Conveniently located between Gloucester Road and South Kensington tube stations, this is a classic Geronimo pub, combining traditional British food with all the quality and style you'd expect in Kensington. The Duke of Clarence is situated in the oldest licensed building and is steeped in history. Just as the building has withstood the test of the time, so too has the spirit of an old inscription that was once found here - "Ars Langa Vita Brevis, Nunc Est Bibendum", or "Art is eternal, life is short, now let's drink."

The venue is growing in popularity for its brunch, burgers and bonhomie among the Kensington locals, who come here to indulge in a spot of lunch, watch the sport on Sky TV or simply observe  the world pass by through the large open windows.

The revered selection of fine wines, real ales and expansive range of beer pay due homage to the food.

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

Situated in the Harvey Nichols store in Exchange Square, with panoramic views of Manchester's skyline, The Second Floor Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie has quickly become one of Manchester's leading destination dining - for its superb modern European food - and drinking venues. The Second Floor Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie provides three very different venues which open independently from the main store: a formal 92 cover restaurant and a more informal 102 cover brasserie, and an adjacent stylish bar.

This top floor space encompasses a number of cutting-edge design features created by award-winning architects Lifschutz Davidson to provide a stylish environment in which to eat and drink. The mood of the Second Floor Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie is dramatically transformed from day to night by an integrated lighting system using illuminated glass tanks and coloured, ceiling lighting. By day, the space takes on a cool white appearance, while at night it is transformed with more theatrical, coloured lighting.

A striking black, white and pink colour scheme with polished, black granite flooring, red 'pin cushion button' detailing on the bar, and clean white walls complements these modern design elements.

Second Floor Restaurant:

An à la carte lunch menu is served in the Second Floor Restaurant from 12.00pm until 3pm. The à la carte dinner menu is available from 6pm until 10.00pm; while afternoon tea is available between 3pm and 6 pm (5 pm on Sunday).

A Modern European menu using the finest local ingredients has been created by Head Chef Stuart Thomson. Each course carries around six choices, with starters of, say, shellfish lasagne, salad of lobster, apple and potato; pig's cheek, black pudding, pickled carrots and truffle dressing, or sweetbreads, Cheshire bacon, mushroom bhaji and onion purée.

Main courses could include Morecambe brill, pea tortellini, clam chowder and bacon foam, whilst the more traditional may feel drawn to the fillet of Cheshire beef, truffle mash and shallot purée. But for something refreshingly, in every sense, different do not lightly dismiss the compression of aubergine and red pepper, saffron risotto and balsamic jelly.

Some legendary names appear amongst the cheese selection, but with a roasted peanut parfait with rice crispy crunch and Guanaja chocolate amongst the options, it's an open field.

One of the great virtues of The Second Floor is the views from the large windows which, whilst not exactly on to open countryside, give the same sort of feeling of wellbeing that comes from riding in a well-off-the-ground 4 x 4. And that's before you even start on the pretty faultless food.

There is a separate entrance on Cateaton Street to access the Second Floor Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie, which is served by two express lifts. This allows customers the convenience of direct entry during the day and after the store has closed.

For more details please visit the Harvey Nichols Website.

Photographs - Copyright Chris Gascoigne.

Having served classic Italian trattoria fare for over 40 years, Taberna Etrusca in the heart of the City, continues to roll out old favourites to its loyal customers. With its unusual location, in the courtyard of St. Mary-Le-Bow church and its welcoming interiors of textured white walls, tiled floors and an open-beamed ceiling, Taberna Etrusca is a haven from the bustle of the city and in fine weather customers can take the opportunity to eat al fresco in the sunny courtyard to the rear of the restaurant. A short walk from Bank and Mansion House Tube Stations, the restaurant is also close to famous London landmarks such as St. Paul's Cathedral, the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall.

The seasonally changing à la carte menu is supplemented by daily specials, and offers starters of poached asparagus with sage butter and Grana Padano, fresh crab and avocado salad with a tomato coulis or finely sliced Parma ham with honeydew melon to begin the meal on an appetizing note. A mixed platter for sharing offers Parma ham, bresaola, salami, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and pickles.

