Boasting an enviable location on the Covent Garden Piazza, Dirty Martini is a stylish contemporary bar with a distinctly New York ambience. Enjoy a cocktail of your choice and sample a range of freshly prepared international bar snacks.

Dirty Martini's delectable range of cocktails includes classic cocktails, luxurious signature martinis and prosecco infusions. Take your pick from dirty martinis, Donegal and contemporary classics like the mojito or Mexican mule. Skinny cocktails, wines and beers are also available at Dirty Martini London.
 
The Dirty Martini menu offers choices of sun-dried tomato and basil risotto balls with a cucumber, mint and yoghurt dip, spicy Thai fishcakes with a soy and mirin dip, and char-grilled lamb skewers marinated in maple syrup and mint. The vegetarian, meat and seafood platters at Dirty Martini restaurant are perfect for sharing.

In the heart of Covent Garden, Dirty Martini is close to the London Transport Museum, and Fortune and Cambridge Theatres. Covent Garden and Leicester Square Tube Stations are a short walk away.

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

Prezzo has been delighting diners for over eight years, and this Italian restaurant chain has since been able to expand throughout large parts of England and Scotland with some 141 outlets.

Interestingly, the company seeks to restore either impressive buildings or ones of local interest. The conversion of the Newbury library and other listed buildings, such as those in Salisbury, Romsey and Mayfair, are all welcome examples of 'new use'. Their trendy and sophisticated décor usually consists of tiled or wooden floors with delicate lights and colourful paintings, along with wooden furniture and sparkling cutlery, creating a setting that is suitable for a relaxed lunch, a family meal or an evening out with friends.

The restaurants are of particular appeal to those who like genuine Italian cuisine, and they use only the best seasonal products, many of which are imported directly from Italy. The menu includes pizza, pasta, risotto, grilled meats, fresh salads and frequently changing specials.

The freshly baked breads, like the garlic bread with mozzarella cheese, are perfect for sharing and give you adequate breathing space to order starters to follow. Crab cakes served with garlic mayonnaise or grilled goat's cheese with plum tomatoes and caramelised onions on foccacia bread with a balsamic glaze set the tone for a hearty meal. Best fun is to order an antipasto platter to share made up from seven well loved Italian nibbles.

Find pastas such as the unusual penne con salmone, with oak-roasted salmon, broccoli and fresh chillies in a red pesto and cream sauce, or firm favourites like spaghetti with meatballs, spaghetti Bolognese, and fusilli al pesto, asparagus spears with field mushrooms and roasted peppers in a basil pesto sauce.

Amongst the special pastas, the pollo mariano, seasoned chicken, pepperoni sausage, roasted peppers and fusilli in tomato sauce, is interesting and different. Italian menus would be incomplete without risotto, like tiger prawns with petits pois in a creamy saffron sauce.

Classic pizzas embrace, among a wide selection, the popular napoletana, topped with yellowfin tuna, tomato, white anchovies, capers, red onion, mozzarella and marinated olives, and the much loved quattro stagioni - pepperoni sausage, prosciutto ham, artichoke, field mushrooms, capers, marinated olives, mozzarella and tomato.

Specials could include the pollo Siciliana, char-grilled chicken breast, prosciutto ham and plum tomato slices, baked with their blend of cheese, only one example from the many tempting offerings that come out from the Prezzo kitchens.

You can accompany the food with a variety of tipples, though for many, Italian food requires Italian wines to be enjoyed to the full, ranging from house wine through Morellino di Scansano and Prosecco to liqueurs and beer, and there is espresso or fresh ground coffee to wind up an enjoyable meal, in company with a glass of grappa or sambuca.

This is Italian food at its attractive best, convincing and bringing together the traditional with the modern twist or two against a background of excellent value.

Prezzo is a lively group and opportunities to improve and update are never left on the table for long. Keep up to date with a quick click on their Website.

Surrounded by shops and bars in this buzzing North London suburb, Prezzo brings delicious Italian cuisine in a contemporary setting to the heart of the Broadway. Just a short walk from Mill Hill Rail Station, and easily accessible from the M1, Prezzo is also close to Mill Hill Park.

The sleek, trendy interior provides a wonderful setting perfect for a night out with friends, while those looking for a more intimate meal could head to the comfortable banquette seating at the back of the restaurant.

