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When you enter a chain restaurant there is always a sense of déjà vu, yet with the twelve outlets of Giraffe, this may not really be true. Russel and Juliette Joffe and Andrew Jacobs' philosophy behind this group of restaurants is sustaining the driving force of healthy, happy eating, while retaining the difference each location brings. This includes minor variations in the menu too, and explains why the restaurant does not like to be called a chain, but prefers being referred to as a herd. The origin of its quaint name too, is interesting. The giraffe has the largest heart in the animal kingdom, and with its magnificent height is able to perceive things differently. These two features of being different and large hearted sum up the restaurant's proclamation of 'love, eat, live'.

Giraffe offers world food and adds an unusual twist to some familiar dishes. Their breakfast menu has stacked pancakes with bananas and blueberries, warm waffles, ranch styles tostadas and healthy veggie options. Some great starters are a mezze plate with warm naans that offer the best of many cuisines - grilled halloumi, hummus, tzatiki, ratatouille and falafel. Japanese king fried prawns are a hit, while another bright spot on the menu, is the colourful sunshine antipasti bruschetta, a clever combination of artichokes, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, olives, roasted peppers, red onion and rocket on pesto foccacia. If this long list of ingredients is intriguing, just wait until your palate takes over.

The house's special salad, cheekily called 'more than love', is colourful and has crunchy appeal. The Thai chicken and vermicelli noodle version is an equally enticing starter. For mains, there are plenty of options like roasted corn and chilli bran burritos, tangy turkey enchiladas and the much loved sweet potatoes, asparagus, green beans and broccoli served with organic brown basmati rice. One can also settle for a good old burger and wash it down with interesting smoothies. They also offer world wines and unusual cocktails with catchy names like Bombay flower and pomegranate caipirinha.

The dessert section comprises of not just fruit based healthy desserts, but brilliant stars like Swiss mountain chocolate cheesecake, banana waffle split and rocky road ice cream sundaes, which transport the diner to a state of bliss. The friendly staff, who are carefully hired for their sunny disposition, and children's activities help make these restaurants a very special, happy and healthy treat indeed.

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

Franklins is a popular local pub but also contains an excellent dining room, separate from the rest of the pub, featuring a British based menu. Being a pub the wine list is particularly good and the atmosphere relaxed. The menu makes the most of seasonal produce to great effect, giving an ever-evolving menu full of well-known and well-loved classics.

Reviewed by Linda Buttle

This smart Southbank restaurant serving fine Modern European cuisine is an oasis on the otherwise drab Stamford Street. Of particular note are the starters of mussel soup and succulent seared scallops, followed by delicious flavours courtesy of dishes like char-grilled swordfish with aubergine, tomato and black olives, or stuffed leg of rabbit. The wine list here is worthy of a special mention with a long list concentrating much of its efforts on the Loire region. Desserts, such as the decadently rich chocolate cheesecake, or the pannacotta with rhubarb compote are also well worth saving room for.

Reviewed by Linda Buttle

It's easy to enjoy the fiesta like atmosphere at the Barcelona Tapas Bar and Restaurant which has various locations spread across London, and the fun quotient goes up tremendously considering the bright and colourful Gaudi inspired interiors with the trademark mosaic lizard, friendly service and laidback ambience. This family run Spanish restaurant group had its origins in 1991 and has come a long way since, by creating a successful and popular dining destination for those looking for a casually elegant experience.

The range of tapas dishes there are extensive and feature the well known Iberico ham and sausages along with beef meatballs, grilled skewers of marinated chicken and mushrooms, golden fried balls of salt cod and squid rings. There are delicious choices for vegetarians as well with grilled red peppers, fried aubergines and courgettes. Remember to leave room for the cream roulade topped with caramelised sugar for dessert and Spanish wines, cava and sangria could help you get into the mood for celebrating any occasion.

Dulwich Picture Gallery, England's oldest public art gallery, houses an eclectic collection of paintings by Rembrandt, Gainsborough and Rubens to name but a few artists. While the gallery is in an eighteenth century 'village' area, the  Gallery's café is in the pretty, landscaped gardens, When they closed for refurbishment in 1998, the beautiful brick and glass café, designed by Rick Mather and associates was added.

The large, well lit café, with its stark cream walls, plain pale wood chairs and light floors is in complete contrast to the gallery. It has a calm and unhurried atmosphere where one can enjoy a relaxing meal or snack. The café can take sixty covers and another twenty by extending to the patio in fine weather.

The menu is modern European, offering a range of light meals including pasta, salads and sandwiches at lunchtime, and a variety of delicious homemade afternoon teas.

A typical meal can begin with a light soup or a panzanella salad with Tuscan bread, roast peppers and anchovy. For the main course choose from the roast chicken salad baguette in light mayonnaise and smoked paprika, hummus and roasted vegetables on warm ciabatta. Another option can be the smoked salmon and avocado bagel with cream cheese.

For dessert, select from their range of cakes or try the summer fruit salad with honey and fresh cheese or settle for the chocolate and rice semifreddo.

With its simple, well prepared food, attentive service and relaxed atmosphere, the café is a great place in which to enjoy a meal, after basking in the beauty of the paintings.

A stroll around Dulwich Park might lead you to sniff your way into the Pavilion Café perched right in the middle of the park. Morning walkers may drop in for breakfast as this café opens early. Grab a cup of fresh hot coffee, a bacon sandwich, freshly baked croissants or enjoy the excellent all day breakfast. Delicious minute steak baguette with garlic butter, leek and potato gratin, home-made soups, a great range of healthy salads such as mixed bean with coriander are available for those who want to stay on for lunch and make a day of it. All their meat and eggs are free-range from the local butcher and the chefs are more than willing to accommodate special dietary requirements.

They also have an array of homemade cakes, such as thyme and lemon, date and orange loaf, baked cheese cakes, fairy cakes, fresh fruit and cream cakes and hazlenut brownies to go with afternoon tea or as healthy options for kids. A kids' play area, baby change and disabled facilities, organic ice-cream and lollies make Pavilion Café the perfect place for all kinds of groups and occasions including family picnics.