Then continue with main course fare such as tagliatelle in a creamy smoked salmon, asparagus and dill sauce, spaghetti tossed with Scottish beef fillet slices sautéed in garlic, chilli and fresh tomatoes or penne with fresh vine tomatoes, grilled vegetables and goat's cheese.

Meat lovers will relish traditional dishes such as grilled calf's liver and bacon, served with a spring onion potato pureé and red wine reduction, chargrilled 28-day matured Scotch rib-eye, with crisp onions and grilled plum tomato or pan-fried pork fillet medallions topped with Parma ham and taleggio cheese, served with sautéed spinach.

If you prefer fish or seafood, there's choice of spicy tiger prawns with tomato, garlic and chilli served on a bed of rice, grilled scallops with lime, smoked pancetta and rocket and roasted fillet of sea bass with mixed wild mushrooms and oven baked diced potato. Set menus for lunch and dinner are also available.

BBQ set menus offer dishes such as succulent pork ribs with a caramelised BBQ sauce, 28-day matured Scotch beef sirloin steak or prime Cumberland sausages served in a roll with caramelised onion along with potato salad with chopped chives and pine nuts, plum tomato with buffalo mozzarella and basil salad with an extra virgin olive oil dressing or Russian salad and a selection of desserts and fruit.

Bring the meal to a fitting conclusion with tempting desserts of traditional tiramisu with Savoiardi biscuits dipped in espresso coffee and layered with mascarpone, baked lime cheesecake with a rum cream or warm chocolate fondant with coconut ice cream. There's also an assortment of soft and hard Italian cheeses served with biscuits and honey.

A predominantly Italian wine list features an extensive selection from all over the country, including a noteworthy selection of grappa, and a sprinkling of examples from the rest of Europe and the New World.

A well-appointed private dining room is available for up to 40 guests, with set, buffet, canapé and bespoke menus, is perfect for a special occasion or corporate event.

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

Il Convivio literally translates as a gathering of dissident intellectual philosophers of the Dante era over food and drink or just to keep things simple let's call it a 'banquet'. Dubbed as one of the most exciting and ambitious projects of the Eturusca group, owners Enzo and Piero have had the confidence and passion, backed by twenty-five years of experience in the catering industry, to put together a welcome addition to Belgravia's restaurant scene.

As you step into the converted Georgian house with all its original charm intact, you might notice a few tables overlooking Ebury Street. The main restaurant's sky lit area has an airy and spacious feel while the conservatory at the back with an electric roof enables year round al fresco dining. Deep red walls embossed with words taken from Dante's poetry reminisce the Romantic era and the limestone and cedar wood panels add to the elegant atmosphere.

The regularly changing menu created by Lukas Pfaff includes antipasti such as terrine of octopus with tomato essence and radish and beef carpaccio with celery and basil infused virgin olive oil. The homemade black spaghetti with lobster and spring onions, alongside duck and pea ravioli with foie gras sauce is a main draw at Il Convivio's elegant tables.

Fish courses take in the Arctic black cod caramelized with aged balsamic, served with grilled asparagus and Muscat grapes and pan-fried fillet of halibut with a 'soft shell' crab sauce and black olive tapenade. From the meat section there is clay pot roasted 'black leg' chicken with an aged Marsala sauce and crispy pancetta served with olive oil infused mashed potato, and veal cutlet with a fine herb and caper butter,

Desserts are a treat to the chocoholics with chocolate trilogy and dark chocolate and pistachio pudding with a sour cherry sorbet. Those who prefer to keep it simple could try a selection of homemade sorbets or ice creams and coffee and petit fours.

Not surprising then, that since opening in September '99, they have proved popular with critics and locals alike. A click on their informative Website will introduce you to II Convivio at home.

There is an air of gentility about The Dining Room at 28 Queen Street, Edinburgh that somehow summarises the graciousness of Edinburgh. A menu that has its epicentre in Britain with outposts in Europe takes full advantage of the abundance of wholesome ingredients for which Scotland is renowned.

As if this is not enough, 28 Queen Street also happens to be the nerve centre of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Whilst whisky of any kind has a part to play in matters of the table, it is less involved than wine so it is encouraging to see the Society taking its gastronomy seriously, with Chef James Freeman in the lead from the time of its opening in 2005.

