Occupying what must be one of the finest restaurant locations in London, The Park Terrace on the ground floor of the luxury 5 star Royal Garden Hotel looks out over Kensington Gardens, a serene oasis in the capital city.

Executive Chef Steve Munkley works with a brigade of some 80 chefs and in between carrying responsibility for all the catering outlets in the hotel also finds time to be the youngest ever Chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs. He graduated from TVU in the '80s.

The restaurant is divided into three areas, designed to deal between them with multi various requirements of those wishing to enjoy the wide availability within the hotel. A British à la carte cuisine has a strong focus on locally sourced ingredients. A lounge area allows more informal dining to proceed all day, with afternoon tea available, and a bar which provides the focal point of the room, visible from the hotel lobby, with an extensive selection of drinks.

As with any major hotel breakfast is available to non residents. A du jour lunch offers around five or so courses well able to keep the average human furnace fuelled, always with fish and vegetarian dishes. The likes of a platter of English cured meats with rhubarb and orange chutney, or rosemary and sherry marinated Shetland salmon with pickled cucumber provide variety within lighter plates, as well as desserts with baked lemon curd raspberry sorbet a popular choice.

The Kensington Tea is the Park Terrace's solution to the 7^th Duchess of Bedford who, in the early 19^th century took issue with what she described as "that sinking feeling" during the late afternoon and arranged for a pot of tea and a light snack to be sent to her boudoir for private enjoyment ad relief. The Kensington Tea goes rather further, The Hampstead Tea even more so with a glass of champagne amongst the goodies.

When it comes to dinner the full force of Steve Munkley's approach to sourcing becomes apparent. Much of the meat derives from a co-operative of farmers in Essex and East Anglia. The animals are all free range, some are classified organic. So precise is the control that they are sometimes able to tell you which farm your meat came from. Label Anglais chickens give an outstanding flavour, and venison comes from the New Forest via a lady called Mrs Tee who also picks for wild mushrooms from the forest for Park Terrace tables.

The same precision and care is taken with the fruits of the sea, and Neal's Yard on Covent Garden are entrusted with the British cheeses. Cromer crab ravioli is served with samphire and shellfish bisque and East Anglia scores again with beef fillet carpaccio, wild rocket, Spenwood cheese and horseradish oil. Turning to more ample dishes the grilled free range Blythburgh pork cutlet with caramelised plum, honey and sherry vinegar, kale bubble and squeak and pork crackling is indeed a dish fit for a prince. A lounge menu, with bar menu and bar plates give wide variation with more informal dishes.

A fascinating wine list bears all the evidence of careful and enlightened choices, although the inclusion of some British labels might not come amiss.

Park Terrace is a treat at any time of the day or year, but as part of a prestigious hotel complex in West London it carries the seal of perfection. Their Website will keep you informed, in particular about the changing menus and special offers.

A classic Italian restaurant at the Derby Square, Il Ponte serves an enticing selection of Italian dishes in a cosy setting. Wonderful views of the open kitchen help diners watch the Italian chefs in action, and a choice of exciting cocktails can be enjoyed at the large bar area.

The Il Ponte menu showcases classic Italian cooking in dishes such as crispy fried squid with tartare sauce or breaded veal escalope served with spaghetti Napoli. Other favourites include oven baked salmon steak topped with smoked salmon and prawns served with lemon and butter sauce with linguine.

Diners can also enjoy sumptuous pasta dishes such as pappardelle tossed with mushrooms and truffle paste, and penne mediterranea with chicken, sweet peppers and a touch of chilli in a tomato sauce. A short selection of Italian wines is offered at the Il Ponte Epsom.

Spread over two levels, the interior at Il Ponte restaurant features bright artwork and rustic tiling. Epsom Rail Station and Odeon Cinema Epsom are just a short walk away.

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

High above Piccadilly, The Terrace Restaurant is one of the roomiest venues in London; with its vented natural sunlight captured in the shadows of the stone pillars, it boasts a blend of old and new world within its classical yet contemporary surroundings. Compared to the bustling West End below, the restaurant offers a relaxed and refined dining experience.

Alternatively, if you prefer a chic slice of a Venetian 'al fresco', lunch can be served on the balcony.

They describe their menus as, 'Being modern British grill with a cool fashionable twist, serving food which is mouth watering and sumptuous - satisfying the ultimate connoisseur'.

Particularly good value - especially for a top hotel restaurant in London - is represented by their fixed price menus at £21.00 for lunch for three courses and £27.95 menu served for pre-theatre.

