the glass and all under £20. glo stays open until 2am and as a refuge for the restless night hawks it could hardly be bettered.

Their smart Website will tell you more. Only one thing left to say - enjoy! It is even open for breakfast from 10.30 each day as well.

 A comfortable setting invites guests to relax and unwind with a traditional British menu at The Lass O' Richmond Hill on Queen's Road. The restaurant's customised picnic hampers to enjoy in nearby Richmond Park are just perfect for that sunny day. 

The regularly changing menu uses the best fresh, seasonal British ingredients and begins with tasty starters of potted pork with apple sauce and cider jelly, Devon crab with tomato salsa and Melba toast and crispy quail with Stilton sauce. Main courses include lamb rump with potato fondant and mint cream, Gressingham duck breast with braised chicory and orange, and Young's beer battered fish and hand cut chips with minty mushy peas follow. There's also choice of fillet or rib-eye steak served with hand cut chips and a creamy peppercorn sauce as well as a barbecue menu in fine weather. After a satisfying main course, dessert of layered chocolate pie with toasted hazelnut custard or warm almond galette with vanilla ice cream is but icing on the cake.

The wine list offers a range of expertly chosen whites and rich reds as well as a selection of fine ales including Young's Bitter, Well's Waggle Dance and Sambrook's Junction.

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

The Montagu offers tranquil views over one of London's most picturesque gardens, yet provides a vibrant setting to relax and indulge in a wide range of modern British, seasonal dishes, all of which are prepared in a striking open kitchen. Located at the Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill - in Portman Square the restaurant prides itself on being a neighbourhood restaurant, which serves up a wide selection of wonderful, fresh dishes, with a mission to provide relaxed eating for all those whose lives bring them into contact with the hotel and its neighbourhood.

Awarded the prestigious Tea Guild's Award of Excellence 2010, The Montagu offers a full afternoon tea service from 3:00pm to 6:00pm which is the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street. The Montagu Afternoon Tea offers elegant tiered stands bearing a selection of traditionally British, thinly sliced finger sandwiches and warm fruit and plain scones with strawberry jam and Cornish clotted cream. The Patissier's selection includes pretty French pastries and fruit tartlets and mini desserts. Also served is a fine selection of exquisite teas.

In homage to Sir Winston Churchill, The Montagu has just launched The Churchillian High Tea, the perfect Winter treat. Start with smoked salmon, potted shrimps served on toast with a drizzle of lemon juice, cheese on toast, and toasted crumpets with butter. Follow with hot favourites such as a warming vegetable consommé, a mini shepherd's pie and Sir Winston's beloved traditional tender roast beef with a Yorkshire pudding and horseradish sauce.

Puddings include treats such as treacle tart, fruit cake and sherry trifle. Sir Winston's love of French food is highlighted with delicious chocolate éclairs. This is served with a fine selection of exquisite teas, all of which reflect the unique and fine qualities of Sir Winston Churchill.

The Montagu's Chef's Table is a foodie experience with a 5-course menu, prepared and delivered by the chefs, right before your eyes. An extensive wine list offers 70 labels covering mix of New and Old World wines, with numerous selections available by the glass. Until December, enjoy the Chef's Table in collaboration with the iconic winery Cloudy Bay, pairing food and wine together for an unforgettable culinary experience.

For those with time to linger at lunch or having dinner, the choice is wide and focuses on ingredients that are in season. Try the court bouillon poached prawns with cocktail sauce and avocado, or the Dover sole with roasted potatoes and drizzled with lemon butter. Or for those who prefer something meatier, choose from a stunning beef tenderloin with bone marrow crust and braised shallots, or a herbed lamb rump with celeriac mash and glazed carrots.

And for pudding, it is difficult to resist The Montagu's tempting selection. Indulge in a plum crumble with red wine ice-cream and vanilla pod sauce, a spiced hot chocolate with caramelised homemade marshmallows, or a scrumptious sticky toffee and date pudding with toffee sauce and vanilla ice-cream.

The Montagu in some ways echoes the grand style of a gentleman's club but one that is shorn of its pomposity and sepulchral silence, instead they are replaced with jollity and laughter, a real fun place to be not least because of the quality of the food and surroundings, and providing a real lift to the area.

However, the best way to find out all about The Montagu and the Hyatt Regency Hotel - The Churchill, one of the most elegant in London, is to visit their Website.

For those hardy souls seeking the perpetual party, the answer to your desires exists in the heart of Covent Garden. Referred to by Time Out as 'a phenomenon', this is a pretty accurate description. Live bands are on stage every night, and a great line-up of some of the best DJs in town between them make very sure that the tempo stays high and the enjoyment level never droops at Roadhouse Covent Garden.

