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Those who appreciate their Thai food served at very reasonable prices in very simple surroundings with refectory style tables are happy with this Chiswick Thai; others looking for something more sophisticated tend to steer clear. However, they are missing one of the highest rated Thai places in West London, with excellent freshly cooked dishes served by polite staff, who are a lot quieter than the slightly noisy surroundings. They have a good selection for vegetarians (although they do use fish sauce in many of the dishes) and a regularly changing menu of regional specialities.

North China is a local family run Chinese restaurant with a first class Chinatown standard reputation. Known for their exquisite duck dishes there is also plenty more besides on their extensive menu covering all tastes, such as steamed wild sea bass, lemon chicken and an excellent crabmeat and sweet corn soup. The set course options provide a balanced selection of ingredients and flavours and take away the need for any tough decisions.

The ever growing input of people from Poland into our multiracial community in Britain have brought with them their customs, language and by no means least their eating preferences. Restaurants such as The Knaypa (translation, 'a good place to go out to') have sprung up to deal with this, with the result that another national cuisine has been added to our already formidable list. Whether it will ever achieve the cult status of, shall we say, Thai cooking, remains to be seen. Meanwhile at The Knapya, they offer the robust country flavours of Central Europe alongside lighter dishes that fuse Polish ingredients prepared with finesse from the West. To achieve this aim they are fortunate to have the modern flair of a highly talented chef in the form of Dariusz Koch, whose previous experience embraces time well spent in notable London restaurants.

There are two dining areas, both seating 35 people. The ground floor is contemporary with pale wooden flooring and red leather seating, with plenty of crisp white linen, sparkling glass and gleaming cutlery on display. Downstairs one is translated into an old Silesian inn, full of rustic promise, with dark wooden furniture and broody lighting. A marked contrast is the hand carved wooden platters used belowstairs, bringing a touch of conviction to the whole ensemble. When it comes to the menu it is immediately apparent that Dariusz has done a great job in bringing together east and west. Where nuances of interpretation arise, as in dumplings, let's say - and Polish cuisine is big on dumplings - due deference has been paid.

From a choice of eight starters it is a temptation to select on a national basis, which would be to lose the wonderful freemasonry of cuisinal compilation. Salty sheep's milk cheese smoked over the embers is served sliced with cranberries and onion chutney, and will have the vegetarians enthusing all the way to the water jug. Smoked salmon served with lettuce and lemon wedges takes us in spirit to Scotland, but herrings served with tomato relish, apple and onion sauce and creamed horseradish represents a triumph of co-operation. The same could be said of a main course, pan fried wild boar loin served with buckwheat cereal and vegetables in season. Yes, plenty of home-made dumplings too. The ones that really got to me were filled with veal and served with confit onion and smoked bacon.

Those wishing for the full Polish experience could do little better than go for the shared dish for two of pan fried breaded pork chop, home made dumplings, sauerkraut stew, golabki and white sausage served with boiled potatoes.

Everyone who has eaten here says the food is excellent! They have a strong vegetarian influence and only use olive oil and lemon juice, not an ounce of fat to be found anywhere. The décor is very simple but it has a great family feel to it and is very homely.

Situated inside the busy Westfield Shopping Centre on the upper level, Café Concerto is an exclusive fine Italian patisserie that offers diners good food while being entertained with live jazz and soul performances. With an elegant grand piano as the centrepiece, surrounded by sleek wooden tables and a modern décor, the place is a welcome break for shoppers as well as diners who come from afar to have some fine Italian fare. Together with traditional dishes, the restaurant also attracts guests for the pastries and cakes which are all handmade.

The exhaustive menu consists of some of the trademark Italian dishes from pastas of spaghetti carbonara, penne concerto, quill shaped pasta with chicken and mushrooms in rose sauce to tagliatelle al gambari with king prawns, cherry tomato, garlic and parsley. Besides this a variety of risottos, sandwiches and quiches can also be savoured.

With pastries being the highlight of the menu, diners can choose from the special tiramisu, cortina with chocolate sponge and crème Chantilly or fruit tart, all of this accompanied by some classic and fine Italian wines.

YO! Sushi Westfield Shopping Centre is a vital gastronomic experience rather than simply a place to eat sushi. This exciting and visually appealing Japanese delicacy, almost a cuisine in itself and going back to the 4th century BC, is fast rising in popularity for reasons of both taste and health, as well as its companionable setting. The restaurants offer a range of delectable nibbles that are attractively presented and revolve on a gently moving belt in front of customers, allowing them to sample a real wealth of varieties and eat just what they like best as often as they wish.

Contrary to many people's perception of sushi as raw fish, it comes in many forms drawing heavily on rice, fish, vegetables and seafood but the great variety arises chiefly from the different fillings and toppings, condiments, and the way these are combined. Often the same ingredients may be assembled in a traditional or a contemporary way, yet creating widely differing tastes.

Some of the most popular types are sashimi rolls, made from raw or seared slices of salmon and tuna and meant to be eaten within a couple of hours of being put together. Other options include cones of seaweed with rice and fillings and the little boat shaped parcels called gunkans. Miso soups, salads and nigiri sushi made of rice with toppings all add to its strong visual appeal.

Great beers like Asahi Super Dry and Sapporo support the food superbly, as well as hot and cold sake for those who want to sustain the Japanese experience. The menu also has non-alcoholic drinks and a limited list of wines and champagne. For dessert try the dorayaki, mochi or settle for fresh fruit.

The experience of having a meal at YO! Sushi is enriched by the unique array that appears as if by magic before the diner, with its unique colour coded pricing system. But the real pull is the fresh, healthy and tasty food that keeps people returning to their outlets across the UK.