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Patio has succeeded in producing well made Polish food for some years now and still customers never seem to tire of it. Perhaps it's down to that winning combination of friendly service, good food and reasonable prices. The bilinis with smoked salmon and soured cream are a firm favourite, whilst main courses include scallops in dill sauce or chicken Walewska, which is tender pieces of chicken in a robust red pepper sauce. The best value option is undoubtedly the £11.90 set menu that includes a starter, main course, petit fours, fruit and a glass of vodka to toast your good health.

The Common Room, situated a hundred yards east of Ealing common tube station, is one place you could stop over for a just a drink or visit for an entire evening of fun, food and relaxation. The stylish bar provides an inviting setting to catch up with friends during the week, or choose from a range of cocktails, considered by many to be the best in Ealing, while dancing to the tune of a DJ at the weekend.

A large outside smoking area with tables and chairs looks out onto Uxbridge Road and on a summer evening, buzzes with the chatter of happy customers.

The menu focuses on a range of modern British dishes, some with an appealing Mediterranean twist. Among the many choices that are on offer, honey and mustard cocktail sausages, king prawn linguini, homemade burgers, mini teriyaki beef skewers and roast vegetable tartlets are popular amongst diners.

The wine list comprises of numbers carefully chosen keeping the menu in mind.

Themed parties, organised throughout the year, are popular.

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.

While some people might never really figure out the concept of vegetarianism, here's a restaurant that seems to have got it right and with stupendous results too. The Gate has been going strong from the late eighties when vegetarians were looked at sceptically until now when it has emerged as a strong culinary influence. This refurbished studio restaurant in Hammersmith is light, airy and brings a chic element to bland vegetables with their interesting Asian and Mediterranean influenced menu where contrasting textures play upon the senses delightfully.

There are starters of cassava cakes, filled with courgettes, French beans and peas with Indian spices and served with coriander and mint chutney. The main course could include char grilled aubergines filled and baked with wild mushrooms, dried tomatoes and goat's cheese custard. Don't miss the white chocolate, coconut and lime cheesecake for dessert and the wine selection has eclectic choices from across the world.