Prezzo restaurants satisfy the needs of those who like genuine Italian cuisine, as they use only the best seasonal products, many of which are imported directly from Italy. The menu includes pizza, pasta, risotto, grilled meats, fresh salads and frequently changing specials.

The freshly baked breads, like the garlic pizza bread with caramelised balsamic onions and melted mozzarella cheese, are perfect for sharing and give you adequate breathing space to order starters to follow. Crab cakes served with garlic mayonnaise or grilled goats' cheese with plum tomatoes and caramelised onions on focaccia bread with a balsamic glaze set the tone for a hearty meal.

Find pastas such as the unusual chicken ravioli, made pancetta bacon, petits pois and grana padano cheese in a cream sauce; amongst the special pastas, the polpette al forno with meatballs, field mushrooms, caramelised onions, red chillies and penne in a tomato and garlic sauce is interesting and different. Italian menus would be incomplete without risotto, like chicken and red pesto with roasted peppers and grana padano cheese, while tiger prawns with oak roast salmon and petits pois in a creamy saffron sauce, is enticingly different.

Classic pizzas embrace, among a wide selection, the popular fiorentina, topped with spinach, free-range egg, grana padano cheese, marinated olives, mozzarella and tomato, and the much loved quattro formaggi - gorgonzola, goat's cheese, grana padano, mozzarella, tomato.

Specials could include the pollo Siciliana, char-grilled chicken breast, prosciutto ham and plum tomato slices, baked with Prezzo's own blend of cheese, only one example from the many tempting offerings that come out from the Prezzo kitchens.

You can wash down the food with a variety of tipples - ranging from house wine and Chardonnay to liqueurs and beer and there is espresso or fresh ground coffee to wind up an enjoyable meal.

More information can be found on their Website.

Stylish contemporary interiors and a vibrant atmosphere with live music and entertainment, on selected evenings, has helped Fratello's Bar and Restaurant at the Holiday Inn Newcastle-Jesmond make its mark. Watch the world go by from its floor-to-ceiling windows while relaxing in an airy spacious setting with booth seating. Serving authentic Italian cuisine with a modern twist, this 75-cover venue is where you can head for an intimate meal for two, a lite bite during the day or enjoyable evening dinner with family and friends. 
 
The restaurant's glass fronted kitchen offers guests a view of the chefs at work. It's à la carte menu features an extensive and varied choice of freshly prepared dishes, including wood-fired pizzas, created with the best ingredients. Starters include Italian favourites such as aubergine parmigianino, chargrilled aubergine drizzled with olive oil and baked in tomato sauce with basil and parmesan; calamari frito, fried squid with lemon mayonnaise and wilted rocket leaves, and salad of buffalo mozzarella with sun blush tomato and pesto-dressed leaves. Pizzas and pasta dishes have been given a modern slant with locally sourced ingredients like crab, salmon, scallops and prawns partnering the traditional Italian flavours of basil, plum tomatoes and parmesan.
 
Main course meat dishes include char grilled, matured sirloin steak from the Wallington Hall Estate in Northumberland in a cream and peppercorn sauce with chips as well as pork fillet wrapped in pancetta and served with crushed new potatoes, a tian of vegetables and a balsamic reduction. Fish lovers can enjoy sea bass served with borlotti beans, wilted spinach and pancetta lardons. An express lunch menu on weekdays offers more options.
 
Round off the delicious meal with a tempting selection of puddings including white chocolate and Amaretto mousse served with Beckleberry's raspberry ice cream and fresh fruit salad accompanied by cinnamon syrup and thick cream from a dairy in Durham.
 
Special offers include dinner for two with a bottle of wine for £29. Enjoy a fruity cocktail, glass of wine or favourite brand of beer in the relaxed terrace bar. Pre and post theatre as well as takeaway menus are available. For that party you are planning, it's possible to hire the whole restaurant and celebrate in style. Click on their Website for further information.

Housed in an attractive bay windowed period building, nestled among the shops bars and boutiques on Old Amersham Broadway, Caffe Uno Amersham offers an extensive selection of Mediterranean dishes in the heart of this charming market town. Its bright and airy interiors make it the perfect place to relax after a round of sightseeing or shopping. Local attractions such as the Amersham Museum, and Shardloes Mansion with its ornamental lake are within easy reach of the restaurant.
 
