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Like a phoenix from the ashes the Havelock Tavern has risen again and is now a faithful replica of its former illustrious self. Those who have been on a long absence might be forgiven for thinking that nothing had happened.

The menu never stays the same for any length of time but amongst its offerings expect to find cauliflower and artichoke soup with truffle oil, and char-grilled bavette steak, chips, salad, garlic and tarragon. At lunchtime you may see deep-fried monkfish cheeks with tiger prawns, and lamb, fig and mint tagine with couscous, yoghurt and coriander. Puddings of Sauternes and caramel custard and an interesting cheese plate are not unknown.

It has been suggested that The Havelock is a gastropub, but this is a step too far. It may have risen from the ashes but its approach to cuisine remains pub-with-food, which it does superbly well.

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.

The Metropolitan, that epitome of swinging London, in Westbourne Grove, now boasts a purpose built 72 seater restaurant on the first floor with facilities for alfresco dining when the time is right, and a fireplace for when it isn't. The surroundings are smart, the outlook is not half bad with plenty of London greenery to break down the London brick and the tucker looks to the future without forsaking the past.

A typical meal could be seared marlin steak with pak choi, citrus mash and a mango coriander, coriander and spring onion salsa, followed by banoffee pie for pudding. This is a welcome and shrewd addition to what has become a popular and respected venue for the surrounding community.