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Set on Battersea Park Road, Antipasto & Pasta is a classic Italian restaurant, simply decorated and serving the simplest of Italian cuisine. As the name suggests the starters consist of classic antipasto dishes and the main dishes, costing around the £7 mark, are a variety of pasta dishes such as spaghetti with clams and mussels. What adds to the restaurant's popularity is that on Monday, Thursday and Sunday nights both starter and main course dishes are available at half price making this exceptional value for money and of course highly popular.

Reviewed by Linda Buttle

Fujiyama is located off Brixton's Coldharbour Lane at the end of Vining Street, and is a contemporary noodle bar which could either evoke fond memories of a visit to Japan or simply excite you with the possibilities of trying a new cuisine. Those who are familiar with the now universal concept of sushi of course will simply enjoy the different delights that can be enjoyed there. Bold and red, the décor suits the restaurant while the canteen style tables can pack in a huge number of diners on a busy night.

There's a huge variety of delicious options which include nigiri, sashimi, makimono and temaki while the bento box is a great alternative if you want to try a little of everything. Healthy miso soups made with soya beans, mushrooms, chicken and noodles could suit you fine, but the don buri is another enticing choice which offers a deep bowl of rice with a selection of toppings with a savoury sauce, accompanied by pickles and soup.

The original concept for All Bar One was developed by two enterprising ladies, who wanted a bar ideal for women to have a drink and something to eat without the intimidating confines of a traditional pub. Little wonder, that the place has huge glass frontage, open spaces and interiors that are bright and airy. The first outlet opened in Sutton in 1994, became a huge hit, and there has been no looking back since. Today there are close to forty outlets, including one in Cologne, Germany. Irrespective of location, they have identical wooden flooring, menu and service. Antique mirrors, natural colours and reclaimed wooden furniture combine classic and modern styles well.

The menu has tapas from different parts of the world, including the Mediterranean region, Italy and the East. One can also have a variety of burgers, sandwiches and salads. Baked goats' cheese parcels, flat mushroom and halloumi burgers are highlights of the menu, as is the All Bar One beef and coriander burger, a house speciality. With the emphasis being as much on drink as the food, many outlets display a wall of champagne and wines, with beers and spirits thrown in for good measure. The blackboards on the wall often flaunt the impressive selections.

The success formula of All Bar One has been faith in doing simple things well, and that is what they are best known for. A place that is hard to define, for it is not just a bar, restaurant, café or pub, but a special place where people can unwind alone or in company.

Carluccio's was started by Antonio and Priscilla Carluccio as a small café and shop stocking Italian food and ingredients in 1991, and grew into a restaurant serving authentic cuisine at sensible prices in 1999. Antonio is an expert on food and has been a wine merchant, restaurant manager and owner, cookery expert on television and author of twelve cookery books. It is therefore not surprising, that today Carluccio's has over fourty-nine outlets across the UK.

Antonio believes Italian cookery involves minimum fuss and maximum flavour. This is exactly what his restaurants try to do by using fresh produce, and working largely with families who make things the traditional way - with care. Their passion also translates into special events like hands-on cookery classes and recipe sharing, Antonio and his team regularly organise for interested guests. They also offer takeaways and a catering service.

The breakfast menu offers croissants and breads served with butter and preserves or honey and free range eggs, either scrambled or fried and served with pancetta or ciabatta. They also have long cured Parma ham and healthier options like muesli and fruits. These are best had with coffee, tea or freshly squeezed juice. Carluccio's offers an impressive list of white, red, rosé and sparkling wines which complement your meal.

The restaurants offer a range of soup and salads which give your meal a nutritious start before moving on to the mains. If you like pasta, enjoy the small filled parcels served in a ham and cream sauce, or sample the Neapolitana spaghetti with whole fresh clams, garlic, herbs and chilli. The branzino con salsa e patate, fillet of pan fried sea bass served with tomato salsa and sautéed potatoes and Somerset rib-eye steak with rosemary potatoes, called bistecca di bue con patate, are good options too. If you are looking for something lighter, you could opt for the numerous sides called contorni and panini.

In the Tuscany region of Italy, meals end simply with almond biscuits dipped in a sweet local wine, Vin Santo and eaten. You can enjoy that experience at Carluccio's, or settle for a more conventional dolci of tiramisu, warm chocolate and kahlua pudding, your choice of Italian cheeses or gelatos in different flavours.

O Cantinho is a much-loved restaurant due to its great prices and authentic cuisine. Here you'll find fresh fish and seafood dishes cooked in the traditional way, such as the delicious squid served with a pungent garlic sauce. Main courses are all less than £10, representing particularly good value as far as the fish is concerned, whilst their classic crème caramel provides the perfect end to your meal.