Everything on The Dining Room's menu is homemade from the amuse bouche to the puddings. Primarily, and apart from private functions, The Dining Room exists to offer an à la carte menu, backed up by a menu du jour, to both members and a wider public. It is an ideal location for a light lunch or something a touch more formal such as a romantic get-together, business lunch or social celebration.

Whether or not you are addicted to the blessed dram, chances are that you will not be unaware of the joys of the grape and The Society can meet you more than half way on such matters. As well as an excellent selection by the glass there is a range of fine wines to please the connoisseur and the recreational drinker alike.

The Dining Room menu has that happy knack of offering two menus that are just long enough to give cause for hesitation and can hardly fail to suit anyone for whom the joys of the table are a serious matter. There is a good balance between the different styles; let's say breast of pheasant and roast scallops followed by chestnut and chocolate millefeuille with a truffle honey sabayon.

Grilled black figs, goat's cheese mousse and a basil salad provide the sort of starter that is designed to stir the palate with a pleasing range of flavours. There are huge numbers of deer in Scotland, so double joy to see venison haunch with winter roots and mustard fruits, spätzle and a black pepper sauce receiving appreciate attention from robust diners. A wonderful yet still largely unappreciated choice of meat.

Imagination is on display with such detail as a sheep's cheese dressing that subtly conveys its presence to a beetroot remoulade accompanying rare venison loin. Amongst the desserts expect to find at the right time of the year the Society Christmas pudding with brandy butter ice cream, or orange gelée with whisky raisin ice cream. Side orders are inspiring and include potatoes roasted in duck fat, chipolatas with bacon and buttered sprouts with chestnuts.

It would of course be churlish not to mention The Scotch Malt Whisky Society's other activities, of which arranging single cask whisky tastings on or off the premises, in fact anywhere in the world, is a major preoccupation. Private parties are also very welcome and you do not have to be a member to book.

The Society's Website is a partly whimsical, but at heart quite a serious statement of what they do, and you might even feel tempted to join. Slàinte mhath!

Using only the freshest ingredients, the restaurant serves a variety of seasonal dishes such as cassoulet duck and pork; Dorset crab mayonnaise with avocado and avruga caviar; and hare ravioli with celeriac purée, grelotte onions and Chanterney carrots, which can be enjoyed by a couple or the whole family in a warm and intimate setting.

The desserts offer a choice of plum clafoutis, with crème fraîche and Kerala vanilla crème brûlée, which is definitely worth giving a try.Sampling from an extensive drinks list of vintage champagnes and a good selection of white, red and rosé wines by the bottle, caraffe or glass, makes for a delightful ending to the entire dining experience.

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

A stylish contemporary restaurant, Artigiano in Belsize Terrace offers a compelling modern Italian menu in a striking setting complete with glass canopies and artful use of lighting and colour. On warm summer evenings the glass frontage folds away to open the restaurant up for an al fresco dining experience. Close to Hampstead Theatre and the Everyman Cinema, Artigiano isn't too far away from Primrose Hill or Hampstead Heath either.

The seasonally changing menu at Artigiano has many treats in store for the discerning diner. You could begin the meal with starters of crispy parmesan basket filled with goat's cheese, avocado and asparagus, topped with poached egg and herb mayonnaise; bresaola with roasted peppers and buffalo mozzarella or crab, lobster and asparagus timbale wrapped in spinach leaves.

Artigiano's delicious pasta selection includes homemade potato gnocchi with a mushroom, squid and cherry tomato sauce; linguine with fresh clams and chilli, lobster and scallop risotto as well the restaurant's signature spaghetti alla chitarra with Scottish langoustine and fennel.

For a hearty main course committed carnivores could try pan-fried breaded veal escalope with rocket and balsamic drizzled cherry tomatoes; breast of chicken stuffed with Parma ham and buffalo mozzarella, with a virgin olive oil, oregano and tomato concassé or grilled lamb chops with an aubergine and cherry tomato caponata.

Fish and seafood lovers can look forward to dishes such as whole grilled sea bream with olive oil and herbs; sautéed fillet of cod with lentils, sun-dried tomatoes and crisp pancetta or tiger prawns in a spring onion guazzetto.