The menus is quintessentially British, here you will find starters ranging from Farmhouse terrine with Cumberland sauce, ham devilled whitebait with cracked black pepper and lemon dip, or cured beef with horseradish jelly, pickled mushrooms and hazelnut dressing.

The main courses feature expertly grilled meat like Longhorn sirloin or T-bone, whole roast Packington chicken, and Red Poll 8oz burger 8oz with chips, salad and onion rings.

Their mixed grill, sausage, bacon, kidneys, lamb cutlet and medallions of beef make a fantastic meal for a truly indulgent dining experience.

Diners could, perhaps, enjoy a comfortable aperitif or digestif in the London Gin Bar lounge area, before or after dinner, with one of the largest range of British gin and cocktails to choose from.

Their afternoon tea can be similarly meaningful as you enjoy 'Tea on the Terrace', this is an experience that is all too rare in London these days.

For further details, including information about staying at Le Meridien Piccadilly or holding private parties and conferences there, do visit their Website.

Chapel Quarter has swiftly emerged as one of Nottingham's premier destinations very much thanks to places like Tonic, which can be aptly described as a welcome addition to this culinary oasis. There's plenty to explore once you're inside; the first floor restaurant is a striking combination of comfort and style with smart furnishings and atmospheric lighting. The impressive cinematic art installation grips your attention instantly and the open kitchen exemplifies the theatrical experience.

Tonic is certainly causing a stir on the Nottingham eating out scene, winning Best Newcomer in the Nottingham Restaurant Awards 2007 and following this up with runner up in the overall category of Nottingham Restaurant of the Year and Best Drinks and Wine List in the 2008 awards, and Young Chef of The Year in 2009.

If a steaming hot cup of Fair Trade coffee with some pastries helps you kick start the day, then just head to Tonic. What's more? Well, you could even pack a gourmet sandwich or salad for lunch. The main bar with its timber ceilings is the perfect place for an after-work drink and at weekends DJs tactfully pump up the decibels by playing an eclectic mix of funky, vocal, soul, Motown and house while ensuring that the sound levels do not disrupt conversation.

The regularly changing menu is in tune with the seasons and brings in a modern twist to formula British cooking. So there's leek and potato soup; home cured salmon, rocket, capers, lemon and rye bread, and confit and smoked duck salad, pickled walnuts, honey and glazed parsnips to be enjoyed as starters. This could be followed by roast Goosnargh turkey, apricot and sage stuffing, fondant potato and mini toad in the hole, or poached organic salmon accompanied by spinach, basil mash and fish velouté. A sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and crème anglaise or Bailey?s cheesecake with almond tuile and chocolate sauce will delight those with a sweet tooth.

If you fancy a nibble at the bar, classics of smoked haddock fishcake, creamed wild mushroom on toast, Mr. Dooley's sausages and char-grilled chicken burger are there aplenty, and the opportunity to indulge in one of their extensive cocktail selections should not be missed. Never mind if you decide to have a burst of originality and try something different, the bartender enjoys a challenge.

With several entertainment venues nearby, Tonic's pre-theatre deals are designed to work in tandem with a diner's theatre plans and who'd not love a local game terrine or pan-fried sea bass before hitting the shows?

Whether it's soulful live music to ignite the spirit or nail-biting sporting events, it's all happening here at Tonic. For those who want to be a part of this fun-filled night out experience or are just looking to explore what this wonderful place has to offer, delving through their Website should do the trick.

Edinburgh's first and finest rooftop restaurant, the Tower Restaurant has become a must for celebrities, visitors to the city and its fearsomely loyal locals all of whom love the chic and luxurious interior, exceptional food and deft service that are the Tower's trademarks. Spectacular views of Edinburgh's castle and city skyline feature on the menu of this unmissable rooftop Tower restaurant above the landmark Museum of Scotland.

Created by James Thomson, owner of the historic Witchery by the Castle nearby, the Tower is sleek and contemporary, but sports typical Thomson touches of romance and a great sense of occasion. From the velvet banquettes, suede chairs and indulgent velvet hangings to the mosaic bar and sexy aluminium chairs the Tower reeks of an elegance and glamour which mark it out as a contemporary restaurant.

A wide-ranging and flexible menu covers all of the bases, from seafood to game and the signature Aberdeen Angus steak. Alongside the famed hand-picked natural rock oysters and steaks, dishes might include Arbroath smokie croquette with quail egg, spiced rice and puy lentil, or Jerusalem artichoke open lasagne.