Fuelled by a 60-strong cocktail list the pace is emphatically party whether you are celebrating, commiserating or just trying to forget - no problem - get in there and do your thing, Happy Hours come and go as the evening wears on, no matter what day of the week, but with 50% off most drinks it pays to be around at the right time.

Why not call down on a Monday or Wednesday for Roadhouse Rockaoke? Instead of just listening to one of their amazing live bands, they give you the chance to get on stage and sing with them. Pick a song from the extensive list and compete for your chance to win a £100 bar tab.

All this sybaritic living can be very taxing, and a vast array of dishes that cover a medley of cuisines are served in the Diner to sustain you, starting with the small bites, call them tapas if you will, with crispy-fried calamari, beef satay and jalapeño cream cheese peppers amongst the list.

Then come the real starters like nachos grande, char grilled chicken and cheese quesadilla and the Roadhouse classic burger, followed by their combo collection that might be termed the hearty school of eating - well what else can you say about of a full rack of barbecue ribs and two chicken breasts, and the fully loaded version with a couple of steak and chicken breasts each and French fries, onion rings and salad.

But it's the grill that really hits the high spots, with a New York strip, cut from the centre section of the short loin to produce some great flavour and texture. There's a barbecue big rack, char grilled and smothered in their signature BBQ sauce, served with chunky coleslaw and fries; blackened salmon, basted in Cajun spices with spring onions, mashed potato and red pepper sauce or flame grilled fajitas served sizzling on tequila and lime infused peppers with a choice of filling.

The Bailey's sundae is certainly not aiming to be left out of the calorie contest while the hot chocolate fudge cake resumes its position as the king of desserts. The diner has its own happy hours, and the cocktails are brought to your table; no scary journeys for you from the bar to your table with a fistful of precious fluids.

The Roadhouse is very keen in the offers department and it pays to keep an eye on their website, where print off vouchers can be the source of an excellent value evening.

It almost goes without saying that a party night out at Roadhouse is a real blast, with a great range of nights from which to choose the bands and DJs you like, and food and drink to keep everybody, yes even the vegetarians, thoroughly happy.

Do note their cover charges - Mon and Tue £5 after 22:00, Wed £5 after 21:00, Thu £7 after 21:00, Fri £10 after 21:00, Sat £5 after 19:00, £12 after 21:00.

Their programme never stays still, so stack their Website amongst your all time favourites as the key to a real party.

The neo-classical interior is graced by domed skylights by Pietro Agostini and curving banquettes provide a particularly plush surface for the hind quarters of the well heeled. What better place than to regale ones self with a big boy's lunch whilst taking a short break on a hard day making money?

The full à la carte does not stay still for long but expect to find dishes along the lines of starters of carpaccio of tuna, oriental spices and toasted sesame seeds, radish, ginger and lime vinaigrette, or salad of Cornish crab and avocado with brown crab meat, herb mayonnaise, lemon oil and bloody Mary sorbet. However, the scallops 'mid cuit' with citrus and tarragon, virgin olive oil, liquorice and fennel will bring a quiet smile of delight to the connoisseur.

From the main fish courses the seared sea bass with fennel seeds, Provençal vegetables, basil mash and warm saffron and tomato vinaigrette is a rare treat, whilst amongst the meat and poultry the limousin veal fillet comes to table with sweetbreads and asparagus Chablis and sorrel velouté puff pastry.

From an impressive list of puddings keep a lookout for a chocolate, whisky and coffee praline lombardo. There's also a feuillantine of caramelised Granny Smith and Guinness ice cream topped off deliciously with glazed hazelnuts. A wine list that is impressive in its scope includes legendary names and years.

1 Lombard Street - The Brasserie and Restaurant are bookable online, please use the drop-down booking box to bring up Brasserie in it; be careful to use Restaurant if you want to book that.

Their Website is well worth visiting as a prelude to the real thing.

Think of Brighton, and English's springs to mind, particularly if seafood is your weakness; owned by the Leigh-Jones family since 1945, English's has established itself as one of the most famous seafood restaurants in the South of England. Established by the Braziers during the last century, the restaurant is set within three fishermen's cottages dating back 400 years with wonderful al fresco dining. The three series of murals painted in 1996 by two local art students, Catarina Perestrello and Mark Davies feature Edwardian dinner scenes in the Spode Room. The Wedgwood Room has after dinner pleasures, and the Minton commemorates the handbag scene from 'The Importance of Being Ernest', with none other than the author himself casting a sardonic eye over proceedings. The menu includes a comprehensive array of seafood dishes with a particular emphasis on local and sustainable produce.

