Restaurant-Guide.com
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.

Al Forno restaurant, in Shepherd's Bush, is a snug and friendly family run Italian restaurant with an affordable menu offering a wide variety of high quality dishes. Overlooking Shepherd's Bush Common, Al Forno's contemporary decor and open kitchen provide a stylish setting for a gathering of friends and family, or a quick meal before the show at the nearby Shepherd's Bush Empire.

Offering distinctive home-style Italian cooking, guests could kick-start their day with an Italian breakfast of two fried eggs, olives, mozzarella, tomato, salami, toast and cappuccino. Lunchtime delights include a selection of starters, salads, pasta, pizza and main courses such as grilled sea bass served on lemon parsley sauce, or roasted fillet of Scottish salmon steak. The extensive evening menu celebrates authentic Italian flavours in dishes like chicken, mushroom and lemon soup or agnello brasato, a traditional dish of braised lamb shank served with roasted vegetables in a rich balsamic gravy sauce.

Al Forno also serves a good selection of Italian wines as well as beers, cocktails, spirits, liqueurs and cold drinks.

An archetypical Brick Lane establishment, Chillies offers its clientele freshly cooked food, friendly service and a comfortable ambience. Its Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani menu includes a comprehensive selection of sub-continental specialities.

Duck tikka, tandoori chicken or lamb chop masala makes for a tempting start to the meal. The subtle flavours of the shatkora murgh, which is lightly spiced chicken cooked with citrus fruit, presents a contrast to the earthy richness of the Luknowi lamb masala made with yoghurt, herbs and spices. Chicken Kashmiri is served with lychees and nuts while the house special, chicken keya, is vegetable stuffed chicken cooked in a special sauce. Spicy chilli chicken, lamb chops and fish cutlets add more variety to the meal. Seafood lovers can try the fish thali or choose between fish korma, prawn Madras or garlic king prawn. Peas pilau, lemon rice or chef's special fried rice complement the meal, along with cheese naan, roti or puri.

Kovalam is one of the newer additions to the curry houses along Willesden Lane and manages to set itself apart from the rest by offering tempting alternatives to the usual curry house menu, although you can still be assured of finding your favourites there too. For something a little different try one of the many specials such as spicy squid, or how about curried breadfruit, plus many more south Indian inspired dishes.

A gem from the late Victorian era, The Fox and Anchors has been serving the traders of Smithfields market for years. Located on the edge of the Square Mile in Charterhouse Street, the pub has been recently refurbished and restored to its former glory with mahogany doors, etched glass and heavy brass. Even with its rich new look, the ambience manages to steer clear of a pretentious demeanourand the place retains its warmth and reputation for superb, fresh food and an excellent selection of ales at great value for money.

Sticking to the tradition of opening early, the pub opens at 7 am, so drop in for breakfast if you're an early riser and join the company of ale-imbibing British food lovers who swear by the English breakfasts available here - baked beans, sausages, eggs, tomatoes, bacon, mushrooms and black pudding at £8.95. The bar menu consists of authentic English food with bar snacks such as homemade pork scratching, pickled eggs and cockles in vinegar alongside the main menu and parsley mash, steaks and oyster pie. The Fox and Anchors offers a unique setting that combines the goodness of tradition and great value meals with modern interiors and friendly service.

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.

The fact that Henry's has something for everyone makes it one dining destination no one should miss and if you're yearning for some good food and drink, drop right in to one of their bright and stylish outlets. Each cafe manages to retain its individuality by way of a unique core idea and design.

Delicious food is served all day, starting with breakfast, sharing dishes of tempura battered chicken, chilli nachos and baked camembert sharer, perfect for friends wanting a snack and a glass of wine. The host of tempting choices never fail to please. Salads, fresh burgers, sandwiches, Henry's popular fish and chips, pastas, puddings, tostadas and chicken tikka masala add variety to the exciting menu. Desserts could include sticky toffee pudding and baked vanilla cheesecake.

There's an extensive drinks list as well and the Grand Margarita and Raspberry Caipirinha, is a popular favourite. Henry's Bar and Café also offers wireless connectivity, which makes it the perfect spot for business as well as pleasure.