The Tower is a member of The Scotch Beef Club, and uses only fully traceable, guaranteed Scottish beef, hung for at least 21 days. An alternative to the à la carte menus comes in the form of a three course lunch or dinner for £30, a £15.95 two-course light lunch menu, and the pre-theatre suppers at the same price, available daily to make the Tower a very accessible treat. They've also added afternoon tea at £15.95 or Champagne afternoon tea at £24.95 to the repertoire. Nobody should be able to say they were priced out of this landmark in Edinburgh restaurant life.

An inspirational wine list of 180 or so wines has won virtually every award going - including holding a coveted Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. The list is accessibly grouped by price and covers all of the main varieties and styles with wines from 12 countries and a selection of 16 available by the glass.

With its dramatic seating on the terrace and the best views in the city, the Tower is rooftop dining at its most spectacular.

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

Looking for interesting, seasonal and light, well-prepared food in a galleried setting with stunning views. The Bay, at Penzance, helped establish the now well-tried tradition of combining culture, in the form of a serious art gallery, with cuisine and rooms - and succeeds. The setting is chic, unstuffy, with superb views above the rooftops of Penzance to Mount's Bay. An excellent place to kick back, relax and enjoy their mix of a Modern European approach to serving seafood and other English dishes.

Throughout the whole year look forward to eating the best of the local produce, in an imaginative and attractive form and calling on an impressive list of local suppliers from Cornwall, where the environment is naturally fresh.

During the day an all day dining menu offers such dishes as prosciutto ham with herbed olive hummus and balsamic vinegar, steamed Fowey mussels in a shallot, garlic and Cornish cider cream sauce, or pan-fried rump steak with baby spinach leaf, straw potatoes and herb hollandaise. At The Bay it's always worth asking what the boats have brought in; fish does not come any fresher than this.

Try a roast Pollock fillet on braised saffron leeks and lemon cream sauce, or a local handpicked white crabmeat open sandwich on homemade granary bread with lemon mayonnaise. For vegetarian tastes there could be a baked aubergine and tomato gateaux.

In the evenings the menu expands and starters could include home smoked breast of guinea fowl, ox tongue and hazelnut salad and date purée, or pan-fried South Coast scallops, potato and vanilla cream with steamed spring onions.

Main courses follow the same pattern with a pan-fried West Country duck breast with smoked fennel, polenta cake and a preserved orange jus; roast fillet of Newlyn landed pollack, baby brown shrimps, cucumber and watercress, and roast Cornish double beef - for two to share - with pan fried foie gras and oxtail ravioli, black truffle and port wine jus.

As you watch the sun subside into the light mists of a velvet Cornish sea evening, you will find the desserts even more beguiling than usual, headed by the white chocolate mousse, sultana fancler and rice wine vinegar reduction, closely followed by the coconut crème brûlée with passion fruit madeleines and dark chocolate sorbet or assortment of miniature desserts.

Local wines, beers and an elite list offer further variety and choice, and, with at least eight available by the glass or 1/2 bottle, you can change wines with each course. Dessert wines are encouraged and include Pedro Ximenez- Jerez from Spain, and Nederburg from South Africa.

The Bay is quality eating amidst beautiful surroundings both in and out, at prices that will leave room for you to contemplate further indulgence amongst the many pictures tastefully displayed in the Gallery.

The past years have firmly established the Bay, in the diners Awards of the Region, they were named West Country Restaurant of the Year in 2002, and Restaurant of the Year 2006-8 in the Cornwall Tourism Awards. Consistently awarded 2 AA rosettes annually, and listed in the Michelin Guide, The Good Hotel Guide and The Good Food Guide.

For those of you wanting further information about The Bay, a visit to their Website would be a sensible idea.

Greig's, in the heart of Mayfair, a mere nightingale's trill from Berkeley Square, lays claim to the reputation for serving the finest steaks in London. For over half a century, long before the present day emphasis on properly hung, possibly organic, meat, the cognoscenti quietly made their way to 26 Bruton Place, confident in the knowledge that once there they would find well-cooked, coal-grilled Scottish beef, beautifully presented and served with elegance and charm. In some ways you could say that Greig's has been one of the best-kept culinary secrets in London's West End, where competition at every level is razor-sharp.

There are three beautifully oak-panelled dining rooms, and in passing let's be clear we are talking about the real thing, creating rooms in which the well bred would feel at home and the rest of us would feel, well, flattered. All of these rooms are available for private hire and seat up to 40, 18 or 10 guests respectively. Normally no hire charge is made and set menus are available on request.