Easily accessible from High Wycombe and well connected to other commuter towns close by such as Rickmansworth, Beaconsfield and Chesham, Caffe Uno's modern décor with wood floor and comfortable booth seating and chairs makes it an ideal place to stop by for a hearty breakfast, quick lunch or leisurely dinner.
 
The a la carte menu offers starters of buffalo mozzarella salad with tomato, fresh rocket and extra virgin olive oil, chicken and chorizo spring rolls served with a spicy tomato dip or calamari dusted with seasoned flour and served with garlic mayonnaise.

For the main course, seafood lovers will relish such dishes as fillet of sea bass with green beans, capers and new potatoes in a white wine and butter sauce; tiger prawn risotto with baby spinach in a saffron sauce, or delicious paella with mussels and prawns alongside chicken breast and authentic chorizo sausage. Committed carnivores will be more than satisfied with a succulent rib eye steak with béarnaise or green peppercorn sauce; classic burger with 100% prime beef burger, ementhal cheese and garlic mayo in a sesame seed sour dough bun with your choice of side order or the char grilled chicken and field mushrooms with baby spinach in a Marsala wine. Vegetarians are also well-catered for with dishes such as broad bean risotto or aubergine parmigiana.

To round off select from a classic tiramisu, pannatone pannacotta with chunks of fruity pannetone, blood orange tart with cream or mini desserts of hazelnut marsala semi fredo, coffee cream latte semi fredo or Belgian milk chocolate semi fredo, served with your choice of coffee.

Caffe Uno is open every day from 9am; hungry diners can start the day with a hearty breakfast that could include eggs any style, streaky bacon, Cumberland sausage, mushrooms, tomato and toast; bacon or Cumberland sausage baguette, eggs Benedict, plain or chocolate croissant, muesli with yoghurt or honey and toast with jam along with coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Separate lunch and children's menus are also available.

If you would like to take away something after your meal, Caffe Uno offers a number of its own products, many of which are used in the dishes served in the restaurant. These include extra virgin olive oil, char grilled Italian peppers, Italian rocket and almond pesto, Sicilian nocellara olives, almond amaretti biscuits and Cuneesi chocolates.

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

Walk into The Copper Horse and it is hard to imagine that you are not entering some theatrical pub in the heart of London's show-business spread. Fact is that if you were to translate The Horse by some Dr Who techniques to London theatreland, it would be mobbed.

There are wonderful brasserie touches, dark red velvet drapes, brass and gold, to which the background is a superb collection of theatre memorabilia of stage and screen going back to the 1950s. To find all this in a pretty village near Scarborough where the hint of the sea is never too far away, particularly when the wind is in the east, makes a first class pub restaurant into a rare find indeed.

Originally a farmhouse going back to the 17th century, The Copper Horse has plenty of room in which to expand, and outside its sturdy construction has a rugged charm that has been emphasised by a coat of white that shines spectrally in the North Yorkshire moonlight.

As they would certainly say in the locality there's not too much space give to 'fancy stuff', and meals follow a robust but well prepared and presented range of dishes that speak of England and its rich diversity of home grown ingredients. Look for smoked salmon set on a beetroot and potato rösti and finished with a lemon and dill dressing or for sheer pungency look no further than black pudding on garlic and thyme roasted field mushroom topped with prosciutto ham.

Excellent seafood is a pretty fair bet with Whitby not so far away and Copper Horse classic prawn cocktail served with Marie Rose or Bloody Mary dressing is more than likely to please. Pudding is another respected product of Yorkshire, and combined with slow roast brisket of beef served with onion gravy and horseradish mash represents a compelling dish for many.

Yorkshire could be said to be the spiritual home of Pollock and pea fishcakes, well supported by wilted spinach with a shellfish bisque and new potatoes, while the mouthwatering crispy roast duck does not pre-empt you attention. There are other dishes such as slow braised lamb shank set on mashed potato with minted gravy. Both are only too readily available at The Copper Horse. Or take a closer look at the harissa glazed chicken fillet served on honey roast squash and sweet potato.

Talking of which a well selected wine list hovers at your elbow, many with large or small glass options, all designed to march in hand with the menu.

