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hand picked restaurants

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.

Way back in 1998 James Learmond, founding director of Crussh couldn't find anyone on the High Street that offered a healthier alternative and saw a gap in the market. Nine years on, Crush continues to be London's favourite freshly made to order juice and smoothie bar. The venue makes for an ideal spot for a refreshing drink or a quick bite in relaxed and friendly settings, or a morning break after an invigorating long walk.

The menu offers excellent nutritious and delectable options such as green goddess - organic apple, kiwi, pear, lime, cucumber, spinach and celery, the ultimate detox drink; a crisp thirst quencher - apple, melon and cranberry crush, and apple berry burst. Try the low fat vanilla and chocolate dessert made with soya which is dairy free and an excellent guilt free pudding to satisfy any sweet teeth you might have around. If you fancy a light bite you could try a healthpot, or salads and sandwiches.

The chefs from the original Monty's restaurant on South Ealing Road have since parted company and set up on their own, explaining why you can now find a selection of Monty's restaurants in the area. The favourite amongst locals who know the difference seems to be the one at 54 Northfield Avenue. Here you'll find well-cooked dishes from good old favourites to the more adventurous, and portions are generous to say the least.

The Laguna restaurant has set the highest standards since it was established in 1984 and has become one of Ealing's favourite Indian restaurants. The expert and experienced chefs have been trained at some of the most prestigious hotels in India, and they use their expertise to enhance traditional north Indian cuisine by combining it with their own unique style to provide a dining experience that is sure to excite your palate and make your meal a memorable one.

Start with alu tikki, round patties of spiced mashed potatoes mixed with green peas and fried and murg pakora, tandoori chicken pieces, battered and deep fried. Move on to kebab haseena, tandoori roasted lamb pieces with capsicums, tomatoes and onions, marinated in spices and fresh fish marinated and cooked over charcoal fire and complimented by a fresh salad. End your meal with gulab jamun, deep fried dumplings immersed in sugar syrup and served hot.

An elegant modern setting distinguishes the Artisan Grill at the Novotel London West in One Shortlands. À la carte and table d'hôte menus offers guests a selection of international specialities for dinner and the restaurant welcomes parties of four to eight people for private dining.

Top quality but diverse range of ingredients cooked very simply is executive head chef Roy Thompson's mantra. Dishes created by him have a unique and natural flavour that reflects their source and provenance. Enjoy the taste of dishes such as salad of Goosnargh chicken with a Chardonnay dressing, roasted sweetbreads with black pudding and baby apples and red onion and goats cheese pissaladiare, for a start. Main course options include Creekstone fillet of beef, parsnip gratin and wild mushrooms, Norfolk pork chump chop, milk fed veal cutlet, whole Dover sole and tagliolini with parmesan, egg and baby peas. Chocolate fondant, Italian lemon cheesecake or banoffee pie make a fitting end to the meal. A variety of cocktails, wines, beers and spirits complement the food well.

Offering contemporary Indian fine dining, Urban Karahi in Greenford Avenue has vibrant modern interiors that cannot but uplift the mood of its guests. They can relax and unwind in an exquisite seating environment lit by a water wall, evoking a sensuous ambience.

The menu emphasises refined creative Indian cuisine, incorporating both classic dishes favourites and new ones that apply eastern flavours with a western twist. Diners can expect starters of chicken wings in a tangy sauce, honey bbq wings, lamb chops, crispy fried prawns, garlic mushrooms and chilli paneer. Be cautioned that atomic wings are extra chilli hot. After having satisfied the appetite to some degree, they can progress to more substantial fare such as butter chicken, chicken with cumin seeds in a special sauce, tandoori fish cooked in a coconut flavoured sauce, minced lamb seasoned with spices and paneer butter masala. The tandoori selection includes malai tikka, tender roasted pieces of chicken marinated with cream and cashewnuts, and mushroom tikka. A healthy options section offers dishes with more garlic.