For everyday customers there are four menus offered; the lunch, pre-theatre, canapé and the à la carte. As so often happens lunch and pre-theatre suppers are often taken at the run, though this is certainly not obligatory at Greig's, and the menu is geared accordingly. The value offered is nothing short of incredible, starting with two courses and service at £9.95 and topping out with three courses, coffee and service at £16.95.

For starters there could be avocado vinaigrette, a mixed salad or soup of the day. Main courses might be drawn from amongst cottage pie, 8 oz rump steak and whole baby chicken, followed by crème caramel or chocolate mousse.

Moving to the à la carte, Greig's has made its name through its handling of grills, so no risk of any disappointment here. From 16oz Scottish sirloin the story is linked to the contentment that stems from complete enjoyment. Some English beef is also used and the customer is left in no doubt about country of origin with every meat dish. Lobsters weigh in at 16 oz, and tiger prawns can be taken on their own or as part of the excellent surf and turf dish.

A cheeseboard of fine British and French offerings sits well with the menu overall, and puddings are simple and designed to complement the full effect, with raspberries or strawberries or, say, a chocolate mousse.

The wine list so carefully built up over the years is most unlikely to disappoint, with good wines by the glass, including a decent champagne, amongst the house list and sound choices from the main. There must be many who have not heard of Greig's until now and the sensible thing to have done would have been to keep mum and enjoy, but hey! there are livings to be earned.

If you want further information about all that Greig's has to offer, a visit to their highly informative Website is recommended.

Inspired by the Chicago Palm restaurant in America, Christopher's is housed in a grand, Grade II listed Victorian building in the heart of Theatre land in Covent Garden.

Since December 1991 this famous American Bar and Grill has been serving fantastic quality steaks and lobster, previously largely unavailable in London. Christopher's quickly became one of the capital's most opulent restaurants, resplendent over 3 floors, and though the concept has since been adapted to take into account changing tastes and fashions, it remains faithful to the original theme.

On the ground floor, the fully Wi-Fi enabled Martini Bar is cool and stylish with an extensive cocktail list with over 25 scintillating martinis from which to choose. Luxurious booths lining one side of the bar invite you to settle in for the evening.

At the top of the sweeping stone spiral staircase lies Christopher's large and elegant dining room, with extensive views over Waterloo Bridge. Strong colours and soft lighting complement the high ceilings and beautiful original features of the building. The exclusive private dining room on the lower ground floor, offers a fantastic venue for many different occasions including receptions, meetings, corporate dining and parties.

An à la carte menu bears the brunt of this restaurant's popularity, with their famous 28oz prime rib chop for two; grilled Maine lobster with garlic butter or cobb salad and mango chilli salsa; slow-cooked belly pork with Boston baked beans, feta and celeriac slaw, and blackened salmon with jambalaya risotto and cress salad, as eye-catching menu leaders. Christopher's ensures all of their fish are caught from sustainable sources.

Amongst the delights on the dessert menu expect to find baked New York cheesecake with blueberry compote, pecan maple tart with vanilla ice cream, and some very interesting regional cheeses.

Christopher's is the perfect place to eat or drink before a show. The theatre menu served from Monday to Saturday between 5pm to 7pm and10pm to 11.30pm (£16.95 for 2 courses or £21.50 for 3) represents great value for money.

Weekends at Christopher's are agreeably relaxed. A traditional American style brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 11.30am to 3.30pm and includes classics such as Eggs Benedict, a Texas Grill, or scrambled eggs and smoked salmon, as well as traditional dishes of buttermilk pancakes with maple cured bacon and warm maple syrup.

For more information or to see Christopher's menus, visit their Website.

In the heart of the University city, a stone's throw from the Odeon Cinema and the New Theatre, Fire & Stone Oxford offers a range of flavourful stone-baked pizzas in a relaxed modern setting. Located on George Street, nestled among other restaurants and shops, Fire & Stone is spread over two levels with seating for 217 people.

Fire and Stone's stone-baked pizzas are made from fresh ingredients and cooked in a wood-fired oven. Inspired by flavours of the world, the pizzas are grouped into classic, Africa, Asia, Americas, Australasia and Europe. A party menu, kids menu and special offers are also available.

The range of starters includes grilled bruschetta with Parma ham, melted brie, caramelized onion jam and pesto; a Mediterranean board with mixed olives, Italian breadsticks, taramasalata and houmous; crisp fried calamari served with tartare sauce and spicy mixed nuts.