Head Chef Gavin Lee started his career about 19 years ago at The Savoy in London, his interest in food started from a very young age, and he was lucky to be offered an apprenticeship in this premier London hotel at the age of 16. He has not looked back since. Gavin draws his inspiration from the creative process; the way a dish starts out in his head and culminates in a delicious meal. It's really about how the journey evolves along the way. Being a chef has also given him the opportunity to travel, having worked in some of the best kitchens in America and New Zealand amongst others.

Due to the seasonality of the products, the menu changes regularly to take advantage of the best that the markets have to offer. Ingredients are, whenever possible sourced locally and an ever increasing emphasis is put on sustainable sources both locally and further afield. Oysters are particularly popular, with a selection of rock oysters available all year round and a selection of native oysters available from September till the end of April. All the oysters come from well respected suppliers who take the utmost care and attention to ensure a superior product for the customer.

Great care and attention is taken in the selection of wines making the List. Bringing you a variety of wines with interesting back stories as well as great tone, character and taste. A good deal of time and effort has been spent sourcing, tasting and compiling a carefully chosen mix of wines, champagnes, dessert wines and half bottles which means it goes beyond the examples widely available on the High Street. The list is tweaked and refreshed on an on-going basis, whilst retaining many of the firm favourites. You also cannot fail to be impressed with the selection available by the glass, which offers variety and flexibility to your choice.

Whether you choose to sit 'sur le terroir', at the famous Oyster Bar or in one of the Edwardian plush dining rooms you will experience a traditional and expertly executed service which has all but disappeared in the modern wave of the branded restaurants. Whether it's due to the notable volumes of regular guests or the confidence and surety throughout this establishment, there is a genuine and relaxed friendliness in the air. The stereotypical pretentious nature synonymous with celebrated restaurants certainly does not exist here.

It's hard to say anything more about this restaurant so just go there, sit outside on a good day and enjoy superb seafood with the salty breeze off the Channel; or nestle into the plush red velvet and gold décor for an evening of unbridled pleasure.

For vastly more information about English's, a unique Brighton institution, their private dining and full menus, do visit their Website.

Established over 16 years ago and positioned in the heart of Theatreland, Palm Court Brasserie guarantees its reputation as one of Covent Garden's most established dining and drinking experiences with a stunning refurbishment and menu overhaul.

Opened by London restaurateur Brian Stein, it has been lovingly crafted to recreate a classically 1920's art nouveau environment. The intimate restaurant is perfectly suited for long, leisurely chats over a bottle of choice Chardonnay, or other choices from the vineyards of France, Italy and the New World, enhanced by a welcoming selection of dishes from the bar menu.

The walls are adorned with carefully selected images conducive to the art-deco feel and the eye is drawn to these by subtle use of varied lighting effects to create a subdued but cosseted ambience.

The beautiful, wrought-iron, centrally hung chandelier softly illuminates the surroundings and contrasts the failing, winter's light outside as the Covent Garden Piazza slides into nightfall. Palm Court Brasserie is an elegant time capsule and an oasis of sophisticated calm.

Palms absorb dishes by influence from Italian and French culture and gives them a traditionally British slant. The emphasis of Palm Court Brasserie cuisine is focused on light and healthy dishes representing an attractive fusion of the rustic and urban styles. Classic brasserie offerings such as steak frites and mussels cooked in white wine, garlic, parsley and cream, sit happily alongside pan-Mediterranean dishes including a seafood linguine of king prawns, clams with roma tomatoes, chilli and spinach, and grilled duck breast with dauphinoise potatoes, roasted vegetables and peppercorn sauce.

This 120-seater restaurant is ideal for couples or quieter mature groups who wish to enjoy a relaxing meal in casual, leisurely environment, either before or after the theatre. Guests may enjoy dining by the French windows commanding a view of the artists performing in the nearby Piazza.

Alternatively, the restaurant's rear suite with forty seats may be sealed off, creating an ideal atmosphere for guests who wish for complete privacy during a meeting, buffet or seated party. A range of menus is available, and you could find one to best suit you. More details are available on their Website.

Do note that they are closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

When one of the country's most respected and leading critics says that a restaurant in this group is 'the best Italian Restaurant outside London' it is time to take them seriously. Britain's love affair with Italian food is a cause célèbre of long standing and shows no signs of waning, so it is always welcome news when somewhere like San Carlo sets out to reach for the skies.

Located in the heart of Leicester, San Carlo is well suited to catch both day and night time business, and the menu reflects this. There are a wide range of dishes, plus blackboard specials, offering snacks, meals, celebrations, all in true Italian style, dishes that bring Italy into the very centre of life in the city. San Carlo is one of a chain of similar restaurants, yet each one has its own personality.

