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hand picked restaurants

The Beeches Hotel and Victorian Gardens is an exemplary hotel in Norwich, close to the city centre, and it is refined and laidback, perfect for business meetings or romantic getaways or even outings with the family. While the rooms are comfortable and luxurious, the gardens are a delight to the senses, rich, blooming and verdant and guests enjoy the lovely views from the restaurant in the conservatory as they sit down for a delicious meal.

Some of the mouth watering dishes on offer include sirloin steak with peppercorn or steak Dianne sauce, tomato and hand cut chips, while the pan fried fillet of sea bass with cockles and basmati rice is also an excellent choice. Vegetarians love Beeches for its tasty options such as courgette stacked with feta cheese and walnuts. End with a rich chocolate brownie accompanied by some Norfolk award winning ice cream.

Whilst there is no doubt that it might help being a Norwich City fan, like a lot of things, it's not obligatory, and enjoyment of the steadily burgeoning catering enterprise at Carrow Road is open to all for much of the time. For the newly hatched this is all about the Canaries, of which Delia Smith is a director and lifelong fan. When this enterprise was last reviewed it was to the sound of muted violins, so it is a pleasure to report that these have been replaced by proud trumpets. Leaving on one side the bars and kiosks there are now five public catering outlets open at one time or another, of which Delia's Restaurant and Bar could be said to be the flagship.

Expect to find coarse country pate served with pickled cornichons and toasted granary bread, or swordfish, pickled with coriander, mint, red onion, tomato and lime, to make a toothsome ceviche. No self-respecting menu in that corner of England would be far away from Norfolk ducks, so try them in a crispy leg confit accompanied by a compote of sour cherries, or if it's fish you long for go for the Californian grilled fish fillet, topped with more coriander, tartare sauce and melted cheese. Part of the fun is spotting the Delia recipes emerging in her own restaurant, and other members of the not inconsiderable staff also make contributions, witness the lemon posset with lemon shortbread, or chocolate ricotta cheese served with chilled pouring cream.

And here's a sobering though with which to leave you. Holland pies (from East Lanacashire, and very tasty, for those who lead sheltered lives) were on sale when Delia took over the catering, to the tune of some 700 at every match. Now, with not all that much visible increase in attendances, some 3.500 of the little critters disappear down the hatch each time the Canaries play at home.

To describe The Greenhouse as a vegetarian restaurant is less than fair, though I did receive a terse affirmative when I rang to enquire if the veggie angle was 100%, since it offers a great deal more, notably a courtyard in which organic plants and herbs grow. It is without doubt highly eco-friendly. All staff are volunteers, they support organic growers who are in the hinterland between being and not being organic, and the restaurant is housed in a listed building. The whole drive is towards the economic use of the earth's resources, and whilst that may not make for demanding reviewing, even though it should, it is going to become increasingly important. On offer food wise are primarily vegetable soups, savouries and sandwiches.

Some of us wish that some exponents of the vegetarian and organic movements could be slightly more outgoing and agreeable. They are supporting a just cause, which the majority are not prepared to share with them for a variety of reasons, most of them less than justifiable. We are likely to realise the error of our ways sooner if they are exposed to us with some charm, rather than piously and grumpily. On the basis The Greenhouse is an educational experience as well as a restaurant.

Located in Norwich's Golden Triangle, The Unthank Arms is a lively pub, combining a warm, relaxed atmosphere with excellent dining and a varied wine list, all at very agreeable pub prices. The interior comfortably marries traditional with contemporary - exposed floor boards and stripped wooden furniture against a backdrop of clarets and original Victorian detailing.

Upstairs, their restaurant enjoys a separate lounge where you can sample a monthly changing menu, a mouth-watering selection of desserts and twenty five wines from around the world, all available by the glass as well as by the bottle. The Average Cost per Head figures are for eating in the first floor dining area, simpler food is available downstairs, like baguettes with interesting fillings such as sausage and fried onion or tuna, spring onion and sweetcorn with mayonnaise.

Things seem to move fast at Wagamama - the Asian inspired, noodle restaurant chain that was started in 1992. As soon as you decide what you want to eat, your order is taken via a PDA, and wirelessly networked to the kitchen, so it can be made fresh and served right after. The restaurant chain does not believe in taking reservations, and all customers are seated on a first come, first serve basis. In fact, be aware that most of the tables are long ones and you will often be asked to share them.

The restaurants are modelled on traditional Japanese ramen bars that have been popular for hundreds of years - ramen are Japanese style noodles, served in a meat-based broth, topped with pork, dried seaweed or even corn. Chilli beef ramen, made of noodles in a spicy pork and chicken soup topped with a marinated and grilled sirloin steak and fresh vegetables, is hearty and satisfying.

Apart from ramen, you could opt for the coconut soup based kare noodles or teppan, cooked on a hot, flat griddle. They also offer many rice dishes like katsu curry, chicken fillet deep-fried in panko breadcrumbs, served with a lightly spiced curry sauce and sticky white rice. Vegetarians are definitely not ignored, as they can opt for saien soba, made using whole-wheat noodles in a soup topped with stir-fried vegetables, seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil and garnished with sliced spring onion.

Meat and vegetable dumplings, skewered chicken, deep-fried prawns and raw salads double as both sides and starters. Steamed green soya-beans, called edamame, go well with drinks - hold them up to your mouth and squeeze the succulent beans from the pod. If you've noticed, Wagamama is more about eating healthy food fast and less about the order. Don't be surprised if you're served the main course before the side dish - order isn't important, the aim is, don't wait - just tuck in and share.

Wash down your meal with sake, plum wine or even a Japanese beer. Wind up your meal with coconut reika - three scoops of dairy coconut ice cream topped with a fresh, tangy mango sauce and toasted coconut flakes or the tamarind and chilli Pavlova, with a crunchy meringue base served with a raspberry and tamarind sauce.

At Wagamama, you can also shop for cookbooks, sauces, ramen bowls and t-shirts. The restaurant is all about enjoying genuine, reasonably priced, Pan-Asian cuisine in a sleek but informal setting.

The Wig and Pen is a charming country pub in Norwich, located towards the north of the cathedral and is just the place for some delicious British cuisine in an atmosphere that is relaxed, casual and welcoming. This friendly pub is housed in a 17th century building and there's a delightful terrace that's just perfect for al fresco dining.

Whether you're looking for a quick bite or just maybe some nibbles as you sip your drink, you can be sure that The Wig will provide you with fresh and tasty fare. Using the best local produce and meats, lunchtimes become a foray into new and interesting dishes which keep you coming back for more.

The evening menu offers a combination of modern and traditional dishes while the mouth watering Sunday roasts have led to the creation of a most popular dining destination. The wine list is priced sensibly and offers a good selection and the six real ales are also excellent.