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hand picked restaurants

Sitting unobtrusively in the midst of several solicitors' offices on Regent Street, De Luca Cucina and Bar's décor may certainly elicit a 'wowed' response. Each area is done up in a remarkable manner, from the dimly-lit cocktail bar at the entrance and the restaurant with a beautiful sky-lit area at the rear, to the Regency Room for those special occasions, and the stylish, second-floor Regency Club overlooking Parkers Piece.

What better way to begin a meal than with a mixed platter of cured meats, fresh Buffalo mozzarella, provolone cheese, pepperoni agrodolce, artichokes, sun-blushed tomatoes and mixed olives, all meant to be shared between two. Main courses arrive in a simple, straightforward manner and include a grilled 8 oz sirloin served with hand cut chips and a green peppercorn sauce, and a spinach and coppa-stuffed chicken breast wrapped in Parma ham.

Live entertainment featuring an opera duo from London generates a buzz at the bar at De Luca every other Friday evening.

Seated in Park Terrace between Saint Andrews and Parker Streets, is one of Cambridge's delightful finds - Mai Thai Restaurant. A colourful history, great views, stylish contemporary décor, authentic Thai food and impeccable service are some of the reasons to visit. Elegantly minimalistic, with immaculate white walls and white tiled flooring, the ambience is calming, while hints of Orchid pink, reveal the vibrant, more risqué side of the restaurant. Originally a cricket pavilion, the building overlooks Parker's Piece, where in 1838, 15,000 people gathered to celebrated Queen Victoria's coronation.

Begin with the Mai Thai platter which is an array of tasty starters and don't miss out on the spicy corn fritter. For mains try the Thai style sweet and sour chicken with pineapple, cucumber, peppers, tomato and carrot. Sample beef Gaeng kiew Wan, which is the famous Thai green curry with coconut milk, egg plant, mixed peppers and bamboo shoots. There's an extensive list of fish preparations, rice and noodles as well. There's well stocked bar, so order your drink and gear up for the Mai Thai experience.

Located on Mill road in the town of Cambridge, The Calcutta Club is an Indian tapas-style restaurant and cocktail lounge offering guests a range of culinary delights from the Indian sub-continent ranging from tasty and authentic street food to regional curries and appetising grills. The atmosphere reflects the Indian-ness of the place with comfortable seating, relaxed environment and wall murals covered with tribal art from different regions of India. The food is authentic and flavoured with spices prepared by chefs in a contemporary open theatre kitchen right before patron's eyes.

The tantalising variations of Indian cuisine find their identity in the à la carte menu of Caribbean fish kebabs, swordfish steak cuts marinated in olive oil and spices; mixed seafood brochette and coconut prawn skewers. The vegetarian options include tarka dal or lentils, Punjabi chickpeas which can be eaten with different varieties of biryanis or rotis.

The food is accompanied by a variety of cocktails, mojito's and other drinks, with a glass of lassi that can be sometimes savoured for that extra variety.

Certainly amongst the leading contenders from the ethnic section of the culinary community in Cambridge, an area in which there is rather less competition than might be expected. The customarily extended menu of dishes ranging from the exotic to the plain simple is always on offer and whilst this may be par for the course in most curry houses it still leaves room for wide variations in the way in which food actually appears on the plate. This is without doubt where Curry Queen has an advantage. Portions are also generous and service slick. Lager, that staple liquid fare which has enjoyed a long and not always happy relationship with curry fever, can also vary, but the German lager on offer at Curry Queen is universally popular, except possibly with the odd Australian undergraduate.

Efes is a great find in a varsity city not overburdened with gourmet delight, and the fact that it has just completed eight year' successful trading speaks for itself. Not that the cuisine is anything other than straightforward, down-to-the-kasbah Turkish, but that in itself is something for which to be grateful.

On arrival a dish of quality olives and pickled chillies is offered, a pleasant touch that immediately sets the right note. Most of the main courses are kebab in orientation and the novelty of having them char-grilled in front of you is a never-ending source of fascination. When it reaches your plate the quality of the meat, unless you like eating it dripping blood, is superb, with firm flavours and perhaps accompanied by a particularly good, soft rice and vegetables.

All in all it's a bit like having an indoor barbecue with all the ugly parts, like the carbon overlay, the insects and the sudden odd jolly bracing, north-wind-driven downpour removed and replaced with charming staff, linen napery, warmth and flowers not braced against the storm. Efes, not altogether surprisingly, is a wow with the locals and if I was them I would not be in a hurry to share it, but I hope you will.