Those looking for somewhere special to have their wedding breakfast, a family celebration or a corporate boondoggle will find a willing participant in the form of the team at The Horse who put together and manage the event according to the clients' wishes. From the wine to the final details, all can be taken care of efficiently and with discretion.

Their Website tells you more. Meanwhile note this delightful combination of theatre and good dining into your places for the future.

The Beefeater Grill range of restaurants, owned by the well established firm of Whitbread has transformed over time into what is now predominantly a cooking platform for chargrill. The restaurants are warm, modern and stylish, with low lighting and contemporary artwork. A comfortable, cosy, mainly booth layout offers guests their own space with no feeling of being hurried at any point. Staff are friendly and helpful if need be - what a difference that can make to a good evening out.

Be it the wide open spaces of Argentina, the intimate setting of a French restaurant, or a busy grill in London's West End, there's no denying the popularity of chargrill. As the production of quality beef, chicken, fish and lamb has grown, prices have come down by comparison, and the simple and traditional art of minimally cooking dishes by chargrill, sealing in the flavours and tastes by intense heat has caught the public imagination.

All the steaks at Beefeater Grill are matured for a minimum of 28 days before being seasoned. Whether it be juicy rib eye, the classic sirloin, that emblem of the Sunday lunch, a tender fillet, or a delicious 7oz rump, all grilled to your own specification, you're never far away from perfection. Even beefburgers have shaken off their dubious image and the highly popular Beefeater burgers are made from 100% beef.

The popular sirloin with giant prawns offers a treat to those for whom an alliance between sea and pasture is a natural attraction, whilst a 16oz steak platter links rump, fillet, sirloin and rib eye into one mouth-watering dish served with chips, battered onion rings, grilled tomato, a flat mushroom and peppercorn and brandy sauce.

Many of us love rib meat, and the rack of ribs at a Beefeater Grill has a meaty rack smoky flavour; maple ribs of pork with a choice of three sauces, mojito, smoked caramel and apple glaze, or Bourbon and black BBQ. And if all else fails and you are totally baffled by the wealth of choices, ask to have a word with the Steakmaster who will help find what is right for you, together with the best cooking method. These guys leave nothing to chance.

On a menu that is a delight to read, let alone choose a meal from, expect to find smaller dishes such as traditional prawn cocktail, whitebait, chicken liver pâté and baked Camembert, or juicy lamb koftas served with yoghurt and mint dip. There's something about a good steak meal that always leaves a gap for a little temptation to sweeten up the scene and from amongst twelve options look for Belgian chocolate cheesecake, treacle sponge pudding or a caramel apple crumble pie.

Throughout the day a wide range of more general dishes are yours for the ordering, sandwiches, jackets, classic favourites like fish and chips, pasta, salads, and sharing dishes of nachos, potato shells and a Beefeater Grill combo. Next door to many of the restaurants are Premier Inns, so staying the night whatever the circumstances need not be a problem.

And what about wine? Endorsed by Matthew Jukes, wine writer in the Daily Mail and bon viveur in his own right, a wine list that marches with the menu completes an impressive and compelling invitation to enjoy whatever takes your fancy at the nearest Beefeater Grill.

Click on their Website for menu updates and special offers.

Llandudno, even in its wildest moments, would not claim to be the culinary Ludlow of the Welsh seaboard, which makes it all the more refreshing when someone of the ilk of Don and Gill Hadwin materialises into the community and creates the sort of success which The Seahorse has become, only a few minutes walk from the Promenade.

Not only does the restaurant offer food of a very high standard, under their guidance a warm and friendly atmosphere has been created within which customers can relax and enjoy dishes from a cuisine that draws from across the world. Upstairs in another dining room they have created a coffee house scenario, which we shall return to later. In the restaurant there is a wide level of expectancy as the menu responds to the seasons and what is locally available, something the Hadwins are very strong about, believing that wherever possible the immediate community should benefit from their enterprise.

Quite apart from that the local produce is of a high standard, and it more than likely that on your first visit you will recognize some of the flavours of years past; flavours that tend to be overcome all too often by modern methods of rearing and producing.

Amongst the starters which regularly feature expect to find spicy Thai style salad of pan-fried beef with chillies, sweet soy and coriander on marinated bean sprouts; seared scallops with a lemon and saffron sauce, or Mediterranean fish soup, a favourite the world over.