Vegetarians are also well catered for with a range of dishes including cream of vegetable soup with polenta croutons; beetroot salad with feta, fine beans, toasted pine nuts and a raspberry vinaigrette; chestnut, pumpkin and ricotta cheese ravioli with a sage butter sauce and spaghetti with a fresh tomato sauce and buffalo mozzarella.

Tempting confections of vanilla pannacotta with coffee cream and coconut biscuit, lime and orange meringue parfait with a strawberry compote and peach tartlet with vanilla ice cream bring any meal to a delightful conclusion. If you wish, sample a selection of rare Italian mountain cheeses served with honey.
 
A set menu offers guests more options with dishes such as roasted beef tomato stuffed with a cheese mousse and leeks, prawn skewer with a pineapple carpaccio and wild rocket, spaghetti with a beef and basil ragù and pan-fried hake with a tomato and garlic sauce. The restaurant is open from 11am every day and serves a brunch menu with breakfast options, starters, light bites, toasted sandwiches, pasta and risotto, mains and desserts.

The wine list has a fine selection of predominantly Italian reds and whites, enhanced by a small number of old and new world wines available by the glass and bottle.

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

Café Rouge has over one hundred branches throughout Britain all offering a wide range of dishes drawn from the French cuisine. Slightly less than half their branches are in or close to London. Almost inevitably the décor and design of each restaurant differs from the others, but there is a general curtsy towards La France.

Many restaurants do an excellent breakfast, or shall we say petit dejeuner, at which such delights as scrambled eggs and smoked salmon on toasted brioche, croque Madame, croissants and pain au chocolat make welcome appearances, and to their credit the English traditional gets top billing.

An array of small dishes takes in pulled pork pâté with French bread, and spicy beef and lamb sausage with harissa mayonnaise. Salads and pasta feature largely, as do baguettes and croques. Quick dishes, ideal for lunch, include slices of saucisson and cured pork loin with French bread.

Moving on to more serious stuff we find steaks, an 8oz bavette and thin cut rib eye, with a choice of béarnaise or peppercorn sauce. No French menu would be complete without the poulet jaune grille, pan-roasted breast of corn-fed chicken served on a warm taboulé of bulgar wheat and a medley of roasted vegetables with minted crème fraîche, or a steak frites before moving on to the crème brûlée, or the tart tatin. Almost invariably the coffee tastes like coffee should, something that sadly can all too often still not be said of our English restaurants, who depend too much upon technology and too little on the acquisition of a certain flair for this important conclusion to a meal.

By now we all know that the French, despite their distinctive habits when it comes to matters of satisfying the inner man, maintain a miraculous longevity of life. This is generally attributed to a number of causes, of which a measured consumption of decent wine is foremost. Café Rouge, you may be pleased to hear, encourages this with a well-chosen selection of French wines. Their prix fixe lunch and meals for children, both at a very reasonable figure, also offer excellent value.

Their Website will keep you updated on menu changes, news and other competitions and offers from the Café Society.

Housed within the iconic Blakes Hotel on Roland Gardens, Blakes Restaurant expertly combines the best of Eastern and Western cuisineenhanced by elegant service in splendid surroundings. Located in the well-heeled South Kensington area of London, it's close to well-known attractions such as Hyde Park, the Victoria and Albert Museum and Royal Albert Hall while the shops and boutiques on Brompton Road are just a short drive away.

The work of the reputed designer and London socialite Anouska Hempel, the restaurant's atmospheric setting combines classic design with luxurious furnishings and exotic artefacts to create a unique ambience in which guests cannot but relax and unwind at leisure.

Dinner could begin with starters of miso soup with silken tofu, carpaccio of beef with parmesan, tortellini of foie gras des landes or salt and peppered soft shell crabs. Add a luxurious touch to your meal with Oscietra or Royal Beluga caviar served with Balkes blini or warm potato soufflé and vanilla ice cream.

Follow with delicious mains of angel hair pasta with black truffle, black cod with miso and ginger sauce; beef fillet teriyaki with hot sake or rack of English lamb and rosemary with mint cous cous. Diners looking for a lighter bite could enjoy refreshing salad of buffalo Burrata mozzarella with tomatoes or warm chicken salad with avocado, pomelo, cashews and nam jim sauce. The lunch menu offers ginko nut curry with lime risottini, baby chicken with thyme and lemon or peppercorn fillet of beef. While the bento box selection includes miso soup with silken tofu, beef teriyaki, lobster toast and ginger rice.

