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hand picked restaurants

Pizza Express remains a hugely popular bedrock of casual eating. Its popularity is testimony to the fact that across the country, they have restaurants where you will always be guaranteed a good nosh, with children's tastes being well catered for.

Pizza Express has gone even more Roman, and following the success of that particular example of listening to their public have introduced Romana pizzas, including the scorching Etna and the hearty Siciliana.

These pizzas are now thinner, bigger and crispier, and if that sounds like a marketing line, it is. However, unlike many such lines, this one is true, and their quality is always consistent, though cleverly they have still managed to retain a homemade feel to their pizzas.

As an alternative to pizza, try their pollo pesto - cavatappi pasta with torn chicken breast, mushrooms, red onions and mozzarella in a creamy gruyere, parmesan and pesto sauce and finished with grana padano - or the niçoise salad with mixed leaves, yellowfin tuna, free range egg, green beans, potatoes and tomatoes with olives, anchovies, capers and house dressing.

Many of the big chains have come a long way, and Pizza Express is certainly amongst them. One of the first to be quoted on the Stock Exchange - in 1993 - Pizza Express is not a franchise operation and retains tight control through its own staff.

Their wine list - though short - contains some surprisingly good offerings, especially their intense Australian Chardonnay, and a big, full-bodied Merlot from Cusumano, Sicilia.

Strategically located between several other period buildings, the South Lodge Hotel in New London Road is of well-maintained Victorian vintage, remodelled carefully bonding pieces of history with modern design. Even the South Restaurant and Bar is brightened up with plenty of natural light streaming though the large windows offset by dark wooden tables. The eclectic modern British and European menu complements the setting perfectly. An adjoining terrace allows for al fresco dining in the summer.

In agreement with the overall modern theme, the inventive selection begins with grilled flat mushroom and blue cheese fondue sauce, spicy chicken with citrus mayonnaise and panko tiger prawns with sweet chilli. Main courses of seafood trio with spicy tomato vinaigrette and potato salad and fillet of beef with hand cut chips and baby spinach offer a modern twist while the Gressingham duck gets an Oriental touch with stir fried pak choi, spring onions and plum sauce.

The bar menu also speaks well of the kitchen's efforts with dishes like carved festive ham, Whitby Bay scampi, Aberdeen Angus cheese and bacon burger and sirloin steak with chips. Fortify yourself for the night with a cheesecake, coconut tart or chocolate mousse, ending with coffee, hot chocolate or amaretto, if you wish.

A varied wine list offers an aromatic Ca di Ponti white, Pinot Grigio San Vigilio, Aloe Tree Shiraz and a fruity Masquerade Merlot. Finally, if in the mood brace yourself for a peaceful night's sleep in one of the 35 ensuite bedrooms at the South Lodge.

A spacious and airy restaurant on the ground floor and a stylish bar on the lower ground, Mustard Bistro is set in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. Situated in the commercial business district of Chelmsford, the restaurant is ideal for either a business lunch or a fun filled evening with friends.

Expect good home cooked food prepared by using the best of locally sourced produce. Think goats' cheese tart, pan-fried pigeon breast or a Dijon chicken salad to begin. Crispy and tender confit duck legs served with bubble squeak, and finished with fresh grape sauce and a traditional kedgeree of mildly curried long grain rice, flakes of seasoned smoked haddock and boiled egg topped with fresh parsley are two options bound to charm diners of all persuasions

There's a special 'Vegetarians Night', well worth trying out for those who prefer to spare the fish and meat for the rest of us.

One could easily become a habitué of dining out considering the burgeoning culinary scene in Chelmsford and The Waterfront Place in Wharf Road is one such venue which holds plenty of appeal - an elegant restaurant spread over two floors, conference halls and rooms, bars and waterside terrace.

The cooking at The Brasserie embraces flavours of the world whilst slightly favouring Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with choices such as home cherry wood smoked salmon and tiger prawn nacho salad, which are particularly impressive. Main courses of pan-fried duck breast with vegetable 'game' chips and sesame pak choi, and char-grilled Barnsley lamb chop could just about hit every note on your palate. Pizza choices of pesce arrive with whiffs of the sea, and on peeping inside, discover prawns, anchovies, cockles, whelks and New Zealand mussels.

Little ones could have a rollicking time at the Ritchie's Adventure Island and a specially designed, healthy children's menu to ward off hunger pangs.

The Bar and Grill in Chelmsford is a nice little place to tuck into after watching a film at the Odeon cinema located opposite to it, or just spend the early summer evening at the river deck sipping on a paradise punch or cranberry cooler.

The panini summer menu offers solace to those seeking a light bite with a hearty array of fillings such as Wiltshire ham and mozzarella, fish finger and tartare sauce, and sausage and caramelised onion. The highlight of any party being hosted at The Bar could be a platter to share which embraces antipasti of Milano salami, mozzarella sticks, marinated olives, sun-dried tomatoes, marinated mushrooms, breads and oils.

The drinks list is devoted to a broad selection of draught lager, beer and cider, from Guinness and Strongbow to Becks Vier and Staropramen and Stella, as well as premium bottled lagers such as Corona, Peroni and Tiger.