Duck has become a major growth item in the menus of the Britain, no longer mainly the property of the Chinese restaurant menu, but interestingly they have clung to some of the habits they acquired there, so at The Seahorse pan-fried Gressingham duck breast is served with a sweet Thai plum sauce. It would be dereliction of duty not to savour some of the superb Welsh lamb to be found or the whole grilled local lobster served with either garlic butter or thermidor sauce.

Some restaurants have puddings, other go for desserts, but at The Seahorse they have 'hand-crafted' after dinner indulgences, all of which are made in their own kitchens. There is the traditional hot toffee pudding, served with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream, or a delicious Italian double chocolate torte, freshly baked and served with vanilla ice cream. A cup of after dinner coffee helps in rounding off the meal in style.

The wine list has been compiled by somebody who knows their way around and whilst most bottles hover round the £20 - £30 mark there are some more expensive bins at prices that will make your day. House wines are very well priced and at £3.95 a large glass cannot be faulted. In the coffee house look for tea for all tastes and on the bakery menu keep an eye open for the local delicacy, bara brith, delicious scones with jam, and large slices of fruit flapjack.

Open 7 days per week from 4.30pm onwards. Check on their attractive and well set-out Website for details of events, including Thai nights and Italian and French evenings, even a Great British Evening; whilst they normally take last orders at 9.00 pm, they do sometimes close earlier if it is quiet. Please note that they do not take reservations on e-mail, the facility is only for enquiries.

The rise and rise of the Indian restaurant in the past few decades has not only given the poor old Chinese a run for their money but has added a major new cuisine to British eating habits which shows no signs of waning.

Little wonder when restaurants like Café Saffron, in the centre of historic Shrewsbury, produce a menu that is the Indian equivalent of a brasserie in that every dish you see appeals and your only problem is personal space. Chances are that you will meet your hosts, Abdul and Azad who, with over forty years of experience have brought their experience and charisma to the people of Shropshire.

For make no mistake, people travel serious distances to enjoy the outstanding food provided by a master chef who learned his skills alongside some of the best in India. Cafe Saffron is a one-off , with no other commitments in Shrewsbury than to produce the best in their 110 seater warmly decorated, fully air conditioned restaurant, where ample parking, attentive staff and an imaginative menu make this an essential entry for your little red book.

A choice of around 20 starters establishes two things, the quality of the food and the incredible value for money. Machli rang, onion bhaji and prawn on puri, or black peppercorn chicken make a great beginning before heading for a fine butter murghi with diced marinated chicken shallow fried in butter then added to a creamy coconut sauce. All principal dishes are annotated for heat, as in strength, assessments that are not to be taken lightly. Watch out for the naga murchi, chicken or lamb cooked with extremely hot chillies and unique to the northern regions of Bangladesh which rates 5, at the top of the scale, two above the challenging vindaloo.

More than a few regular Indian food eaters tend to be creatures of habit, which at Cafe Saffron means a good personal kick is needed to move into the lesser known dishes. Trouble is the old favourites are well trailed and familiarity can win. Expect to find rogan josh, classic madras, pathia, phall and the ever popular balti, with choices of chicken or lamb, tiger prawns, chicken or lamb tikka, and mixed vegetable. Amongst the lesser known seafood dishes salmon spice, Bengal pagush, and telaphia all await your pleasure.

Tandoori grills are invariably popular, served here with dips and fresh, crisp salad. The selection of vegetables, side dishes, rice, naan bread and other accompaniments is truly awesome and well in tune with the other dishes

Café Saffron is popular with parties, and the set menus for two add an even further dimension to the good-value factor in this attractive and well-run restaurant. In the unlikely event that one of your party was an abstainer, English dishes are available.

In addition to Indian lagers such as Cobra on draught there is a wine list of fairly slender proportions. However wine with Asian cuisine is still a fairly new proposition in more rural parts of the country and Saffron has sufficient choice to keep most customers happy.

Their special services loyalty card is worth looking into if you happen to be in the Armed Forces or Emergency Services, as well as NHS staff and school teachers.

Cafe Saffron is warmly recommended for its authenticity, friendliness and customer awareness. Their Website is as colourful as the range of spices they deploy and the humour that is never far from the interchange between diners and staff.

Recognition has come in 2010 with the Award of 'Curry Chef of the Year' in a competition held by Shropshire County Council.