The San Carlo at Leicester is particularly famous for having the city's only wood burning oven, ensuring that they produce the freshest pizzas in the area.

Favourite dishes include sliced prime Scottish fillet of beef with a light dressing of capers, anchovies, garlic and extra virgin olive oil, and that old favourite of connoisseurs the world over, pan fried breast of chicken with white wine, mushrooms and cream sauce, garnished with asparagus. Many of the ingredients to create these dishes are imported from Italy, and it goes without saying that the wine list is unashamedly and spectacularly of the same origin.

A combination of Italian cuisine and fish has always seemed logical - all that coastline - as well as highly attractive to the British taste. The antipasti at San Carlo includes a mixture of squid, prawns and mussels, deep-fried whitebait, and scallops in white wine and garlic. Amongst the main courses expect to find grilled whole sea bass, a mixed grill of fish, special pasta with lobster, brandy, tomato, cream and peas, or giant prawn and scallops in garlic and chilli.

It is customary to look for Italian wines in such places, nor will you be disappointed, but there are a few French inclusions also, with a rather nice Chablis in evidence. House wines, and few off the list, are available by the glass. Service is a good example of that Italian 'just make yourself at home we'll look after everything' manner, when you generally surprise yourself by taking their advice. In Britain we just say 'no problem', which may be succinct, but lacks style.

San Carlo Leicester is a real gem amongst the San Carlo collection, with its location in Granby Street, and its architecture and décor providing the best of Italian luxury. Groups are welcome at San Carlo, but to preserve the balance between groups, a limit of up to nine people applies on Friday and Saturday, and twenty to thirty on weekdays. Booking will always make for security but in general the arrangements mean there is room for everybody.

Ultimately a restaurant is judged by two main factors, each dependent upon the other. Combine quality food with life's movers and shakers in attractive surroundings and you have a sure fire record for the sweet buzz of success that permeates San Carlo.

Make sure you check out their Website to bring you up to date on special events at San Carlo Leicester.

By London standards Boulevard Brasserie, well established in the Opera Quarter on Wellington Street, is an old hand at providing excellent food and service since 1991. Surrounded by some of the best known and most vibrant centres of the London theatre, it is only 50 metres from Covent Garden Piazza; near neighbours such as the Royal Opera House, Lyceum Theatre and Theatre Royal on Drury Lane, ensure that Boulevard's credentials are impeccable.

Recently having completed a refurbishment, there's more to its credentials than just having the right neighbours, well demonstrated by menus that provide for every occasion, be it a night at the theatre, a family celebration, Sunday lunch, a romantic assignment, or a good place to seal a business proposition.

The theatre menu is a tour de force, operating pre- and post matinée meals in afternoon and evenings at prices that are an incitement to take the best seats available in the theatre of your choice. Three courses offer four choices on each and a typical meal might consist of gravalax, followed by a minute steak with fries and Béarnaise sauce, and petit pot au chocolat or Roquefort cheese with spiced pear. Private dining rooms can accommodate theatre groups of between 25 and 120.

An à la carte weaves its way through an extensive range of dishes, all of which sound totally beguiling, thus transforming the choosing of your meal into a Catch 22 situation. Where to start? One of the greatest mistakes to be made when eating is to hurry, particularly when ordering. Let nature, not the maître d?, has its way. Find space for some tartines, delightful little French sour-dough snacklets topped with Jambon cru ham, shredded duck and other delights, and revel in whole tiger prawns pan-fried.

La Français is never far from the scene and beef bourguignon and mash, confit de canard, steak frites and classic French onion soup sit comfortably with their English counterparts. The vegetables are a delight with a refreshing absence of root numbers and a light hearted hand applied to the rest.

However the ritualistic Sunday Roast is omni-present, made even more welcome by being served all day, thereby minimising the risk of getting overlooked by other events of which sleeping-in is but one.

A choice of some six desserts yields a classic crème brûlée, sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream, and a rhubarb and raspberry bavarois, and the French return with a triumphant ménage of cheeses, bandying around such names as Comté, Saint Maure, Fourne d'Ambert and Munster, all served with quince jelly, grapes and celery, a very model of its kind.

A new feature to Boulevard Brasserie is the Boulevard Cellars - a cosy and intimate wine bar - offering a wide range of regional French wines and Champagne. Ample opportunities by the glass make exciting drinking a real possibility and a relatively short but very interesting range of after dinner treats for those with time and company on their hands is well worth considering.

Like many good restaurants nothing stays the same for very long with the exception of the standards Boulevard sets, which remain unremittingly high. A click on their Website will keep you up to date.