Fire & Stone's signature Pembroke pizza combines the classic flavours of roast lamb with butternut squash, grated mozzarella, roast potatoes and leeks on a red wine gravy base, topped off with a piquant mint sauce. Other classic pizzas include the Naples with mozzarella, tomato sauce and fresh basil and the San Sebastian with mozzarella, tomato sauce, spicy chorizo sausage, garlic and rosemary roast potatoes, roasted red peppers, topped with aioli and chives.

Going further east, there's the Cairo topped with fire roasted red and yellow peppers, courgettes, aubergines, balsamic roasted red onions, mozzarella and tomato sauce topped with crumbled goat's cheese and pine nuts. Lombok has Indonesian flavours with garlic marinated prawns, Chinese hoi sin sauce, fire roasted red peppers, sliced spring onions and mozzarella, drizzled with chilli oil.
 
For New World flavours try an Acapulco with mozzarella, tomato sauce, slow cooked ground chilli beef, jalapenos, sliced red onions, topped with sour cream and guacamole or, from the Australasia section you could opt for the Byron Bay topped with basil pesto, mozzarella, field mushrooms, cumin roasted sweet potato, cherry tomatoes, green olives, topped with crushed macadamia nuts.

The salads section offers a refreshing choice of chicken Caesar salad with roast chicken breast, cos lettuce, parmesan, rustic croutons and classic Caesar salad dressing; Israeli cous cous salad with mixed peppers, roasted aubergine, whole roast chicken breast, coriander, tzatziki and spicy harissa and spinach, bacon, avocado and artichoke salad tossed with a creamy grain mustard vinaigrette.

If you prefer a pasta there's spaghetti primavera with broccoli, courgettes, peas, broad beans, garlic, sugar snaps, white wine, parmesan and double cream; spicy sausage rigatoni with tomato sauce, chorizo sausage, pepperoni, black olives, chilli and oregano and penne with chicken tossed in a tomato and mascarpone sauce with courgettes, butternut squash, red chilli and topped with pumpkin seeds.

Finish with tempting dessert of rich chocolate brownie with Madagascan vanilla ice cream, vanilla pannacotta with mixed berry compote or a sweet slider with banoffee pizza, rich chocolate brownie, almond biscotti, nut Florentines and honeycomb ice cream, perfect for sharing.

The drinks menu includes a selection of wines, beers, spirits, cocktails, smoothies and shakes..

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

Fourth Floor Café and Bar, situated on top of the Harvey Nichols store in the heart of Leeds, is a popular destination on the Yorkshire circuit, offering fantastic cityscape views by day and more formal romantic ambience at night.

The unique design of the ceiling creates the Café's signature with dramatic over-scaled vary-coloured lighting piercing through the perforated ceiling plane and backlit in fluorescent sky blue. The rich timber finish and warm colours of the lacquer bar surfaces are juxtaposed with the cooler palate of the restaurants shell finishes. This typical Harvey Nichols chic design creates an elegant dining atmosphere. A focal point of the restaurant is the fully glazed façade and terrace, which can seat ten, overlooking the rooftops of Leeds.

Born in Yorkshire, Head Chef Richard Walton-Allen recognises the importance of supporting local producers and his menu can be seen to reflect his passion. He is also a judge at the Great Yorkshire Cookery competition and as such looks for imaginative and innovative use of Yorkshire produce.

A choice of a la carte and prix fixe menus are available at lunch and dinner, which include starters such as slow cooked pork belly, soy, seared squid, orange and sesame sauce and seared fillet of mackerel, beetroot carpaccio, beetroot and blackberry puree, with mains like whole lemon sole, sautéed courgettes, grape, almond and verjus dressing and roast Nidderdale lamb rack, char-grilled baby leeks, beetroot jus and mini hotpot. Finishing with a trio of damson desserts - mousse, ice cream and damson polenta cake - or marzipan and honey cake with white wine poached pear.

With nearby theatres and cinemas such as the Grand Theatre; home of Opera North and the Northern Ballet, The West Yorkshire Playhouse, the Henry Moore Sculpture Gallery and the Light Cinema, the Fourth Floor Café and Bar is the ideal venue for pre-dinner theatre. It also offers morning coffee, lunch, afternoon bar menu, pre-dinner drinks and dinner with quality food, reasonable prices and efficient service.

Celebrating a decade milestone anniversary in Autumn 2006 they received the news that they had won both Restaurant of the Year and Chef of the Year at the Leeds Restaurant Association Awards 2006. In addition, Harvey Nichols also won the Leeds Restaurant Awards for Best Service 2 years running in 2007 and 2008. For more details do visit the Harvey Nichols Website.