The desserts menu at Blakes is a joy in itself and includes tempting gems such as the light and refreshing dessert of coconut ice cream with lime and palm sugar, a simpler tropical fruit salad or a richer dark chocolate fondant with vanilla and pistachio ice cream and finally, if you wish, coffee with cardamom or ginger tea.

The restaurant's all-day menu serves a selection of dim sums; fried prawn and yuzu sauce, soups, sandwiches and hot food; toasted poilâne sourdough chicken sandwich with avocado and ginger and Blakes burger and French fries and salads; oak smoked scotch salmon.

Breakfast is also served at Blakes with choice of a full English, continental breakfast or more exotic fare such as Changa Turkish eggs, two poached eggs served with leaf spinach, chilli oil and yoghurt; classic Scottish smoked salmon with scrambled eggs spicy Parsee eggs a dish of scrambled eggs with fresh green chilli and coriander. For a healthy alternative try Bircher muesli with Greek yoghurt and fresh berries or compôte of fruit with cornflakes and prunes.

For a delightful break during the day the afternoon tea menu at the adjoining Chinese Room or Courtyard offers finger sandwiches with fillings of beef and chilli horseradish, smoked salmon and egg and cress; fresh scones with fresh strawberries and cream; a selection of tea cakes and choice of tea from Earl Grey, Lapsang Souching and Darjeeling.

An extensive wine list with a range of whites and reds from Italy, France, Germany, Australia and South Africa complements the food perfectly.

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

HIX at The Albemarle offers guests a truly outstanding British experience. It's more than just about fine British classic cuisine, prepared using local seasonal ingredients, now diners can also admire some of the best British contemporary artwork on display within its elegant interior. It is based inside Mayfair's Brown's Hotel, but feels anything unlike the standard hotel restaurant.

This legendary hotel was not only the first hotel to open in London in 1837, but it was also the first to have a restaurant within it - before then guests dined within the privacy of their rooms or suites. Following a £24 million renovation overseen by Sir Rocco's sister, Olga Polizzi, it now seamlessly blends historical details with contemporary elements.

The beautifully restored wood panelling continues to offer the feeling of old England, and outstanding artwork by leading British artists such as Tracey Emin, Bridget Riley and Rankin bring a welcome contemporary note to the décor. To the delight of many, the banquettes and moss green seating of original days have been recreated by Philip Hurel.

Executive Chef Marcus Verberne, guided by Director of Food Mark Hix, formerly of Le Caprice and The Ivy, has created an outstanding menu of great British classics. The menu is a delight, traditional through and through and only using the finest of British seasonal ingredients; for instance you may not be surprised to find half a dozen West Mersea native oysters, potted Morecambe Bay shrimps with mace and lemon or dressed Dorset crab with bittercress among the starters. There might also be the thoroughly up to date choice of salted ox tongue with piccalilli, or treacle-cured salmon with pickled fennel and cucumber.

Mains are in a similar vein, with an excellent selection, ranging from Old English sausage with mashed potato and onion gravy, Glen Fyne rib steak naturally, through to fish such as Dover sole. Herb-baked scallops with garlic butter, roast wild duck with a gamekeeper's pie and purple kale, pan-fried Burford Brown egg with baby squid and black pudding, or Lancashire hot-pot with pickled red cabbage broaden the scope to delight all tastes.

To afford security for those who like to look at their lunch plate and know which day of the week it is, a formidable plats du jour regime, served directly from the daily lunch time carving trolley, has been introduced, so if you thought it was Thursday and found yourself being served with roast saddle of lamb, you would have to accept it was in fact Friday. And you would have missed the roast Middle White pork on Thursday.

The wine list has emerged as a real triumph. Further details about this stunning return to the London scene of Brown's Hotel, and in particular the HIX at The Albemarle restaurant, can be obtained from the Website. It should not come as a surprise to learn that they received the Award of 3 Rosettes from the AA in 2009.